13 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair 2026, According to Hairstylists

Like all precious metals, silver needs extra attention and care, and that goes for silver strands, too. The best shampoos for gray hair provide a gentle (but thorough!) cleanse, prevent split ends, boost shine, and help neutralize yellow tones that can make strands appear brassy and dull. “Gray hair is gorgeous, but it can be a little picky,” says Ryan Pearl, a celebrity hair colorist. Because it tends to be on the drier side, he recommends picking up a hydrating formula or finishing with a conditioning treatment.

To help you find the right one for your hair type, we tested dozens of expert-approved options for color-treated and naturally gray hair. We landed on Kérastase’s Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo as the best overall for its ability to soften, hydrate, and cleanse hair while neutralizing yellow. Other options, like Bumble and Bumble Thickening Volume Shampoo and Phyto Purple No Yellow Shampoo, stood out for their ability to add volume, fight brassiness, and combat the effects of hard water. For strands that look strong, effortlessly glamorous, and glossy, read on below.

The best shampoos for gray hair, at a glance

Best Overall

Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo

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L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo

Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

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Best Overall: Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo

Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo

What we love: Effectively neutralizes yellow tones; hydrates
Worth noting: Pigments are highly concentrated, so overuse could turn strands purple

Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo reigns supreme in the gray hair game thanks to effectively neutralizing yellow tones and hydrating your hair marvelously. Recommended by both a board-certified dermatologist and a celebrity hair colorist, this Kerastase purple shampoo is our overall top choice for gray hair. Infused with ultraviolet pigments and suitable for all hair textures, it helps cancel out yellow tones that can make gray hair appear brassy, all while softening and cleansing the hair and scalp of dirt, oil, and product buildup. FYI: Since pigments in this shampoo are highly concentrated, overuse could turn your locks purple, so limit it to three washes per week, the brand recommends.

“I can personally vouch that this formula is a fast-acting solution for fighting brassiness even in blonde or highlighted hair. In my experience, lathering up with it once or twice a week is all it takes to ward off those orangey tones—and hairstyling always feels easier after using it, too,” says Glamour contributor Victoria Moorehouse.

The shampoo boasts benefits for dry hair too. “The formula’s hyaluronic acid adds moisture, which is essential since gray hair tends to be drier and more brittle,” says Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hair colorist and the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey, gives the formula her stamp of approval, pointing out that it leaves hair looking bright, luminous, and toned.

Best Drugstore: L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo

L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Sulfate-Free Purple Shampoo

What we love: Affordable formula that fights brassiness in gray and silver hair
Worth noting: Some find the shampoo’s violet and thyme scent to be too strong

This L’Oréal shampoo makes easy work out of fighting brassiness in gray and silver hair. With more than 17,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, it’s one of the most popular (and budget-friendly!) sulfate-free shampoos for neutralizing yellow tones in gray and silver hair. “This is a great affordable option for gray hair,” says Dr. Garshick. “It uses purple pigments to keep brass at bay while being gentle on the scalp.” While some purple shampoos can leave some scalp irritation, this L’Oréal pick leaves our testers hair and scalp feeling clean and calm. (We love the herbal violet and thyme scent, but some find it too strong.) As with other purple shampoos, you’ll probably only want to use this a few times a week (at most) for toning maintenance.