7 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair 2026, According to Pro Hairstylists

Frequently asked questions

If brassiness is an issue, purple shampoo is ideal in your shower rotation. Marnie Nussbaum, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City, says that they “help keep that gray cool and fresh, because let’s be honest, no one wants that yellowish tone creeping in.”

Still, consider that purple shampoo isn’t a panacea, so keep some guidelines in mind. “Purple shampoo is helpful, but it can be overused. Gray hair is porous, so it can grab too much violet pigment if the formula is strong or used too often,” says Jessica Ruby Spratt, master stylist, color expert, and owner of The Flamingo Lounge in Los Angeles and New York City. “Many purple shampoos are also drying, which can make gray hair feel rough. I recommend using it no more than once a week and always pairing it with a hydrating conditioner or mask.” Plus, make sure it’s sulfate-free so you don’t strip your hair of those precious natural oils, says Dr. Nussbaum.

Purple shampoo is generally best for most gray clients because it neutralizes yellow tones, which is the most common issue with silver hair, says Ruby Spratt. “Blue shampoo is better for canceling orange or brassy tones, which tend to appear in salt-and-pepper hair or during the grow-out phase for former brunettes,” she adds, noting that many clients benefit from purple, but some transitional grays need blue around warmer areas.

Katie Emery, founder of Katie Goes Platinum, a blog and YouTube channel dedicated to helping women confidently and joyfully embrace their naturally gray hair, and Melissa Souza, a hairstylist and groomer in Los Angeles, recommend steering clear of these categories when buying shampoos for gray hair:

• Sulfates: These “can dry out your hair by stripping it of its natural oils,” Emery says. Though it’s okay to include some sulfates, like those found in clarifying shampoos, in your routine.
• Silicones: Don’t use products with excessive silicones, says Souza, as this can create dull buildup.
• Yellow- and amber-toned products: Anything yellow-hued or amber-colored is a no-go, too. Gray hair absorbs warmth faster, so “yellow-toned formulas can discolor the hair over time,” Souza explains. This includes some deep-moisturizing shampoos (as well as conditioners and hair masks), says Souza, which can negatively impact your gray mane. Additionally, amber-colored products, “such as some argan oils, can stain your gray hair,” says Emery.

“Hydration is everything,” says Tiffanie Richards, a master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in New York City. Gray hair naturally produces less oil, so it often feels drier and rougher than pigmented hair. “I encourage clients to focus on moisture-rich conditioners, weekly hair masks, leave-in conditioners, and heat protection whenever they style,” she says. She also recommends not overlooking regular trims. “Gray hair reflects light beautifully when the cut is fresh, and the ends are healthy.”

First, we tapped stylists and hair experts who focus on gray hair or regularly work with clients sporting grays to glean their intel on the ingredient front. Next, we looked at ingredients, experience using the shampoo, and overall effectiveness. Throughout our research and testing process, we learned that the best ones had healthy hair ingredients like keratin, plant extracts, antioxidants, and other ingredients that help preserve color and kill brassiness (for the latter, purple shampoos contain violet-hued pigments to banish brassiness for good). When sudsing up, it was clear that top contenders had a great lather and were easy to incorporate into our routines—without requiring too much product or effort to get the shampoo thoroughly mixed into our scalp. Last but not least, you can rest assured that the gray hair shampoos on this list are effective in keeping gray hair shiny and strong, because each one earned high marks in those coveted categories.

• Ryan Pearl, celebrity hair colorist and Tangle Teaser stylist
• Marnie Nussbaum, MD, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Lines
• Marisa Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist
• Jennifer Korab, celebrity hair colorist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa in Hillsborough, New Jersey
• Judy McGuinness, New York City hairstylist
• Michelle Cleveland, celebrity hairstylist and extension artist
• Katie Emery, founder of blog and YouTube channel Katie Goes Platinum
• Melissa Souza, hairstylist and groomer in Los Angeles
• Jessica Ruby Spratt, master stylist, color expert, and owner of The Flamingo Lounge in Los Angeles and New York City
• Tiffanie Richards, a master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon in New York City
• Gela Hunkins, hairstylist at Atelier Salon in Las Vegas