The 16 Best Drugstore Shampoos and Conditioners That Actually Work

Once upon a time, there was quite a stark divide between drugstore and salon-quality shampoos and conditioners. Drugstore formulas easily got a bad rep for skimping on quality, and professional options weren’t always easily accessible. However, over the years, that chasm grew smaller and smaller until even celebrity hairstylists like Tarryn Feldman could barely tell the difference.

“So many smaller brands are getting rid of all the harsh chemicals that categorize them as drugstore brands. In other words, drugstore brands have stepped up their game to produce more [higher-end quality products],” says Tarryn Feldman. This is great news for those of us who go through shampoo and conditioner fairly quickly or often forget to pack our favorites on trips away from home.

Top picks for the best drugstore shampoos and conditioners in 2024

• Best for Intense HydrationJoico Moisture Recovery ShampooRead more
• Best for Intense HydrationJoico Moisture Recovery ConditionerRead more
• Best for FrizzNexxus Ultralight Smooth Shampoo & ConditionerRead more

A general rule of thumb when shopping for anything, especially shampoos and conditioners, is to pay attention to what’s on the ingredient list rather than the name of the brand. “It comes down to reading the ingredients on the labels to ensure the products you’re putting on your hair and scalp are derived from natural ingredients. The selection and quality of ingredients play a huge role in the outcome of your hair’s results, and your focus should be about maintaining healthy, strong hair, which starts with high-grade ingredients,” adds Jill Turnbull, founder of Jill Turnbull Beauty.

Now that you’re in the know, it’s time to find the perfect hair duo for your hair’s wants and needs. We spoke to hair experts, read through dozens of customer reviews, and tried a couple ourselves to narrow down the 16 best drugstore shampoos and conditioners. Keep scrolling—your hair (and wallet) will appreciate it.

1

Best for Intense Hydration

Joico Moisture Recovery Shampoo

$23 at Ulta Beauty$30 at Walmart$42 at JCPenney

Pros

• Leaves hair hydrated and bouncy
• Great for thick hair

Cons

• Pricey
• Some may dislike scent

Extra hydration is never a bad idea if you plan to spend a lot of time under the sun or in and out of the sea in the next few months. Joico’s Moisture Recovery instantly hydrates hair, especially dehydrated, coarse strands.

Size: 10.1 fl. oz.

Ulta rating: 3.8/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Silk press season is one I can’t miss, but the products used can determine how flawless your results look. My hairdresser pulled this shampoo and conditioner out during my last silk press and informed me that before we could even get to the heat styling, hydration is key. This combo left my super coily hair feeling soft, smooth, and silky. As a result, my silk press came out just as silky and smooth. Now, this combo is a wash day staple when my strands are parched and limp.”—Nerisha Penrose, ELLE.com beauty commerce editor

2

Best for Intense Hydration

Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner

$43 at Ulta Beauty$14 at Walmart$14 at JCPenneyCredit: Joico

3

Best for Frizz

Nexxus Ultralight Smooth Shampoo & Conditioner

$32 at Amazon$16 at Walmart

Pros

• Protects against humidity
• Softens hair

Cons

• Can be greasy for some
• Some may dislike scent

A battle with frizz may seem never-ending, but Nexxus just might hold the key to the cure. The Ultralight Smooth set nourishes and smooths strands with almond protein and jasmine, resulting in sleek hair no matter how humid the conditions. Reviewers report softer, more manageable strands with continued use.

Size: 13.5 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.3/5 stars

Our beauty expert says: “My favorite drugstore shampoo and conditioner combination is by Nexxus, which offers a variety of options for all hair types at an inexpensive price. I specifically love the Ultralight Smooth Weightless Protein shampoo and conditioner. It helps block out frizz and heavily moisturizes your hair while leaving your hair with a beautiful and shiny finish. The formula is sulfate-free, which is great for color-treated hair and those who want a more chemical-free brand.” —Andrea DiSabatino, NY-based professional hairstylist

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4

Best for Curly Hair

SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Coconut and Hibiscus Shampoo for Curly Hair

Now 13% Off

$10 at Amazon$24 at Walmart$12 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

• Instantly softens hair

Cons

• Will need more product for thicker hair

A staple in every naturalista’s stash, Shea Moisture’s Curl & Shine line loves on your curls with a creamy formula made of coconut and hibiscus that cleanses away dirt without leaving a squeaky clean feeling. Mahogony Grace, NYC-based hairstylist and founder of Mahogony Grace Salon, loves Shea Moisture products because they offer “a wide variety of ultra-hydrating, strengthening, and restorative products for textured, curly, and coily hair.”

Size: 13 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “I have naturally curly 4B hair. The Curl & Shine Shampoo and Conditioner always hydrates my hair and perks up my curls. This is a tried and true favorite that gets my hair clean while keeping it moisturized. The silk protein leaves my hair shiny and minimizes breakage. There’s a reason this line is a curly girl favorite—it works well.” —Danielle James, ELLE.com beauty director

5

Best For Curly Hair

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner

Now 12% Off

$10 at Amazon$24 at Walmart$12 at Ulta Beauty

6

Best for Clarifying

Kristin Ess Hair The One Signature Shampoo

$12 at Ulta Beauty

Pros

• Deeply nourishing formula

Cons

• Strong scent

Clarify your strands without leaving your hair a dried-out mess. Kristin Ess’s cult-favorite shampoo and conditioner is a gentle formula that imparts moisture and removes the gunk. “One of the only drugstore brands I know of that is vegan, color-safe, sulfate, and paraben-free is Kristin Ess. This brand is carried at Target and is very accessible to any consumer,” hairstylist Kasey Bertucci of Salon 120 West says.

Size: 10 fl. oz.

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “This product removed all of the product residue and left my waves bouncy and without frizz. I love this shampoo!”

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7

Best for Clarifying

Kristin Ess Hair The One Signature Conditioner

$12 at Ulta Beauty

8

Best for Damaged Hair

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

$11 at Ulta Beauty$18 at Walmart$12 at Nordstrom Rack

Pros

• Restores curls after a few washes
• Hydrating

Cons

• May not be suited for fine hair

Jamaican black castor oil may be the star of these formulas, but other nourishing and clarifying castmates like shea butter, peppermint, and apple cider vinegar bolster the products’ benefits. Whether your textured hair is overprocessed or has been heat-styled one too many times, this shampoo and conditioner is a safe bet.

Size: 13 oz.

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “Back in the day when I regularly put heat on my hair, my 4B curls would be so limp. This shampoo and conditioner combo brings them back to life and helps minimize breakage. I also like to use this right before I put in a protective style.” —Danielle James

9

Best for Damaged Hair

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Rinse-Out Conditioner

$11 at Ulta Beauty$11 at Walmart$10 at Amazon

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10

Best for Spa Lovers

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Shampoo

$50 at Ulta Beauty$44 at Walmart$50 at Amazon

Pros

• Stimulates the scalp

Cons

• Tingling sensation can be strong for some

Buy for the gorgeous forest green packaging, and keep it for the tingling, spa-like sensation it gives your scalp with each lather. The shampoo and conditioner stimulate your scalp to soothe and refresh it while cleansing away impurities.

Size: 10.14 fl. oz.

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “My daughters have very oily hair and wash it almost every day. This shampoo works well on oily hair. My daughters now can go 2-3 days between shampooing.”

11

Best for Spa Lovers

Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Special Conditioner

Now 22% Off

$15 at Ulta Beauty$30 at JCPenney

12

Best Color-Safe Formula

L’Oréal Paris EverPure Moisture Sulfate Free Shampoo and Conditioner

Now 30% Off

$14 at Amazon$24 at Walmart

Pros

• Doesn’t disrupt color

Cons

• Product runs out fast

Formulated with color-treated hair in mind, L’Oreal’s EverPure collection is a mainstay in Grace’s collection, thanks to its replenishing, sulfate-free, and color-safe formula. The pleasant scent isn’t overpowering and doesn’t take away from the real work of the star ingredient, rosemary. Your hair will feel soft, refreshed, and, most importantly, revived.

Size: 8.5 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer said: “I love the feel and scent, but I mostly love its gentleness on my extensions, preserving the integrity of keratin adhesive. Five stars.”

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13

Best for Fragile Hair

Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Fortifying Shampoo

Now 26% Off

$10 at Amazon$13 at Walmart$14 at JCPenney

Pros

• Affordable
• Works quickly

Cons

• Some may dislike scent

Dry, brittle strands are prone to breakage, making it difficult to maintain length. This shampoo-conditioner duo strengthens and hydrates hair with castor oil, black cumin seed oil, and ginger—you’ll have longer, healthier locks before you know it.

Size: 11 fl. oz.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “There was a time when my hair was so weak and breakage-prone that I lost all hope it would ever regain its strength. That is, until I incorporated the Carol’s Daughter Goddess set into my hair routine. My hair was softer and easy to maneuver without strands falling out at lightspeed.”—Nerisha Penrose

14

Best for Fragile Hair

Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Fortifying Conditioner

Now 12% Off

$12 at Amazon$11 at Ulta Beauty

15

Best for Long-Lasting Moisture

Aussie Miracle Moist Shampoo

$4 at Target

Pros

• Great for thicky, curly textures

Cons

• Can weigh down thin hair

Speaking of moisture, Aussie Miracle Moist is the OG. YouTube beauty gurus helped popularize the drugstore icon, but its nourishing ingredients—avocado and Australian jojoba seed oil, to name. a few—and amazing slip has proved its staying power.

Size: 12.1 fl. oz.

Target rating: 4.5/5 stars

A Target reviewer says: “It’s been so dry lately, and this has been a great product to add moisture to my hair! My daughter also hates when her curls get dry, frizzy, and tangly, and we’ve had no issues using this shampoo and conditioner!”

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16

Best for Long-Lasting Moisture

Aussie Miracle Moist Conditioner

$4 at Target

Meet the Experts

Andrea DiSabatino is a NYC-based professional hairstylist.

Mahogany Grace is a professional hairstylist and founder of Mahogony Grace Salon.

What should you look for when buying drugstore shampoo and conditioner?

Like skin care, you should always pay close attention to the ingredients in shampoos and conditioners, no matter the price. “Key ingredients and your hair type play a significant role, regardless of drug store-bought vs. salon-grade. For best results, be sure to choose a shampoo & conditioner that includes ingredients that will benefit your hair type,” NYC-based hairstylist Andrea Disabatino explains. “If you’re interested in ‘health conscious’ products, look for ingredients such as argan oil, hemp, and aloe vera. For a deep cleansing formula, helpful ingredients include apple cider vinegar and tea tree. For colored hair, avoid heavy sulfates and sodium, as these ingredients could easily strip your color,” she says.

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How often should you use drugstore shampoos and conditioners?

Frequency is determined by your personal hair woes. “Scalp health will always determine how often you should wash your hair. Thicker, textured, and natural hair can be washed less frequently, whereas thinner and finer hair tends to get oily sooner and require more frequent washes,” DiSabatino adds.

Why Trust ELLE Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors consulted hair experts to vet the best drugstore shampoos and conditioners.

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Shop More ELLE Beauty Essentials

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• The Best Biotin Shampoos for Fuller, Voluminous Hair
• The Best Tea Tree Shampoos for a Flake-Free Scalp