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
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
.png)
Keranique Color Boost Follicle Strengthening Shampoo
Jump to
Best Overall: Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain UltraViolet Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
.png)
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 Kérastase 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.