The right shampoo is the foundation of healthy hair, making a huge difference in the overall appearance and confidence. But with so many products in the market, the question ‘What shampoo should I use?’ can be a daunting one.
If you're struggling to find the answer, this guide is designed to demystify the process. We will show you exactly how to choose shampoo for hair by walking you through how to identify your specific scalp and hair type, understand which ingredients are most suitable for you, and finally, share our recommendations to make your decision easy.
Understanding Your Scalp and Hair Type
Before choosing a formula, it’s essential to know your hair type and scalp condition. This makes it easier to select the perfect shampoo by hair type while also addressing the specific needs of your scalp, ensuring you find a formula that meets all your needs. .
1. Scalp
Normal:
This scalp type usually has a balanced production of oil, the texture of the hair is healthy, and does not usually get irritated. The best shampoo for normal hair and scalp is one that maintains the balance and keeps the moisture intact while cleaning the scalp effectively.
Look for gentle, pH-balanced shampoos with mild surfactants like SLES along with lightweight hydrators. Avoid shampoos that are either too rich or too harsh (like those with SLS), as they can disturb the natural equilibrium.
Oily:
Oily scalp produces excessive sebum that often leaves hair greasy very quickly. Look for a shampoo with ingredients like salicylic acid or zinc pyrithione that effectively removes excess oil but is gentle enough to not keep necessary natural oil intact. Clay-based shampoos can also help absorb excess oil.
Dry:
Usually the first sign of dry scalp is itchiness, often accompanied by frizz. This type of scalp lacks natural oils and needs external moisturisation to restore the softness of the scalp and hair. Shampoos with nourishing actives and natural oils are especially beneficial. It’s best to avoid strong clarifying shampoos, harsh sulfates like SLS, or alcohol-heavy formulas, as they can strip away what little oil the scalp naturally produces.
Combination:
A combination scalp is not uncommon, but it is the trickiest to maintain. In this case, the scalp is oily, but the hair ends are often dry. A balanced approach where the shampoo has mild surfactants that cleanses the excessive oil of the scalp but also lightweight moisturisers and natural oils that restores the moisture to the ends of the hair is required.
2. Hair
Fine Hair:
Fine hair has delicate strands, often lacks volume, and can look flat. They are prone to breakage. Fine hair benefits from a lightweight formula with water-based ingredients like hyaluronic acid and jojoba that don’t weigh the hair down while strengthening and hydrating the hair.
Thick/Coarse Hair:
Thick hair has a tendency to be coarse due to its wider diameter, making it resistant to moisture penetration; it requires rich moisturising shampoo that smoothens the texture and reduces the frizz.
Curly Hair:
Curly hair is prone to dryness because natural oils from your scalp can't travel down the twists and coils to the ends. It needs shampoo that locks in moisture, defines curls and prevents frizz.
Wavy Hair:
Wavy hair requires a moderate hydration, gentle shampoo to cleanse the scalp and enhance natural waves without letting it become flat, as the irregular wave pattern can become too limp with heavy products or too frizzy without enough moisture.
3. Special Needs
Dandruff:
Dandruff occurs when scalp cells shed too quickly, often due to fungal overgrowth. It requires an anti-fungal, anti-flake shampoo with gentle cleansing actives that soothes inflammation and encourages a healthy scalp.
Thinning:
Thinning hair results from weakened follicles producing finer strands. It needs shampoos that can nourish the scalp and follicles and strengthen the hair fibres, and promote resilience.
Coloured Hair:
Chemical treatments make hair porous, causing colour to fade with each wash. Colour-safe shampoos minimize colour stripping, preserve the vibrancy of the colour and protect the hair from drying.
Ingredients to Look for Based on Your Hair Type
Choosing a shampoo that matches your hair type and scalp concerns is key. When looking at shampoo for hair types, it’s important to focus on what your scalp needs first and then what your strands require.
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Dry Hair: Hydrating ingredients such as Arginine-Glycerin Complex, Vitamin B5, and Natural Glycol help retain moisture, smooth cuticles, and reduce frizz.
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Oily Hair: Gentle cleansing actives in SLS-free formulations remove excess oil without stripping essential moisture.
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Combination Hair: Balanced formulas with ingredients such as Vitamin B5 and mild surfactants help hydrate dry ends while keeping roots fresh.
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Fine Hair: Proteins and strengthening complexes support elasticity without weighing strands down.
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Thick/Curly/Wavy Hair: Moisturising and frizz-controlling agents like Plant Protein-Silanol Complex enhance softness and manageability.
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Coloured or Chemically Treated Hair: Ingredients such as Keratin, Amino Acids, and UV filters strengthen fibres, reduce breakage, and protect colour vibrancy.
A Shampoo That Takes Care of Your Needs
When you think about how to choose right shampoo, it usually comes down to finding one that can handle different concerns at once. The &Done Take Control Hydrating Shampoo does just that. It suits all hair types and works especially well for dry, oily, or combination hair.
Made with 5 globally sourced actives, 3 that give hydration and 2 that protect, it helps keep hair smooth, strong, and full of colour.
Key ingredients include:
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Arginine-Glycerin Complex is a Japanese biotech molecule that hydrates and repairs simultaneously. Glycerin delivers lasting moisture while Arginine repairs damaged bonds.
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Vitamin B5: A vital nutrient that penetrates deep inside the strand to improve elasticity and shine.
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Natural Glycol is a plant-based humectant that locks in moisture for soft, hydrated hair.
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Plant Protein-Silanol Complex is a microscopic plant molecule that penetrates deep to rebuild and strengthen hair's internal structure.
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Amino Polymer creates a breathable shield that reduces breakage, smooths texture, and protects colour vibrancy
All our hair care products are SLS and paraben-free, salon-tested, and safe for daily use. This gentle formula effectively removes buildup while keeping hair healthy. For vibrant, smooth, and manageable hair, it’s a reliable choice.
Shampoo Frequency and How to Use
Understanding how often to shampoo is as important as selecting the most suitable product. Dermatologists suggest washing based on your scalp’s oiliness, hair type, lifestyle, and the products you use, rather than a fixed schedule.
How To Use the Shampoo:
Apply a coin-sized amount of shampoo to wet hair, lather the shampoo well into the scalp, and massage it in. Rinse the shampoo thoroughly.
Lock in the nourishment and softness with the finishing touch of the &Done Hair Conditioner.
Frequency of Shampoo according to hair type:
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Daily washing suits very oily scalps or those who exercise frequently.
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Normal hair typically needs washing once or twice a week.
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Dry, curly, or textured hair benefits from less frequent washes, sometimes only once a week, to preserve natural oils.
A good shampoo is a foundation for healthy, vibrant hair. By selecting products suited to your shampoo for different hair types, you can address specific concerns while enhancing your hair’s natural texture and shine.
Whether it’s finding a shampoo and conditioner for dry hair or oily hair, about maintaining hydration and reducing frizz, or even strengthening strands and protecting your hair colour, the right formula elevates your hair care routine.
Bring home the best shampoo and conditioner for all hair types with &Done and experience nourished, resilient, and beautifully healthy hair every day.
