Products like shampoos, conditioners and others have major impact on scalp and hair health. That is why, it is important to purchase only high quality products suitable to your hair texture.
An ideal shampoo for men can provide proper cleaning to maintain scalp fresh and hair soft. It prevents stripping off natural oils from scalp and hair to maintain them hydrated and itch-free.
Apart from that, shampoo also has major impact on look, feel and texture of hair. To choose the best shampoo for men, we recommend considering below options…
Scalp Type
Scalps are considered to be two types – oily and dry. Below table represents which properties to look for in a shampoo for that particular scalp type.
| Scalp Type | Consider | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Oily or Greasy | Balancing, volumizing or strengthening shampoos – to remove excess oil | Hydrating, moisturizing and soothing shampoos – as they add more oils to scalp |
| Dry Scalp | Hydrating, moisturizing or specific to curly hair shampoos – as they promote moisture retention | Fortifying, strengthening and volumizing shampoos – as they strip off essential moisture |
| Very Dry, Itchy and Flaky | Menthol or tea tree oil shampoos – as they provide relief | Fortifying, strengthening and volumizing shampoos – as they strip off essential moisture |
Right Ingredients
Ingredients present in a shampoo are the best way to determine its quality. Some of the beneficial ingredients to have are – jojoba oil, shea butter, coconut oil, hydrolyzed keratin, olive oil, silicones and palm oil. It is better to avoid shampoos that have harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens and others.
Remaining factors are mentioned clearly in our Buying Guide. Read them carefully to make an informed purchase.
Apart from that, we have also picked out the Best Shampoos for Men.
Best Hair Shampoo Products for Men (All Hair Types) Reviews
| shampoo for men | Hair type | Ingredients | Fragrance | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Spice Shampoo for Men | Normal, dry and oily | Sodium Citrate, water,Citric Acid | Refreshing scent | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Biotin Shampoo for Hair | Normal to oily hair | biotin, keratin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil and argan oil | Mild fragrance | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Head and Shoulders Shampoo | All hair type | Charcoal | Citrus | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| American Crew Shampoo | Normal to oily | sage Leaf and Chamomile extracts | Mild chamomile scent | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Brickell Men's Shampoo | All hair type | peppermint, aloe vera, tea tree and hydrolyzed protein | energizing scent | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Krieger Sohne Shampoo for Men | --- | ---- | ---- | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| KICK Mens Shampoo | All hair type | Tea Tree leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Aloe Vera | Mint fragrance | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Rocky Mountain Barber Company Shampoo | All hair type | Tea Tree, eucalyptus and peppermint. | forest mint fragrance | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Redken Brews Daily Shampoo For Men | All hair type | glycerin and protein | Woody scent | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| JACK BLACK Shampoo | All hair type | creatine, tea tree leaf, white lupin protein and basil | No fragrance | CHECK ON AMAZON |
1. Old Spice Shampoo for Men
Our first product is a two in one solution. So one bottle has the goodness of both shampoo and conditioner.
This is a bonus as along with cleaning your hair you can also condition it the same time.
Old spice is an age old brand and has been a favourite ever since and the sole reason behind this is their quality products.
This has a fresh scent that you can smell from the moment you open the bottle.
This chemically formulated solution requires a very small amount to cover the entire hair.
It comes in a pump bottle which can be conveniently used.
Quantity- 32 fl oz
Ingredients- Sodium Citrate, water, Citric Acid,
Hair type- normal, oily and dry
Fragrance- refreshing scent
Pros
- Controls oil
- Reduces bacteria
- Protects hair colour
Cons
- Not suitable for dry hair
2. Biotin Shampoo for Hair
Biotin shampoo is specially designed for people suffering from thinning hair. This shampoo can stimulate hair growth and make your hair voluminous.
With a blend of keratin and biotin it promotes healthy growing. It also helps to improve the texture of hair. This can work great for curly to wavy hair.
This composition also includes essential oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil and argan oil. These help to moisturize hair and also protects collagen that maintains the hair elasticity.
This sulphate free product is efficient to balance the natural oil of the scalp.
Moreover its manufacturers also promise a money back guarantee and this just makes the product much more trustworthy.
Quantity- 16 oz
Ingredients- biotin, keratin, jojoba oil, coconut oil, olive oil and argan oil
Hair type- normal to oily hair
Fragrance- mild
Pros
- Controls oil
- Reduces bacteria
- Protects hair colour
Cons
- Not suitable for dry hair
3. Head and Shoulders Shampoo
This is a combo pack. Along with shampoo you also receive a conditioner. The charcoal formula does a deep cleansing action.
Charcoal is powerful enough to clear away all the toxics and remove all the dirt particles.
Along with this it also consists of zinc pyrithione. This helps to reduce to occurence of dandruff and helps maintain a healthy scalp.
In Fact this is a proven formula that will help reduce flakes, excess oil and dryness.
This solution gives a rich lather and with frequent use you can maintain healthy hair and scalp. It also has a refreshing citrus scent.
While the conditioner moisturizes your hair and keeps them soft.
Quantity- 12.8 oz
Ingredients- charcoal
Hair type- all hair type
Fragrance- citrus scent
Pros
- Comes with a conditioner
- Removes dandruff
- Gives good lather
Cons
- Smell might not be liked by all
4. American Crew Shampoo
American crew is a common name among grooming hair products.
This particular product can work great if your hair is on the oilier side. The formula works great and helps to get rid of excess sebum oil buildup. Hence it leaves your hair nourished and fresh while balancing the excess oil.
This new and improved version is made of Sage Leaf and Chamomile extracts. These ingredients add a shine to your hair and reduce bacterial growth.
Moreover this can also be used to protect your hair colour and maintain its vibrancy.
Overall this is a great effective shampoo and also has a refreshing and comfortable cleansing experience.
Quantity- 33.8 oz
Ingredients- sage Leaf and Chamomile extracts
Hair type- normal to oily hair
Fragrance- mild chamomile scent
Pros
- Controls oil
- Reduces bacteria
- Protects hair colour
Cons
- Not suitable for dry hair
5. Brickell Men’s Shampoo
This product works for all hair types. Brickell shampoo is great for men with thinning problems. As this has strengthening properties that make your hair look fuller.
The reason it can strengthen your hair is primarily because of its list of ingredients.
This starts with hydrolyzed protein, this can work on each hair strand and make it thick and also strengthens the underlying hair structure.
The list also includes peppermint and tea tree that stimulate the scalp and reduce flakes and skin irritation.
Amino acid restores the natural shine and vitamin E enhances hair growth. Last but not the list aloe vera is also included in this list which helps to condition your hair.
This blend also evokes an energizing scent.
Quantity- 8 oz
Ingredients- peppermint, aloe vera, tea tree and hydrolyzed protein
Hair type- all type hair
Fragrance- energizing scent
Pros
- Suitable for any hair type
- Makes hair thick
- Produces dandruff and flakes
Cons
- Scent might not be liked by all
6. Krieger Sohne Shampoo for Men
This is a premium quality shampoo, infused with tea tree oil. It will help to re-invigorate and stimulate the scalp to promote healthy hair growth.
Tea tree will remove all the grime and dust particles. It is also efficient to remove dandruff.
Along with the tea tree there is also peppermint oil which adds natural shine to the hair.
This blend of peppermint and tea tree oil gives a refreshing fragrance.
This shampoo can be used for all hair types, massage for a few minutes on wet hair to see the difference.
Quantity- 16 oz
Ingredients- peppermint and tea tree oil
Hair type- all type hair
Fragrance- refreshing scent
Pros
- Suitable for any hair type
- Adds shine to hair
- Produces dandruff and flakes
Cons
- Peppermint smell can be too strong
7. KICK Mens Shampoo
Kick shampoo is specially formulated for highly active men. So they can fight sweat induced dandruff and dry scalp that can lead to hair loss.
This has a right potency of ingredients which includes Tea Tree leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Aloe Vera. This mix makes your hair soft, strong and gives irritated free scalp.
This brand promises to deliver results which are visible right after first wash. It doesn’t make your hair dry or frizzy.
This shampoo also produces a good amount of lather as compared to others.
And after a few seconds of application you can feel a cooling sensation.There is also a fresh peppermint scent.
Quantity- 17.75 oz
Ingredients- Tea Tree leaf, Peppermint, Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Aloe Vera
Hair type- all hair type
Fragrance- mint
Pros
- Sulfate free product
- Suitable for hair type
- Makes hair soft and reduces dandruff
Cons
- Mint scent might be strong
8. Rocky Mountain Barber Company Shampoo
Our eighth product is made up of all natural ingredients and suitable for all hair types.
This shampoo consists of essential oil with no added artificial fragrance.
The blend of peppermint and tea tree oil helps to reduce scalp irritation and promote healthy hair growth.
This also consists of eucalyptus that helps maintain healthy hair and scalp. Being paraben and toxic free it does not dry out your hair or disturbs the natural oil balance of hair.
Massage this on wet hair to allow it to penetrate deep into the root and give you nourished hair.
This shampoo has a forest mint fragrance.
Quantity- 8 oz
Ingredients- Tea Tree, eucalyptus and peppermint.
Hair type- all hair type
Fragrance- forest mint fragrance
Pros
- Nourishes hair
- Does not dry out hair
Cons
- Smell might not be liked by all
9. Redken Brews Daily Shampoo For Men
If you are looking for a shampoo that has a strong manly scent then this can be your right choice. This has a mix of woody and spicy scent.
Coming to its efficiency this shampoo cleanses the scalp and hydrates the hair.
It has a lightweight formula that can be used daily and would not strip the natural oil of hair. Though it works well with any hair type but people with dry hair can surely benefit from this due to its hydrating efficiency.
This will make your hair feel soft and shiny and this is mainly because of its ingredients which includes glycerin and protein.
Add this to your daily regime and make your hair nourished.
Quantity- 33.8 fl oz
Ingredients- glycerin and protein
Hair type- all hair type
Fragrance- woody scent
Pros
- Balance natural oil of hair
- Hydrates hair
- Makes hair soft
Cons
- Scent might be too strong for some
10. JACK BLACK Shampoo
This true volume thickening shampoo is based on a unique blend of ingredients that helps to revitalize your hair.
This is a sulphate free product and includes natural ingredients like creatine, tea tree leaf, white lupin protein and basil.
Now let’s talk about each of them and its benefits-
Creatine strengthens hair and adds volume to hair.
Tea tree oil helps to reduce irritation.
Lavender oil this has anti-inflammatory
Sage leaf oil revertilizes the scalp and helps in hair regrowth.
Nettle leaf gives your hair a healthy shine
Organic sunflower seed helps to hydrate and moisturize
And last but not the least basil is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and has antioxidant properties.
This blend of vitamins, natural oils and botanical extracts remove oil, dust and makes your hair look thicker.
And this cannot end without mentioning that this is a dermatologist tested product and does not contain any toxic chemicals. This is a great option for sensitive skin too.
Quantity- 16 oz
Ingredients- creatine, tea tree leaf, white lupin protein and basil
Hair type- all hair type
Fragrance- no fragrance
Pros
- Consists of natural ingredients
- Cruelty free product
- Promotes hair growth
Cons
- Consistency is very thick
Things to keep in mind while Buying a Shampoo
Before buying a shampoo that works the best for you, here are some factors that you must check for.
1. Scalp Type
We all use shampoos to take good care and maintain the hygiene of hair and the scalp.
However, there are certain types of shampoos that work specifically for different scalps.
There is a small percentage of people who have perfect scalp. For all the others, they have either oily scalp or dry scalp. Let’s check about them in detail.
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Oily scalp
Most men have either oily or greasy scalp. It is very easy to figure out whether you have an oily scalp or not. All you have to do is simply run your fingers through your hair and if the fingers feel oily, you have an oily scalp.
If you fall under the category of oily scalp, here are a few things that you must remember.
Men with greasy or oily scalp must avoid using hair products that contain moisturizing, smoothing, or hydrating agents. They should also avoid using products that made especially for curly hair as these products tend to add even more moisture to your already oily scalp.
You should look for products that mention terms such as volumizing, balancing, or strengthening in their product description section. These types of products help in removing excess oil from the scalp as they contain very few ingredients that add moisture to your hair. They contain more such ingredients that work on reducing the excess amount of grease present on your hair and scalp.
Some of the ingredients that are effective for treating greasy scalp are salicylic acid and sulphates.
Also, while applying the shampoo, you should take some time to work it deep into the scalp. This will help the shampoo in breaking up and removing the excess oils. However, don’t apply too much of shampoo to your hair too.
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Dry Scalp
The other category of the scalp that most men suffer from is dry scalp. For men with dry scalp, the main problem is the oil glands don’t produce enough oil that leads to dry and flaky scalp.
If you feel that you have a dry and itchy scalp, the most annoying issue for you might be dandruff.
Even in dry scalps, there are different levels. For men with a minor dry scalp that doesn’t itch a lot or that does not have major dandruff issues, you can use a shampoo that promotes hydration and moisturization. You can even use shampoos that are made to be used by men with curly hair. The reason behind this being these shampoos work on promoting moisture retention that in turn benefits a dry scalp. These types of shampoos generally contain ingredients such as sunflower oil and argan oil as they help in restoring the moisture to the scalp.
However, if you have a very dry and itchy scalp with dandruff issues, you should use shampoos that are formulated especially for dry scalps. The common ingredients in these shampoos are menthol and tea tree extracts.
You should also avoid shampoos that contain sulphates as they are not good for dry scalps. They remove excess moisture and oil from the scalp making it even more dry.
Another thing that you can avoid is buying products that mention Volumizing, Fortifying or Strengthening on its label. Such products strip off the essential moisture from the scalp.
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Normal Scalp
Very few men are blessed with normal hair and scalp. They are pretty lucky as they don’t have to spend too much time on managing and maintaining the scalp and hair. A normal scalp has the right balance of oils that does not make it feel too dry or greasy.
Since this type of normal scalp is quite easy to manage, you might not find many products that label their shampoo as normal. However, for people with a normal scalp, you should look for shampoos that offer an even ratio of moisturizing and cleansing agents. To narrow down the options, you can even go through the reviews of the users online.
2. Right Ingredients
The ingredients present in any shampoo are a clear indication of their properties and quality.
As a rule, all the shampoos contain soaps and cleansing agents help you in getting rid of debris and dirt from the hair and the scalp.
However, few cleaning agents might be harsh or rough than others.
If you have a sensitive scalp type, it is better if you avoid using rougher shampoos or soaps as it might increase irritation or occurrence of dandruff.
Some shampoos are formulated using gentle cleaning agents that help you prevent the scalp from further irritation.
Here is a list of the most common ingredients found in any shampoo along with their properties. Let’s have a look!
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Essential Oils
Essential oil is one of the main ingredients in the shampoo that aims on hydrating your hair and is gentle on your scalp.
It is very easy to figure out whether the particular shampoo contains essential oil or not. You can simply check for ingredients like coconut oil, palm oil, argan oil, jojoba oil, etc.
One of the key responsibilities of essential oils is they maintain soft and smooth hair. They prevent the scalp and hair from losing too much moisture while you are taking a head bath.
The presence of essential oils in hair strengthening shampoos can help in improving the flexibility and the strength of hair drastically. Both the properties offered by oils are very helpful for men who have weak hair that tends to break very easily.
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Keratin
Keratin is nothing but the protein that the hair is actually made up of. Some men don’t have strong hair than that it should be normally.
This leads to weaker hair fibers and it eventually ends up breaking off easily and frequently.
Most shampoos prevent this hair breakage by furnishing the scalp using extra keratin protein.
Even though it is not a full-proof solution for most men, these types of shampoos help in alleviating thinning hair and work on making hair stronger than before.
Thus, if you want to prevent hair thinning or hair breakage, you should look for shampoos that contain keratin.
For men who live in typically dry areas or climate, they should prefer using shampoos containing keratin as they help in retaining moisture to a great extent. For the best results, you can use shampoos containing both keratin and essential oils. This will help in moisturizing the hair strands.
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Vitamins
Another key ingredient found commonly in most shampoos is vitamins (in the form of vitamin A, E, etc).
These vitamins help the scalp to re-grow the hair and maintain the same.
Most often it happens that for men, who have weak hair, either the hair becomes flat making it look scanty or they break easily because of vitamin deficiency.
Thus, try to look for vitamins in the ingredient section of the shampoo so that it strengthens your hair and also add volume.
The volumizing factor is accomplished by any shampoo when they are formulated using the right balance of vitamins and essential oils.
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Emollients
Emollients are the ingredients that are well known for adding hydrating and nourishing properties to your hair fibers. Shea butter is one of the ingredients that are used as emollient in most products.
Most of the shampoos either contain one or two emollients. The best part about these ingredients is they work perfectly on any hair type.
The presence of emollients also helps in changing the texture of the shampoo and makes it feel soft when you pour the shampoo to your hand. They also make your hair smooth and silky.
If you have a sensitive scalp type, you should consider using a shampoo that contains plenty of emollients. These shampoos will be gentle on your scalp.
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Silicones
Silicones, the polymer compounds made after combining oxygen atoms and silicon are generally used to cover each strand of the hair so that it looks shiny.
They show an immediate result and offer great short-term benefits to the strands. However, washing them off completely can be a bit difficult task.
Thus, users who use shampoos containing silicone end up scrubbing their hard to remove the shampoo completely. If you don’t wash out the shampoo properly, chances are silicone can start piling up on the hair making it hard and brittle. These silicones also prevent the strands from absorbing the moisture.
Whether you wish to silicone in your shampoo or not is your personal choice. You can select one on the basis of your hair type too. To identify this ingredient in the shampoo, check for the names with “-cone” as the suffix.
Other ingredients to be in the list
- Glycerin:These are humectants that help in pulling moisture into the scalp and the hair strands and then retain it.
- Aloe vera:Aloe vera is helpful in repairing dead skin cells present on the scalp.
- Argan oil: It is considered as an ideal conditioner. The presence of argan oil in a shampoo helps in dealing with split ends. It also maintains soft and silky hair.
- Olive oil:The olive oil helps in dealing with dry flakes on the scalp and makes your hair soft and shiny.
- Moroccan oil:This oil is helpful in keeping the frizzy hair under control. Moroccan oil is considered very helpful for severe conditions like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis.
- Tea tree oil:It promotes hair growth by unclogging hair follicles and nourishes the roots.
Ingredients to Avoid
Here are a few ingredients that you must avoid while buying the shampoo for you.
| Ingredients to Avoid | Properties |
|---|---|
| Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) | Not a good option for people with color-treated hair. It fades away the color and strip of essential oils from the hair |
| Sodium Chloride | Can make your scalp dry and itchy (especially sensitive scalp) and cause hair loss |
| Ammonium Lauryl Sulphate/Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES) | Can increase the frizz and make your hair brittle and more prone to breakage |
| Diethanolamine (DEA) and Triethanolamine (TEA) | The ingredient is linked to cancer and is banned for usage in cosmetics by The European Commission |
| Parabens | Linked to the growth of breast cancer cells |
| Alcohol | Alcohols like Propanol and Isopropyl cause damage to the hair. However, Stearyl and Cetearyl alcohol are not as harmful as others. |
| Retinyl Palmitate | It is known as a skin irritant and causes itching and irritation. Severe side effects are organ toxicity, cancer, and reproductive issues. |
| Formaldehyde | Causes cancer in humans |
| Dimethicone | Clogs the pores and causes irritation to the scalp |
| Cocamidopropyl Betaine | It is generally used along with dimethylaminopropylamine in hair products and causes skin irritation, allergies, rosacea, and eczema. |
| Triclosan | It is an antibacterial agent that can cause hormonal disruption. It also leads to cancer and abnormal foetal development. |
| Synthetic Fragrances | They can disrupt the human reproductive system and cause asthma and cancer. |
| Synthetic colors | Since the colors are derived from coal tar or petroleum, they can be harmful to human health |
3. Cleaning Power
The primary function of any shampoo is to clean oil and dirt from the scalp and hair. When compared, the clarifying shampoos work the best and clean the scalp properly. However, these shampoos can be harsh on your hair and turn it dry too.
4. Scent
Selecting the fragrance of the shampoo is your personal choice. For a better idea, you can go through the reviews of the users or check the label of the shampoo. A good fragrance can help your hair feel fresh all day long.
How To Shampoo Your Hair The Right Way
If you wish to get the best result from your shampoo, here are a few steps that you must follow.
- Rinse your hair and scalp thoroughly using lukewarm water. Make sure that the water is not too hot as it can strip oils from the scalp and the hair.
- Take a little amount (a spoonful should be enough) of shampoo on the palm. Rub your palm and work on creating lather so that you can apply it over your hair from the root till the tip.
- Start applying the shampoo on your scalp and hair. Work in a gentle and circular motion using your fingertips.
- To start with, start working on the front of the scalp and slowly move back till the end. Now back up again coming towards the temples of your hair. Continue doing for a few minutes. Doing so will help in exfoliating and stimulating the scalp properly.
- Wait for a while and let the shampoo sit for a minute or so. This will help the shampoo to work on your hair and scalp.
- Wash off the shampoo using lukewarm water.
- Take a small amount of conditioner and apply it to your hair. If you don’t wish to apply the conditioner, you can skip this step completely. However, applying conditioner has its own set of benefits. It provides extra hydration to your hair and makes it feel soft. This is why many men are considering to apply conditioner these days. You can apply the conditioner in the same way as you apply the shampoo. Unlike shampoo, you will have to leave the conditioner on your hair for a while before rinsing it off.
- Take a soft towel and start pat drying your hair. Don’t tug or pull your hair as it can cause damage and lead to hair breakage.
Types of Shampoos
The following are the different types of shampoos along with their properties:
| Types of Shampoos | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Clarifying Shampoo | 1. Best for men with dull and greasy hair 2. Adds a fresh and healthy shine to your hair 3. A great alternative for those who get hard water in their house or those who swim in chlorinated pools regularly |
| Dry Shampoo | 1. Best for those who don’t have enough time to wash their hair 2. Makes your hair look fresh and manageable for a long time 3. A great alternative for people who travel frequently |
| Color-Treated Hair Shampoo | 1. Best for men who have colored their hair 2. Ensures that the hair color looks the best and last for a long time |
| Volumizing Shampoo | 1. Best for men who have thin and lifeless hair strands 2. Restores the moisture and make your hair look thicker, fuller, and healthier |
| Hydrating/Moisturizing Shampoo | 1. Best for users with thick, coarse, or curly hair 2. Add moisture, gloss, and smoothness to your hair and make it feel soft and silky |
| Strengthening / Fortifying Shampoo | 1. Best for men with weak, brittle, damaged, or highlighted hair 2. Contain extra proteins that help in improving the condition of your hair |
| Balancing Shampoo | It is a neutral shampoo that does not add too much moisture to your hair and at the same time, does not make your hair and scalp dry |
| Smoothing / Straight Hair Shampoo | 1. Best for men with straight hair or those who prefer smooth hair styles 2. Contains added moisturizing and smoothing agents that help in sealing the cuticle |
| Curly Hair Shampoo | 1. Best for men with curly hair 2. Contains ingredients that help in reducing the frizz and moisturizing your hair |
Frequently Asked Questions
The frequency of washing your hair depends on the amount of oil or dirt that gets settled on your hair every day. Even though there is no harm in washing your hair regularly, you can wash whenever you feel that your hair has become dirty.
Few men prefer washing their hair twice or thrice a week. However, if you shampoo your hair daily, make sure that the shampoo you use is gentle and has hydrating properties otherwise washing your frequently can strip natural oils from the scalp and make dry.
Conclusion
Finally we come to the last section. We hope our article served your purpose. All our products were selected on the basis of highest reviews and product efficiency.
And our favourite among this is Old Spice, Shampoo and Conditioner 2 in 1. This is a two in one product. So along with cleaning it also conditions hair at the same time. This has a refreshing fragrance and comes in a pump bottle. Making it convenient to use.