The 10 Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos You Can Find at the Drugstore

Best Overall

Method Simply Nourish Moisturizing Shampoo

$10 at Amazon $11 at Target $11 at Walmart

Hair Type: All, color-treated | Key Ingredients: Coconut, rice milk, shea butter | Scent: Coconut | Size: 14 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re on the hunt for a sulfate-free shampoo that will work for all hair types, look no further than this one offered by Method. Benefits range from moisturizing to cleansing, which we adore. It works particularly well for those with color-treated hair, and with the inclusion of coconut, rice milk, and shea butter, your locks will feel softer than ever. We think the bottle is adorable, although some users claim it tends to fall over in the shower.

Best for Fine Hair

V&Co. Beauty Straight Hair + Peptide Shampoo

$8 at Amazon $8 at Target $8 at Walmart

Hair Type: Straight | Key Ingredients: Aloe juice, proprietary peptide blend | Scent: Floral | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have fine, straight hair, this shampoo from V+Co is going to do wonders for your locks from root to tip. “This shampoo is designed to care for straight hair and contains peptides, amino acids, and proteins that all help to support healthy hair function, strengthen the hair and support less shedding,” says Cavalcante. And while this only works for straight hair, the brand offers other shampoos for all hair types.

Best for Dry Hair

Native Moisturizing Shampoo

$10 at Target $10 at Walmart $10 at Nativecos.com

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Citric acid | Scent: Coconut, vanilla | Size: 16.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

We’ve been using Native’s body wash for years, and when we found out they offered our favorite scent in shampoo form, we had to give it a try. And we are here to confirm that it lives up to the hype! Free of sulfates and made with only 10 quality ingredients, this drugstore find is easy to use and will transform dry hair in no time. Some users claim it leaves a greasy residue, but that’s something we haven’t personally experienced.

Best for Oily Hair

Pantene Miracle Moisture Boost Shampoo

$9 at Amazon $4 at Target $12 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Pro vitamin B5, antioxidants, rose water | Scent: Floral | Size: 3, 9.6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Raise your hand if you suffer from oily hair! If you’re sick of having to wash your hair every day or use way too much dry shampoo, we suggest giving this shampoo from Pantene a go. It moisturizes without any of the heavy ingredients that can further exacerbate oily strands. “I like that this product is free of surfactants and is also silicone, dye and paraben free,” says Cavalcante. “You’ll still get that clean feeling with plant-based surfactants; I am a fan of coconut ingredients (sodium cocoyl isethionate,) for creating a hydrating, lathering sensation without the damage.”

Best for Natural Hair

Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo

$8 at Amazon $11 at Ulta $8 at Target

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Hibiscus water, passion fruit, watermelon | Scent: Floral | Size: 13 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

While this Maui Moisture shampoo is suitable for all hair types, we especially recommend it for wavy and curly locks. Thanks to ingredients such as hibiscus water, passion fruit, aloe, and watermelon, this lightweight shampoo will leave your hair feeling moisturized and soft. Some users aren’t a fan of the packaging, but we think the product inside is truly worth it.

Best for Bleached Hair

Nexxus Color Assure Shampoo

$18 at Ulta $16 at Target $18 at Sallybeauty.com

Hair Type: Color-treated | Key Ingredients: Elastin protein, quinoa | Scent: Floral | Size: 13.5, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Bleach isn’t the best thing to put into your hair, but if you’re a blonde, it’s something that can rarely be avoided. With that being said, when shopping for a sulfate-free shampoo, we think this one from Nexxus is perfect for blondes. It can extend color for up to 40 washes and even replenishes nutrients in the hair. “This is a good choice for someone with color-treated or highlighted hair,” says Cavalcante. “Sulfates can fade and dull the hair and lead to brassiness in blondes.”

Best for Curly Hair

Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo

$4 at Amazon $4 at Target $4 at Walmart

Hair Type: Curly | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, glycerin | Scent: Coconut | Size: 12.5, 22 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Curly hair is innately prone to being dryer than straight hair, which is where sulfate-free shampoos can be hugely advantageous. This particular pick helps combat that potential dryness by not only being sulfate-free but also adding hydrating glycerin and coconut oil to leave your spirals soft and shiny. Plus, it works on all types of curls, too. If your curly hair falls on the finer side, this product might weigh it down.

Best for Color-Treated Hair

L'Oreal Paris Shampoo

$10 at Ulta $9 at Target $11 at Ecosmetics.com

Hair Type: Color-treated, dry, chemically treated | Key Ingredients: Rosemary botanicals | Scent: Jasmine, juniper berry | Size: 8.5, 23 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If you have color-treated hair, sulfate-free sudsers are the way to go when it comes to maintaining and prolonging the life of said color. This pick, which is also great for dry or curly hair, lathers beautifully, smells amazingly refreshing, and rinses out easily without ever weighing down strands. One thing to note, though, is that reviewers have noted the bottle leaks.

Best for Scalp Issues

Kristin Ess Scalp Purifying Micellar Shampoo

$12 at Ulta $15 at Target $15 at Walmart

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Rice protein, coconut fruit extract, mango seed butter | Scent: Sandalwood, pear, magnolia | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Opting for a sulfate-free sudser is also a good move if you have any kind of scalp issues—think dryness, irritation, or itch. We’re big fans of this lightweight micellar formula, which relies on micelles instead of sulfates to get the job done. Think of them as little magnets that attach to and remove dirt, oil, and product residue—without stripping your scalp's (or hair’s) natural moisture. It has a relatively strong smell, so if you’re not into that, you might want to skip out on this product.

Best Strengthening

Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo

$10 at Amazon $11 at Ulta $10 at Target

Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Biotin, rosemary mint | Scent: Herbaceous | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Courtney likes that this one has the addition of strengthening biotin. The “gentle tingling sensation from the rosemary and mint” feels invigorating on the scalp, she says, adding that the use of many moisturizing ingredients (coconut oil, babassu seed oil, castor oil) makes it a nice option for even those with super brittle strands. The scent is pretty mild, as some reviewers noted that after their hair dried they could barely smell the scent anymore.