Gray hair made a great progress way in recent years. No more a dreaded sign of aging, the silvery hue has turned into a fashion statement, with even women within their 20s and 30s welcoming the look with open arms – or perhaps seeking it out. Whether you've just started your transition into gray territory, or you have been embracing the colour for years, you ought to be using the best shampoos for gray hair to keep it looking healthy and feeling strong. Just like we switch up our shampoos and conditioners whenever we dye our hair blonde or red, you should be doing exactly the same for our natural hue changes, too.
What are the best shampoos for gray hair?
- Best Shampoo for Gray Hair : Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
- Best Natural Shampoo for Gray Hair : Original Mineral Conquer Blonde Silver Shampoo
- Best Purple Shampoo for Gray Hair : Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
- Best Drugstore Shampoo for Gray Hair : Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde & Silver
- Best Anti Yellow Shampoo for Gray Hair : Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo With Centaury
- Best Silver Brightening Shampoo : Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo
- Best Color Depositing Shampoo for Gray Hair : Davines Alchemic Shampoo
- Best Blue Shampoo for Gray Hair : Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
- Best Sulfate Free Shampoo for Gray Hair : L'ANZA Healing Colorcare
- Best Conditioning Shampoo for Gray Hair : One 'n Only Shiny Silver Ultra Shampoo
- Best Neutralizing Shampoo for Gray Hair : L'Oréal Serie Expert Magnesium Silver
- Best Silver Shampoo for Gray Hair : SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo
- Best Hydrating Shampoo for Gray Hair : Kiehl's Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Shampoo
Why does gray hair turn yellow?
As we age, follicles of hair produce less melanin, leading to gray hair. Yet not all gray locks are created equally. Something many women notice as their hair begins to change color is brassiness, or a yellowish hue.
When it comes down to it, there are a bunch of factors that can be at play here. From medications and exposure to the sun to harsh water and hair-product develop, yellow-gray hair has numerous causes. Using a toning shampoo, also known as a purple shampoo, can make a big difference between mousy gray strands and shining, silver tresses.
Using Purple Shampoo for Gray Hair
Don't allow the name fool you: These shampoos, while pigmented with a very deep violet hue color, won't actually deposit any purple to your hair (though we do know a great color-depositing conditioner that would!). Just as we learned in our childhood art classes, purple and yellow are complementary colors, meaning they sit across from each other on the color wheel. In essence, by using a purple toned shampoo, the purple pigments will neutralize any yellow that may come in your hair. We're fans of Amika's Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo ($20, Sephora), that also helps hydrate dry strands.
The Best Shampoo for Gray Hair
Graying hair isn't merely about a color change: It's a texture change, too. Hair becomes coarse and dry for many women as they go gray. For this reason, when you're looking for the perfect cleanser, it's also wise to be looking for formulas that put a focus on nourishing and hydrating. By picking up a shampoo that takes care of both your color as well as your texture, you'll be a measure closer to the luscious, silver locks you've always dreamt of.
Ready to obtain the right shampoo for your gray hair? Whether your tresses are box-dyed or natural, there's a shampoo for you on our list. Keep scrolling for Woman's World's picks for the best shampoo for gray hair.
13 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair
Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo
Best Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Ulta, $31 for 33.8 oz
Why we like it:
- Salon-approved
- Neutralizes brassiness
- Leaves hair shiny
When you are looking at the best shampoo for gray hair, the most popular is Matrix's Total Results So Silver. This powerful cleanser can be used in salons around the world for one reason and something reason alone – it works. Not only does it neutralize any would-be brassiness or yellowing that may be occurring, additionally, it does a fantastic job of bringing a shining, shimmering quality to sterling tresses.
Happy customer: “I love this shampoo. It's great for gray hair – it makes it shiny and silvery. Also it smells divine. It also leaves my hair soft and glossy and tangle-free.”
Original Mineral Conquer Blonde Silver Shampoo
Best Natural Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $35.99
Why we like it:
- Formulated with aloe vera
- Helps remove yellow tones
- Free of sulfates, parabens and gluten
If natural splendor is a must for you personally, get a bottle of O&M's Conquer Blonde silver shampoo. Infused with aloe vera and desert lime, this concoction activly works to remove dull yellow tones from gray hair, regardless of type. What's really impressive, however, is exactly what it isn't infused with. If you are seeking a sulfate-, paraben-, phthalate-, triclosan-, gluten-, and propylene glycol-free purple shampoo that works well, you've definitely thought it was.
Happy customer: “This shampoo is phenomenal. It truly enhances my gray and provides it awesome shine. I'm very pleased.”
Amika Bust Your Brass Cool Blonde Shampoo
Best Purple Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Sephora, $20
Why we like it:
- Made with vitamins A, D, E, and B
- Provides a less brassy appearance after each wash
- Infused with minerals
Another fan-favorite is Bust Your Brass cool blonde shampoo from Amika. Not only is this ultra-violet hair wash a strong weapon against brassiness, it's paraben-, pthaltate-, and sulfate-free. Additionally, it receives a fortifying boost from sea buckthorn berry, vitamins A, D, E, and B, amino acids, and minerals, to name a few.
Happy customer: “I always want to get the grey tone on my hair, and this Amika purple shampoo is the greatest one I have ever used- This Amika purple shampoo worked on me the first time I used it!“
Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo Blonde & Silver
Best Drugstore Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $9.99
Why we love to it:
- Protein-rich
- Helps keep brassiness out of blonde and gray hair
- Under $10!
Clairol's Shimmer Lights is one of the most popular shampoos around for all those looking to maintain light, silvery locks. Along with being extremely affordable, it uses a protein-enriched conditioning formula to help keep hair soft and nourished while simultaneously keeping brassiness at bay for blonde and grey hair.
Happy customer: “I have been using this product for a long time and do not like using anything else. Frequently, I am stopped and asked how I get my hair 'that color.' I inherited the basic color from my mother and her father, but Shimmer Lights keeps it silver and shiny without any yellow.“
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo With Centaury
Best Anti Yellow Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $15
Why we love to it:
- Non-purple base
- Helps remove yellow tones from hair
- Plant-based formula
Klorane is a non-purple, plant-based option that still does an excellent job of keeping any unwanted yellow tones out of hair. The secret here is centuary extract, which highlights the natural brilliance of gray hair and keep warm, yellow tones away.
Happy customer: “Keeps my grey and white hair shiny and does not cause dryness, unlike the purple shampoo I used to be using – my hair was dry and brittle and try to breaking. This shampoo is very gentle and my hair feels and looks healthier.“
Drybar Blonde Ale Brightening Shampoo
Best Silver Brightening Shampoo
Buy from Ulta, $59
Why we love to it:
- Brightens hair
- Uses violet pigments to fight against brassiness
- Formulated with lemon extract and chamomile
Drybar's Blonde Ale is the bottle to reach for to brighten your blonde, gray, silver, or white hair. This shampoo utilizes a mixture of violet pigments, lemon extract, chamomile, and keratin to keep hair vibrant, shiny, and strong, and neutralize any unwanted warmth that may be present.
Happy customer: “I bought this around the recommendation of the extremely helpful sales staff for my gray hair. This brightened it up without drying it out (such as the other products seem to do). Like it!”
Davines Alchemic Shampoo
Best Color Depositing Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $30
Why we like it:
- Clarifies and tones hair
- Uses hydrolyzed milk proteins
- Strengthens hair
For ladies whose hair skews a little more around the white side, there's Davines Alchemic shampoo. The well-know Italian hair brand created this clarifying and toning wash with hydrolyzed milk proteins, so that you can be assured that your strands won't be yellow-free, they'll be soft, smooth, and stronger with each use.
Happy customer: “I have very dark hair (about an eight) and have recently gone silver. This shampoo has helped me maintain my color and keeps those annoying brassy tones from showing up!”
Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo
Best Blue Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Nordstrom, $61
Why we like it:
- Uses blue rather than purple
- Promotes healthy scalp health
- Made having a plant-based formula
Much like a purple shampoo, blue shampoo, like this Aveda Blue Malva formula, is an excellent choice for anyone looking to keep their gray hair pristine. Gentle and plant-based, this mixture of blue malva and coneflower will intensify your grays and balance out your scalp for all-around health.
Happy customer: “I love this shampoo! It's my number 1 choice, when i have experienced white hair since i have was 27. It leaves your hair soft and silky and removes any yellowing. Pairs well with rosemary mint conditioner.“
L'ANZA Healing Colorcare
Best Sulfate Free Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $31
Why we like it:
- Sulfate-free
- Uses natural ingredients
- Tones hair so it's less brassy
For a lot of women, especially those with curly and natural hair, utilizing a sulfate-free shampoo is not a want, it is a need. L'ANZA's Healing Colorcare shampoo is a sulfate-free mixture of natural viola and lavender toning agents that will remove unwanted warmth from gray, silver, and blonde hair with ease. Plus, its added gugo bark and L'ANZA's award-winning keratin complex work together to heal and protect.
Happy customer: “Truly is a phenomenal product. I've use cheaper products with little to no results. My hair is silver-gray after one use it brightened up- I highly reccomend the product!”
One 'n Only Shiny Silver Ultra Shampoo
Best Conditioning Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $17.95
Why we like it:
- Helps keep hair smooth
- Moisturizes hair for any straight-from-the-salon look
- Eliminates brassiness
Looking for any purple shampoo which will nourish hair while cleansing it? One 'n Only's Shiny Silver Ultra shampoo is the pick for you. Designed to eliminate brassiness from gray hair, additionally, it does a fantastic job of keeping hair smooth and moisturized for a straight-from-the-salon look.
Happy customer: “I've used this product for two years on white/grey hair and the result's superb. Even my stylist thinks so, and it has begun using it professionally. I highly recommend One 'n Only Silver shampoo.”
L'Oréal Serie Expert Magnesium Silver
Best Neutralizing Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $17.75 (originally $28.93)
Why we like it:
- Neutralizes yellow tones
- Helps keep scalp healthy and hydrated
- Gives a boost of shine
L'Oréal's Serie Expert Magnesium silver-neutralizing shampoo does precisely what you'd expect: neutralizes yellowing. Its deep purple hue counteracts brassy tones for vibrant white or gray hair, and nourishes and protects hair while adding just a little shine.
Happy customer: “This shampoo is exactly what I needed for my silver hair. Takes out the yellow leaving it looking beautiful. I have had lots of people compliment me on my small hair color. They cannot believe I do not color it!“
SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo
Best Silver Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Amazon, $28
Why we love to it:
- Built-in sun protection
- Uses Ocean Silk technology to hydrate hair
- Cleanses hair
What really sets this SACHAJUAN silver shampoo in addition to the rest is its built-in sun-protection. Sun-damage is a major cause of hair-yellowing, and also the UV filters present in this cleanser not only make it a great shampoo for gray hair, however for summer, as well. It is also plenty hydrating, thanks to the company's proprietary Ocean Silk technology.
Happy customer: “I have tried numerous purple shampoos within my day and the Sachajuan Silver Shampoo is by far the best yet!! After the first use, my ash-blonde and silver highlights were brighter and the brassy color of my natural hair was gone! I definitely recommend trying this shampoo, it is a miracle worker!“
Kiehl's Damage Repairing & Rehydrating Shampoo
Best Hydrating Shampoo for Gray Hair
Buy from Kiehl's, $20
Why we like it:
- Made with hydrating ingredients
- Repairs and fortifies hair
- Keeps the scalp moisturized
When taking care of gray hair, brassiness really should not be your only concern. As we grow older, hair not just loses pigment and turns gray, it loses moisture and becomes brittle. This is exactly why it's super vital that you make sure you also have a good hydrating shampoo inside your roster. We like to achieve for Kiehl's Damage Repairing & Rehydrating shampoo, which is made with Moringa Tree oil, acid hyaluronic, and ceramides that gently cleanse while repairing and fortifying.
Happy customer: “I've been using this product for almost a year now. I entered a salon and was told which i should use silicon, sulfate-free shampoos. I've also colored and bleached my hair numerous times causing my tips to be extremely dry and frizzy (like a broom). I've tried numerous hair masks and repairing shampoos, it did not work until I found this product! My hair is now back to its original condition, soft and glossy.”
