Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (2024)

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (1)

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If you have wavy hair, you know it never looks the same two days in a row. One day, it’s perfectly defined with tons of volume and the next, it’s flat, greasy, and stringy. The problem might be the hair products you're using. Enter the best shampoos for wavy hair, which moisturize your wavy locks without weighing them down or stripping your hair of its natural beneficial oils.

Best shampoos for wavy hair

Finding the best hair product for wavy hair is a bit of a Goldilocks issue. Not straight but definitely not curly, wavy hair has completely different needs, making it tricky to find the best shampoo for wavy hair that brings out its relaxed wave pattern. Caring for wavy hair is a delicate balance between definition and hydration. Too much of either will iron out those beautiful loose, barely-there waves or encourage frizz.

What to consider

Ingredients

"Look for sulfate-free formulas that retain moisture and prevent your waves from becoming overly dry or frizzy," suggests dermatologist Dr. Lauren Penzi, MD. "Because wavy hair is usually more prone to dryness, look for moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, panthenol, and shea butter."

Hair texture

Thin hair gets greasy faster than thick hair, so shampoos that provide a deeper clean will give your waves a new life. Thick hair needs a shampoo with more moisturizing properties to enrich its waves. Make sure to pick a shampoo that's right for your hair type and texture.

How we selected

No two waves are the same, which is why we asked multiple editors and writers with wavy hair to share the shampoos they swear by to keep their waves in place. We’ve tried and tested more than 50 formulas—including drugstore shampoos, fragrance-free shampoos, and keratin shampoos—and narrowed it down to the ones that combat frizz and bring out our natural texture. To ensure the health of your hair, we also consulted with two board-certified dermatologists to get their top picks.

Read on to discover the best shampoos for wavy hair that can enhance your natural texture and add some oomph to your mane.

Best Volumizing Shampoo for Wavy Hair

DevaCurl CurlHeights Volume + Body Boost Cleanser

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (8)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (9)Adds shine
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (10)Reduces frizz
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (11)Doesn’t lather much

This shampoo for wavy hair cleanses without stripping your hair of its natural oils, leaving your curls feeling moisturized and incredibly soft. We liked the fruity fragrance, but it may be too strong for those who are sensitive to fragrances. The gel-like consistency doesn’t lather up like traditional shampoos, which is actually a good thing if you have wavy or curly hair. The primary cleansing agents in shampoos can dry out your strands, causing frizz. This shampoo helps maintain moisture without weighing the hair down, and gave our roots a much-need lift at the root, increasing volume and bounce.

Read more: Best Volumizing Hair Products

Size12 oz.
IngredientsAloe vera, glycerin, castor oil
Hair TextureThin hair

Best Natural Shampoo for Wavy Hair

Davines Love Curl Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (13)Intoxicating scent
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (14)Great for sensitive scalps
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (15)Expensive, given the ingredients used

Sometimes curl shampoos can weigh down wavy hair, but you don’t have to worry about that with this shampoo. It’s lightweight and gives your hair a thorough clean while depositing just enough moisture to define your waves without leaving them looking stringy. We found that we can go upwards of four days in between washes without sacrificing your style. That’s right; no ponytails or buns, just soft, smooth waves. This shampoo is highly concentrated, which means a little goes a long way. Unlike other natural sulfate-free shampoos, this shampoo lathers like crazy but rinses clean without leaving any residue.

Size8.45 oz.
IngredientsAlmond extract, glycerin
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best for Fine Hair

Verb Ghost Shampoo

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Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (17)Prevents dry ends
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (18)Balances oil production on the scalp
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (19)Can strip colored hair

Wavy hair goes flat fast, and it can be tricky to find balance in your washing routine. It’s a Catch-22; if you wash it too much, you run the risk of drying out your waves, leading to frizzy waves. Wash it too little, and you’ve got greasy roots. This shampoo takes the guesswork out of finding the perfect wash routine. It weightlessly cleans and hydrates your scalp and hair, giving you soft, touchable waves from the very first use. It brings your waves back from the dead if they’ve gone limp and lifeless due to oil buildup on the scalp. We love this shampoo because it brings out the best of our natural hair texture, blocking frizz and leaving it looking full and bouncy for days.

Size12 oz.
IngredientsMoringa oil, green tea extract, sunflower seed extract
Hair TextureThin Hair

Best Budget Shampoo

OGX Lightweight + Coconut Fine Curls Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (20)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (21)Adds shine
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (22)Improves wave definition
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (23)Can dry out curly hair

Moisture overload is a very serious threat to wavy hair. While it’s important to hydrate your strands, too much moisture can make your waves go limp. If this sounds familiar, we recommend trying this affordable option from OGX. Formulated for fine curls and waves, this non-oily shampoo uses coconut water and flaxseed to gently cleanse and tame frizz without completely flattening your locks. The thin consistency lathers up nicely and provides a deep clean. Perfect for those who like to air dry their wavy hair, this lightweight shampoo rinses out clean, allowing your natural waves to form and flourish.

Size13 oz.
IngredientsCoconut water, flaxseed oil, citrus oil
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Shampoo for Long Hair

Ceremonia Weightless Hydration Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (25)Keeps ends smooth and soft
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (26)Reduces frizzy flyaways around the face
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (27)Watery consistency

Fine hair falls if you even look at in the wrong way. This sulfate-free shampoo cleanses and moisturizes without doing too much, leaving your hair feeling clean and refreshed. Plus, it gives your hair a boost of volume from root to tip for added bounce and body. It left our hair consistently soft for days without getting oily at the roots. Gentle on fine hair, it’s our preferred shampoo in the summer to control oil at the roots without drying out the ends. Long locks will love how this shampoo hydrates all the way down the hair strands without weighing it down, thanks to a blend of natural yucca extract, witch hazel and aloe.

Size8.45 oz.
IngredientsAloe vera, guava fruit extract, yucca extract, witch hazel
Hair TextureThin Hair

Best Shampoo For Humid Climates

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Smoothing Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (29)Stays sleek for longer
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (30)Improves the health and strength of your hair over time
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (31)May cause buildup if you have thin hair

When you have wavy or curly hair, there’s a very fine line between cascading waves and unruly, fluffy frizz. If frizz is your hair’s number one enemy, this shampoo should be in your arsenal of hair care products. It uses a powerful blend of natural oils (including rosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and vitamin E) to coat your frizzy strands in a blanket of hydration. The formula also acts as a shield against humidity, coating each strand in a protective veil of moisture.

If you live in a hot and humid climate like Texas or Florida, we can’t recommend this shampoo enough. We noticed a visible difference in the softness and sleekness of our hair after using this shampoo for a few weeks. The most shocking part was that it actually stayed that way all day, despite the high humidity level.

Size33.8 oz.
IngredientsRosehip oil, argan oil, coconut oil, vitamin E
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Daily Shampoo

Davines Dede Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (33)Lightly foaming texture
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (34)Smells luxurious
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (35)Not moisturizing enough for some hair types

This shampoo suds up nicely and smells incredible. The main ingredient is red celery extract, which nourishes your hair with vitamins and minerals for optimal hair health. Sensitive scalps will love washing with this gentle cleanser, and they'll be able to do so daily without causing irritation. This shampoo makes your hair look shiny and voluminous, and your waves look beautiful with zero frizz.

"It’s light, gentle, and doesn’t weigh my hair down or make it super greasy like other products I’ve tried," says Tianna Soto, I Associate Health and Wellness Editor. It also smells crisp and fresh and brings out my natural waves in such a beautiful way. I bring the travel-size version with me everywhere!

Size8.45 oz
IngredientsRed celery extract, glycerin
Hair TextureThick Hair

Best for Low Porosity Hair

Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross Cleansing Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (37)Rinses out nicely
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (38)Not harsh in any way
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (39)Can be too drying for everyday use

Need a deep clean? This shampoo removes product buildup and residue while maintaining your scalp's natural moisture. It has all the deep cleaning benefits of a clarifying shampoo without leaving your hair feeling dehydrated or stripped. Featuring antioxidant-rich matcha green tea, aloe vera and panthenol, this shampoo soothes as it cleans, leaving your hair feeling soft but balanced. Low-porosity hair types can benefit from the occasional deep cleaning to keep the hair cuticles open to receive moisture. Our scalp felt squeaky clean without being stripped after using this shampoo.

Size7.8 oz.
IngredientsMatcha green tea, aloe vera, panthenol
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Shampoo for Thick Hair

Aveda Be Curly Co-Wash Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (40)

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (41)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (42)Smoothes out tangles
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (43)Doesn't dry out hair
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (44)Doesn't lather

Washing thick, wavy hair can be an arduous process, but this shampoo makes it easy to bring those waves back to their full glory. This shampoo saturates your hair from root to tip with natural moisturizing ingredients, including certified organic babassu oil, to cleanse and moisturize your waves. One of the best things about the shampoo—besides its incredible smoothing and frizz-taming benefits—is that it helps maintain our waves for up to three days. We constantly get compliments on our hair after using this shampoo, even if it's been a few days since we last washed our hair.

Size8.5 oz.
IngredientsOrganic babassu oil, tapioca starch, aloe vera
Hair TextureThick Hair

Best Shampoo for Dry Hair

Amika. Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (46)Protects wavy hair from dehydration
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (47)Extremely clean feel
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (48)Can make thin hair more greasy

For maximum moisture and frizz-reducing benefits, we love this silicone-free shampoo from Amika. Infused with hyaluronic acid and squalane, this shampoo drenches dry hair with lightweight moisture that's never heavy or weighed down.

Size9.2 oz.
IngredientsSqualane, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, coconut water, and blue algae
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Shampoo for Flat Roots

Ouai Fine Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (50)Adds volume to fine hair
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (51)Encourages soft, smooth waves
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (52)Strong fragrance is unpleasant to some

Flat hair is a common complaint among people with wavy hair, but it's easy to fix with the right shampoo. This lightweight shampoo from Ouai has keratin, biotin, and chia seed oil to nourish and strengthen hair at the root. It left our fine hair feeling clean and full of body. If you use a lot of products in your hair to bring out your natural waves and control frizz, this shampoo works well to thoroughly cleanse the scalp, removing all the grease and buildup.

Size10 oz.
IngredientsHydrolyzed keratin, chia seed oil, biotin, panthenol, cannabis sativa seed extract
Hair TextureThin Hair

Best Shampoo for Shiny Waves

Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (53)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (54)Pump makes it easy to dispense product
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (55)Enhances waves and curls
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (56)Strong vanilla scent

The right balance of moisture makes all the difference when you have wavy hair. Formulated for dry, dull or brittle hair, this shampoo delivers moisture to the mid-lengths and ends where it's needed most. The main ingredient, aloe leaf juice, is packed with nutrients that are beneficial for hair hydration, making your strands softer, stronger, and more manageable over time. Rose extract gives your hair a natural luster and shine.

Size12 oz.
IngredientsSweet clover extract, aloe leaf juice and shea butter
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Shampoo for Sensitive Skin

Aveeno Scalp Soothing Fresh Greens Blend Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (57)

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (58)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (59)Makes your hair feel more full and thick
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (60)Reduces dry, itchy, flaky scalp
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (61)Peppermint may make your scalp tingle

Sensitive scalps will love that this shampoo names colloidal oat extract as the first ingredient. It helps to soothe inflamed skin as it cleanses and conditions hair. Infused with fresh greens, this naturally nourishing formula adds body to limp waves while rosemary and peppermint provide a deep, restorative clean that also encourages hair growth. We like the tingle that these natural ingredients leave on the scalp, but it's not for everyone.

Size12 oz.
IngredientsOat, rosemary, peppermint and cucumber
Hair TextureThin Hair

Best Moisturizing Shampoo

Curlsmith Essential Moisture Cleanser

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (64)Great for frizz control
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (65)Doesn't leave your hair feeling stripped
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (66)Too oily for fine hair

Dry, frizzy waves are a sign that your hair needs a boost of moisture, and this shampoo does exactly that. One of the main ingredients (that you don't typically see in other formulas) is the resurrection flower, a desert plant that is known for surviving up to three years without water. It lends its moisture-retention properties to your roots, allowing your natural waves to flow freely without frizz. Gentle enough to use every day or every other day, we can really feel a difference in the softness of our waves when we use this shampoo.

Size12 oz.
IngredientsSunflower seed oil, aloe, sage, rosemary, pepper and basil extracts
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Non-Comedogenic Shampoo

Seen Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (67)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (68)Prevents dry, flaky scalp
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (69)Great for sensitive skin
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (70)Not moisturizing enough for very dry hair

Dr. Penzi loves this vegan shampoo for people with wavy locks because it's formulated without sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, dyes, or gluten. "It helps detangle, soften, and enhance shine while reducing frizz and breakage," she says. Developed by dermatologists specifically for sensitive skin, this soothing shampoo reduces tames frizz without clogging your pores with harmful, heavy ingredients.

Size8.6 oz.
IngredientsHemisqualane, squalane, ethylhexyl olivate, bisabololm ceratonia siliqua, moringa oleifera
Hair TextureThick Hair

Best Shampoo for Under-Nourished Hair

Kiehl's Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (71)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (72)Thick, creamy formula
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (73)Leaves strands feeling soft
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (74)Too rich for thin hair

Dermatologist Dr. Ariel Ostad, MD, believes that the best shampoo for wavy hair is Kiehl’s Nourishing Olive Fruit Oil Shampoo. "It contains nourishing ingredients like olive fruit oil and avocado oil, which is why it’s great for dry or frizzy wavy hair," he says. Dry hair will soak up all the beneficial oils in this shampoo like a sponge, which will help improve your hair's manageability, locking in moisture for a soft, shiny finish.

Size16.9 oz.
IngredientsRice protein, olive fruit oil, avocado oil and lemon oil
Hair TextureThick Hair

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Best Luxury Shampoo

Virtue Smooth Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (75)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (76)Safe for colored hair
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (77)Seals in moisture
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (78)Can make thin hair feel greasy

Dr. Ostad likes that this shampoo lathers well and gives the hair a soft, smooth finish. "Formulated with proprietary keratin proteins, this shampoo acts as a powerful in-shower daily smoothing treatment for hair," he says. "It re-paves rough cuticles and reduces friction between each strand, tackling frizz at the source for haircare that goes lightyears beyond basic cleansing."

Size8 oz.
IngredientsPink pomelo, phospholipids, gotu kola, alpha keratin 60ku®
Hair TextureThick Hair

Best Detangling Shampoo

Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Shampoo

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (80)Great for wavy to curly hair
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (81)Lathers well
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (82)Can be difficult to lather

Dry hair detangles easily, and this shampoo uses a blend of six hydrating oils (coconut oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, macadamia oil, sweet almond oil, and safflower seed oil) to detangle and provide conditioning benefits. It doesn't leave a film or make your hair feel greasy, and it makes your strands feel silky smooth from the very first wash.

Size8.5 oz.
IngredientsCoconut oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, macadamia oil, sweet almond oil, and safflower seed oil
Hair TextureThin Hair

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Best Shampoo for Flat Hair

Sachajuan Ocean Mist Volume Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (83)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (84)Gives lift at the roots
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (85)Refreshing scent
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (86)Expensive, given the ingredients used

Waves falling flat? We love this volumizing shampoo from Sachajuan because it uses natural vegetable proteins to give your limp strands the structure and volume they need. Perfect for fine hair types looking for added volume and texture, this lightweight shampoo adds fullness and body to your hair without adding weight, for hair that looks healthy, shiny, and strong.

Size8.4 oz.
IngredientsGlycerin, wheat protein, marine algae extract, rapeseedamide
Hair TextureThin Hair

Best Shampoo for Damaged Wavy Hair

Unite Hair 7Seconds Shampoo

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (87)

Pros
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (88)Safe for extensions & chemically-treated hair
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (89)Adds volume
Cons
  • Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (90)Heavy fragrance might not be pleasant for some users

Regularly using styling tools can fry wavy hair, depleting moisture and causing frizz. For dry, damaged hair, we recommend this shampoo because it contains pro-vitamin B12 and vegetable proteins to help increase shine and strengthen damaged strands. Coconut gently cleanses hair while maintaining moisture, imparting a beautiful shine on the surface of your waves. We like that this shampoo provides thermal and UV protection, which is important if you use hot tools on your hair as part of your daily styling.

Size10 oz.
IngredientsCoconut, pro-vitamin B12, and vegetable protein
Hair TextureThin hair

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (91)

Cristina Montemayor

Freelance Writer

Cristina Montemayor is a freelance writer and journalist living in Austin, Texas, covering beauty, grooming, style, and culture. Her work has appeared in Very Good Light, BRIDES, Elite Daily, among others.

Dermatologists Agree: These Shampoos Can Give You Wavy Hair (2024)
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