The 13 Best Shampoos for Silver or Gray Hair, According to Hairstylists

Silver hair is having a moment, with icy gray hues being the coolest (pun intended) hair colors out there. We're all for rocking these statement-making shades, but if you're working with color-treated hair, it'll require upkeep, starting with what you use when lathering up.

"The difference between having hair that's colored gray versus any other color is that your natural base shade has to be lifted first before the gray color can be deposited on top," says professional colorist Kristen Fleming. With this in mind, you'll want to choose a shampoo that protects your processed, fade-prone strands.

A gentle (potentially sulfate-free) formula is good for daily washing, but you might consider using a blue- or violet-pigmented shampoo two or three times a week. Fleming explains that the latter helps neutralize unwanted warmth and yellowish tones so your silver shade stays bright and cool. To find the best shampoos for gray hair, we conducted hours of research—evaluating each option based on ingredients, benefits, intended use, and scent. We also asked expert colorists for their recommendations and finally landed on this list of all-star products below.

Best Overall

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

$37 at Amazon $11 at Sephora $90 $37 at Ulta

Size: 1.7, 9, 33.8 oz | Scent: Herbal mint | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Sulfate-free with an anti-fade complex, Pureology Hydrate Shampoos is an all-around great choice for color-treated hair. It contains plant-derived ingredients such as jojoba, sage, and green tea to support scalp and hair health. The formula is also deeply moisturizing—a major boon for those with gray hair, according to Fleming.

"To achieve true gray and silver, the hair has to be pre-lightened to the palest color it can be, which compromises its integrity," she explains. So picking shampoos that are extra-hydrating like this one is crucial. Just a heads up: Although we happen to love the refreshing herbal-mint scent, some may find the smell too strong.

Best Budget

L'Oréal Professionnel Resveratrol Vitamino Color Radiance Shampoo

$41 at Sephora $18 at Walmart View on Onebioshop.com

Size: 10.1, 16.9 oz | Scent: Fresh | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

We love that L'Oréal Vitamino Color offers such a good bang for your buck. But this pick isn't just easy on the wallet—colorists see it as an everyday standby. Professional colorist Aaron Bradford says this is a great daily shampoo for anyone with particularly thick or dry hair (whether you color your hair or not).

And if at any point you decide you do want to color your grays, you can keep using it. The color-protective formula helps lock in your shade for up to eight weeks. That said, it's not sulfate-free, which we don't love, and it may weigh thinner hair down a bit.

Best Drugstore

Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo

$13 at Amazon $13 at Target View on Sallybeauty.com

Size: 2, 8, 16, 31.1 oz | Scent: Fresh | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Clairol Shimmer Lights is our favorite drugstore option because it promises to enhance your color and tone down brassiness—a tall order for a budget-friendly product. We love that it works on both naturally gray and dyed hair—plus it revitalizes blonde and silver highlights for a shiny, healthy-looking mane.

Bear in mind the purple-pigmented formula should only be used about twice a week; otherwise, you risk tinting your strands purple. But since chemically lightened hair is prone to fading, Fleming says, "the less you shampoo, the better."

Kelly, tester with bleached hair: "I'm super happy with how bright and non-brassy this made my hair."

Best Brightening

Philip Kingsley Pure Blonde/Silver Brightening Daily Shampoo

$35 at Amazon $35 at Bluemercury.com

Size: 8.45, 33.8 oz | Scent: Lavender | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Besides making sure your silver shade remains cool, the key to rocking the gray hair trend is adding shine to avoid a dull, lackluster look. That's where this sudser comes in. It has a subtle violet tint that should take care of any dullness. And since it's not as pigmented as other toning formulas, you can use it daily.

We love how the optical brightening ingredients translate to an "I just left the salon" freshness and long-lasting glossiness. We do wish it didn't contain sulfates though.

Best Color-Protecting

Sachajuan Silver Shampoo

$31 at Amazon $31 at Dermstore View on Sachajuan.com

Size: 7.4, 33.4 oz | Scent: Citrus | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Colored gray hair is vulnerable to the lightening effects of the sun, so if you spend a lot of time outside, you might start to notice your silvery strands have taken on a goldish tone, which no one with silver hair wants. Sachajuan Silver Shampoo contains violet pigments to counteract this—but it goes above and beyond the gray-enhancing call of duty.

Credit the addition of UV protectants that help guard against sun-induced fading while also hydrating and increasing shine. Also nice: It's suitable for all hair types and textures.

Best for All Shades

Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo

$75 $69 at Amazon $69 at Walmart $75 at Nordstrom

Size: 33.8 oz | Scent: Eucalyptus | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Another one of Fleming's recommendations, here's one shampoo to use even if you ultimately decide gray hair isn't the look you want. Its bluish-purple tint helps keep gray hair bright and fresh while neutralizing brassiness in any color-treated shade, from blonde to brunette to red. Bonus points for sustainable packaging: The bottle is made of 80% post-consumer recycled plastic, which we love to see.

Best for Daily Use

Unite Blonda Daily Shampoo

$36 at Amazon View on Unitehair.com

Size: 10, 33.8 oz | Scent: Cool Concord | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

The problem with using a shampoo every day on color-treated hair (especially hair that's lightened) is it tends to fade faster. Or, if it's purple or blue-toned, it can tint your shade. But that's not an issue with this shampoo. If you're looking for a gentle shampoo for daily use, this sulfate-free option from Unite is our go-to.

It won't tone your hair like purple-pigmented formulas (which aren't meant for everyday use) and doesn't lather quite like its sulfate-containing counterparts. However, this non-stripping, fade-preventing hair wash cleanses the scalp, replenishes lost moisture, and leaves hair noticeably shiny.

Best Professional

L'Oréal Professionnel Metal Detox Shampoo

$37 at Amazon $37 at Sephora $36 at Target

Size: 10.1 oz | Scent: Citrus | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: No 

L'Oréal Metal Detox is one of Bradford's top picks. As the name suggests, it's a chelating (metal-removing) formula that can be good for those who shower with hard water or spend lots of time swimming in chlorinated pools.

"It will help neutralize those chemicals or minerals that leave gray and blonde hair looking dull and even green over time," Bradford tells Byrdie. FYI: The thicker, creamy texture can take some getting used to, and the product shouldn't be used daily.

Best for Highlighted Hair

René Furterer Okara Silver Toning Shampoo

$34 at Amazon $34 at Dermstore View on Renefurtererusa.com

Size: 6.7, 20.2 oz | Scent: Herbal | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Bradford also stands behind René Furterer Okara Silver Shampoo, especially for those who have highlighted gray strands. "This is perfect for those who highlight their hair to blend the gray [for] a cooler result," he says.

He adds that it's also a nice option if you want to add shine and minimize dullness, though it's not a formula that should be used daily. As with other purple-pigmented hair washes, lathering up once or twice a week is often plenty.

Best for Fine Hair

Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo

$34 at Amazon $33 at Dermstore View on Sachajuan.com

Size: 8.4 oz | Scent: Fresh | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you have gray hair that's also on the thinner side, Bradford recommends this pick. It adds shine and hydrates surprisingly well—both of which gray hair tends to need—without weighing down fine strands or leaving you with greasy roots. Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo also works well as an everyday wash for gray hair, as it doesn't have any pigments.

We love that it includes argan oil, which helps smooth and repair damaged strands. Plus, a little goes a long way, and it lathers beautifully.

Best Bond-Building

Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $30 at Ulta

Size: 8.5 oz | Scent: Sweet citrus | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

At this point, you've probably heard of Olaplex (or maybe even tried a couple of items from its wildly popular haircare line). If you have gray hair, No.4P might be the product you're missing.

Made with the brand's signature bond-building technology, this science-backed shampoo repairs broken strands from the inside out (it claims to be the only brand with a patented system for this). Meanwhile, optical brighteners counteract dullness and neutralize brassy tones.

Riley, tester with highlighted hair: "This product allowed me to fix the brassiness of my hair without it being a chore."

Best Natural

Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo With Centaury

$22 at Amazon View on Onebioshop.com View on Smallflower.com

Size: 13.5 oz | Scent: Floral | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you're looking for a shampoo that relies on natural ingredients, this plant-based formula from Klorane has your name on it. It contains centaurea extract from organic centaury flowers, which the brand claims can brighten light shades and prevent gray hair from yellowing.

We love how it makes hair shiny and soft and leaves you with a squeaky-clean scalp (and smelling ever so slightly like a flower). Even though it's naturally derived, the formula may still be too much for sensitive scalps, so if that's you, proceed with caution.

Best for Brittle Hair

Kérastase Bain Régénérant Shampoo

$46 at Amazon $46 at Sephora

Size: 8.45 oz | Scent: Citrus floral | Sulfate-Free: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Continuously lightening and dying your hair silver can lead to a lot of damage, but shampoos like this one from Bain Régénérant were made to remedy that. It's a strengthening shampoo formulated to address brittle hair, split ends, breakage, and dryness.

Suitable for daily use, this non-stripping hair wash gently cleanses the scalp and removes impurities to reveal soft, shiny hair. We're also big fans of the refreshing citrusy-floral scent. It does contain sulfates though.

What to Look for When Buying Shampoo for Gray Hair

• Purple or Blue Pigments: Warm tones in your natural hair color, contact with chlorine, excess sun exposure, or even over-washing can cause your hair to oxidize and take on a brassy hue. Consider using a hair wash with purple, violet, or blue pigments a few times a week to help counteract yellow or orange tones.
• Sulfates vs. Sulfate-Free: Sulfates are cleansing agents that help remove product buildup and oily residues while giving you that nice bubbly lather. However, they can be drying, especially for color-treated hair.
• Moisturizing Formula: Hydrating, nourishing ingredients can help gray or silver look its best—especially for hair that's colored or chemically treated and requires heavy lifting. For instance, argan oil and glycerin can replenish lost moisture and leave hair looking healthy and shiny.

Meet Our Experts

To learn what makes a great shampoo for purple hair, we consulted the following experts:

• Kristen Fleming is a Chicago-based hair colorist with over 17 years of experience.
• Aaron Bradford is a certified L'Oréal color artist and a colorist at Cédric Salon and Lotte New York Palace.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Since she doesn't have gray hair, she relied on expert input and lots of product reviews when writing this article.