Your hair is one of your defining characteristics. It’s part of what makes you, you! It’s only right you take the time to learn about the different types of shampoo you have at your disposal and pick the right one accordingly.
From hydrating shampoo to anti-frizz shampoo, shampoo for thinning hair, and more – there are so many different shampoo types you can choose from. We’ll help you round out your haircare routine below by unpacking the unique features of each:
- Regular shampoo
- Dry shampoo
- Shampoo soap bars
- Blonde or colour-treated shampoo
- Hydrating shampoo
- Volumising shampoo
- Everyday shampoo
- Deep cleansing shampoo
- Hair loss shampoo
- Curl enhancing shampoo
- Anti-dandruff shampoo
- Keratin shampoo
- Shampoo for oily hair
Regardless of which one of these aligns with your specific hair type, lifestyle, and hair concerns, though, one thing you can count on is My Haircare & Beauty to deliver the best shampoo from the most trusted brands in the industry – Redken, Kevin Murphy, Olaplex, Davines, Paul Mitchell, and more.
We back your order up with world-class customer service, too, so you don’t have to play the guessing game in picking your products. Just get in touch today for one-on-one assistance and a personalised recommendation!
What are the Different Types of Shampoo?
Let’s not waste any time getting into the different types of shampoo you’ll find on the market. You can more or less break these down into two different categories:
- How they’re applied to the scalp/hair (regular shampoo, dry shampoo, soap bars, etc.)
- The concern they intend to address (hair loss, colour protection, hydration, etc.)
We’ll start with the basics.
Regular Shampoo
Regular shampoos meet the basic needs of hair cleansing, suitable for people without specific hair issues. They typically contain surfactants like sodium laureth sulfate or sodium lauryl sulfate that effectively remove dirt and oils.
Regular shampoos may also include conditioning agents such as silicones or glycerin to lightly moisturise the hair, maintaining its natural balance and preventing it from drying out.
These shampoos are ideal for daily use and provide a clean foundation. They are adaptable to various hair types, making them a staple in many households. If you don’t have any hair concerns you’re trying to address, this is a great choice.
Dry Shampoo
As the name suggests, dry shampoo offers a waterless way to freshen and revitalise hair between washes. Formulated with absorbing materials like starches or minerals, it soaks up excess oil at the roots, extending the life of hairstyles and adding volume.
This type of shampoo is particularly useful for busy lifestyles or during travel, providing a quick fix to reduce greasiness and improve hair texture. It’s a convenient option that helps maintain hair health by reducing the frequency of wet washes, which can strip natural oils.
Shampoo Soap Bars
The shampoo soap bar is a lot less common than its liquid counterpart, but make no mistake – it has its place.
It’s composed of natural oils and butters to cleanse without the waste of plastic packaging. Ingredients like coconut oil, olive oil, and essential oils provide gentle cleansing while offering therapeutic benefits to the scalp and hair.
Shampoo bars are often free of synthetic detergents, making them ideal for those looking to reduce harsh chemicals in their hair care routine. They are cost-effective, long-lasting, and perfect for minimising environmental impact.
Blonde or Colour Treated Shampoo
Whether you’re looking for a blonde shampoo to maintain your natural hair colour or you’ve recently treated your hair and want to prevent that colour from washing out early, colour-treated hair shampoo is what you need.
These shampoo types typically contain gentle cleansers to prevent stripping colour and include ingredients like amino acids and UV protectants to shield hair from environmental damage.
Some are even tinted to counteract brassiness in blonde hair. These shampoos are essential for extending the life of hair colour and ensuring that dyed hair remains bright and true to tone.
Hydrating Shampoo
Moisturising shampoos combat dry, brittle, or damaged hair and breathe fresh life into it. They infuse moisture back into the hair shaft with ingredients like natural oils, aloe vera, and panthenol.
These shampoos leave your hair softer, smoother, and more manageable. Ideal for hair subjected to frequent heat styling or harsh environmental conditions, hydrating shampoos strengthen hair’s resilience and prevent future moisture loss.
Volumising Shampoo
Volumising shampoo helps lift hair at the root, creating the appearance of thicker, fuller hair. They work by depositing lightweight polymers on the hair shaft, which provides lift without weighing the hair down.
Ingredients like panthenol can swell the hair shaft, enhancing volume from the inside out. Volumising shampoos are perfect for those with fine or limp hair seeking a boost in body and bounce.
Everyday Shampoo
An everyday shampoo is formulated to be gentle enough for daily use, providing a balance between cleansing and not stripping the hair of its natural oils.
These shampoos typically use milder surfactants, such as cocamidopropyl betaine, and include moisturising ingredients to keep hair healthy. They are a good choice for individuals with normal hair who do not require specialised treatment shampoos. Just be aware of the consequences of daily washing, as this is typically not something we recommend given how it can affect your hair’s health and vibrancy. We talk more about how often to wash blonde hair specifically in our blog if you’d like to learn more.
Deep Cleansing Shampoo
Also known as a clarifying shampoo, a deep cleansing shampoo is designed to remove stubborn build-up from hair products, oil, and environmental pollutants.
They contain strong ingredients that thoroughly cleanse the scalp and hair, resetting the hair’s natural state. They are essential for keeping hair clean and responsive to other products. You’ll typically only use these once or twice a month depending on product usage and hair type.
Hair Loss Shampoo
There’s nothing quite like the realisation that your hair has begun to fall out or thin. Fortunately, a shampoo for hair loss can help you stop this problem in its tracks.
These shampoo types often contain ingredients like minoxidil, biotin, or natural extracts that stimulate the scalp, improve blood flow, and provide nutrients to hair follicles. These shampoos can help to strengthen existing hair, encourage new growth, and slow the rate of hair loss.
Curl Enhancing Shampoo
Curly hair needs extra attention, and a curl enhancing shampoo is just one of the many products that should make up your haircare regimen – alongside a quality curl enhancer.
These shampoos hydrate and nourish, providing the elasticity and moisture needed to form beautiful, frizz-free curls. Ingredients like shea butter and glycerin are common, both of which help to smooth the cuticle and enhance the curl pattern without weighing down the hair.
Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
Finding flakes starting to accumulate on your shoulders or sitting atop your hair can be embarrassing and demoralising, just like the problem of hair loss itself.
Most of the time, though, the solution is as simple as getting an anti dandruff shampoo. These are designed to address the root cause of dandruff – be it a dry scalp or an overgrowth of scalp fungus.
Active ingredients such as ketoconazole, zinc pyrithione, or selenium sulphide help to control the flaking and itching associated with dandruff. These shampoos can also contain moisturising agents to soothe the scalp and prevent further flaking.
Keratin Shampoo
Keratin shampoo helps rebuild the hair’s natural protein structure, which can be damaged through styling and environmental stress.
They often contain hydrolyzed keratin, which penetrates the hair to repair, strengthen, and smooth the strands. These shampoos are particularly useful for those with damaged or chemically treated hair, helping to restore smoothness and manageability.
Shampoo for Oily Hair
Last but certainly not least on our list of the different shampoo types, we have shampoo for oily hair. Excess oil can lead to a greasy, unkempt look and is also tough to style. But these types of shampoos sebum production and remove excess oil from the scalp.
Ingredients like salicylic acid or clay can help to absorb excess grease and keep the scalp clean. These shampoos cleanse thoroughly without stripping the scalp, helping to maintain a healthy balance and prevent the cycle of overproduction that can occur with harsher formulas.
Which of These Different Shampoo Types is Right For You?
There you have it – all the different types of shampoo you can choose from! So, which is right for your unique needs? Here are some tips to choose wisely…
Understanding Your Hair Type
- Fine and thin hair benefits from volumising shampoos that enhance body without weighing hair down.
- Those with curly or coily hair should opt for hydrating or curl-enhancing shampoos that moisturise while defining curls.
- Straight, thick hair might require smoothing shampoos that tame frizz and add sleekness.
Addressing Specific Hair Concerns
Do you struggle with dandruff, or is hair loss your main concern? Are you simply looking for a shampoo to help you lock in colour?
Think about what your hair goals are. Then, select a shampoo specifically formulated to tackle these issues. Simple as that!
Lifestyle Considerations
Your lifestyle plays a significant role in selecting the perfect shampoo. If you’re often outdoors, consider shampoos with UV protection or ingredients that shield hair from environmental pollutants.
Busy individuals who need to extend the time between washes might find dry shampoo a game-changer.
Those who frequently style their hair using heat tools should look for shampoos with built-in heat protection to minimise damage.
If you travel often, dual-purpose products like 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioners or travel-sized bottles can be particularly convenient.
No Matter What You Need, the Perfect Pick is Waiting to Be Discovered at My Haircare & Beauty!
Whether you’re looking for shampoo for coloured hair or shampoo for damaged hair, shampoo for sensitive scalps, shampoo for brittle hair, or even kids shampoo, remember that My Haircare & Beauty is your one-stop shop.
We’ve curated the best selection of products from the most trusted brands in the industry so you can shop with confidence, knowing you’re getting the quality you deserve. In fact, we have more than 200 highly touted manufacturers here in our catalogue.
We back up the products themselves with exceptional customer service every step of the way. That means if you’re still not sure which of the different shampoo types is right for you, you can count on our team to help you find it. We’ll even go as far as to offer a personalised product recommendation if you’d like! My Haircare & Beauty is the #1 choice for both shampoo vs conditioner in Australia, and you don’t just have to take our word for it. We won Best Beauty Retailer three years in a row! So, why not experience the difference firsthand? Shop our selection today.
Wrapping Up Our Guide to the Different Types of Shampoo
Selecting the right haircare products can make a world of difference in the health and appearance of your hair.
From hydrating shampoos that nourish dry strands to specialised solutions for colour-treated hair, hair loss, or excess oil, understanding your hair’s unique needs is key to choosing the perfect product.
Consider your hair type, specific concerns, and lifestyle factors to make an informed decision that will enhance your hair care regimen.
Our blog has more tips on how to shampoo hair in general or how to wash curly hair specifically. We also have tips on the differences between permanent vs semi permanent hair colour, oily scalp treatment, how to style wet curly hair, the best shampoo for men in particular, and more.From the best shampoo and conditioner for blonde hair to the best shampoo and conditioner for hair loss, My Haircare & Beauty has it all. Bring out the full potential of your hair with our shampoo selection today!
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