In recent times, there have been so many campaigns about self-love and the promotion of natural beauty. This has led to an ever-increasing community of afro-hair enthusiasts around the world ditching hair extensions and growing their natural hair with the help of Black hair products.
Although it can be quite a hassle maintaining natural hair due to its thick texture, using a shampoo formulated with your afro hair concerns in mind can make it healthier and more manageable. Whether you're after shampoo for your curly hair or looking for one that is good for relaxed or dyed hair, we'll introduce you to the 10 best shampoos for afro hair, all available from popular UK retailers such as Amazon, Tesco and Boots.
Quick List - Top Shampoos For Afro Hair
Shea Moisture
A Clarifying Shampoo for Natural, Chemically Processed, Colour Treated or Heat Styled Hair
Garnier
A Healthy Option Infused With Macadamia Oil for a Dry, Frizzy Maine
Twisted Sista
Clarifying Shampoo to Purify Your Scalp and Restore Bouncy Curls
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Since you're maintaining a natural hairstyle, you want to be on the lookout for organic ingredients like jojoba and coconut oil. Jojoba oil is rich in vitamins and minerals that nourish and strengthen hair, preventing loss and improving density. Whereas coconut oil is easily absorbed, which keeps your scalp moisturised.
Shea butter is another effective moisturiser to seek out, thanks to its vitamin A and E content, and essential fatty acids that improve hair from the inside. It has a non-greasy feel and works to soften dry, brittle hair and repair split ends.
Other potent, essential oils like castor oil, tea tree and almond oil soothe and promote the health of hair follicles. Tea tree is known for its antimicrobial, antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties, which makes it an effective remedy for any dandruff or itchiness.
Everyone's scalp tends to get oily sometimes. A little oil is fine as it helps protect and support healthy hair, however, an abnormally oily scalp could be a problem. If you have an oily scalp, avoid hydrating shampoos as they increase the moisture. Instead, aim for non-moisturising alternatives such as volumising, strengthening or balancing shampoos that work to restore the natural pH levels.
On the other hand, if you have a dry, flaky or itchy scalp, it'll be better to opt for a product that combats the dryness and treats itchiness. For this, you'll want to look out for hydrating options that will help soothe your scalp and encourage moisture retention.
Look at our dedicated articles on volumising shampoos and dry shampoos for oily hair for more details.
Silicones are often added to shampoos to lock in moisture, reduce frizz and provide hair with a soft and silky feel. They're also great ingredients to watch for if you want to detangle your curls or protect your hair from heat caused by blow dryers and flat irons. However, if you want to keep your curls, steer far away from silicones as they can weigh them down. While they can make your curls look great at first, over time, they'll cause them to dry up.
Be mindful that whether your hair is curly or not, silicone-based products should be used in moderation, as excessive use can lead to hair breakage. If you want to avoid silicones, watch for words ending with 'cone' on the ingredients list, such as cyclomethicone, amodimethicone or dimethicone.
Here are some other shampoos for curly hair to help add definition to your curls.
Sulfates give shampoo its foaminess and help to wash away grime and dead skin cells. However, over the past few years, there has been a sulfates-free movement in the hair care industry because of their notoriety for stripping natural oils from the scalp and hair. If you have a sensitive scalp or colour-treated hair, it's best to avoid products containing sulphates.
Other potential irritants include parabens and phthalates. Although parabens act as powerful preservatives that prevent the buildup of mould, fungus and bacteria, they can make your hair lose its natural colour.
We've curated a special list of sulfate-free shampoos for all hair types too!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair | ![]() | Hydrating Shampoo for Wavy, Curly and Coily Hair | |
2 | Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo | ![]() | A Clarifying Shampoo for Natural, Chemically Processed, Colour Treated or Heat Styled Hair | |
3 | Garnier Ultimate Blends Coconut & Macadamia Shampoo | ![]() | A Healthy Option Infused With Macadamia Oil for a Dry, Frizzy Maine | |
4 | Twisted Sista Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo | ![]() | Clarifying Shampoo to Purify Your Scalp and Restore Bouncy Curls | |
5 | Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil | ![]() | Hydrating and Defining Shampoo, Perfect for Thick Curls, Coils or Waves | |
6 | Sexy Hair Healthy Moisturizing Shampoo | ![]() | Multipurpose Shampoo Infused With Moonstones and Mimosa Flower | |
7 | Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo | ![]() | Made With Natural Ingredients and Perfect for Thick or Ageing Hair | |
8 | Shea Moisture Mango & Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing | ![]() | A Fruity, Mango and Carrot Scented Product That's Great for Kids | |
9 | OKAY Pure Naturals Black Jamaican Castor Oil Shampoo | ![]() | Strengthens Hair Strands, Stimulates Growth and Restores Elasticity | |
10 | AS I AM Curl Clarity Shampoo | ![]() | Enriched With Essential Oils to Restore Lustre and Shine to Dull Hair |
This is one of the most popular options among people with afro-textured hair. If you have tough, coarse hair, this hydrating cream shampoo with shea butter that's been specifically formulated for natural hair, is an excellent one to try. This is also a great choice for those who suffer from hair breakage.
It's made of a unique sulphate-free formula that gently moisturises dry, brittle hair, locks in moisture and provides a nourishing, deep cleanse. It also has a lovely, fresh cucumber fragrance that customers seem to love!
If you regularly colour, straighten, perm or heat style your hair, this is the shampoo for you. Dyes and heat treatments are well-known for leaving your hair dry and brittle, so you'll want to go for a product that's specifically formulated to improve the look of your hair.
Whether you've got naturally wavy, curly or kinky hair in need of frequent moisturising, you can rely on this powerful shampoo to get the work done. Not only that, if you're suffering hair loss post-partum or from other causes, it restores your lost hair and strengthens it with its wide range of natural ingredients.
Garnier is one of the UK's most sought after brands, and many beauty enthusiasts swear by them. It's common for them to use some of the most nourishing ingredients in their products, and this one is no different.
It contains rich antioxidants, thanks to the macadamia oil, which helps your hair quickly recover from environmental exposure to pollutants in the air. If you work under factory conditions that constantly expose you to free radicals, this shampoo should be somewhere on your shelf.
Although many curly-haired people try to maintain their curls, sometimes they're simply lost due to harsh weather conditions or bad products. If you're one of these unfortunate sufferers, here's a product that'll revive and revitalise those lost curls, making them bouncy once again.
Even if you haven't yet lost your curls, incorporating this product into your hair routine is a great way to enhance them. Not only does this clarifying shampoo purify your scalp and hair to keep them squeaky clean, but your hair will also be kept looking beautiful beyond wash day.
For defined curls, coils or waves, look no further than this aloe vera-based product. The aloe composition gives this shampoo anti-inflammatory properties, which protects your hair against UV radiation, which is one of the worst culprits for damaging hair.
Enriched with enzymes of papain, chymopapain, and vitamins with antioxidant properties, the papaya extract brings nourishment to the scalp and hair strands, helping to nurture and condition dull or damaged hair. You also certainly won't grow tired of the scent - fans say it smells divine!
Whether your hair care goal is to strengthen and reduce breakage, moisturise and detangle, or preserve the natural colour, this multipurpose shampoo helps you to achieve all of that and more. Infused with mimosa flower extract, moonstones and a host of other healthy hair ingredients, this is an excellent purchase no matter what your hair woes are.
The rich composition of moonstones in this product makes it an excellent choice if you want to grow your hair or suffer from thinned out strands and edges. The floral mimosa ingredient nurtures the scalp, and a hint of flower in a shampoo always means that it smells really nice! Unfortunately, some customers have noted that it tends to leave a little waxy residue after washing.
Next up, we have our second product from Shea Moisture, which also ticks a lot of the right boxes. It incorporates naturally-derived ingredients and certified organic shea butter to moisturise, protect, cleanse and restore shine. The only downside really, is that the fragrance can be a little much for some!
It contains hibiscus flower, which makes hair look healthy and lustrous by thickening and adding volume. Not only that, but it also prevents premature greying and stops hair loss. Some reviewers say it functions as a conditioner by softening strands, making them much easier to detangle even before a conditioner is applied, which is excellent value for money!
Whether you're a family of transracial adoption or a new parent, you may be wondering how to properly care for Black children's hair. The good thing about black kid's hair is that with the right technique, regiment, tools and a product like this Mango and Carrot Kids Extra-Nourishing shampoo, you can make it very manageable.
It's been specially formulated for kids and is made of the mildest fruits to avoid any ingredients that may be toxic to their hair. This also makes it a great option for adults that are simply looking for a really mild shampoo. That said, be mindful that the super fruity smell may not be pleasant to some people.
If you're suffering from a loss of hair elasticity due to an unbalance of protein and moisture within your strands, you'll be happy to know that the Black Jamaican Castor Oil works to improve hair elasticity. If you've been considering a big chop, whether due to heat or chemical damage, you may want to pause and give this shampoo a try.
It also stimulates follicle growth for thicker, stronger and healthier hair. However, due to the thick and viscous nature of castor oil, it has a slight chance of clogging pores when used in high quantities, so use it in moderation and exercise some care around your face to avoid breakouts.
If your hair has lost its shine and you want to restore it, you may want to give this product a shot. This brand understands that dull hair can be such a bother, which is why this shampoo has been enriched with lots of essential oils to give your hair that beautiful and long-lasting shine.
However, this isn't a really hydrating product, so if you have a dry scalp, this may not be the best option for you as it'll likely leave your hair brittle. That said, for those with an oily scalp, this choice will help you clean without causing you to suffer the discomfort of hydrating shampoos. Not to mention, it's safe for colour-treated hair too.
No. 1: Cantu|Shea Butter for Natural Hair
No. 2: Shea Moisture|Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
No. 3: Garnier|Ultimate Blends Coconut & Macadamia Shampoo
No. 4: Twisted Sista|Luxurious Clarifying Shampoo
No. 5: Maui Moisture |Curl Quench + Coconut Oil
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