Here are the 5 best shampoos for black men’s hair. They solve all kinds of problems prone to this type of hair, from dryness, breakage, to scalp pimples.
Black men’s hair calls for a special care routine and shampoos to prevent damage due to its unique characteristics. And with the sheer number of brands out there, it might be overwhelming for you to land the most suitable hair cleaning product that doesn’t worsen your hair dryness.
With the special needs of this type of hair in mind, we have compiled this list of the best shampoos for black men’s hair, based on the experience and reviews of thousands of satisfied users.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall – Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo: safe for colored hair and can reduce scalp pimples.
- Creme of Nature Moisture & Shine Shampoo: Work as well on extensions as natural hair.
- Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo: Quinoa proteins protect strands and scalp from damage, all the while strengthening them.
- Bouclème Curl Cleanser: Excellent for dry scalp.
- Palmer’s Manuka Honey Strengthening Shampoo: Manuka flower honey helps keep frizz at bay.
What To Keep In Mind When Choosing the Best Shampoos for Black Men’s Hair?
There are several shampoos advertised to cater to the needs of men of color. And as not all of them are created equal, here are some general guides to help you navigate through the extra choices:
Avoid Shampoos With Sulfates, Alcohol, And Alcohol Derivatives
The majority of shampoos on the market nowadays use sulfates to create foam. And while they do help clean your hair, they also strip away its natural oils and thus, are responsible for dryness.
The issue becomes even more extreme for black men’s hair which is already drier than other types of hair. So the rule of thumb when choosing a cleaning product,in this case, is to go for sulfate-free shampoos.
Look For Moisturizing Shampoos With pH From 4.5 To 5.5
Oil-based shampoos can do wonders for black men’s hair as they lock moisture in. What you want is products containing natural oils including grape seed, olive oil, jojoba, coconut oil, emu oil, or avocado, with emu and jojoba oil as the golden ingredients.
Bear in mind, though, many people make the mistake of assuming that mineral oils have the same effect, which can’t be further from the truth. They are the main culprit for hair brittleness, dryness, and product build-up, so steer clear from anything with mineral oils.
The ideal pH level is 4.5 to 5.5 to maintain your hair’s natural balance.
The best shampoos for black men’s hair may also contain ammonium chloride, trimethylaluminum chloride, and other anti-static ingredients to treat flyaway hair.
Another compound you might want to keep an eye out for is sodium citrate – a buffering agent that helps maintain the smoothness of the outer layer of the hair.
Look For Shampoos With A Creamier Texture
Shampoos with a gel texture usually have a high level of detergent that can strip your hair of moisture. So your best bet is a cream-type product.
5 Best Shampoos For Black Men’s Hair
Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo – Best For Colored, Dry And Damaged Hair
General information:
- Key ingredients: Tea tree, mint, lavender.
- Scent: Tea tree, mint, lavender.
- Highlights: Gluten-free, paraben-free, vegan, color-safe.
This shampoo is safe for colored hair and is very effective against product build-up, scalp pimples, and dandruff. The tea tree oil in this cleanser enhances blood flow and helps more nutrients reach your follicles. It also maintains a proper pH level of the scalp, leaving cuticles healthy and closed and preventing bacteria and fungi from developing.
It has the scents of lavender and tea tree which linger on your hair but fortunately, the smell is subtle so it won’t irritate those sensitive to fragrances. On the contrary, many users even compare the scents to an aromatherapy experience.
Last but not least, Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo doesn’t contain paraben so you are free of the substance’s negative effects including hair loss, dryness, and scalp irritation.
The only complaint about this shampoo is its price tag. While the size of the bottle and the thick texture of the shampoo mean it can last quite a while, its cost may feel like a splurge to those with a tight budget.
Pros:
- Safe for colored hair
- Can reduce scalp pimples.
- Subtle and non-intrusive scents.
- Paraben-free.
Cons:
- A bit more expensive than some other shampoos on this list.
Creme of Nature Argan Oil Moisture and Shine Sulphate Free Hair Shampoo – Best For Frizzy, Untamed, And Weave Hair
General information:
- Key ingredients: Argan oil.
- Scent: Clean scent.
- Highlights: Sulfate-free.
Creme of Nature has long been the favorite brand of male curlies for its focus on natural oils and sulfate-free approach. While it works for all types of curly hair in general, the advantage that makes this shampoo stand out from other products on this list is that it works as well on extension as it does natural hair.
Creme of Nature delivers a triple effect of cleaning, moisturizing, and detangling. It features argan oil which does not only lock moisture in but also adds some back to your strands. A large amount of natural ingredients translates to a gentler cleaning power loved by men with weave and natural hair alike.
Plus, all of these benefits come at a very affordable price.
However, Creme of Nature isn’t without some disadvantages. The shampoo contains silicone. And while this substance can do wonders as it retains moisture, tames frizz, and makes hair shine, it can lead to product build-up and sometimes weigh hair down.
Another not-so-appealing feature of this cleanser is that for some reason, it makes your hair need washing sooner than other products on this list.
Pros:
- Sulfate-free
- Moisturize and detangle hair
- Good for extensions
- Affordable.
Cons:
- Contain silicones that may cause product build-up
- Might make your hair need washing sooner than usual
AVEDA Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo 250 ml, 8.5 Oz – Best For Dry And Damaged Hair
General information:
- Key ingredients: Quinoa proteins, babassu oil-derived surfactant blend, coconut oil.
- Scent: Coconut.
- Highlights: cruelty-free, vegan, sulfate-free.
For afro hair damaged by harsh chemicals or heat, Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo might be the answer. Its quinoa proteins act to create a barrier protecting your hair from further harm, all the while providing it with the amino acids needed for elasticity and strength.
For a nurturing effect, this shampoo also contains coconut and Babassu oil to retain moisture. Many users report that their strands were moisturized for a longer period of time thanks to this shampoo.
Aveda has gone sulfate-free for years so there is no need to worry that this shampoo will dry out your scalp and hair by removing the natural oils along with dirt.
What most users can expect from Aveda’s shampoo is smooth, fluffy, and refreshed hair, along with an excellent detangle effect and a reduction in breakage.
Plus, the cleanser boosts the scents of bergamot oil, mandarin, ylang-ylang, and some other flower essences, which will leave your hair with a sweet smell.
The only thing that prevents this Aveda shampoo from being the holy grail for dry hair is how much it costs. But on the bright side, the bottle is huge so it’ll last for a long time.
Pros:
- Nourish and protect damaged hair with quinoa proteins, coconut, and Babassu oils
- Keep black men’s hair moisturized for a longer period of time
- Detangle well
Cons:
- Might be too expensive for some people
Bouclème Curl Cleanser, Non-Foaming, Cream-Based Shampoo -Best For Dry Scalp
General information:
- Key ingredients: Quinoa proteins, babassu oil-derived surfactant blend, coconut oil.
- Scent: Citrus.
- Highlights: non-foaming, cream-based, free of parabens, silicones, sulfate, synthetic colors, and fragrances.
Users of this shampoo praised its sweet scents, ability to make dry hair shine, and the fact that it doesn’t weigh curls down. It is also recognized as “the best shampoo for curly hair” by Marie Claire Beauty Awards 2019.
Bouclème Curl Cleanser is plant-derived, making it the ideal product to help lock moisture in. It is also labeled “non-foaming,” and “cream-based,” meaning there are no sulfates or a high amount of detergent that can upset your already dry natural hair.
One of the cleanser’s key active ingredients is argan oil which does a good job moisturizing and protecting hair and scalp from damage. Coconut oil and aloe vera, on the other hand, act to prevent dandruff from forming on your scalp and soothe irritation. To further strengthen the hair follicles, Bouclème Curl Cleanser also contains pomegranate extract and spearmint to improve your blood circulation.
Unfortunately, this cleanser doesn’t seem to be effective at removing build-up. Some users express disappointment with its ability to be a deep-cleaning product.
Pros:
- A wonderful moisturizing shampoo as it is non-foaming, cream-based, and plant-derived
- Doesn’t weigh down curls
- Maintain hair’s shineness
- No sulfate nor alcohol
Cons:
- Isn’t suitable for deep-cleaning
Palmer’s Manuka Honey Strengthening Shampoo – Best For Dry And Frizzy Hair
General information:
- Key ingredients: Manuka honey, amla oil, shea, and cocoa butter.
- Scent: Honey.
- Highlights: sulfate-free.
If you are on the market for a balance between moisturizing and cleansing, you can’t go wrong with Palmer’s Manuka Honey Strengthening Shampoo. The product manages to do a good job removing impurities, and dirts from your hair, all the while maintaining its natural moisture.
Palmer’s shampoo is especially suitable for frizzy hair, courtesy of its high level of manuka flower honey – a natural humectant known for its power to fortify follicles. The fizz-fighting effect is further enhanced by shea butter – an ingredient that forms a protective barrier to keep hair smooth.
Some users even swear by this shampoo’s ability to improve their hair’s overall health – a result delivered by cocoa butter and amla oil – its other two key ingredients.
Better yet, it is sulfate-free, meaning the cleanser cleans your hair without stripping away its natural oils and moisture.
Despite all the good deeds Palmer’s shampoo can do for frizzy hair, it isn’t for everyone. Some users warn that the shampoo dried out their hair. But these are just isolated cases.
Pros:
- Deliver frizz-free and smooth hair, thanks to its high level of shea butter and manuka honey.
- Strike a good balance between cleaning and moisturizing.
- Sulfate-free.
Cons:
- Some users complained that it dries out their hair but these are just isolated cases .
FAQs
How often should black men wash their hair?
According to the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology), black men with tightly coiled strands should shampoo less than once a week. The dry nature of their hair means a more regular washing routine may remove some essential sebum and hair care products, leading to even drier strands and scalp.
However, dermatologists may recommend those with dandruff or a scalp condition to shampoo as often as twice a week.
Is silicon bad for black men’s hair?
Since silicon can trap moisture, tame frizz, and give hair a soft feel, it often appears in shampoos, conditioners, and heat protectors for black men’s hair. However, the substance can cause product build-up over time or weigh your hair down.
That’s not to say that you should steer clear from silicon forever. The light and water-soluble type, like cyclomethicone, can give you the benefits of silicon without its drawbacks.
Takeaway
So overall, when it comes to finding a gentle, moisturizing, and nourishing shampoo for black men’s hair, Tea Tree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo ticks all the right boxes. For a budget option that can deliver wonderful benefits to dry hair, go for Creme of Nature Argan Oil shampoo.
We hope our list of best shampoos for black men’s hair can help save your time shopping. And bear in mind that whatever other people say, your particular hair condition always comes first in the decision-making process.
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