11 Top Drugstore Shampoos for Curly Hair + Tips and FAQs
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Let’s face it: taking care of your curls is anything but cheap.
The hardest part is finding a curl-friendly shampoo that doesn’t dry out hair or break the bank!
Don’t worry; there are plenty of cheap curly hair shampoos that can deliver gentle cleansing and incredible moisturization at bargain prices.
To help narrow down your choices, we’ve selected the top drugstore shampoos for curly hair right here! The curls of your dreams are within your reach — and your budget — with these hair care heavyweights.
- Coconut oil and hibiscus extracts for intense hydration
- Lightweight and refreshing formula
- Free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils
- Deep hydration with ultra-light formula
- Equipped with an anti-fade system for color-treated hair
- Free of sulfates and harmful surfactants
- Contains citrus protein and nourishing oils
- Fortified with vitamins B3 and B6
- Free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens
Table of Contents
11 Top Curly Hair Drugstore Shampoos
We’ve gone through thousands of products and selected 11 of the top drugstore shampoos for curly hair that’ll give you soft, fresh, and frizz-free hair without costing a fortune.
A unique blend of ultra-nourishing natural ingredients that deliver gentle, thorough cleansing and unparalleled moisturization — with a wallet-friendly price tag at that — makes this product the GOAT of curly hair shampoos.
Key benefits: Hydrates hair; replenishes lost moisture; cleanses effectively; improves hair elasticity
Features:
- Coconut oil and hibiscus extracts for intense hydration
- Lightweight and refreshing formula
- Free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, and mineral oils
High-performing and multitasking, this truly is the best of the best sulfate-free shampoos for curly hair!
Boasting a slim yet nutrient-packed ingredient list, the SheaMoisture Curl and Shine Shampoo wields each heavy hitter in its recipe to its fullest potential.
Mild surfactants are used to remove dirt, grease, and buildup from your hair and scalp. Coconut oil, neem oil, and shea butter work together to soften and detangle your curls while restoring moisture lost during the cleansing process.
Another superstar ingredient is aloe leaf juice, which adds hydration, soothes itch, and reduces dandruff. Finally, it uses hibiscus extracts to enhance elasticity and prevent breakage for soft, strong, bouncy, and irresistibly fragrant curls.
Curlies also love pairing this shampoo with SheaMoisture’s Curl & Shine Conditioner, a top-notch conditioner for curly hair.
CG-approved? Yes!
From one of the household names in the beauty industry comes the best inexpensive shampoo for curly hair!
Key benefits: Strengthens and nourishes curls; tames frizz; keeps natural oils intact
Features:
- Contains citrus protein and nourishing oils
- Fortified with vitamins B3 and B6
- Free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens
Thrice the nourishment for half the price of other products!
A friend to all hair types, the Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo is one of the top drugstore shampoos for wavy hair, curly hair, and kinky hair!
This product’s claim to fame is its unbeatable strengthening formula. Loaded with proteins and B vitamins, it transforms weak, limp tresses into robust, well-defined curls.
Unlike other low-poo shampoos, it lathers up well to give you a refreshingly gentle cleanse. Hydrating ingredients like fruit extracts and coconut, jojoba, and macadamia oils also lock in moisture to leave hair silky soft and tangle-free.
CG-approved? No. It contains isopropyl alcohol, which cleanses hair but can leave it dry. For a CG-approved product from Garnier, try Whole Blends Sulfate Free Remedy Hibiscus and Shea, an affordable shampoo and conditioner package for curly hair.
Gentle, curl-loving ingredients. Lush lather. An exquisitely invigorating aroma that blooms and lingers. This shampoo has all you need for a salon-worthy hair treatment!
Key benefits: Smooths curls; combats frizz; remains gentle on curls and colored hair
Features:
- Deep hydration with ultra-light formula
- Equipped with an anti-fade system for color-treated hair
- Free of harmful salts, sulfates, and surfactants
Experience luxury hair care on a budget!
Who says only high-end shampoos can give your curls some well-deserved pampering? You can turn wash days into salon-like experiences with the affordable L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sulfate-Free Shampoo!
Infused with coconut oil and other moisturizing agents, this product cleanses without weighing down your hair or removing oils from the scalp. It also quenches parched curls to fight frizz and improve definition.
For curlies looking to keep their dyed tresses vibrant, your search ends here. This salt- and sulfate-free product helps prevent quick fading too.
CG-approved? No. It contains silicones that seal in moisture but can build up on hair. Currently, there are no products from L’Oreal Paris that are CG-approved.
Nature’s most powerful moisturizers come together in this revitalizing product, delivering maximum hydration to thirsty hair.
Key benefits: Softens and detangles; promotes hair growth; restores shine and volume
Features:
- Combines the strengthening and nourishing powers of avocado and almond
- Contains vitamins and botanical extracts
- Free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and paraffin wax
Nourish your way to bouncier, glossier curls!
Specially formulated to replenish moisture loss and seal in hydration, the Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing Shampoo ranks highly among the top drugstore shampoos for dry curly hair.
The avocado and almond oils in its gentle formula permeate each strand to smooth curls and flatten raised cuticles, leaving your hair so soft you can get through tangles in seconds.
It also cleanses, nourishes, and strengthens your mane while adding luster and volume. The result? Thick, oh-so-soft curls with a luminous shine!
CG-approved? Yes!
Coconut oil, coconut milk, mango butter, and murumuru butter are only a few of the standout ingredients in this cleansing and moisturizing shampoo.
Key benefits: Delivers and seals in moisture; suitable for curly, coily, and kinky hair
Features:
- Provides serious hydration
- Creamy consistency for easy application
- Free of sulfates and parabens
Dealing with coarse, crunchy curls? This is your ticket to supple, healthy-looking hair!
Blended with the company’s signature Coco Creme formula, the Carol’s Daughter Curl-Quenching Shampoo is the ultimate solution to stubborn dryness in naturally curly hair.
The combination of gentle cleansers and rich oils and butters allows it to soften your hair while cleansing. Plus, it doesn’t stop at moisturizing your hair. It also ensures moisture retention, giving you a soft and gorgeously glossy mane.
Want a complete Carol’s Daughter hair care package? This brand also offers the best curly hair shampoo and conditioner at drugstore prices, along with a moisture butter for long-lasting definition!
CG-approved? No. It contains isopropyl alcohol and silicones, which can lead to dryness (especially with frequent use). Only select conditioners, hair oils, and styling products from Carol’s Daughter are CG-approved.
Can’t keep your frizz under control? No need to skip wash days; just use this shampoo for softer, more manageable hair.
Key benefits: Detangles and defines curls; enhances volume; protects color
Features:
- Gentle moisturizing formula
- Contains aloe vera, coconut milk, papaya extract, and plumeria extract
- Free of silicones, parabens, artificial dyes, and mineral oils
The best drugstore shampoo for thick, curly hair!
While straight hair types lack volume, curly hair tends to have far too much of it, especially when it’s too dry. To make your thick tresses easier to manage, nourish them with the Maui Moisture Curl Quench Coconut Oil Shampoo!
Aloe leaf juice is the first ingredient in its formula, ensuring incredible, high-quality hydration for dry, dense hair.
Other major players include coconut oil, papaya extract, and plumeria extract, all of which keep frizz, tangles, and dullness at bay.
This product also clarifies the scalp while softening each strand. Best of all, it helps define curls!
CG-approved? Yes!
No need to hide fried, overprocessed hair with beanies and ponytails. This shampoo can restore your hair to its former glory so you can let your curls run free and wild shamelessly.
Key benefits: Repairs damage; replenishes lost nutrients; hydrates and protects colored hair
Features:
- Formulated with blackberry and coconut milk
- Provides nourishment and protection
- Free of parabens, sulfates, and mineral oils
Loaded with vitamins and antioxidants, this is the best cheap shampoo for curly hair with visible damage.
Damage from frequent dyeing, bleaching, and heat styling can’t be hidden away; it’s written all over crunchy, wiry curls.
The good news? The Giovanni 2chic Repairing Shampoo can give your hair the moisture boost it needs!
Using the restorative properties of blackberry and coconut milk, it revitalizes and rehydrates dry, frazzled hair.
Its light vegan formula also includes nutrient-rich botanical extracts and fatty alcohols that cleanse and nourish each strand to bust frizz and protect the hair against future damage.
On top of that, it helps seal color to ensure the vivid hues of your curls stay intact longer.
CG-approved? Yes!
Want to liven up wispy ringlets with a little volume? The growth-boosting ingredients in this shampoo give you a surefire way to get that long-coveted lush mane!
Key benefits: Stimulates hair growth; encourages length retention; nourishes and moisturizes hair
Features:
- Mild yet effective cleansing action
- Contains ingredients that facilitate hair growth
- Free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, and mineral oils
Breathe new life into thin, dull curls with this product!
Though uncommon, some curlies have naturally thinner, less coarse hair. If you belong to this rare breed, more popular products for curly hair, which are formulated to help manage excess volume, may not work for you.
What’s the alternative? Go for The Mane Choice Detangling Hydration Shampoo, the top curl shampoo for fine hair!
Biotin, vitamin E, castor oil, and rosemary extracts are in its formula, promoting healthy hair growth and preventing breakage for noticeably fuller, longer, and stronger curls.
Plus, it gently removes product residue and other impurities from your hair and scalp. Ideal for those pesky knots that form while shampooing, this product also dissolves tangles in a flash.
CG-approved? Yes!
Embrace your natural hair with products that treat it with the care and love it deserves, just like this knockout shampoo from Pantene.
Key benefits: Softens dry hair; cleanses gently; treats damage
Features:
- Deep and effective cleansing
- Argan oil formula provides powerful hydration
- Free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and dyes
Formulated by black stylists for black folks!
Designed to highlight gorgeous features of Afro-textured hair and address its unique challenges, the Pantene Gold Series Argan Oil Shampoo is perfect for relaxed, transitioning, and natural hair!
Its argan oil-infused formula gets rid of buildup and dead skin from your scalp without stripping natural oils off your strands. Plus, it helps smooth down raised cuticles to make your curls look and feel healthy from the inside out.
Reviewers also love how sudsy it is, claiming that their hair feels fresh, clean, and soft after each use.
CG-approved? Yes!
Embrace your natural hair with products that treat it with the care and love it deserves, just like this knockout shampoo from Pantene.
Key benefits: Softens dry hair; cleanses gently; treats damage
Features:
- Deep and effective cleansing
- Argan oil formula provides powerful hydration
- Free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and dyes
Formulated by black stylists for black folks!
Another exceptional product for curly and textured hair, the Dove Amplified Textures Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo focuses on sealing and adding moisture to dry locks.
Hydrating ingredients like organic shea butter, coconut oil, aloe, and glycerin paired with Dove’s patented repair technology provide a can’t-miss formula that restores and enhances the natural texture of your hair.
This shampoo also washes away dirt and buildup, protects against color fading, and gives curls and coils a lustrous shine — all at the same time.
CG-approved? Yes!
Hate that heavy, greasy feeling of product residue on your curls? Use this purifying shampoo to kick buildup to the curb for good.
Key benefits: Clears buildup; adds shine; improves body and elasticity
Features:
- Purifying and clarifying action
- Crafted with coconut charcoal, and kaolin
- Free of sulfates, parabens, and silicones
For a deep clean that nourishes, look to this shampoo!
Every curly girl’s arsenal of can’t-live-without products involves gels, creams, and dry shampoos to bring out their gorgeous curl shape and pattern. But when these start building up, they can dry hair out and weigh it down.
So what’s a gel-loving gal to do? Well, there’s a simple solution: reach for a clarifying shampoo like the OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Shampoo! It purges all traces of buildup from your hair and scalp, leaving a light, refreshed feeling.
Infused with activated coconut charcoal and kaolin, the formula can penetrate and break down even the most stubborn residue without causing dryness. Plus, it nourishes your hair and makes it shine!
CG-approved? Yes!
Why Does Curly Hair Need Special Shampoo?
Most off-the-shelf and professional salon shampoos contain anionic surfactants that act as both cleansing and foaming agents. Simply put, they work up a nice lather and remove impurities from your hair and scalp.
The catch? These strong substances don’t discriminate between excess oil and natural scalp oils needed for optimal hydration. Instead, they simply strip all oils off your hair.
For curly-haired individuals, on the other hand, things aren’t so simple. The twisty shape and structure of their strands make it harder for oils to travel down the hair shaft and keep their curls properly moisturized.
Here’s where low-poo shampoos come in. They’re formulated without harmful substances — including anionic surfactants like sulfates — to cleanse hair and clarify the scalp without drying out the hair.
How To Choose Good Drugstore Shampoos for Curly Hair
So how do you find the top affordable shampoo for curly hair? Here are a few features you should look for before you make a purchase.
Hydrating Formula
To paraphrase an age-old mantra in real estate, hair care formulas for curly hair should be founded on a single principle: hydration, hydration, hydration.
So it’s a good idea to look for moisturizing shampoos with hydrating ingredients, particularly (1) fatty alcohols, (2) humectants, and (3) natural moisturizers.
- There are good alcohols and bad alcohols for curly hair. Fatty alcohols or long-chain alcohols belong to the former!
Derived from the fatty acids of vegetable oils and/or animal fat, long-chain alcohols draw water and add slip or lubrication to the hair for hydration and detangling. Examples include the following:
- Cetyl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Next, look for humectants in the ingredient list of your shampoo. These are substances that attract and retain moisture. Here are examples:
- Hyaluronic acid
- Aloe vera
- Honey
- Glycerin
- Propylene glycol
- Butylene glycol
- Lastly, natural moisturizers are simply hydrating ingredients derived from sources found in nature. They can act as humectants (which bind to water), occlusives (which lock in moisture), or emollients (which soften hair).
Most of your favorite hair oils belong to this category! Here are examples:
- Argan oil (emollient)
- Almond oil (emollient)
- Avocado oil (occlusive)
- Coconut oil (occlusive)
- Shea butter (occlusive)
Aside from boosting hydration, all of the ingredients above will also nourish and strengthen your curls!
Gentle Cleansing Properties
So if anionic surfactants are harmful to curly hair, which cleansing agents should you look for in the top drugstore shampoos for curly hair? The answer is cationic surfactants!
These ingredients have both mild cleansing and conditioning properties that make them ideal for your delicate curls. Examples include the following:
- Behentrimonium methosulfate
- Cetrimonium chloride
- Stearalkonium chloride
- Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine
Free of Parabens, Sulfates, Silicones, and Short-Chain Alcohols
In the Curly Girl Method, these harsh chemicals must be avoided at all costs.
The following ingredients contribute greatly to frizz, dryness, damage, scalp irritation, and product buildup that blocks nourishment from the hair.
As much as possible, steer clear of these ingredients:
Short-Chain Alcohols
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Ethanol
- Isopropanol
- Propanol
- Denatured alcohol
Sulfates
- Sodium lauryl sulfate
- Sodium laureth sulfate
- Ammonium lauryl sulfate
- Ammonium laureth sulfate
Parabens
- Propylparaben
- Butylparaben
- Ethylparaben
Silicones
- Dimethicone
- Dimethiconol
- Cyclomethicone
- Cyclopentasiloxane
Others
- Mineral oil
- Parrafin wax
- Petrolatum
Note
Plenty of curlies don’t follow CG restrictions to the letter. While they typically avoid parabens, some use non-CG-approved products with sulfates for stronger cleansing.
This is because these shampoos clarify the scalp and hair in ways CG-approved products can’t. Some curly-haired folks also prefer using shampoos and conditioners with silicones to help seal in moisture.
Ultimately, it’s best to choose products suited to your specific needs.
Balanced Protein and Moisture Levels
While your shampoo should focus primarily on hydration, it’s also important that it provides added protein — specifically keratin, which makes up the majority of the composition of hair — to strengthen hair and enhance curl definition.
Here are a few proteins and protein-loaded ingredients to look for in your shampoo:
- Keratin
- Hydrolyzed keratin
- Hydrolyzed collagen
- Amino acids
- Soy
- Oat
- Hydrolyzed oat protein
- Hydrolyzed soy protein
- Hydrolyzed wheat protein
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Quick Tip
Keep in mind that the product you choose should strike the perfect balance between protein and moisture. You should also pick a shampoo with more protein if your hair is prone to breakage.
On the flip side, it’s best to select a product with less protein if you have dull, stiff, straw-like, or low-porosity hair.
FAQs About Shampooing for Curly Hair
Is It Okay To Shampoo Curly Hair Every Day?
No. Even the top drugstore shampoos for curly hair can leave your hair dry and frizzy when used daily.
Shampooing your hair once a week is enough to keep it fresh and clean. You can co-wash (or wash your hair with conditioner) between wash days to prevent grease and odor.
Can Drugstore Shampoos for Curly Hair Be Used in Conjunction With Other Styling Products?
Yes, drugstore shampoos for curly hair can be used with various styling products, such as leave-in conditioners, gels, or creams to enhance and maintain your desired curl style.
Can Drugstore Shampoos for Curly Hair Help With Maintaining Hair Health in Humid Conditions?
Yes, some drugstore shampoos for curly hair include ingredients that help combat frizz, making them suitable for maintaining hair health in humid conditions.
Achieve Clean, Healthy Hair With the Top Drugstore Shampoo for Curly Hair
Looking to cut back on your hair care expenses without risking damage to your curls?
Pick one of the high-quality and shockingly cheap shampoos for curly hair from our list above, all of which you can easily grab from Amazon or your local drugstore!
Remember that the top curly hair drugstore products emphasize hydration and nourishment above all else.
So as long as you choose one with natural, high-quality ingredients that moisturize your tresses and match your curl type, you can’t go wrong!
Want More Amazing Curl Care Tips and Products?
Check out these other handy articles!
- Rice Water For Curly Hair: How To Guide + Recipes
- How to Deep Condition Curly Hair + Deep Conditioning Tips
- 10 Lightweight Hair Oils for Your Hair Type
Is SheaMoisture brand shampoos and conditioners are safe if I have a Brazilian Blowout? It seems to be one of the most gentle of all the drugstore brands out there. Thank you so much.