The 11 best shampoos for gray hair in 2023, per experts

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It sounds blunt, but let’s open our shopping guide with this: we’re all going to go gray (it’s inevitable), so we may as well make the most of it.

There’s no definite age when people go fully gray, but you may start to notice a few gray hairs (please, please don’t cut them) before you turn the over-the-hill age of 50. To help maintain the look of your gray hair, however, you want to make sure you’re using the right products — and that extends to shampoo. (Related: Best foundations for mature skin).

“Maintenance of gray hair involves using moisturizing shampoos and masques, limiting heat exposure, and preventing causes for yellowing,” Christine Shaver, MD, board-certified dermatologist with surgical fellowship training and medical director of Bernstein Medical Center for Hair Restoration in NYC, told the New York Post. “Gray hair that has already yellowed will often benefit from purple toning shampoos and conditioners.”

Not only did we turn to a board-certified dermatologist and celebrity hairstylist to provide an in-depth FAQ section filled with what ingredients to look for in a shampoo suited for gray hair (and, how to nicely transition into owning your best gray ‘do) but we also outlined pro-recommended shampoos for you to shop from below.

“The Redken Color Extend Graydiant Purple Shampoo is excellent for those with gray hair,” Andrew Fitzimons, LA-based celebrity hairstylist — working with Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, JLO, Megan Fox and more and brand founder, told The Post.

Specifically, this shampoo helps to brighten silver and gray hair while working to remove brassy undertones, allowing hair to look and feel healthy. 

“Working with the L’Oreal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo is great because it’s gentle on the hair, and gray hair needs delicate treatment,” Fitzimons notes.

What’s more, it’s an affordable vegan formula (that’s applause enough, TBD) and helps leave the hair shiny and smooth.

“The Suave Vivid Color Shampoo with Amino Acid Complex is an affordable shampoo that works on all hair types, yet is especially beneficial to those with gray hair,” Fitzsimons notes.

Because this is a color-preserving shampoo, it will allow for your gray hair to look vibrant after every wash, according to our expert.

“I absolutely love this brand as it helps embrace your natural hair which is something that is very important to me,” Fitzsimons highlights.

As such, the Better Not Younger Silver Lining Purple Brightening Shampoo is made to brighten and void your hair of brassiness. “It also helps strengthen and add volume to your hair,” he notes.

“The Kérastase Bain Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo is a great option, according to our expert.”Formulated with Ultra Violet Neutralizers, which is a highly concentrated pigment, it helps remove brassy and yellow undertones to let your gray hair shine,” he notes.

Not to mention, this particular shampoo boasts more than 7,000 rave reviews on Amazon alone, thanks to its formulation that helps neutralize color.

“The Philip Kingsley Pure Blonde/Sliver Shampoo is a “binge-worth beauty item,” according to Fitzsimons.

“This duo works together to add brightness to your locks and helps the hair to look and feel refreshed,” he notes. Plus, it helps increase shine, tone yellow hair without staining and keeps hair glossy.

The Unite Blonda Purple Shampoo comes in multiple sizes, making it a great product for what your desired needs are. You’ll also appreciate its hydrolyzed rice protein that helps protect and strengthen damaeed hair, along with its thoughtful formulation that helps neutralize brassy tones.

“This shampoo works together to both cleanse and brighten tones in just one minute,” Fitzsimons adds.

“The Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Purple Shampoo is an excellent option for maintaining gray hair,” Fitzsimons says. “It neutralizes unwanted undertones and helps add shimmer to your hair.”

With more than 10,000 positive reviews on Amazon for its protein-rich, color-enhancing formulation, it’ll be your go-to for helping to tone your gray hair.

“The Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is an excellent sulfate-free shampoo that contains an anti-fade complex that nourishes and hydrates your hair,” Fitzsimons notes.

Not to mention, the brand is also one of the best shampoos for fine hair, per a team of hair experts we turned to (oh, and we personally adore it, especially for its fresh-feeling, minty scent).

“In order to protect your gray hair, I recommend using the SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo,” Fitzsimons recommends. “One of my favorite parts of this product is that it has UV protection, which is a benefit to those with gray hair.”

Plus, it’s formulated with ocean silk technology — a duo of vitamin and mineral-rich cold water algae — to hydrate and add volume and shine.

“The best part about the Rene Furterer OKARA SILVER Toning Shampoo is that it works on every single tone of gray, which is really unique,” Fitzsimons highlights.

Not to mention, it adds shine to the hair, helping to preserve your gray’s vitality. “Just be sure to not use it daily,” he instructs.

An FAQ on Shampoos for Gray Hair

Ahead, we turned to a board-certified dermatologist and celebrity hairstylist to answer our questions about transitioning to gray hair (and, how to do it well), along with care tips for gray hair.

What to look for in a shampoo for gray hair, according to experts

Of course, shampoos for gray hair have different recommendations than regular shampoos. To understand the reason, it’s critical to understand why hair grays with time and what the specific challenges are.

“Melanin is the pigment responsible for the color of the hair,” Dr. Shaver explains. “Hair grays because the melanocytes, or pigment-producing cells of the hair follicle, make less melanin over time.” It’s important to note gray hair is a decreased amount of pigment, while white hair is the absence of pigment.

The hair also becomes drier with age, which makes it more porous and susceptible towards absorbing colors from the environment. “When dry graying hair is exposed to things like chlorine, minerals in water, and the medication minoxidil (Rogaine), it can begin to take on a yellow hue,” she elaborates. “Ideally, when hair begins to gray, these exposures are addressed to prevent yellowing, but once yellowing has occurred, the next step would be toning out the yellowish discoloration with purple-tinted shampoos.”

Therefore, the best shampoos for gray hair include those with heavy moisturizers to nourish and protect the dry hair shaft and purple colors to combat the yellow discoloration.


“Look for shampoos with violet and blue undertones as these help to prevent yellow tones throughout your hair. These shampoos are different from regular shampoos because they are formulated to keep your hair shiny and avoid your locks looking brassy.”

Andrew Fitzimons, LA-based celebrity hairstylist — working with Kim Kardashian, Khloe Kardashian, Kylie Jenner, JLO, Megan Fox and more and brand founder

How to transition nicely into gray hair, per experts

When rockin’ your gray, you want to ensure it (1) looks healthy and (2) is appropriately treated. We asked two pros for the 411 on how to properly transition into your gray look.

“When you notice that you are beginning to gray and want to embrace the graying look, it’s important to make sure that your gray color remains silvery and vibrant,” Shaver says. “As gray hair is also often more porous and thus more subject to absorbing colors that it is exposed to, then it is essential to protect the hair shaft to make it less porous to eliminate yellowing. To prevent the hair from becoming susceptible to yellowing, the first step is to moisturize the hair shaft to make it less porous.”

This can be done by using moisturizing conditioners, hair masques and limiting heat and chemicals that can further dry and weaken the hair. “It’s important to know that heat can come from a variety of sources (such as hair styling and sun exposure), so it’s important to not only limit flat ironing and hot blow-dries, but also wear hats when in the sun.”

When possible, sources of yellowing should be minimized. “Chlorine from pools and tap water often contain harsh minerals that can result in a yellow or greenish tint over time,” Shaver explains. “This can be prevented by wearing swim caps in chlorinated pools and installing a water filter on your shower head. Once hair has started yellowing, purple toning shampoos and conditioners are often helpful to neutralize the yellow appearance.”

Another thing to note: use hair dyes designed for graying that, little-by-little, reduce gray hair to produce a more gradual change.

“I would recommend letting your hair grow out for a few weeks, in order to identify the pattern in which the gray is growing,” Fitzsimons adds. “I would then choose shampoos that are purple based in order to keep your hair fresh and shiny.”

At what age do people typically start noticing gray hair?

“Most people begin to notice small amounts of gray hair in their 30s and this is part of the natural aging process,” Shaver notes. “Many studies show that about 75% of the population is affected by gray hair between age 45 through 65. This can also be influenced by race (caucasians often gray earlier than those of Asian and African descent).”

Environmental factors, such as smoking, can also cause oxidative stress that leads to premature graying.

What ingredients to look for in a shampoo for gray hair, according to experts

“I really like products that are plant based, like coconut and argan for gray hair shampoos,” Fitzsimons shares. “These ingredients help to nourish the hair, keeping it healthy and shiny.”

Additionally, sulfate-free shampoos — while they don’t lather and clean the scalp as well — can be helpful to gently clean the hair and scalp while not stripping away too many natural oils, per Shaver’s recommendation. “This should be followed by conditioners and preferably ones that have purple color, to tone-down the brassy color,” she adds.

What ingredients to avoid in a shampoo for gray hair, according to experts

Conversely, there are ingredients experts recommend avoiding when selecting your next best gray hair shampoo.

“This is a golden rule among all haircare products, but avoid sulfates at all costs,” Fitzsimons recommends. “This chemical is harsh on the hair and dries out your hair. Since gray hair already tends to be on the drier side, sulfates will only hurt your hair that much more.”

Sulfate free shampoos, while they do not lather and clean as thoroughly as their counterparts, “are helpful for people who wish to avoid further dryness and frizz,” Shaver further explains.

After shampooing, what other types of products should those with gray hair use?

“Aside from shampooing, people with gray hair who also have dryness should always use conditioners such as masques or hair oils after they shampoo,” Shaver highlights. “Patients with very dry hair can even use the conditioner alone in place of shampoo on some days.”

What’s more, purple toners can be added periodically to balance out any yellowing of gray hair. Prior to hot styling, heat-protectant sprays should be applied to avoid further damage, too.

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