How to Choose the Perfect Shampoo: Types, Ingredients & Brands

Shampoo is a commonly used hair care product that cleans the hair and helps remove oils, dirt particles, dandruff, and pollutants from the hair. Further, it lubricates the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth. Shampoo is the most purchased hair care product globally and the shampoo market is projected to grow from USD 36.27 billion in 2024 to USD 56.54 billion by 2032, according to Fortune Business Insights.

Choosing the right shampoo is difficult because there are many factors to consider, such as hair type, scalp condition, and desired results, all while navigating a vast array of products, shampoo brands, types and ingredients.

How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type?

Which shampoo should I use for my hair type? This is one of the most commonly asked questions from dermatologists. You need to identify your hair type, concerns, ingredients, and brand and then select the best shampoo your hair needs. If you also need clarification about what type of shampoo is suitable for your hair, read further to get a detailed guide to choose the best-suited shampoo for your hair type. 

1. Identify your Hair Type 

Identifying your hair and scalp type is the first step to choosing the best shampoo for yourself. 

You can observe your hair’s natural texture and behavior to identify your hair type. The below table lists the most common hair types and their typical characteristics:

Hair and Scalp Type	Appearance
Fine Hair Type	Your hair feels thin and fragile.
Medium Hair Type	Your hair feels thicker than fine hair, but they are not coarse.
Coarse Hair Type	Your hair feels thick and strong and is often difficult to comb or style.
Straight Hair Type	Your hair falls flat without any bend or curl.
Wavy Hair Type	Your hair is slightly bent or has an “S” shape, mainly from the bottom half towards the ends.
Curly Hair Type	Your hair forms defined curls with an “S” or “Z” shape.
Coily Hair Type	Your hair forms tight coils or zigzags. This hair type is challenging to manage and generally requires more moisture.

2. Identify your hair concerns

Check and understand your specific hair concerns, such as dryness, frizz, split ends, thinning, damage, color fading, or anything else that bothers you. You should observe your scalp and see if it feels oily, dry, itchy, or irritated. 

3. Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type and Concerns:

Choosing the right shampoo for your hair type and concerns ensures that your hair receives optimal care, leading to improved health, appearance, and manageability while addressing specific issues and preventing further damage.

Use the table given below to find the best shampoo for your hair type: 

Hair Type	Best Type of Shampoo
Normal Hair	Regular Shampoo, Everyday Shampoo, or shampoo as per your preference and requirements.
Dry hair/scalp	Moisturizing or hydrating shampoos.  Choose sulfate-free formulas to prevent further dryness.
Oily hair/scalp	Everyday mild shampoo, clarifying, or volumizing shampoos. Shampoo ingredients like tea tree oil or salicylic acid help control scalp oiliness.
Standard or combination hair/scalp	A shampoo that prevents oiliness and dryness.
Damaged hair	Protein Shampoo
Colored hair	Color-Protective shampoo
Curly Hair	Curl-enhancing or hydrating shampoos.
Wavy Hair	Moisturizing shampoos
Straight Hair	Normal or Regular Shampoo
Coily/Kinky Hair	Moisturizing and sulfate-free shampoos.

What are the 9 Most Common Shampoo Types?

Choosing the correct shampoo type is important because it directly impacts the health and appearance of your hair. Using a shampoo that is not suited for your hair type or specific concerns can lead to dryness, oiliness, dandruff, hair breakage, or other problems. On the other hand, the right shampoo can nourish your hair, address specific issues, and enhance its natural beauty. Ultimately, selecting the best shampoo is an investment in the long-term health and vitality of your hair.

There is no one fit for all kinds of hair. Even if you have found the right shampoo for your hair type, you will require different types of shampoo based on various factors such as weather, styling purpose, and changing hair concerns. For example, if you work in a highly polluted city and are worried about the pollution buildup, you can use clarifying shampoo once a week.

Here are the 9 most common shampoo types you can consider while choosing the right shampoo for your hair:

1. Regular Shampoo

Regular shampoo is the best fit for someone with no hair care requirements. It suits all types of hair and has less percentage of cleansing agents. It is a good option for daily use of shampoo. 

2. Protein Shampoo

Protein Shampoo, also known as anti-breakage shampoo, contains hair protein known as keratin. Defiebce of protein leads to damaged hair and poor hair growth. Using keratin shampoo effectively maintains hair structure and adds extra shine to flaunt your hair. Protein shampoo is suitable for breakage-prone, rough, and highly fragile hair. 

3. Volumizing Shampoo

Choosing volumizing shampoo can do wonders if you have thin, delicate, and damaged hair. This shampoo adds bounce to your hair by focusing on creating more body in your hair roots. Volumibising shampoo contains no heavy moisturizing ingredients and does not weigh down your hair. Choose volumizing shampoo for fuller-looking hair. 

4. Moisturizing Shampoo

Moisturizing shampoo suits dry and frizzy hair types. They contain high concentrations of moisturizing ingredients such as aloe vera, oils, shea or cocoa butter, and silicones. Choose this shampoo type to control frizzes, moisturize the hair, smooth your strands, and help prevent dehydration.

5. Organic Shampoo

Organic or natural shampoo contains no artificial ingredients such as parabens, PEG, alcohol, sulfates, phthalates, and silicones. They have plant-based organic ingredients such as biotin, caffeine, green tea, and saw palmetto. If you have a sensitive scalp, choosing organic shampoo would be a good option. There are many so-called organic shampoos available in the market, but the thing is, they contain harmful ingredients, too. You only need 1% organic ingredients to proclaim your shampoo organic legally. The best method to choose organic shampoo is by analyzing the shampoo ingredients. 

6. Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

Anti-Dandruff Shampoo helps you prevent dandruff, flaking, and itchy scalp. This shampoo contains medicated ingredients such as ketoconazole that help treat dandruff, condition the hair, and restrict hair loss.

7. Colored hair shampoo

Colored hair shampoos are specially formulated for colored or color-treated hair. They preserve your hair color and do not fade it even when washing it with shampoo. Typical ingredients of colored hair shampoo are Sulfate-Free composition, Sulfate-Free, mild cleansing agents, etc. 

8. Medicated Shampoo

Medicated shampoos help your hair fight and protect against specific scalp conditions or problems. If you are having excessive dandruff and itching, it is advisable to use a medicated shampoo, as the dermatologist recommends. Typical ingredients of medicated shampoo are zinc, salicylic acid, ciclopirox olamine, etc. 

9. Clarifying Shampoo

Clarifying shampoo, also known as deep cleaning shampoo, is the perfect choice for oily and greasy scalps or someone who uses hair chemical treatments. Clarifying shampoo will help you remove oil from your hair and get an extremely clean scalp. Do not use this type of shampoo if you have dry hair. 

What are the Typical Ingredients and Chemicals in Shampoos?

Ingredients and chemicals in shampoos are important because they directly affect the shampoo’s performance and how it interacts with your hair and scalp.  Different shampoo ingredients address specific hair concerns and needs and provide the best hair care solution. 

Shampoo formulation is a complex process and the US Food and Drugs Association (FDA) does not approve the shampoo ingredients themselves. However, the shampoo manufacturing companies must label their formulation ingredients properly and avoid adultery. 

Shampoo’s formulation mixes a surfactant (detergent) with a co-surfactant, salt (for thickness), preservatives, fragrance, other cosmetic or medicated ingredients, and water. Synergy Labs says most shampoos have around 75% to 95% water. The different ingredients and chemicals used in shampoo are as follows:

Primary Surfactants

Primary surfactants are shampoo detergents or cleansing agents that help remove dirt, oil, and debris from your hair. The commonly used primary surfactants in shampoo are Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), Ammonium Laureth Sulfate (ALES), Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate (SCI), and Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate (SLMI). Mostly, the primary surfactants are anionic. 

Secondary Surfactants

Secondary surfactants are also known as co-surfactants. They help improve shampoo’s overall performance by enhancing its properties, such as mildness, foam stability, conditioning, or viscosity. Mostly, the secondary surfactants are amphoteric or nonionic. The commonly used secondary surfactants in shampoo are Cocamidopropyl betaine(CAPB), Cocamidopropylamine Oxide(CAO), Alkyl Polyglycoside, Cocamide DEA(CDEA), and Cocamide MEA(CMEA).

Sulfates

Sulfates are the shampoo ingredients that make it an effective cleansing agent. The most common sulfate ingredient in shampoo is sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. It provides deep cleaning properties and a lathering effect in shampoo. Further, sulfate is a drying agent that removes excess oil from your hair. According to Medical News Today, people with sensitive skin and dry, frizzy, dyed, and chemically altered hair should avoid sulfates in their shampoo. An increased level of sulfates in shampoo can irritate sensitive skin, causing skin dryness and inflammation. Therefore, use a sulfate-free shampoo if you do not want sulfates in your hair care products. 

Thickeners

Adding thickeners such as glycol distearate leads to the thickness or viscosity of a shampoo. The thicker shampoo is easy to apply and maintains the stability of the shampoo’s formulation. A well-balanced viscosity level in shampoo adds to the overall appeal, experience, and effectiveness. The common thickeners in shampoo are PEG-150 distearate, Cetyl alcohol, Carbomer, Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), Xanthan gum, Guar gum, etc. While choosing the right type of shampoo, the surfactant used the desired viscosity and the hair type it is suitable for.

Fam Boosters and Foam Stabilizers

Foam Booster and Foam Stabilizers boost the performance of shampoo. While these ingredients are not directly related to the cleansing property of shampoo, people often refer to foam as the factor determining the cleansing property of the shampoo. As the name suggests, foam boosters increase foam density in the shampoo. Foam boosters reduce the surface tension of water and promote better between shampoo and water. Low concentrations (1-2%) of secondary surfactants can effectively boost foam. The surfactants include betaine, lactylates, glutamates, taurates, sulfosuccinates, sarcosinates, and amine oxides. On the other hand, foam stabilizer maintains the foam’s structure and stability. Natural or synthetic thickening agents at a concentration of 0.05-0.15% increase shampoo viscosity.

Suspending agents

Suspending agents prevent the precipitation of partially soluble or insoluble shampoo ingredients, such as pearls, pigments, and active ingredients. It helps maintain the shampoo formulation’s consistency, stability, desired texture, and appearance. Not just that, suspending agents also provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance to the shampoo. Common suspending agents in shampoo are acrylates, copolymers, Xanthan gum, carbomer, Bentonite, and hectorite clays.

Emollients and Oils

Shampoo formulation contain emollients and oil. These shampoo ingredients help soften and smoothen dry hair and make them look better. Substances such as silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone) give smoothness and shine and assist in hair detangling. On the other hand, mineral oils and petrolatum add shine and moisture to your hair. 

Preservatives 

Preservatives prevent the growth of harmful microorganisms such as fungi, bacteria, and mold. Further, it helps boost the shelf life of the shampoo. The most commonly used preservatives in shampoo are sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate.

Fragrance

Fragrance adds to the overall appeal of the shampoo. Shampooing is an integral part of the hair care process. Everyone likes it to be a pleasant experience. The fragrance ingredients give this aromatic scent to your favorite shampoo. Many shampoo brands use natural sources such as essential oils and synthetic fragrances to provide a pleasing factor to their shampoo. 

As per Healthline, you should avoid chemicals in shampoo such as sulfates, formaldehyde, parabens, hexachlorophene, Phthalates, triclosan, etc. These shampoo chemicals can cause dryness, rosacea, eczema, and various skin fungal allergies. 

Which Shampoo is the best for your hair needs?

Identifying your hair concerns and needs is essential in choosing the right shampoo. The below table gives you a good overview of the most common hair concerns and how you can spot them:

Hair and Scalp Concerns	Appearance
Normal Scalp/Hair	Your scalp or hair is not too oily nor too dry.
Oily Scalp/Hair	There is excessive oil in your scalp. Your hair can become dirty quickly.
Dry Scalp/Hair	There is insufficient oil production on your scalp.  Your hair looks rough, dehydrated, and prone to dandruff.
Combination Scalp/Hair	You have a combination of oily and dry scalp. For example, the scalp is oily near the roots and dry at the ends. Or, your scalp and hair get oily one day after shampooing.
Dandruff	You have visible white flakes on your scalp and hair. Plus, you feel itching, redness, and irritation.
Frizz	Your hair is rough, difficult to manage, and quickly loses shape. They lack smoothness and look fluffy even in moderate humidity.

Which Shampoo is Best for Dry Hair Scalp?

If you have a dry hair scalp, look for shampoo formulation ingredients such as humectants, emollients, gentle cleansers, soothing ingredients such as green tea extracts, etc. A moisturizing shampoo is the best option for dry hair scalp as it locks hydration and nourishes the hair. Some of the best shampoos for dry hair scalp are Acure Ultra Hydrating shampoo, Aveda Nutriplenish Light-Moisture shampoo, Gisou Honey-Infused Hair Wash shampoo, Moroccanoil Hydrating shampoo, OUAI Medium Hair shampoo, etc.

Hair care tips for dry scalp include using lukewarm water to wash hair, avoiding complex chemical hair products, using conditioner regularly, etc. 

Which Shampoo is Best for Oily Hair Scalp?

If you have an oily hair scalp, look for shampoo formulation ingredients such as clarifying and exfoliating agents such as sodium cocoamphoacetate, Cocamidopropyl betaine, salicylic acid, tea tree oil, or bentonite clay, etc. Try to look for shampoo that balances the excessive sebum on your scalp. Sebum is the natural oil that makes your hair greasy and weighed down. Some of the best shampoos for oily hair and scalp are Biosilk Silk Therapy Shampoo, Dae Signature Shampoo, L’Oréal Paris Elvive Extraordinary Oil Balancing Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Briogeo Scalp Balancing Shampoo, etc. 

Hair care tips for dry scalp include using cool or lukewarm water, cleaning your scalp, not just your ends, avoiding heavy conditioners, etc. As per the American Academy of Dermatology, you should wash your hair more frequently if you have an oily scalp. If there is excessive oily hair, wash as often as once a day. 

Which Shampoo is Best for Normal Hair Scalp?

If you have a regular hair scalp, consider choosing moisturizing, volumizing, color-safe, and clarifying shampoos according to your hair needs and requirements. Best shampoo for normal hair scalp includes Dove Daily Shine Shampoo, Pantene Pro-V Classic Clean Shampoo, TRESemmé Color Radiance Shampoo, Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, etc.

Hair care tips for dry scalp include massaging the shampoo gently on your scalp, doing deep conditioning weekly or as required, trimming your hair regularly to remove and avoid split ends, etc. Further, choose the shampoo according to your hair texture. Experiment with trial and error to select the right shampoo for your hair type. 

Which Shampoo is Best for Dandruff?

Finding the right shampoo for dandruff can be pretty frustrating. You must look for shampoo ingredients such as antifungal agents like zinc pyrithione (ZnPT), selenium sulfide, ketoconazole, and piroctone olamine. Go for Soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients such as salicylic acid, coal tar, oatmeal extract, tea tree oil, and gentle cleansers like Cocamidopropyl betaine or sodium cocoamphoacetate. Some of the best shampoos for dandruff are Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, OUAI Detox Shampoo, Fekkai Apple Cider Detox Shampoo, etc. 

Hair care tips for dry scalp include using gentle conditioners, washing hair 2 or 3 times a week, managing stress levels because stress leads to dandruff, etc.

Which Shampoo is Best for Frizzy Hair?

The moisturizing shampoo will solve all your hair concerns if you have mild frizz. Meanwhile, go for a shampoo solution explicitly designed for frizz control for moderate frizz. In the worst case, if you have severe frizz, use a medicated shampoo that contains keratin or ceramides to repair your hair. Some of the best shampoos for curly hair are Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Shampoo, MATRIX Total Results Mega Sleek Shampoo, Redken Frizz Dismiss Sulfate-Free Shampoo, etc. 

Hair care tips for frizzy hair include using anti-frizz serums and styling creams. Further, consider including good conditioners in your hair care routine.

What are The Most Popular Shampoo Brands?

Some of the most popular shampoo brands are Pantene, Head & Shoulders, Herbal Essences, L’Oréal, Garnier, Dove, Oribe and Aussie,  each offering a wide range of products for various hair types and concerns.

Pantene

Pantene is a well-known shampoo for different hair and scalp types, especially curly, dry, damaged, and color-treated. Pantene offers solutions for various hair concerns like dryness and scalp issues. It uses science-backed ingredients and contains Pro-V nutrients in its formulation that help hydrate and nourish hair. Pantene shampoo products come at a competitive price range compared to salon-exclusive brands.

Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulder is one of the most famous dandruff shampoos. It has a long history and clinical research on effectively dealing with dandruff and promoting flake-free scalps. They work with dermatologists and hair experts to create medicated shampoo formulations for dandruff, itchiness, and dryness. The iconic shampoo brand offers a wide range of hair care products such as shampoo, conditioners, and other options. Popular Head & Shoulder shampoo lines are Classic Clean, Dry Scalp Care, 2-in-1 Shampoos, Color Care, etc. 

Dove

Dove is another popular shampoo brand that has become a household name in the USA. As per the reports, around 24 million Americans use Dove hair care products. This shampoo brand is well known for its moisturizing formulation that caters to dandruff, frizz, or any other hair type concerns. Popular Dove shampoo lines are Dove Nutritive Solutions, Dove Intense Repair Shampoo, Dove Daily Shine Shampoo, Dove Oxygen Moisture Shampoo, Dove Nutritive Solutions Color Care Shampoo, etc.

Aussie

This hair care brand uses unique shampoo ingredients that help repair and protect hair and clean and style it. As per the sources, Aussie is the largest shampoo brand in the United States. They use botanical ingredients like Australian Macadamia Nut Oil and Jojoba Oil. Famous Aussie shampoo lines are Miracle Moist, Mega Moist, Color Mate, Smooth + Tame, etc. Aussie is a more affordable brand compared to salon-exclusive shampoo brands. 

L’Oreal Paris

L’Oreal Paris is part of L’Oréal Group, one of the world’s most significant beauty and personal care brands. It produces high-quality shampoos for all different hair types and needs. Some of L’Oréal Paris’s most popular shampoo lines are Dream Long, Color Protect, Advanced Haircare, etc. However, L’Oréal Paris products can be more expensive for some. 

TRESemmé 

TRESemmé is a salon-quality shampoo brand that provides affordable products for professional results. The shampoo brand launched a line of products called TRESemmé Botanique. The shampoo ingredients of TRESemmé Botanique contain 100% natural ingredients. Some of the popular TRESemmé shampoo products are RESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo, TRESemmé Botanique Detox & Restore Shampoo, TRESemmé Flawless Curls Shampoo, TRESemmé Dry Shampoo, etc. You will find TRESemmé Shampoo easily at most drugstores and mass retailers. 

Oribe

Oribe is a prestige haircare brand distinguished by its signature complexes, rare ingredients like African baobab tree extract, fine fragrance experiences, salon-grade formulations, and commitment to cruelty-free and sustainable practices, all wrapped in luxurious packaging.

What are the Benefits of Using Shampoo?

The various benefits of using shampoo are as follows:

• The shampoo helps in cleaning our hair follicles. Further, a clean scalp leads to healthy hair and less hair loss. 
• Shampoo removes smoke particles, dirt, and sweat from your hair.
• Shampoo contains moisturizing ingredients that keep your hair hydrated and protect it from drying or damage.
• Many shampoos contain pleasant fragrance ingredients which give your hair a fresh and aesthetic smell. 
• Shampoo removes the extra natural oil called sebum from your hair. Excessive sebum can cause clog the hair follicles and cause hair problems such as dandruff. 
• With different types of shampoo formulations, such as volumizing or hair color shampoo, you can get styling support such as volume, shine, or color protection. 
• Shampoo helps improve scalp circulation and makes it easy for hair follicles to absorb water and nutrients. 
• Using the right shampoo gives you healthy hair that is more resilient, less prone to damage, and often looks better.
• Choosing the right shampoo can give your hair a lot of whitening. 

How Much Does a Typical Shampoo Cost?

The typical cost of shampoo in the US ranges from $5 to $50, with significant price variations based on the category:

• Drugstore Shampoos: These are the most common and affordable, usually ranging from $5 to $15. Brands like Pantene, Head & Shoulders, and Herbal Essences fall into this category.
• Salon Shampoos: Typically found in salons and specialty stores, these shampoos are known for their higher quality ingredients and can range from $15 to $50. Examples include brands like Redken, Pureology, and Olaplex.
• Natural and Organic Shampoos: These shampoos are made with natural ingredients and are free of harsh chemicals. They usually cost between $10 and $30, with brands like Avalon Organics, Acure, and SheaMoisture being popular choices.
• Medicated Shampoos: Designed to treat specific scalp conditions like dandruff or hair loss, these shampoos can range from $10 to $25. Nizoral, Nioxin, and Neutrogena T/Gel are well-known examples.
• Prestige and Luxury Shampoos: These high-end shampoos are often formulated with rare or expensive ingredients and can cost upwards of $50. Brands like Oribe, Kerastase, and Shu Uemura fall into this category.

The cost of shampoo plays a vital role in the shampoo-buying process. Shampoo is a daily-use personal hygiene product that is always in your recursive expenses. Some cheaper shampoo products, such as Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES), might contain harmful ingredients. These ingredients will do more harm than good to your hair. Cheaper shampoo might also lack beneficial ingredients like moisturizing agents, proteins, or essential oils. 

What is The Right Way to Use Shampoo?

Here are the correct hair-washing steps to avoid any hair-washing mistakes:

1. Wet your hair before shampooing. Soaking hair with water helps remove oil, dirt, sweat, and product buildup on hair. Further, it allows you to spread the shampoo across your scalp. 
2. Take the correct amount of the right shampoo according to your hair length and density. Add a little water to reduce product consumption and dilute shampoo’s impact on your scalp. Apply the shampoo mixture on your hair roots, not your hair ends. You must gently scrub and massage your scalp to avoid damaging the hair follicle. 
3. Rinse your hair correctly and prevent scalp buildup by not leaving the leftover shampoo on your scalp. 
4. If you have greasy or product-laden hair or have not washed your hair for many days, repeat the shampooing process and rinse thoroughly. 
5. Now apply the conditioner from the bottom half to the ends of your hair. Use your fingers to spread the conditioner evenly. Let it stay for 2 to 3 minutes(the usual time for most conditioners), then rinse properly with lukewarm or cold water. 

What are the Signs You Need To Switch Your Shampoo?

Have you ever felt that your shampoo needs to be fixed for your hair, even when you follow the best hair care routine? It is time to switch the shampoo and pay attention to your hair and scalp needs. 

Here are a few signs you need to change your shampoo:

• Your hair feels dry, damaged, brittle, and frizzy.
• Your hair feels dull and lifeless. 
• Your scalp feels itchy or irritated. 
• Your hair feels weighed down or oily all the time. 
• You are having excessive hair loss. 
• Your hair color is fading quickly.
• You need a better hair texture. 

How Frequently Should You Change Your Shampoo?

You now wonder how frequently you should change your shampoo. Or how long should you use a new shampoo? Many rumors suggest you should change your shampoo after every few months. 

Many people start changing shampoo if they are unhappy with their hair and scalp condition. Further, the National Centre for Biotechnology Information states that excessive shampooing can damage hair’s surface structure. You think the damaged hair condition may be related to your shampoo, but the reality might differ. Further, changes in your lifestyle, such as Increased heat styling, Swimming in chlorinated water, and Dietary or hormonal changes, can also lead to poor hair growth and health.

However, poor hair is only partially related to the shampoo formulation. It may be due to external factors such as weather changes. Climatic changes such as dry weather during extreme winters and high humidity demand extra hair care. You should include deep moisturizing shampoo in your hair wash routine in the dry winter season and frizz-control shampoo in highly humid weather. 

After a few months of using the same hair care products, your hair might also suffer from environmental and scalp build-up. The mild sulfate-free shampoo might fail to clean your scalp correctly. You must include clarifying shampoo in your hair hair routine twice a month. Further, many dermatologists suggest you use two shampoos in rotation instead of switching to the new shampoo altogether. For example, if you are a swimmer, you can use clarifying shampoos to remove chlorine residue after the swimming session.

What are some important facts about shampoo?

The first reference to the history of shampoo comes from the Indus Valley Civilisation. Here, the hair care product (called shampoo today) was made by boiling Sapindus leaves with dried Indian gooseberry (amla) and other essential herbs that promote hair growth. Then, they strain this cooked mixture until it becomes an effective lathery shampoo. The shampoo, thus produced, was the go-to product to clean the hair. 

With the increase in travelers between India and Europe, shampooing was introduced to the Western world. As per the historical references, Sake Dean Mahomed was the Indian traveler, surgeon, and entrepreneur who bought the practice of shampoo from the Indian subcontinent to Britain. Most historians call  Sake Dean Mahomed the inventor of shampoo. The word shampoo came from India and entered the English dictionary after the colonial trader in India brought the hair treatment to Europe. “Shampoo” is taken from the Sanskrit word cā̃pō, which means to press, soothe, knead, or massage. 

The history of modern-day shampoo dates back to the 1930s when Edward J. Breck launched the liquid shampoo, often called modern shampoo, the majority of which uses synthetic surfactants. He founded the Breck Shampoo. At that time, shampooing hair was more challenging than it is today. There was a lack of water supply, and people needed a proper hair care shampoo routine. In the 1980s, things changed, and so did the worldwide shampoo market.