What shampoos are there – a guide by type

The condition and look of your hair can significantly change depending on the shampoo you use. Determining which kind best suits your needs can be overwhelming with so many options available. Every shampoo is made with particular components and goals in mind, taking into account the various hair types and issues.

We’ll break down the most popular kinds of shampoos available on the market in this guide. Knowing these options will help you choose the best product for your hair care regimen, regardless of whether you have dryness, oily roots, or color-treated hair.

We’ll look at what each type has to offer, from moisturizing formulas that nourish dry strands to clarifying shampoos that remove buildup. You will know exactly what shampoos are available and how they can help your hair by the time you finish reading this.

Shampoo Type	Description
Clarifying Shampoo	Deep cleanses the hair, removing buildup from products, oils, and impurities.
Moisturizing Shampoo	Hydrates and nourishes dry or damaged hair, leaving it soft and shiny.
Volumizing Shampoo	Adds body and fullness to fine or limp hair, making it appear thicker.
Sulfate-Free Shampoo	Gently cleanses without stripping natural oils, ideal for sensitive scalps or color-treated hair.
Dandruff Shampoo	Treats and prevents dandruff by targeting the root cause of flakes and irritation.
Color-Protecting Shampoo	Maintains the vibrancy of color-treated hair and helps prevent fading.

What is shampoo and what it consists of

Shampoo is a hygienic product used for scalp and hair washing. The instrument initially made its appearance in 1903 when German scientist Hans Schwarzkopf produced violet shampoo, a powdered hair cleanser. Since 1927, the product has been in use in its typical liquid form.

When compared to the brothers from a century ago, the makeup of modern shampoo has seen substantial changes.

Certain components vary based on the manufacturer, but the composition of the composition typically becomes:

• water – takes on about 80% of the total shampoo;
• Pava – means responsible for the formation of foam and removal of pollution from the surface. They are aggressive and can destroy the protective barrier of the skin and hair shaft, but they also have advantages – they are effective in water of any temperature, clean perfectly, and facilitate easy distribution of foam;
• detergents – cleaners. Like surfactants, they can be more or less aggressive;
• sodium salt – removes fat;
• emollients;
• dimethylicone – silicone oils that soften and provide an antistatic effect;
• preservatives;
• parabens – preservatives with a very dubious reputation. There are studies confirming the effect of parabens on the development of breast cancer;
• care additives – keratin, vitamins, extracts, oils.
• fragrances and dyes.

Additionally, shampoos contain harmful ingredients whose negative effects vastly outweigh their positive ones:

• formaldehyde. Usually used as a preservative, while being a carcinogen. It affects vision and breathing, and also worsens the condition of the skin and can accumulate in the body. It is prohibited for use in a number of countries, but Russia is not one of them;
• mineral oils – potentially dangerous substances, the official harm of which is recognized only when taken orally. At the same time, WHO classifies such oils as strong carcinogens;
• alcohols. In comparison with the components described above, alcohols are not as dangerous, but can negatively affect the quality of the skin and hair shafts, as they have a drying property;
• triclosan. An antibacterial and antifungal agent in Russia is prohibited for use in solid soap, but is still allowed for addition to shampoos. Can cause hormonal fluctuations, and during pregnancy, cause changes in fetal development.

Although there are other potentially dangerous ingredients, shampoos typically contain the ones mentioned above.

Dry shampoo occupies a different market segment. These products are made in spray or powder form. This cosmetic is meant to be used occasionally as an emergency treatment rather than as a regular fixture. Since dry shampoo doesn’t actually clean, it isn’t really a shampoo in the true sense of the word.

Which surfactants in shampoo are safe

The PAVA (PAVA-surface-active) substances that provide the primary shampoo-cleaning effect will be discussed separately.

Four types of PAVA are utilized in the manufacturing of hygiene products:

1. Anionic. Have excellent indicators of efficiency against pollution, focus well and easily washed off. Inside their group they are divided into hard and soft. The former can irritate the skin, worsen the quality of the rod, especially with existing problems – dryness, peeling of the scalp. The second are more delicate – many times less affect the condition of the skin and are sometimes used even in natural cosmetics.
2. Non -ionogenic. Foil worse, but gently purify and decompose in the environment;
3. Catial. Rarely used as an independent component for purification, since in this matter there are limited possibilities. Are added for air conditioning and antistatic effect;
4. Amphoteric. Usually used in tandem with other surfactants. Do not harm the scalp, hair follicles and length.

We will leave a table of surfactants, their types, names in the composition, and hair types on which use is allowed so that you have a clear reminder.

Types of shampoos by release form

Shampoos are separated by their release form into:

• Liquid – gel or cream consistency;
• Solid – a strong bar, similar to soap.

Shampoos in liquid form

For most people, liquid shampoo is a familiar format. Gel or creamy masses are bottled or packaged in doypacks. Water serves as the foundation for liquid shampoo, ensuring the consistency’s fluidity. The ability to foam well and ease of use are two benefits of liquid shampoos.

Sturdy shampoos

The product known by many names—solid shampoo, hair soap, bar shampoo, etc.—is the same. Solid shampoos don’t contain a water base and aren’t often enhanced with preservatives because microorganisms find it harder to grow in solid environments, preventing products from going bad sooner.

In contrast to its liquid equivalent, hair soap

• Economically consumed;
• Eco-friendly – ​​no need to use plastic for packaging. Private soap factories and Ayurvedic stores sell solid shampoo without packaging at all, and mass production facilities pack the bars in paper;
• Convenience. It is easier to take hair soap with you on a trip, business trip or other trip.

The process of making soap is one of the drawbacks. It may seem impossible to wash your hair with solid shampoo at first, but you will need to get used to it.

By hair type

Shampoo recommended for your hair type can help get rid of issues already there or stop them from getting worse. Applying a specific product on parched hair, for instance, prevents drying out.

Shampoos come in four varieties based on the type of hair:

• dry;
• oily;
• normal;
• all types.

The key to using the product according to hair type is to normalize the pH and bring it closer to neutral; 4.5–5.5 is a slightly acidic range where the hair is in a normal state and does not exhibit increased oiliness or dryness.

If the shampoo’s packaging states that it is pH balanced, it indicates that its pH range is 4.5 to 5.5, which is the same as the pH of the hair. Let’s now examine each type’s features according to hair type.

For dry hair

Products with less alkali content or none at all are advised for dry hair rods. These shampoos have a pH between 4.5 and 7. In addition to bringing the acidity level back to normal, dry hair products stand out due to the inclusion of:

• moisturizing components – oils, fatty additives;
• silicone – visually smoothes dry scales and retains moisture in the hair;
• lanolin – softens hair and seals split ends.

For oily hair

After washing, oily hair often gets dirty quickly. Although it can occasionally extend to the length, oily hair is typically concentrated at the roots. It is advised to use hair care products with a pH range of 6 to 8 when washing oily hair.

Additives that control the activity of the sebaceous glands are a characteristic of products for oily hair:

• plant extracts – chamomile, aloe, tea tree;
• zinc;
• fruit extracts;
• vitamins and minerals;
• tannin;
• quinine.

For normal

Washing normal hair with products that have a balanced pH is the only way to keep the acidity level intact and prevent the emergence of issues like oiliness or dryness. In order to take care of the typical type, select items:

• without aggressive surfactants;
• with a mild composition with a minimum of chemistry.

For all types

The most contentious kind because it claims to meet the needs of every kind of hair. This is not feasible from the perspective of chemistry and acidity, as discussed previously, as various hair types require varying pH values. These products are typically neutral; they keep things clean without changing the status quo.

Knowing the differences between the various types of shampoos can help you choose the one that will work best for your hair. The most popular types of shampoos, such as volumizing, clarifying, and color-protecting, will be broken down in this guide so you can choose the one that will work best for your hair type and maintain its best appearance.

By hair characteristics

Based on both innate and acquired features, you can choose a cleaning product. For instance, hair that has been repeatedly straightened with an iron becomes damaged and calls for a different method than hair that is naturally curly.

Products are available for:

• thin and damaged;
• colored;
• curly hair;
• anti-dandruff;
• sensitive skin.

Products for "problem" curls basically work by filling them up with the elements that are most deficient. Products in this category can also be further categorized by type of hair, such as "for dry colored."

Thin and damaged

Gentle surfactants found in shampoo for thin and damaged hair do not damage the skin’s or hair’s natural keratin or moisture content. Components that influence the structure are also included; these include moisturizing, smoothing, and filling voids.

• plant proteins – they fill cracks in the rods;
• plant oils – gooseberry, amla, almond – strengthen the protective barrier and provide an antistatic effect;
• honey extract, propolis – visually thicken the hair shaft by enveloping it with a protective layer;
• wax – glues the section.

Depending on the manufacturer’s capabilities and preferences, additional ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, seaweed, and amino acids may be used.

Colored

Shampoo for colored hair needs to fulfill two essential requirements: it should not dry out the already stressed-out hair and it should not wash away the dye, which indicates that it contains gentle, soft surfactants.

All other anionic surfactants are acceptable, but harsh surfactants should not be present in the product. The inclusion of hydrating and caring ingredients such as oils, vitamins A and E, panthenol, and plant and fruit extracts will not be unnecessary.

Curly

Shampoo for curly hair is made to help with tangling-prone curls and to nourish the ends, which break easily in curly girls.

Typical ingredients for curly hair are:

• oils – olive, almond, apricot, shea, walnut;
• vegetable proteins;
• extracts – bran, lotus, grape seed;
• ceramides.

Sensitive skin

Users of shampoos designed for sensitive scalps typically report experiencing burning, itching, and other unpleasant reactions after washing their hair. As a result, these products are typically soft and delicate in composition. It is ideal for the mixture to include calming and anti-inflammatory ingredients, such as:

• panthenol;
• plant extracts – mint, chamomile, aloe, lavender;
• coconut oil, jojoba, shea;
• glycerin;
• piroctone olamine – antifungal and anti-inflammatory component. Can also be found in anti-dandruff products.

By composition

Here, the distinction between the washing products is made based on the presence or lack of specific ingredients, specifically sulfates.

Sulfates are sulfuric acid salts and esters that are in charge of producing a lot of foam and spotless cleaning.

It makes sense that items in this category could be:

• sulfate;
• sulfate-free.

Sulfate

Sulfate-containing shampoos foam up nicely, and hair looks spotless right away. Beyond the apparent impression of cleanliness, sulfate products have a drawback:

• they irritate the scalp;
• often cause allergies;
• provoke hair loss.

Sulfates also add volume and are great at removing silicones from styling products like mousse, foam, and hairspray.

Sulfates are identified in the composition as SLS, SLES, and ALS.

Sulfate-free

Since these products don’t contain sulfates, as their name implies, they are different in application. These products have poor soap properties, which make it difficult to distribute and rinse curls at first because there is nothing in them to form foam.

The foundation of shampoos without sulfates is:

• amino acids;
• glucosides are derivatives of starch and oil bases.

Table salt and parabens are typically declined along with the removal of sulfates.

When it comes to sulfate and sulfate-free shampoos, you should be aware that the needs of your skin must be taken into consideration when selecting a product. A sulfate product, for instance, will work better if you have dandruff.

Medicinal

Medicinal shampoos are a distinct category that does not fall under any of the previously mentioned categories. The way they address a particular issue sets them apart from other varieties:

It is best to purchase dandruff removal and hair loss prevention products from a pharmacy. It is advised to see a trichologist first if the issue is serious.

Against dandruff

Shampoos designed to treat dandruff contain ingredients that both destroy the fungus and slow down cell division, resulting in fewer scales.

Shampoos designed to treat dandruff are developed based on:

• zinc pyrithione – it has antibacterial properties;
• tar – slows down the process of sebum secretion;
• ketoconazole – also monitors sebum production;
• octopirox – has an antibacterial property.

It should be noted that anti-dandruff shampoos are not meant to be used consistently. It is advised to use them in classes until the dandruff goes away. After that, you must use a shampoo appropriate for your hair type.

Against hair loss

The goal of anti-hair loss shampoos is to stimulate the activity of hair follicles and increase blood flow. Oftentimes "guests" of these products include:

• usma oil – a well-known remedy against baldness;
• mumiyo;
• burdock oil;
• ketoconazole, methionine, panthenol.

Furthermore, a good anti-hair loss product shouldn’t contain these ingredients:

• phthalates;
• parabens;
• benzenes;
• propylene glycols.

These ingredients cause hair loss, and even when caring ingredients are present, the negative effects of such a medication outweigh the positive ones.

Some producers create shampoos according to the kind of action they provide, such as nourishing, moisturizing, or volumizing; however, we won’t specifically include these in a different category. Just be aware that these shampoos do exist, and what makes them unique is the inclusion of a particular class of ingredients: nourishing, moisturizing, and volume-boosting.

Tinted

Tinted shampoos are not considered traditional because their primary function is not cleansing but rather tinting, enhancing color, or balancing out an unwanted undertone. Nevertheless, we must include the product in our classification since it is known as shampoo.

Shampoos with tints can be:

• Neutralizing. The composition of such products contains a purple pigment, which neutralizes the yellow tint on blonde hair. Also, some purple shampoos help neutralize the red undertone on dark-colored curls;

• Toning. Such products are aimed at temporarily giving the hair the desired shade – from natural to more saturated and unusual. Also, tinting shampoos can enhance the natural color, make it more expressive.

Generally speaking, tinted shampoos should only be used once every 14 days to neutralize the undesired undertone. Regarding toning, you must repeat the process as the outcome becomes less strong.

By consumer category

Who uses the shampoo depends on the consumer category. Two categories of products are distinguished in this regard:

• Regular – for home use;
• Professional – for specialists and use in beauty salons and hairdressers.

Regular

In this instance, regular shampoos are exclusively used at home. They are always further classified according to hair type and the type of scalp and hair issue.

Such products stand out due to their widespread distribution. They are available for purchase at supermarkets and cosmetics stores.

Professional

Shampoos designed for professionals are meant to be used by professionals. The composition is the primary distinction between regular and professional shampoos. Hair usually looks softer, crumblier, and glossier after a beauty salon visit because it is typically more saturated and contains a higher concentration of active ingredients.

Identifying professional goods and the locations where they are sold. They are not offered for sale alongside consumer goods. The majority of the time, they are sold through local representatives and beauty parlors, but a lot of reputable brands have started to appear on internet retailers’ sites and marketplaces.

Unless the manufacturer specifically states otherwise, professional shampoos are not advised for use on non-professional surfaces.

How to wash your hair correctly

Directions for applying shampoo to hair:

1. Use shampoo according to your hair type or problem – this is the only way to prevent the situation from getting worse. At the same time, do not count on moisturizing, strengthening or nourishing – the main task of the product is to cleanse, and everything else can only be a pleasant bonus;
2. Before washing your hair with shampoo – comb your hair. This will help to avoid damaging it during washing, since when wet it is even more brittle and vulnerable;
3. Hair shampoo is used at the first stage of washing. Cleansing allows you to open the way for the effect of the balm and mask;
4. It is recommended to use shampoo only on the roots. The length will be enough to cleanse with the flowing foam – the main part of the dirt is concentrated on the root part;
5. Foam the shampoo in your hands and only then transfer it to your hair. This action is especially good for sulfate-free shampoos that do not foam well;
6. Do not use too hot water – it harms hair. Modern shampoos, due to the addition of surfactants, foam well even in warm water. The optimal temperature for the scalp and hair is 40-50 degrees;
7. Don"t end your hair care with washing – add a conditioner, and use hair masks once every 1-2 weeks. The conditioner helps neutralize the effect of shampoo, and the masks give your hair an external health.

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Shampoos are widely available, with each type made to address a distinct need for hair. Selecting the best type for your hair type and concerns can be facilitated by being aware of the types that are available. There is a shampoo for everyone, ranging from clarifying to moisturizing.

Your hair’s health and appearance can be greatly improved by choosing the right shampoo, regardless of whether you have curly, colored, oily, or dry hair. It’s okay to experiment with various kinds until you determine which one suits you the best.

Recall that your hair care regimen consists of more than just choosing the appropriate shampoo. To get the best results, combine it with other treatments and a good conditioner.

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