Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between drugstore shampoo and high end shampoo?
Drugstore shampoos and their high-end salon counterparts share the same primary goal—cleansing your hair—but a key difference explains the price gap.
AJ Addae, a cosmetic chemist based in Los Angeles, told Seduction that expensive shampoos—especially sulfate-free—often use cleansing agents derived from high-quality coconut oil such as cocamidopropyl betaine and sodium cocoyl isethionate. Costs also come down to sensory elements such as foam developers, fragrances, and active ingredient delivery. “Cheap shampoos often skip active ingredients or use surfactants like sulfates, which are surfactants and foam boosters, to save on costs,” explains Addae.
Chicago-based cosmetic chemist Perry Romanowsk adds that drugstore shampoos often prioritize quick results over long-term benefits like bond building because instant gratification keeps customers coming back.
Are silicones harmful to your hair?
In accordance with Allure’s previous report, silicones are not the boogeyman they are often made out to be. Opened The Science of Beauty podcast, Romanowski explained that silicones form a film on the fibers but should not be mistaken for an “occlusive sheath,” noting that it is “a huge exaggeration.” What’s more, silicones are already in many of your favorite hair oils—even those that are often considered “clean.” “Many natural oils have the consistency of olive oil,” explains Romanowski, adding that silicones give these products the texture and styling benefits that customers love.
How should I choose a drugstore shampoo?
You should choose a drugstore shampoo as you would any other: based on your hair concerns and goals. While drugstore options may be less expensive and less complex, they still offer a variety of targeted formulas. Sensitive scalps should reach for gentler, cooler options; curly hair blooms with a specific curl formula; dry strands need shampoos that focus on hydration, etc. If your skin is sensitive to ingredients, consult with your board-certified dermatologist to determine what to prioritize and what to avoid.
Meet the experts
How we test and review products
We always include various testers in our makeup verticals, but hair care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used for all different hair types, lengths, curl patterns, sizes, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created to address concerns (dandruff, breakage, dryness) or to work more effectively on a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone for, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that hasn’t been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best drugstore shampoos, we enlisted the help of many editors, writers, contributors, and hair stylists—with all kinds of hair and hair goals. Testers considered performance across four main categories: efficiency, texture and information, smell, and packaging. To find out more about what’s involved in our reporting, see our full review process and how to page.
Our staff and inspectors
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You may be looking for a face cream to combat persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday skincare routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launch to hit the hair market. Whatever your wants or needs and concerns, Seduction you want to make sure you like whatever we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse group of writers and editors—in addition to the extensive list of external reviewers and industry experts we call on regularly—is critical to achieving that goal.
After all, we can indeed Are we saying that a skin care product is “best” for people over 50 when the only testers we asked for were people under 30? Can we honestly consider a premium diffuser worth your hard-earned money if it’s never been tested on curls? We pride ourselves on the fact that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair colors, genders, and backgrounds, which means we are able to thoroughly evaluate any beauty product that enters the beauty closet.
