We Tested More Than a Dozen Gray Hair Shampoos and Spoke to Experts, and These Are the 10 We Recommend for Shiny, Healthy Hair
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Gray Hair Can Easily Get Dry or Dull — These Are the Shampoos We Tested That Helped Us Bring Back the Shine

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Updated on September 14, 2026
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If you have gray hair, there’s a scientific reason to consider opting for a shampoo made just for your shade. “Gray hair is often drier and more porous,” explains Trevor Cates ND, a licensed naturopathic physician in Utah.

 Shampoos rich in emollients and hydrating ingredients will help hydrate your silver tresses, while nourishing ones will protect porous hair from damage.

After consulting with a naturopathic physician and a colorist, Everyday Health writers and editors with gray, silver, white, or platinum hair tested more than a dozen shampoos to find the formulas that work the best. We evaluated products based on their ingredient list, how soft they left our hair, and what toning effect they had on our silver, white, and platinum tresses.

The Best Shampoos Tested and Approved for Gray Hair

Arey Wash peptide shampoo

Best for Preserving Pigment

Arey Wash Shampoo

Buy Now at Arey
Buy Now on Amazon

Pros

  • Helps preserve pigment to reduce graying
  • Gently cleanses and balances the scalp
  • Gentle enough for daily use
  • Helps reduce shedding

Cons

  • Works best paired with the rest of Arey’s product line
  • Takes months to see results

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Cedar and sage
  • Size: 8.45 oz
If you’re not ready to fully embrace your natural grays yet, but don’t want to resort to coloring them either, Arey offers a third possibility. Its gentle, everyday shampoo claims to target the biological pathways involved in hair pigmentation and overall follicle health using a peptide complex that stimulates the melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), a protein that helps regulate melanin production in skin and hair.

 Additionally, the formula contains ginseng, fo-ti (polygonum multiflorum), and caffeine, which can help nourish roots and encourage hair growth — a bonus if you’re also experiencing shedding.

Arey recommends its products for those in the early stages of graying — around 5- to 30-percent grays — and it may take more than three months to see visible pigmentation results, so patience and dedication to the process are key. Users seem to love how clean and soft it makes their hair, and many have noticed fewer grays popping up. Plus, the gray hairs they already had appeared more blended and less obvious than before.

shampoo

Best for Thinning Hair

Vegamour Gro + Advanced

Buy Now at Vegamour
Buy Now on Amazon

Pros

  • Prevents hair shedding and thinning
  • Volumizing formula makes hair appear instantly thicker
  • Helps balance and soothe the scalp

Cons

  • Doesn’t tone the hair
  • Can make hair a little frizzy

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Lemon and herbal verbena
  • Size: 8 oz


The gradual process of graying isn’t the only hair change associated with aging — hormonal shifts and decreased collagen can cause hair to start thinning.

 If you’ve noticed your scalp seems a little more sparse these days, Vegamour Gro + Advanced shampoo can help. It’s enriched with a microalgae prebiotic that nourishes and soothes the scalp, while niacinamide balances oil production and strengthens the skin barrier.

 The formula also contains encapsulated rhapontic rhubarb root and Japanese beautyberry extract, designed to improve density and reduce shedding.

Health writer Raki Swanson, our tester, was dealing with some perimenopausal thinning when she tried this shampoo along with its counterpart conditioner. After two weeks of consistent use, she saw a noticeable improvement in hair density — less hair fell out in the shower (around 10 strands instead of the usual 25 to 30, by her estimate) and she even noticed new baby hairs growing in. Additionally, her hair was soft, hydrated, and felt stronger. It even looked more voluminous, though she noted more frizz than usual, so you may want to add a styling serum or cream for extra smoothing. 

Arrojo ultra violet shampoo

Best Purple Formula

Arrojo Ultra Violet Shampoo

Buy Now at Arrojo
Buy Now on Amazon

Pros

  • Purple toner effectively neutralizes brassy and yellow tones
  • Leaves hair feeling smooth and shiny
  • Contains vitamin E for added hair-health benefits

Cons

  • Higher price point
  • Contains silicones, which some prefer to avoid

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: Yes
  • Scent: Floral
  • Size: 8.5 and 33.8 oz

If you’re rocking your natural grays and want to keep strands looking bright, not brassy, a purple-toned shampoo can work wonders.

“This discoloration can be caused by a variety of factors, including a reaction to elements in the atmosphere, minerals from the pipes in your shower, or from heat styling,” says Cassie Cohen, a celebrity colorist at Chris McMillan Salon in Los Angeles. “Purple sits opposite yellow on the color wheel, which allows it to neutralize unwanted warm or brassy tones in gray hair.”

In addition to brightening hair tone, this shampoo’s formulation includes vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that can help nourish and protect strands.

 “This antioxidant protects hair from environmental stressors,” says Cates.
Writer Jill Di Donato used this shampoo once a week for four weeks and found that it added shine and smoothness and calmed her frizz. After one wash, her platinum hair was visibly brighter and remained so for two to three washes. The formula contains silicones, which help explain why the product is so smoothing on frizz. But Cates notes that although silicones “give a temporary smooth feel, they can build up on the hair and prevent moisture from penetrating.”

 Because Di Donato treats her hair with weekly masks, this isn’t so much of a concern, and she noted that she would rather enjoy the short-term effect of smoothing silicones to make styling easier.

Oribe silverati shampoo

Best for Dull Hair

Oribe Silverati Shampoo

Buy Now on Amazon
Buy Now at Walmart

Pros

  • Enhances shine and luminosity in silver and gray hair
  • Formulated with protective and nourishing botanical extracts
  • Luxurious feel
  • Designed to address dullness

Cons

  • Not made for hair toning like purple shampoos
  • Contains silicones, which some prefer to avoid

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood
  • Size: 8.5 oz

Oribe Silverati Shampoo is crafted to enhance the natural luminosity of silver, gray, and white hair, leaving it exceptionally shiny. It’s also ideal for dull hair in need of brightening. The formula contains Kalahari melon extract, litchi chinensis extract, and edelweiss flower extract to help protect hair from oxidative stress, photodamage, and the deterioration of natural keratin as it grays.

 What it doesn’t include: sulfates, parabens, phthalates, or silicones. “Sulfates can strip natural oils. Phthalates are known endocrine disruptors and best avoided,” says Cates.

 Parabens, which are used as preservatives, are particularly worth avoiding because they “can disrupt hormone balance and may irritate sensitive scalps.”

Di Donato tested this product for four weeks on her double-processed platinum hair. After one wash, she noticed light refracting off of it — it was that shiny. The toning wasn’t dramatic; it’s best for people looking to enhance hair shine. not correct brassiness. Yes, it’s a splurge, but if you’re looking for a soft and gentle formula for salon-worthy shine, this is it.

Olaplex N4c clairfying shampoo

Best for Oily Hair

Olaplex No4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo

Buy Now on Amazon
Buy Now at Walmart

Pros

  • Removes oil, environmental impurities, and product buildup
  • Helps restore color vibrancy and shine
  • Helps repair hair damage

Cons

  • Doesn’t tone the hair
  • Designed for once-per-week use

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Grapefruit and mint
  • Size: 8.5 oz

If your roots get oily fast or your scalp never feels entirely clean, this clarifying shampoo from Olaplex is a solution. It deep-cleans the hair, removing oil, styling product buildup, and environmental impurities like pollution, hard-water minerals, and chlorine.

 Crucially, the sulfate-free and pH-balanced shampoo won’t leave your hair feeling overly stripped, assuming you only use it once a week.
Swanson loved its immediate effects. Her normally oily hair was clean and soft, with no detectable residue at the roots. She let her hair air-dry and was impressed by how shiny and tangle-free it looked. The formula contains bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate, a molecule that repairs hair’s disulfide bonds, which play an important role in keratin fibers and strengthen and fortify the hair. This is especially useful if you’ve been coloring or highlighting your grays, as bleach in particular can weaken these bonds, leaving damage in its wake.


Andalou Naturals Shampoo

Best Anti-Aging

Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Shampoo

Buy Now at iHerb
Buy Now at Walmart

Pros

  • Strengthens hair to reduce breakage
  • Helps promote hair growth
  • Gently cleanses the scalp of oil and buildup

Cons

  • Can leave hair feeling dry
  • Scent might be too strong for some

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Herbal
  • Size: 11.5 oz
As we age, our follicles produce finer strands, and the growth phase of the hair cycle shortens, leading to possible thinning and increased shedding. On top of that, reduced oil production and environmental stress can make hair brittle, weak, and prone to breakage.

 This formula from Andalou Naturals claims to target these hair care needs with its blend of argan sprout stem cells, which promote scalp health and hair follicle regeneration, and rice protein to strengthen and prolong the anagen (active growth) stage of the hair cycle.

Editor Ashley Ziegler appreciated this shampoo’s value for the money. It has a gel-like consistency that lathers well and rinses out with no residue, leaving her hair feeling squeaky-clean — if a touch dry. She also noted that the shampoo has a strong herbal scent that lasts all day, which may not be ideal for those who are very sensitive to smells. 

Dove UV repair glow damage therapy shampoo

Best Budget

Dove Beauty UV Repair & Glow Shampoo

Buy Now at iHerb
Buy Now at CVS

Pros

  • Counteracts and repairs UV damage
  • Affordable and widely available
  • pH-balanced formula gently cleanses and hydrates
  • Leaves hair feeling soft and smooth

Cons

  • Doesn’t contain toner
  • Contains silicones, so be aware of buildup

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Fresh, clean
  • Size: 12 oz and 18 oz
Research shows gray strands are more vulnerable to UV damage than brown ones, but utilizing a product like Dove Beauty’s UV Repair & Glow Shampoo can help.

 The formula contains a blend of hydrolyzed plant proteins and seed extracts to counteract the dry, damaging effects of the sun, plus antioxidant ferulic serum to help protect strands from oxidative stress caused by UV rays.

 Gentle, pH-balanced, and budget-friendly, the shampoo is perfect for everyday use. Our research suggests users love how soft and nourished their sun-damaged hair feels after using it. Add a hat and you’ll be ready to protect your hair all summer long. 
Kitsch rice water protein shampoo

Best Shampoo Bar

Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo

Buy Now at Kitsch
Buy Now on Amazon

Pros

  • Eco-friendly, travel-friendly bar design
  • pH-balanced and color safe
  • May increase hair volume
  • Softens hair and helps repair damage
  • Enhances shine and smooths frizz

Cons

  • Doesn’t contain toner
  • Doesn’t come with a storage container

Key Specs:

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: White tea and ginger
  • Size: 3.2 oz
If you’ve never tried a shampoo bar, this one might just turn you into a convert. Its star ingredient is rice water, which helps reduce surface friction and increase hair elasticity, smoothing strands and making them less prone to damage.

Swanson tested this one and was effusive about the results. It took a while to master the application — she found that rubbing the bar directly onto her head worked better than lathering it between her palms — but from the very first wash, her hair was transformed. The formula left her usually frizz-prone hair incredibly smooth and shiny  and so soft she didn’t even need a conditioner. Swanson’s one gripe is that it doesn’t come in a container for easy storage, so she bought one for it herself. 

Shu Uemura urban moisture shampoo

Best for Dry Hair

Shu Uemura Urban Deep Hydration Shampoo for Dry Hair

Buy Now on Amazon
Buy Now at Shu Uemura

Pros

  • Intensely hydrating shampoo for dry hair
  • Gently cleanses and removes buildup
  • Protects and defends against environmental pollutants 

Cons

  • Doesn’t contain toner
  • Higher price than other shampoos

Key Specs

  • Contains toner: No
  • Scent: Camellia, white freesia, heliotrope, and powdery musk
  • Size: 10 oz
If your gray hair feels parched and coarse, this shampoo promises to saturate it with moisture. The Japan-made formula calls on antioxidant moringa oil to hydrate, protect against oxidative stress, and prevent premature aging of the hair and red micro-algae to smooth the hair shaft and impart shine.

Swanson loved the soft and fluffy lather it created. Immediately after rinsing out the suds, she could tell her hair was extremely hydrated — almost as if she didn’t need to follow it with a conditioner. Once her hair was dry, her strands felt perfectly smooth, soft, and shiny, and there was no noticeable frizz. Although this shampoo is more expensive than she’s used to, Swanson felt the results justified the price. 

Comparison Table

Product
Superlative
Contains toner
Scent
Size

Arrojo Ultra Violet Shampoo

Best Purple Formula
Yes
Floral
8.5 oz and 33.8 oz
Buy Now
Oribe Silverati Shampoo
Best for Dull Hair
No
Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, and sandalwood
8.5 oz
Buy Now
Olaplex No4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo
Best for Oily Hair
No
Grapefruit and mint
8.5 oz
Buy Now
Vegamour Gro + Advanced
Best for Thinning Hair
No
Lemon and herbal verbena
8 oz
Buy Now
Arey Wash Shampoo
Best for Preserving Pigment
No
Cedar and sage
8.45 oz
Buy Now
Andalou Naturals Argan Stem Cell Age Defying Shampoo

Best Anti-Aging

No
Herbal
11.5 oz
Buy Now
Dove Beauty UV Repair & Glow Shampoo
Best Budget
No
Fresh, clean
12 oz and 18 oz
Buy Now
Kitsch Rice Water Shampoo
Best Shampoo Bar
No
White tea and ginger
3.2 oz
Buy Now
Drybar Blowout Defense Strengthen & Extend Shampoo
Best Heat Protection
No
Strawberry, apple, and grapefruit layered with sweet spun sugar and vanilla
8.5 oz
Buy Now
Shu Uemura Urban Deep Hydration Shampoo for Dry Hair
Best for Dry Hair
No
Camellia, white freesia, heliotrope, and powdery musk
10 oz
Buy Now

Other Products We Tested

Manic Panic Snow is a blue-tinted toner designed to help eliminate brassy tones. Although it can double as a hair mask, it wasn’t as nourishing as a creamy dedicated hair mask, primarily serving as a toner. As a toner, it’s also semipermanent and meant to be used on platinum-dyed blonde hair. Although this might be a great product for those individuals, it wasn’t the best fit for this roundup.

Kristin Ess The One Purple Shampoo is a drugstore brand of purple shampoo that is very affordable. Chan, who tested this shampoo for us, found that the product left buildup on her hair after one use and noted that it had an unpleasant scent.

How We Tested Shampoos for Gray Hair

To create this list, we tested more than a dozen shampoos formulated for gray hair for up to two weeks. All of our testers have gray, white, silver, or dyed platinum hair of various textures and types.

We evaluated products based on the amount of hydration they provided, their ingredients, and their overall performance. We also noted how well the shampoos toned gray, white, silver, or dyed platinum hair, how the formula’s consistency felt, and how our hair felt after use.

We also consulted with Trevor Cates, ND, a licensed naturopathic physician, Cassie Cohen, a celebrity colorist at Chris McMillan Salon in Los Angeles, and Dr. Amy Bandy, a California-based, board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon specializing in dermatology and hair growth.

What to Look For When Buying Shampoo for Gray Hair

When shopping for shampoo for gray hair, look for hydrating ingredients. “These ingredients not only help protect gray hair from UV damage and oxidative stress, but they also promote hydration, elasticity, and shine, which can often diminish as pigment is lost,” Cates explains.

 She advises looking for the following:
  • Formulas free of drying synthetic fragrances and harsh preservatives
  • Nourishing, antioxidant, and plant-based ingredients
  • Conditioning agents that add shine

Cates also recommends avoiding products with stripping ingredients like sulfates, phthalates, parabens, harsh alcohols, and silicones.

What Does Purple Shampoo Do for Gray Hair?

“Purple shampoo is best used on gray hair when it begins to take on a yellowish tone,” explains Cohen. The purple pigment neutralizes brassy tones and brightens silver, white, or platinum tones. Because gray hair can sometimes be drier or damaged, depending on your hair type and level of exposure to environmental stressors, shampoo for gray hair should be nourishing and softening.

Why Some People Go Gray Sooner Than Others

According to Cates, graying hair is largely influenced by genetics. “If your parents or grandparents grayed early, you may, too. However, several other factors can contribute to premature graying. Oxidative stress plays a central role because over time the accumulation of free radicals can damage melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle, leading to reduced melanin production.” She further explains that as we age, pigment-producing cells gradually slow or stop functioning. The result is hair that grows in with little to no melanin, appearing gray.

FAQ

How long do I leave purple shampoo in my hair?
Follow the instructions specified on the product label. Most purple shampoos should not be left on your hair for more than four minutes. Leaving it on longer than four minutes could give your hair a purple tint.
According to Cohen, because purple shampoo can be more drying than other formulas, it’s best not to use it more than three times per week. You shouldn’t use it daily or every time you wash your hair. 
Use a hydrating shampoo formula to nourish hair that is free of any ingredients that can strip hair’s natural oils. Be sure to condition regularly or use a deep-conditioning mask. 
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Jo SK et al. Three Streams for the Mechanism of Hair Graying. Annals of Dermatology. August 2018.
  2. Mun Y et al. Melanocortin 1 Receptor (MC1R): Pharmacological and Therapeutic Aspects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. July 29, 2023.
  3. Truong VL et al. Hair Growth-Promoting Mechanisms of Red Ginseng Extract Through Stimulating Dermal Papilla Cell Proliferation and Enhancing Skin Health. Preventive Nutrition and Food Science. September 30, 2021.
  4. Pan X et al. Technological Advances in Anti-Hair Loss and Hair Regrowth Cosmeceuticals: Mechanistic Breakthroughs and Industrial Prospects Driven by Multidisciplinary Collaborative Innovation. Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. October 2025.
  5. Villani A et al. Hair Aging and Hair Disorders in Elderly Patients. International Journal of Trichology. November–December 2022.
  6. Camillo L et al. Nicotinamide: A Multifaceted Molecule in Skin Health and Beyond. Medicina. February 1, 2025.
  7. Yoo D et al. Hair Growth Promotion Efficacies of Ethanolic Extracts of Ribes Fasciculatum and Callicarpa Japonica in UVB-Irradiated Human Dermal Papilla Cells. Journal of Investigative Cosmetology. March 2024.
  8. Pincemail J et al. On the Potential Role of the Antioxidant Couple Vitamin E/Selenium Taken by the Oral Route in Skin and Hair Health. Antioxidants. November 17, 2022.
  9. Bains P et al. Silicone in Dermatology: An Update. Journal of Cutaneous and Aesthetic Surgery. April 28, 2023.
  10. Campiche R et al. An Extract of Leontopodium Alpinum Inhibits Catagen Development Ex Vivo and Increases Hair Density In Vivo. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. June 2022.
  11. Wang Y et al. Phthalates and Their Impacts on Human Health. Healthcare. May 18, 2021.
  12. Pierce JS et al. Evaluation of Dermal Exposure to Phthalates and Parabens Resulting From the Use of Hair Relaxers. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. July 2025.
  13. Samra T et al. The Effects of Environmental Pollutants and Exposures on Hair Follicle Pathophysiology. Skin Appendage Disorders. August 2024.
  14. Harland DP et al. The Susceptibility of Disulfide Bonds to Modification in Keratin Fibers Undergoing Tensile Stress. Biophysical Journal. June 7, 2022.
  15. Westgate GE et al. Hair Longevity — Evidence for a Multifactorial Holistic Approach to Managing Hair Aging Changes. Journal of Clinical Medicine. March 11, 2025.
  16. Bejaoui M et al. Argan (Argania Spinosa) Press Cake Extract Enhances Cell Proliferation and Prevents Oxidative Stress and Inflammation of Human Dermal Papilla Cells. Journal of Dermatological Science. July 2021.
  17. Hashemi K et al. A Systematic Review: Application of Rice Products for Hair Growth. Journal of Drugs in Dermatology. February 2022.
  18. Poonia K et al. Premature Graying of Hair: A Comprehensive Review and Recent Insights. Indian Dermatology Online Journal. August 30, 2024.
  19. Jacobo-Velázquez DA. Ferulic Acid: Mechanistic Insights and Multifaceted Applications in Metabolic Syndrome, Food Preservation, and Cosmetics. Molecules. September 12, 2025.
  20. Inamasu S et al. Abstracts: The Effect of Rinse Water Obtained From the Washing of Rice (YU-SU-RU) as a Hair Treatment. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. October 2010.
  21. Pareek A et al. Moringa Oleifera: An Updated Comprehensive Review of Its Pharmacological Activities, Ethnomedicinal, Phytopharmaceutical Formulation, Clinical, Phytochemical, and Toxicological Aspects. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. January 20, 2023.
  22. Zito RA et al. Tara and Red Algae Biopolymer as a Film-Forming Substance for Hair Protection. ACS Omega. January 6, 2026.
  23. Seiberg M. Age-Induced Hair Greying — The Multiple Effects of Oxidative Stress. International Journal of Cosmetic Science. December 2013.

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Esme Benjamin

Esme Benjamin

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Esme Benjamin is a seasoned health and wellness journalist based in New York City. Her work has covered fitness, nutrition, and the intersection of well-being and travel. Alongside...

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Ally Hirschlag

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Ally Hirschlag is an award-winning journalist with over 10 years of experience editing and writing health, fitness, beauty, lifestyle, and science content. Her work has appeared in...

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Jill has over 15 years of experience writing about women's health, wellness, and beauty. She has deep knowledge of buzzy products and what makes them popular with consumers. She's ...

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Raki Swanson

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Raki Swanson is a Minnesota-based freelance health writer and married mother to two adult children. She has experience covering mental health, fitness, food, and lifestyle topics, ...

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Ashley Ziegler

Tester

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time writer with extensive experience covering women’s health, babies' and kids' health, mental health, and wellness. Her work has appeared on websites inc...

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