The 15 Best Shampoos for Curly Hair, According to Experts

There are a lot of factors that go into styling curls, such as layering and applying several products like gels, curl creams, and leave-in conditioners. But the foundation of juicy, defined curls starts with finding the best shampoo for curly hair. Getting rid of build-up with a soothing, smoothing, and clarifying wash is the key to healthy hair.

How often should you shampoo curly hair? Should you double-cleanse, or keep it simple with fewer products? These are only some of the questions that come to mind when trying to figure out the best way to shampoo curly hair. We've reached out to curl experts to learn all about the best practices, techniques, and tips when it comes to washing and shampooing curly hair. You'll have salon-quality coils from the comfort of your own home thanks to the pros. Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and Founder of Veluer Creative, and Nevila Ymeri, a professional hairstylist at Rëzo Salon in New York City, gave Seventeen their recommendations for finding the best shampoo for curly hair.

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How often should you shampoo curly hair?

Knowing the basics of washing curly hair is the key to finding the best shampoo for your hair type and catering to its needs. According to Dueñas, curly-haired people should wash their hair once to twice a week at most. When not using shampoo, he suggests washing with water alone or cleansing with a small amount of conditioner to remove excess oils.

Ymeri adds that shampoo is for "cleaning and pulling out product buildup" that comes from all the styling products.

"Curly-haired people use a lot more product closer to the scalp. Sometimes the products get on the scalp adding to build up. The less frequent washing can also add to that," Dueñas says. He suggests using shampoo with gentle ingredients to lock in moisture, as well as swapping it out for an anti-dandruff shampoo with coal tar in it once every other week to combat product buildup and dandruff. When it comes to preventing buildup while styling, Ymeri notes that using more water fewer products, and avoiding the scalp while styling hair will help.

How long should you shampoo your hair?

"Depending on your texture and density, you should shampoo your hair for five to 10 minutes to make sure you clean your scalp and hair," says Ymeri, who suggests washing curly hair with shampoo once a week. This is ideal for those with more product buildup, but the typical shampoo time is 30 seconds, according to Dueñas, as it's "just enough to agitate your scalp and mid-shaft for even coverage."

If your curls are lacking in moisture, Dueñas recommends mixing a small amount of conditioner with your shampoo on wash days. "This helps to add moisture to your hair but also makes the shampoo less abrasive," he tells Seventeen.

Should you double-shampoo curly hair?

Sometimes, you may feel like you need to wash your hair with shampoo multiple times to remove excess product and debris from your tresses. According to Ymeri, taking the extra step depends on your hair type and whether or not you regularly use clarifying shampoos. "When shampooing curly hair, you should always [use] a clarifying shampoo to remove all the products buildup and everything that's in your hair. After, you can use a moisturizing shampoo to freshen it out," she says.

Dueñas notes that double-shampooing also depends on what products you put in your hair. He explains that cleansing twice will work best if you use silicon-based or wax-based products. "The cleaner your hair, the better the absorption of moisture and frizz-based ingredients for your hair. Otherwise, it is not really necessary to cleanse twice as curly hair needs more natural oils from the scalp to keep it tame," he explains.

How can you tell when to change the frequency of your shampoo?

Once you get used to a certain wash routine, it may be hard to stray away from it. However, changing things up every once in a while can help you determine the best products and practices for keeping your curls shiny, hydrated, and healthy. Maybe you feel like you need to wash more often or cut back on shampooing as much. Ymeri recommends swapping out shampoos if you don't notice changes to your hair anymore. "Always listen to your hair," she says. "When your hair is no longer reacting to the product, and your hair is getting dry and the curls are getting loose, you should change the products."

According to Dueñas, "if you notice your hair is accumulating a lot of oil and or build-up then you need to wash more often. If your hair is starting to feel dry, then you need to dial back the washing to less frequently."

The Best Shampoos for Curly Hair

Ahead, find the best shampoos for curly hair that will hold shine, diminish frizz, and hydrate your bouncy curls.