What’s the perfect shampoo for your hair type? The secrets of well-matched hair care

How to select the right shampoo? In a duet with the conditioner, the shampoo gains less attention – its role is to cleanse, and that’s about it. We tend to forget that an ill-suited shampoo can do more harm than good. Discover what type of shampoo to choose to make the best of it and to avoid having frizzy, dull and tangled hair.

Those of you who know exactly what kind of shampoo your hair needs, please raise your hand. While we choose hair conditioners, carefully analyzing their composition, we do not devote so much time to shampoos. Many of us just buy a random one or go for a dual pack that comprises both the conditioner and a shampoo of the same range and brand. We either test out all products available in the drugstore or stay faithful to one particular cosmetic that works wonders to our hair. Since most of us are not entirely sure what kind of a shampoo will be the right one, we tend to expose our hair to damage.

Inappropriately selected hair shampoo

Do you know what effects you can expect when using an ill-matched shampoo? Such a product may contain ingredients that do not correspond to the porosity of our hair and can even irritate our skin. As a result, a badly chosen hair shampoo:

• causes an unpleasant itching sensation,
• contributes to the formation of dandruff,
• irritates the scalp and weakens the bulbs,
• dries out and mattifies your hair,
• makes the hair difficult to comb and style.

How to match the shampoo to your hair type?

Theoretically, we can only be guided by the label, but it's worth getting more involved in choosing a hair shampoo. What matters most is its composition.

Therefore, avoid shampoos containing alcohols, phthalates, petroleum, parabens and other harmful substances, eg strongly irritating detergents (Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Coco Sulfate, Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, Sodium Myreth Sulfate, Ammonium Lareth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Sarcosinate, Sodium Pareth Sulfate). It's a cosmetic that is supposed to effectively cleanse the scalp and hair, but not at the expense of irritation. Gentle, natural hair shampoos with additional moisturizing substances, oils, and herbal extracts will be a much better solution.

It is equally important to trace and determine what types of hair shampoos are out there. The most popular are those in the liquid form, although you can also find shampoo bars, creams, oils, etc. Dry shampoos are also very popular, they remove excess sebum and instantly refresh the hair without using water. They are also very convenient to use on the go. When choosing the right shampoo, it's definitely worth taking this issue into account.

SHAMPOO VS. HAIR TYPE

All you need to do is to take a closer look at your hair in order to determine what cosmetics it needs and what shampoo to go for. The hair gives us tips and hints, for instance, it gets tangled easily or frizzy on a humid day. However, not everyone is able to figure out what exactly their hair is trying to flag up, therefore, in today’s post, you will find useful tips on how to math the shampoo to a particular hair type. Without further ado, let's get started!

Shampoo for dry and brittle hair

Hair that is dull, brittle and lacks moisture is many women’s nightmare. The best solution to such a problem is to use an appropriate conditioner or a hair mask. What you also must remember about, is the fact that a shampoo can either moisturize the hair or, on the contrary, increase frizz and dry it out even more – it all depends on whether we choose the right product. The best shampoo for dry hair should contain ingredients of two groups: moisturizing humectants and protecting emollients. It’s best to go for cosmetics with a creamy formula that consist of natural oils such as coconut, avocado oil or argan oil, and also strengthening keratin, which will prevent brittleness as well as glycerine responsible for proper moisturizing. What should a shampoo for dry hair exclude? Sulphates that deprive the hair and scalp of water.

Shampoo for oily hair

Oily hair is the outcome of inappropriate work of sebaceous glands located in the scalp. In this case, a decent shampoo should not only cleanse but also inhibit seborrhoea and balance the sebum secretion. The composition of such a cosmetic ought to comprise cleansing substances, but leave out oiling substances, e.g. oils, silicones. Moreover, oily hair will become fond of rosemary, sage, nettle, and chamomile, which have an astringent effect (note - chamomile can also brighten up the hair color). Therefore, in this case, it is worth using herbal shampoos. However, you cannot forget about other principles of oily hair care, for instance, avoiding washing the hair in hot water.

Shampoo for color-treated and brighten hair

Both color-treating and bleaching are processes that are hurtful to the hair condition. That’s the reason why a good hair shampoo for color-treated hair should cleanse gently so it won’t worsen the condition of already weakening strands. Although there are other products responsible for hair regeneration, it is best if the shampoo consists of nourishing, smoothing, moisturizing and reinforcing substances – usually honey, plant oils, keratin and other proteins. As for the bleached hair, shampoos that reduce yellow and brassy tones are a must (purple shampoos), however, for hair dyed dark, it’s advisable to choose shampoos that specifically prevent color fading. What’s more, the most desired shampoo will enhance hair shine and have a low pH (max.7) to seal the hair scales.

Shampoo for fine hair

Can a shampoo be used to increase hair volume? Sure, why not! However, the selection of the right shampoo in the case of thin, fine and flat hair can become really troublesome. Ther are two options to choose from – a dry shampoo or a hair-matching liquid shampoo. The first one is aimed to refresh the hair instantly where the particles absorb excess sebum leaving the hair voluminous and raised at the base. Nonetheless, you cannot base your hair care on dry shampoo only, because unwashed for a few consecutive days, may result in an irritated scalp, clogged pores, and product build-up. A decent shampoo dedicated to fine hair must thoroughly cleanse the scalp and get rid of styling cosmetic residue. In addition, if it contains polymers and proteins, it can strengthen and thicken the hair, visibly enhancing its volume.

Shampoo for hair affected by dandruff

Those, who had to struggle with dandruff at least once in their lives know, how difficult it is to get rid of it. Choosing the right shampoo is just the tip of the iceberg of rules that should be put into hair care with dandruff. However, it is a very important step. The most common anti-dandruff shampoos found in drugstores contain substances that fight various fungal infections. These ingredients include ketoconazole, salicylic acid, zinc trithionate, selenium sulfide. However, you should be extremely careful when using such products, because the skin may get easily addicted to them, which results in the recurrence of dandruff after they have been discontinued. A good anti-dandruff shampoo should have a light formula and natural composition, because parabens, strong detergents, and other synthetic substances can irritate the skin, stimulate sebaceous glands and exacerbate the problem. It is worth looking for shampoos with castor oil, burdock oil, rosemary oil or tea tree oil that are responsible for inhibiting dandruff.

Shampoo for curly and frizzy hair

Not many people are aware of the fact that curly hair can be excessively frizzy and lose moisture if we use mismatched shampoos. The owners of curly hair must always watch out what cosmetics they use. The best solution for frizzy hair is to use a shampoo with smoothing out agents. Thus, look for shea butter, coconut oil, green tea. There is no need to be afraid of synthetic substances because notorious silicones can give your hair beautiful shine, softness and elasticity. However, hair smoothness cannot go hand in hand with loss of volume, which is why a shampoo for curly hair should have a light consistency and cleanse well of impurities and cosmetic residue remaining on the hair. What else is worth looking for in such a product? Proteins, moisturizing and protecting substances, thanks to which curly hair will retain its vitality.

How often should you switch your shampoo?

One of the most common questions regards the issue, whether the hair shampoo must be replaced with a different one. As a matter of fact, there are no rules for that matter.

The supporters of this idea claim that over time, the needs of our hair and scalp change. That's why you need to switch hair shampoos as often as you feel the need to. Once the hair is hydrated well-enough, we can set aside the shampoo for dry hair in favor of the one that adds volume, etc. On the other hand, the opponents of regular shampoo changes argue that they have been using the same product for many years with the same spectacular results, and there’s no need for introducing alternations.

A good compromise is having two favorite shampoos at hand. First of all, define the two most important needs of your hair (for example, oily scalp and splitting ends), then use shampoos serving its purpose (one to prevent greasy hair and the other one, protein-based with strengthening effects) alternately. Instead of just changing the hair shampoo often, make sure to respond to the needs of the hair and scalp. The appearance of hair and its problems are the best indicators for choosing the right hair shampoo.

Important! Although it is called a hair shampoo, it is supposed to purify the scalp in the first place. Since we use it for washing the scalp mainly, it is worth going for the one that will improve its condition. If we have seborrhea of the scalp and dry hair at the ends, choose a shampoo for greasy hair - it will solve the problem at the base of the hair, whilst, the regeneration is the task of a conditioner, an intense hair mask or a concentrated serum.