Shampoo: Reviews

Several professional testers state this shampoo is tops when it comes to moisturizing, cleansing and color protecting -- even rivaling pricier products like Kerastase (in fact it contains similar ingredients to this… expandshampoo, including identical detergents). Plus, although Garnier is not marketed for color-treated hair, experts say it's moisturizing enough even for damaged or color-treated tresses. One drawback: Garnier Fructis Fortifying Daily Care contains a higher amount of hair-softening silicone -- an ingredient that leaves hair silky and manageable but may be too overwhelming for people with fine or oil-prone hair. collapse

Experts and users both say styling products often work better after washing once a week with a clarifying shampoo. These products, which contain higher amounts of cleansing detergents to strip hair of styling product… expandbuildup, have been shown to increase the appearance and manageability of hair. Overall, repeated reviewers name Suave Daily Clarifying as a top pick. They say it's inexpensive, effectively removes buildup and is good for all hair types. Some caveats: As with all clarifying shampoos, hair may feel drier than usual after washing with Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo because it doesn't contain any conditioning agents. However, experts say following up with a good conditioner will solve this problem. collapse

Reviewers say Nizoral is the best bet for keeping flakes at bay, naming it the most effective over-the-counter anti-dandruff shampoo. This product contains 1 percent ketoconazole, an antifungal ingredient that has been… expandshown to successfully combat the organisms that cause dandruff. (Ketoconazole used to be prescription-only but has now been approved for use in over-the-counter shampoos.) Users say Nizoral improves dandruff within two to three applications and generally requires only once-per-week treatments to keep symptoms at bay. Those with more severe dandruff (and additional symptoms like burning or intense itching) should see a physician for a prescription shampoo. collapse

Johnson's was the first company to patent the use of extremely gentle cleansing agents that don't irritate a baby's eyes. Reviewers say this is a great shampoo for babies and children, but that it's too mild for adult… expandhair. That's because the detergents aren't strong enough to wash out the dirt, oil and styling products that typically accumulate on adult hair. Lastly, while Johnson's contains fragrance (which can irritate sensitive skin), experts say there isn't enough in this formula to cause concern. collapse