The Best Shampoos to Care for Gray and Silver Hair Colors
Hairstylists share exactly what to look for to achieve your most vibrant and healthiest hair.
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That gorgeous gray hair you see in shampoo commercials or on Meryl Streep’s legendary character in The Devil Wears Prada is hardly effortless. “Gray hair can be dry and dingy—or it can be shiny and sophisticated,” says celebrity colorist Beth Minardi. Achieving the latter requires your TLC. Why? As your hair follicles age, they produce less sebum, which leads to drier strands. “The other key issue here is that gray and white hair is like a white blanket—everything shows,” she explains. Hair accumulates things like polluted particles, hard water deposits, and remnants of styling products. And, over time, these things can make white or gray hair turn an unsightly shade of yellow.
To minimize those unwanted yellow tones caused by buildup, you should be gently but thoroughly cleansing your natural gray (or freshly dyed silver strands) to remove—and further prevent—any yellowing and to boost shine. The first step is to look for a hydrating, color-depositing shampoo in a purple shade. “The color purple helps to neutralize yellow tones to keep your hair looking brighter and whiter,” says celebrity colorist Nikki Ferrara, owner of Nikki Ferrara Hair Color in New York City. Whether you’re dyeing your hair silver or you’ve been embracing your gray style for years, both Minardi and Ferrara say you’ll get the best results if you use your color-depositing shampoo specifically formulated for white and gray hair once or twice a week. Massage your scalp as you lather. If you want to wash your hair more frequently, reach for a gentle, moisturizing, sulfate-free formula on the other days. Also, consider upgrading your shower head to one that contains a water filter; this can remove color-affecting minerals, like copper. It's especially helpful if you have hard water, says Ferrara.
If you don't want or need to brighten your color, then look for a non-tinted shampoo made for gray and white hair; this formula will be especially hydrating for gray strands' more coarse and sometimes wiry texture. Now, here are the salon-quality color-depositing shampoos for gray and white hair (including sulfate-free options) that our experts swear by.
Wella Professionals ColorMotion+ Shampoo
Wella Professionals ColorMotion+ Shampoo
Protect delicate gray or silver locks with this antioxidant-rich shampoo that provides color protection, adds shine, and strengthens hair.
AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
AG Care Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Pros
- Offers a deep clean
Cons
- Some customers don't like the apple cider vinegar scent
“Gray hair tends to be dry and brittle; look for shampoos that contain rich oils to help give it shine and nourishment,” says Kayley Pak, stylist at John Barrett Salon in New York City. This sulfate-free formula contains nourishing argan oil. It also clarifies hair with apple cider vinegar, making it brighter without depositing color.
Better Not Younger Second Chance Repairing Shampoo
Better Not Younger Second Chance Repairing Shampoo
Pros
- Protects and strengthens hair
Cons
- Some buyers say it could use more suds when lathering
If you've overprocessed your hair, try this strengthening formula to restore strands back to their healthiest state. It's made with rice bran oil to strengthen and protect against environmental stress, argan oil to soften, and passion flower fruit extract to enhance shine.
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
Klorane Anti-Yellowing Shampoo with Centaury
Pros
- Hydrates
- Softens hair
Cons
- Some buyers say it could use a more suds when lathering
“Mild shampoos are good for gray hair and keep the scalp healthy,” says Rita Hazan, a New York–based celebrity stylist. This shampoo—designed to keep yellowing at bay thanks to cornflower extract—is especially mild and won’t dry out hair.
American Crew Daily Silver Shampoo
American Crew Daily Silver Shampoo
This shampoo is a triple threat. The vegan formula removes brassy tones, moisturizes the hair, and protects it from UV discoloration.
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Kérastase Blond Absolu Anti-Brass Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Splurge
For a silverizing effect, Minardi likes the Kérastase ultra-violet line, which includes this purple shampoo that “gently cleanses as it banishes unwanted yellow.” It’s formulated with a softening hyaluronic acid and a strengthening edelweiss flower.
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Silver Shampoo
Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Silver Shampoo
Pros
- Boosts shine
Cons
- Some buyers say the perfume scent is overpowering
“Grays are beautiful, and you want to make sure they look bright, shiny, and fresh,” says Marshall Lin, New York–based celebrity stylist. This accessible color-depositing shampoo has been a top go-to for decades; it gets rid of dullness and enhances shine while removing brassiness.
SACHAJUAN Silver Shampoo
Pros
- Protects against sun damage
Cons
- Some buyers find the formula drying
This paraben-free shampoo offers critical UV protection, which helps counteract brassiness as it adds a neutralizing purple pigment to hair. “Sun yellows gray hair, so it’s important to limit and treat for exposure,” says Minardi.
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Moroccanoil Clarifying Shampoo
Pros
- Strengthening
Cons
- Some buyers find the clarifying formula a little stripping
If you don't want to deal with a tinted shampoo, try this sulfate-free, moisture-rich clarifying formula—full of argan and avocado oil—to get rid of impurities and buildup that might cause yellowing. It's also formulated with keratin, which is a protein that rebuilds and strengthens damaged hair.
Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo
Pros
- Eliminates yellow tones
Cons
- Some buyers don't like the scent
This formula is a Ferrara favorite for a reason: It leaves behind a cool tone on gray hair that may be experiencing yellowing or brassiness.
Nadine Jolie Courtney is a lifestyle writer whose work has appeared in Town & Country, Robb Report, and Angeleno; a graduate of Barnard College, her fourth book, All-American Muslim Girl, was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2019. She lives in Santa Monica, California, where she posts too many photos of her daughter on Instagram.
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