How to Choose the Right Shampoo for Your Hair Type
Standing in front of the shampoo shelf, we’ve all asked ourselves the same question: what shampoo do I use? The answer starts with your hair. Its type and condition (fine, dry, oily, colour-treated, damaged, etc.), along with the sensitivity of your scalp, determine what it needs.
Here’s how to choose the right shampoo, by collection and by hair type, followed by five simple habits that improve your hair care routine.
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What shampoo should I use? Choose based on your needs
To help you find your way, we’ve grouped our shampoos by collection. Pick the one that answers the need you’re looking to meet, then find the hair type that matches yours.
Super leaves®: for most hair types
The Super leaves® collection covers the most common needs, from lack of volume to dry, oily or colour-treated hair. These shampoos are vegan, EWG Verified®, and dermatologically tested shampoos are formulated with ingredients of natural origin.1
Fine hair: for more body
Fine hair tends to look flat and can be hard to style. It also gets oily faster, because sebum (the scalp’s natural oil) travels easily along fine, straight strands.2 The volumizing shampoo is formulated with soy protein, which boosts the shine of hair while giving a feeling of volume, and cranberry extract, which helps preserve the healthy, radiant look of your hair.
Dry or damaged hair: to hydrate and nourish
When the scalp produces little sebum, or when sebum struggles to travel down the strands, hair loses some of its natural lubrication. The result: brittle hair, split ends, dullness and tangles that are hard to undo.2
For dry but healthy hair, the rich moisturizing shampoo delivers a rich hydration thanks to quinoa protein, which hydrates hair, and jojoba protein, which improves the appearance of hair, leaving it soft and shiny. If your hair is fine, this shampoo could weigh it down: the volumizing shampoo would then be more suitable.
Heat, sun, repeated colouring and everyday friction also weaken the outer layer of the hair.2,3 For weakened hair, the nourishing shampoo is designed to, well, nourish and soften. It contains grapeseed oil, which acts as a lubricant on the surface of the hair, as well as olive leaf extract, to help soothe the scalp.
Oily hair: for a fresh feel
When the scalp produces more sebum, hair can become greasy shortly after washing, separate into limp strands and look dull. A shampoo’s role is precisely to remove this excess sebum and residue.2 The clarifying shampoo offers a deep clean. In addition, its lemon leaf extract helps revive the shine of hair and is recognized for its antioxidant and invigorating properties. Use it at most once a week, in addition to your regular shampoo, and avoid using it right after colouring.
Colour-treated hair: for gentle care
Permanent colour works by lifting the outer layer of the hair so the pigment can get in. Colour-treated hair therefore becomes more porous and more fragile.2 The colour shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse these delicate strands. It contains pomegranate extract, which protects colour for longer and invigorates the scalp, as well as avocado oil, to restore the suppleness of hair.
Scalp sensitive to fragrance: for gentle comfort
Your hair looks healthy, but your scalp is sensitive to fragrances? The unscented extra-gentle shampoo is designed for people who are sensitive to fragrance. It contains blueberry leaf extract, which soothes and protects dry scalp. If dryness, itching or flaking persist, consult a health care professional.
Sensitive natural: for sensitive scalps
Does your scalp react easily? Fragrances are among the ingredients most often involved in reactions to hair products, although rinse-off products such as shampoos cause them less often than products left on the hair.2 The Sensitive natural haircare collection was developed for delicate scalps. Its vegan shampoos contain oat extract, which helps soothe dry scalp skin, and are dermatologically tested.
Dry or damaged hair
The nourishing shampoo is enriched with avocado oil, which helps preserve the hydration and suppleness of hair. It is designed to gently nourish dry hair. Its apple fragrance is accented with herbal notes of rosemary.
Fine hair
The volumizing & shine shampoo contains soy protein, which brings suppleness, shine and volume for radiant, easy-to-style hair. Its formula with no added fragrance is ideal for people who are sensitive to fragrance.
Colour-treated hair
The colour shampoo is formulated with argan oil and pomegranate extract for people with colour-treated hair and a sensitive scalp. Argan oil protects and repairs hair damaged by colouring, leaving it soft and smooth. Its peach fragrance is softened by notes of vanilla.
Can’t decide between the Super leaves® extra-gentle shampoo and the Sensitive natural shampoos? If fragrance is mostly what bothers you, the extra-gentle shampoo is enough. If your scalp is more reactive, go for the Sensitive natural range.
Super leaves® textured hair: for curl types 2 to 4
Curly hair has its own needs. Sebum produced by the scalp has a harder time travelling down a fibre that curls, which explains why the scalp can sometimes be oily while the lengths are rather dry.2 Curls are also more prone to breakage when handled: gentleness is key.2 This range offers three shampoos, from lightest to richest, depending on your curl type.
Type 2 curls: for more definition
The amplifying shampoo is formulated with coconut oil, which restores the suppleness of hair while adding volume and texture. It is designed for wavy hair and type 2 curls that lack body. It helps define curls while keeping them light and shiny.
Type 3 curls: to hydrate without weighing down
The nourishing shampoo contains moringa oil, recognized for its nourishing and protective properties. It’s suited to type 3 curls: it’s designed to hydrate without weighing hair down and to help keep curls soft and well shaped.
Type 4 curls: for intense nourishment
The ultra-nourishing shampoo is the richest formula in the range, designed for very tight curls and very dry hair. It contains shea butter, recognized for its nourishing and softening properties. The tighter and drier your curls, the more you can step up the hydration level of your hair care products.
5 tips to improve your hair care routine
On top of using the right shampoo, a few habits make a real difference.
Aim shampoo at your scalp.
Gently massage it into your scalp, then let the lather run down the lengths as you rinse. Concentrating shampoo on top of the head can increase friction and cause tangles.2
Rinse thoroughly.
Product residue can make hair look dull and heavy, it is best to take your time to rinse well.
Be gentle with wet hair.
Hair swells as it absorbs water, and combing it when wet can damage or break it, especially if it’s straight or wavy.2 Pat your hair dry with a towel instead of rubbing it,2 and detangle slowly, starting at the ends. If your hair is curly, detangling it wet with a detangling product can, on the contrary, be gentler on it.2
Brush regularly, but gently.
Brushing helps distribute natural oils from root to tip, while also helping to reduce tangles and damage to the hair.
Go easy on heat.
Limit the use of heat on your hair. When drying, keep the hair dryer moving, about 15 cm from your hair, on moderate heat. Research shows this method damages hair less than air-drying, since air-drying can take longer and leave wet hair vulnerable.3
Still not sure which shampoo is right for you?
Wondering what’s in your shampoo? Read our guides: 10 ingredients to look for in a shampoo and 10 ingredient categories to avoid in a shampoo.
Don’t know your hair type? Discover all our shampoos and find the shampoo for your hair type.
References
[1] According to ISO 16128.
[2] Gavazzoni Dias MF. Hair cosmetics: an overview. Int J Trichology. 2015;7(1):2-15. doi:10.4103/0974-7753.153450
[3] Lee Y, Kim YD, Hyun HJ, Pi LQ, Jin X, Lee WS. Hair shaft damage from heat and drying time of hair dryer. Ann Dermatol. 2011;23(4):455-62. doi:10.5021/ad.2011.23.4.455