16 Cheap Shampoos That Are Just as Good as Expensive Ones

I've spent most of my time as a beauty journalist working directly with hairdressers covering trends, news, and advice. And for the most part, I treat the hair advice I've received as gospel, and I drill home the importance of listening to pro hairdressers about at-home maintenance. But there is one point, in particular, where I veer from hairdressers' advice: cheap shampoo. I use it all the time.

Professional and salon-quality haircare and styling products are really important for healthy hair. I just needed to say that before we continue. For the most part, you'll find that they have fewer filler ingredients and synthetics that cheat the feeling of smooth hair and actually have a higher concentration of nourishing and protective ingredients. But when it comes to shampoos, this is a step in which you can't really add much to the quality of your hair; you can only take away. So if there is any place to save money on in your haircare routine, it's here. You just have to be aware of the ingredients in the bottle and how susceptible your hair is to being stripped of moisture.

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(Image credit: @heartzeena)

If you already have pretty dry hair or you bleach it, you'll want to avoid shampoos with sodium laureth sulphate (SLS). This is the foaming agent in a lot of shampoos, and while many higher-end shampoos have developed clever alternatives, such as using coconut-derived foaming aids, most cheaper ones still opt for this. The same goes for people who color their hair, as SLS can lift the color too. But if you have natural, moisture-balanced hair or oily roots, SLS isn't damaging to your locks. Whatever shampoo you do opt for, just make sure you're treating your lengths and ends to hydrating masks and protecting your hair from any heat styling you're doing.

So without further ado, please find the best cheap shampoos that a beauty editor like me would actually stand behind.

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(Image credit: @aysha.sow)

The Best Cheap Shampoos

1. Garnier Ultimate Blends Almond Milk Weightless Moisture Shampoo

2. ORS Moisture Restore Creamy Aloe Shampoo

3. Monday Haircare Smooth Shampoo

5. Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Cleansing Cream Shampoo

6. The Ordinary 4% Sulphate Cleanser for Body and Hair

7. OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo

8. John Frieda Vibrant Shine Shampoo

9. Matrix Total Results High Amplify Shampoo

10. Toni Guy Damage Repair Shampoo

11. Percy Reed All Lathered Up Cleansing Shampoo Bar

12. L'Oréal Elvive Hyaluron + Plump Hydrating Shampoo

13. Umberto Giannini Curl Jelly Wash Shampoo

14. Bleach London Reincarnation Shampoo

15. Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Nourishing Shampoo

16. Maui Moisture Weightless Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo

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