The 9 Best Shampoos & Conditioners of 2020
Take wash day to the next level.
For our 25th annual Best Beauty Buys, the InStyle magazine team surveyed leading dermatologists, makeup artists, hairstylists, and manicurists to find out which products they can't get enough of. The votes are in: You'll want to clear a shelf for these 163 beauty game-changers.
Whether you're someone who opts to wash their hair every day, every other day, or just once a week, there's no question that the products you use are what matters most. If you have thick curls, for example, traditional shampoos may dry out your hair, while those with finer strands usually want to forgo heavy conditioners in order to avoid weighing down the hair.
But regardless of your hair type, there's a shampoo and conditioner out there that's perfect for your texture and the rest of your hair needs. To help you figure out the best products to shop, the InStyle magazine team got the 2020 Best Beauty Buys panel of experts to put numerous products to the test. Now they're sharing all their faves with you.
Here are their top picks.
Best Inexpensive Shampoo & Conditioner
Pantene Daily Moisture Renewal
This cleansing duo is packed with lipids to leave you with soft, shiny hair after every wash.
To buy shampoo: $4; target.com
To buy conditioner: $4; target.com
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Dry/Damaged Hair
Virtue Recovery Shampoo & Conditioner
If you have dry hair, this is the pair of wash day products you need in your shower. This hair recovery system works to “fill in” damaged spots along your strands to help smooth and strengthen the hair shaft.
To buy shampoo: $38; sephora.com
To buy conditioner: $40; sephora.com
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Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Fine/Limp Hair
Christophe Robin Volumizing Shampoo and Conditioner with Rose Extracts
This ultra-gentle shampoo and conditioner carefully cleanse even the most delicate of virgin and color-treated fine hair, while also adding volume.
To buy shampoo: $38; christopherobin.com
To buy conditioner: $43; christopherobin.com
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Frizzy Hair
Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo and Conditioner
Frizz got you down? No worries, because if you're looking for a smooth finish, these bottles will quickly become your new besties. The formula offers the brand’s famed humidity- and moisture-blocking molecules to give you frizz-free strands.
To buy shampoo: $28; ulta.com
To buy conditioner: $28; ulta.com
Best Shampoo & Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair
Oribe For Beautiful Color
Anyone who colors their hair knows the process makes your hair extra delicate, so investing in protective products is always worth it. This shampoo and conditioner combo contains fruit and plant extracts to not only condition, but will also fight fading.
To buy shampoo: $46; nordstrom.com
To buy conditioner: $48; nordstrom.com
Best Conditioner for Curly Hair
Bumble and bumble Curl Conditioner
When it comes to cleansing coils, the trick to add enough moisture to avoid frizz, but not so much that your curls start drooping. With a curl-defining polymer and hydrating oils, this treatment, which can be used as a co-wash or leave-in, brings on the bounce.
To buy: $34; sephora.com
Best Cleansing Conditioner or Co-Wash
R+Co Analog
Don't get it twisted, just because it doesn't walk or talk like a shampoo, doesn't mean a co-wash won't leave your hair properly cleansed. This product has mild, non-sulfate ingredients to dissolve product buildup and greasy residue in one step. To top it off, argan oil delivers added hydration.
To buy: $32; dermstore.com
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Best Shampoo & Conditioner or Treatment for Dandruff and/or Scalp
Head and Shoulders Classic
Pyrithione zinc, the line’s long-lasting key ingredient, gets rid of flakes in a single wash. The bonus: you'll be left with soft strands, too.
To buy shampoo: $6; target.com
To buy conditioner: $10; walgreens.com
Best Natural/Eco-Friendly Shampoo & Conditioner
Davines
Unless you have ultra fine hair, you’ll want to indulge in these gentle sulfate-free blends with roucou oil and apricot butter to condition and add shine.
To buy shampoo: $34; davines.com
To buy conditioner: $40; davines.com