13 Best Mild Shampoos of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Gentle cleansing is a scalp’s best friend.
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Hi, is your favorite hair-growth shampoo failing you? Shampoo bar not hitting like it used to? You might be in need of a haircare refresh. If you've already tried everything from apple cider vinegar shampoos to caffeine shampoos to no avail, you might want to try a mild shampoo to hit reset and give your hair a chance to relax a little bit.
So, what is a mild shampoo? According to dermatologist Ife J. Rodney, MD, FAAD, “A mild shampoo is one that is formulated to be gentle on the hair and scalp, typically free from harsh or irritating ingredients.” She adds that mild shampoos are often labeled as “gentle shampoos,” “sulfate-free,” or “for sensitive scalp.” But here at Cosmo, we know that you have to look beyond just a few buzzwords to get the full story of a product. And as Dr. Rodney recommends, the best way to ensure your gentle shampoo is truly mild and non-irritating is to look for sulfate-free formulas that might contain “natural ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, or tea tree oil” that are “soothing and gentle on the scalp.” But don't worry, to help you find the right pick for your hair needs, I rounded up all the best mild shampoos to try right now.
Our picks for the best mild shampoos of 2024:
After getting expert insight from Dr. Rodney, combing through tester reviews, and dissecting ingredient lists, I’ve put together this list of the best mild shampoos to try right now. Happy cleansing!
Pros
- Formula is free of essential oils and other potential irritants
Cons
- Some reviewers say they needed to use a lot of product to feel clean
Briogeo’s Be Gentle, Be Kind Shampoo features aloe vera, oat milk, and green tea extract to soothe the scalp and add moisture to your hair. It’s also hypoallergenic and free of essential oils and fragrances, which is a pretty great combo, IMO.
- Key ingredients: Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, oat bran extract, green tea extract, panthenol
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: “I’ve been struggling through so many shampoos and conditioners because my eczema is really bad. This is the only formula that has NOT only stopped the rashes, but it soothed my scalp. My hair is so soft.”
Pros
- Keeps both your scalp and hair moisturized
Cons
- Fragrance can irritate those with sensitive skin
For those with sensitive scalps looking for a moisturizing shampoo, Dr. Rodney recommends Aveeno’s Oat Milk Blend Shampoo. The gentle formula is made with colloidal oatmeal extract, a moisturizer known for its calming properties.
- Key ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal extract, hydrolyzed milk protein
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "I have extremely oily hair that must be shampooed daily. This oat blend shampoo lathers well and cleans the excess oil from my hair without leaving it dry."
Pros
- 10 oil blend provides extra moisture
Cons
- Contains fragrance which some testers found irritating
Made with curly hair types in mind, Pattern's Hydration Shampoo is filled with yummy moisturizing ingredients, like castor oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and honey, which is known for its soothing and anti-microbial properties.
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, Coconut oil, honey, castor oil
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "This is the best product for 4C hair! My hair is so soft!! Healthy!!! The shampoo is fantastic and my scalp feels so much better."
Pros
- Made with a gentle cleanser often used in baby products
Cons
- Some reviewers don't like the fact that it doesn't lather
This Ultra-Gentle Shampoo is also formulated with oat milk to balance the scalp and restore shine. The shampoo also has vitamin E, glycerin, and caprylyl glycol, which helps make hair feel soft while also acting as a preservative to keep your shampoo fresh.
- Key ingredients: Oat milk extract, vitamin E
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "Gentle enough for the whole family AND those with sensitive and dandruff-prone scalps... After using it for the first time, I noticed it helped get rid of dandruff and my hair was soft and smooth."
Pros
- Multiple reviewers say it’s color safe
Cons
- Rosemary oil can be irritating for those with extra sensitive skin
There’s a reason this sulfate-free shampoo is a holy-grail, desert-island favorite: The formula is full of mild cleansing ingredients and rosemary oil, which some studies have suggested can encourage hair growth.
- Key ingredients: Rosemary oil, vitamin E
- Sulfate free? Yes
- Fragrance free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "I have used this shampoo for about 5 years. It leaves my hair feeling clean. I sweat a lot so I use it every day. My hair does not dry out.”
Pros
- Smells delicious
Cons
- Can be stripping on curly hair
You won't find sulfates, parabens, or mineral oil in this mild shampoo from Dae—instead, it's got aloe leaf juice to soothe your scalp and promote moisture and antioxidants like cactus extract. It’s sulfate-free, but does contain Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, a cleanser which can be stripping for those who need a little extra moisture.
- Key ingredients: Betaine, cactus extract, aloe barbadensis leaf juice
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "This made my hair feel so clean and smooth, and I can go another day or so without having to wash again. Would definitely recommend if you struggle with oily hair as this definitely reduces oils without drying your hair out."
Pros
- You don’t need a lot of product to get a good amount of suds
Cons
- Some reviewers found it to be too drying
For proof that you can find a drugstore shampoo that's a) affordable and b) gentle enough for regular use, look no further than this hydrating formula from Pantene. It's completely sulfate-free and spiked with soothing rose water. Oh, and it smells effing great too.
- Key ingredients: Panthenol (or Pro-Vitamin B5), rose water
- Sulfate free? Yes
- Fragrance free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "It was one of the most luxurious shampoos I’ve had in a long time. There were soft, silky suds, and it felt wonderful to use!!!!"
Pros
- Works to cleanse scalp and get rid of product buildup
Cons
- Multiple reviewers say it left their hair feeling dry
Formally known as Free & Clear, this cult-favorite shampoo is as mild as they come. The formula is free of dyes, fragrance, parabens, and sulfates, making it the ultimate cleanser for anyone with sensitive, allergy-prone skin or an itchy scalp.
- Key ingredients: Lauryl Glucoside (a gentle cleanser), Panthenol
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "I was having allergic reactions to the shampoo and conditioner I’d been using for years, switched to this brand and no longer have issues. [It] leaves hair and scalp squeaky clean, and my hair feels soft when dry."
Pros
- Many reviewers note it cleanses without drying out the scalp
Cons
- Not Curly Girl Method approved
Does a prettier anti-dandruff shampoo even exist? Probably not. Looks aside, though, this top-notch formula is loaded with salicylic acid to treat dry scalp and dandruff without drying out your hair. It also smells ridiculously good.
- Key ingredients: Salicylic acid, niacinamide, watermelon extract
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "This shampoo and conditioner IS THE BEST LIFE SAVING! I’ve tried the dermatologist, gotten shampoos and steroids, and nothing helps but this stuff. IDK how, but it keeps my scalp so moisturized! 10/10."
Pros
- Exfoliates scalp with salicylic acid and lactic acid
Cons
- Added fragrance and sulfates could irritate sensitive scalps
This heavenly scented, super-gentle cleanser leaves my sweaty-ass, post-gym hair silky smooth and next-level shiny, thanks to its dose of pure coconut oil. And surprisingly, it’s so lightweight that I have zero problem using it every day.
- Key ingredients: Lactic acid, salicylic acid, coconut oil
- Sulfate-free? No
- Fragrance-free: No
Glowing Customer Review: "It’s one of the few shampoos that I have tried that leaves my hair clean and my scalp doesn’t break out the next day. And I love the coconut smell."
Pros
- Won’t strip curly hair and is Curly Girl Method-approved
Cons
- Might be too heavy for oily scalps
Curly hair specific products are in a league of their own, mostly because they require intense moisturizing ingredients to satisfy the Curly Girl Method. Still, that doesn’t mean mild shampoos with a bit of sudsing action are totally out of the question. This sulfate-free cleanser washes away oil and product buildup and contains silk protein and neem oil to soften and moisturize thick, coarse curls without leaving them greasy.
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera leaf juice
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? Yes
Glowing Customer Review: "After washing with this shampoo, my curls are left feeling bouncy, defined, and healthy-looking. I’ve noticed a significant reduction in frizz and breakage since I started using it, which has made styling my hair much easier."
Pros
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- Some testers note that the shampoo was too drying
If your thin, easily weighed-down hair looks oily even when it’s clean, you’re going to love this lightweight shampoo. The mild formula is stacked with moringa seed oil to moisturize your strands without weighing them down.
- Key ingredients: Panthenol, lactic acid, moringa oil
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "I have oily hair on the finer side and this doesn’t weigh it down, but it still gives my hair good moisture and feels clean after washing."
Pros
- Helps revive dry, color-treated hair
Cons
- The formula is highly concentrated, so you might need to dilute it to avoid drying out your hair
Not only does this mild shampoo feature a blend of argan oil, lavender, and jojoba extracts to hydrate and soften your hair, but it’s also formulated with keratin to repair weak, damaged strands (whether that’s from coloring or heat-treating your hair).
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, panthenol
- Sulfate-free? Yes
- Fragrance-free? No
Glowing Customer Review: "This left my hair so soft and silky, no residue or greasy feeling near my roots. It also smells amazing! Highly recommend."
What is considered a mild shampoo?
As Dr. Rodney explained, a mild shampoo is one formulated with gentle ingredients. “The goal is to cleanse the hair without stripping it of its natural oils,” she explains. A good rule of thumb is to look for shampoos that have shorter ingredient lists. If the ingredients are relatively few, odds are it’s a mild formula. Dr. Rodney also warns that if you see sulfates and harsh cleansers on the ingredient list, that’s a red flag.
Is mild shampoo safe to use daily?
There are many differing thoughts on how often you should wash your hair, but if you’ve found that washing daily is best for you, you definitely want to look into a mild shampoo, which are generally safe for daily use. However, Dr. Rodney cautions that every day washes are typically unnecessary, and can lead to dryness.
How to choose the best mild shampoo for you
You might call your shampoo “mild” or “gentle,” but that’s no guarantee that someone else will. Ultimately, the best shampoo for you isn’t going to work for everyone, so it’s important to really get to know your hair needs before trying to find the best gentle shampoo for you.
Consider your hair type:
As you can see, there are mild shampoos formulated for many different hair types, so step one to finding the best gentle shampoo for you is to determine your hair type and what benefits you want out of a shampoo. Do you want a shampoo to help treat an oily scalp, or dandruff? If so, you probably won’t be using the same gentle shampoo as someone hoping to moisturize a dry scalp or curly hair.
Test for allergies:
If you have sensitive skin, Dr. Rodney advises doing a patch test before shampooing your entire head of hair. Just put a normal amount on your neck or any patch of skin, leave on for a few minutes (or the length of your normal shampoo routine), and see how your skin reacts.
Meet the expert:
- Dr. Ife J. Rodney, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and Fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology. She is also the founding director of Eternal Dermatology + Aesthetics, where she works with patients focusing on skin cancer prevention, detection, and treatment, anti-aging, hair and scalp disorders, and more general dermatology.
Why trust Cosmo?
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan. She has 10 years of experience writing about culture, entertainment, and beauty. She loves trying new hair care products and learning about everything from the best shampoo bars to the best tinted sunscreens.
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for three years and has written hundreds of beauty stories about hair, skin, and makeup, including deep dives on the best hair growth oils and the best shampoos for scalp acne.
Olivia Truffaut-Wong is an editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers beauty, entertainment, and lifestyle. She loves finding and testing the best skincare products to recommend, like the best tinted sunscreens, and is always researching the best cat accessories for her fur baby. She has over 10 years of experience as an entertainment and culture writer and editor, and her work has been featured in The Cut, Refinery29, Teen Vogue, Polygon, Bustle, and more.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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