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The 7 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair, According to Experts

Discover the top gray hair shampoos that neutralize brassiness, boost shine, and nourish silver strands, as recommended by leading experts.

By Medha deb

Created on Sep 24, 2025

Discover the top gray hair shampoos that neutralize brassiness, boost shine, and nourish silver strands, as recommended by leading experts.

Gray hair is a symbol of natural beauty, wisdom, and confidence. Yet, maintaining healthy, luminous, and vibrant gray or silver strands requires special care—particularly when it comes to choosing the right shampoo. Whether you’re embracing your grays or transitioning, using a shampoo tailored to gray hair can address dullness, dryness, and unwanted yellow or brassy tones. Here, hair specialists and product testers recommend the very best shampoos designed specifically for gray and silver hair. Read on for expert-approved picks, buying guidelines, and essential gray hair care FAQs.

Why Use a Special Shampoo for Gray Hair?

As we age, hair loses its pigment (melanin), turning gray, white, or silver. At the same time, the texture often becomes drier and coarser. Gray hair is also more susceptible to environmental stressors—like UV rays and pollution—and can easily develop yellow or brassy tones. Specialized shampoos contain targeted ingredients, such as purple or blue pigments, to neutralize brassiness, hydrate thirsty strands, and keep your silver hair bright and elegant.

Editor-Recommended Shampoos for Gray Hair

Kérastase Blond Absolu Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo
L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo
Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo
Redken Color Extend Graydiant Purple Shampoo
Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo
Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo
Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo

In-Depth Reviews: Best Shampoos for Gray and Silver Hair

1. Kérastase Blond Absolu Ultra-Violet Purple Shampoo

Best for: All gray, silver, and highlighted hair types; fighting brassiness; professional results

Pros: Salon-quality formula, rich purple pigments, neutralizes yellow and brassy tones, strengthens hair, leaves a bright icy finish
Cons: Premium price point

Kérastase is renowned for its luxurious haircare, and this purple shampoo lives up to the hype. Its concentrated violet pigments eliminate brassy, yellow tones to keep silver, white, or highlighted hair looking vibrant and radiant. The formula also nourishes with hydrating and strengthening ingredients, leaving hair soft, shiny, and manageable. Some users note immediate brightness after one wash, but for best results, use once or twice weekly. While pricier than drugstore offerings, the results and salon-grade finish often justify the investment.

Active Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, edelweiss flower extract, purple pigments
Sulfate Free? Yes
Size: 8.5 oz

2. L’Oréal Paris EverPure Sulfate-Free Brass Toning Purple Shampoo

Best for: Budget-friendly gray hair maintenance

Pros: Affordable, accessible, gentle formula, sulfate-free, tackles mild brassiness, color-safe
Cons: May not be pigmented enough for highly brassy or platinum hair

This popular drugstore option provides substantial value without sacrificing performance. Its gentle purple pigments counteract yellow tones in gray, silver, and blonde hair, while the sulfate-free base helps retain moisture and reduce dryness. Experts and reviewers recommend it for those seeking an effective yet affordable purple shampoo. It has a light, floral scent and is safe for regular use. For persistent, deep brassiness, a more potent formula may be needed, but for routine care and subtle brightening, EverPure shines.

Active Ingredients: Purple dye, hibiscus extract
Sulfate Free? Yes
Size: 6.8 oz, 11 oz, 23 oz

3. Amika Bust Your Brass Blonde Purple Shampoo

Best for: Hydrating, shine, and those sensitive to sulfates

Pros: Highly moisturizing, maintains shine, free of sulfates and parabens
Cons: May require consistent use for optimal toning

Amika’s sulfate-free shampoo is enriched with wild cherry bark extract to boost shine and hydration, plus purple pigments to tone yellow. Its gentle, clean-beauty formulation is suitable for everyday use and won’t strip color or moisture. Reviewers love that it leaves hair looking glossy and feeling soft, making it a favorite for those with dry scalp or sensitivities. For best results, pair with the matching conditioner.

Active Ingredients: Wild cherry bark extract, purple pigments
Sulfate Free? Yes
Size: 10 oz

4. Redken Color Extend Graydiant Purple Shampoo

Best for: Brightening, softening, and strengthening gray hair

Pros: Brightens, nourishes, reinforces hair structure, balances undertones
Cons: Slightly drying if overused

Redken’s formula is specifically designed for the needs of gray and silver hair. Neutralizing violet pigments offset brassiness, while amino acids and proteins strengthen the hair fiber. With regular use, this shampoo revitalizes dull and aging strands and enhances reflectivity for a natural, healthy-looking shimmer. To avoid dryness, limit use to 1–2 times per week and alternate with a hydrating, non-purple shampoo.

Active Ingredients: Amino acids, proteins, purple pigments
Sulfate Free? No
Size: 10 oz

5. Joico Color Balance Purple Shampoo

Best for: Affordable salon brand; boosting shine and smoothness

Pros: Affordable, pleasant scent, boosts smoothness, contains UV filters and green tea extract to prevent dullness
Cons: Can feel heavy if used too often

Joico’s salon-quality shampoo gently cleanses while supporting vibrancy and moisture. Green tea extract and UV absorbers help protect hair from environmental damage and color fade. Regular use leaves gray and silver strands radiant and resilient. Some reviewers warn it can feel heavy with daily use; try alternating with a lighter cleanser.

Active Ingredients: Violet pigments, green tea extract, UV filters
Sulfate Free? No
Size: 10 oz

6. Olaplex No. 4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo

Best for: Bright, icy gray tones and advanced brass control

Pros: Icy finish, brightening, adds shine, sulfate-free
Cons: May feel a bit drying, fragrance and pigment are strong for some users

Olaplex is famed for its bond-building technology, and this purple shampoo brings the same science to gray hair care. Highly concentrated violet pigments eliminate yellow tones, leaving an almost icy sheen. It’s ideal for anyone who wants vivid, luminous silver and is also sulfate-free for gentle cleansing. Some users find it a bit drying, so consider pairing it with a hydrating conditioner and limiting use to avoid buildup or dryness.

Active Ingredients: Glycerin, citric acid
Sulfate Free? Yes
Size: 8.5 oz

7. Matrix Total Results So Silver Purple Shampoo

Best for: Professional toning for coarse or stubborn brassiness

Pros: Potent pigment, effective on coarse hair, boosts cool tones, affordable professional brand
Cons: Can leave hands or surfaces stained if not rinsed well

Matrix’s So Silver is a salon favorite for a reason: its strong purple pigment corrects unwanted warmth in even the most stubborn cases. It delivers a concentrated dose of tone correction while smoothing and conditioning. It is a top pick for those with naturally thicker hair but should be used with care to avoid product discoloration on towels or skin.

Active Ingredients: Purple pigments, conditioning agents
Sulfate Free? No
Size: 10.1 oz

Comparison Table: Best Gray Hair Shampoos

Product	Pigment	Moisturizing	Sulfate Free	Size	Best For
Kérastase Blond Absolu	High	Yes	Yes	8.5 oz	Salon results; brightness
L’Oréal EverPure	Moderate	Yes	Yes	6.8–23 oz	Budget-conscious, general maintenance
Amika Bust Your Brass	Moderate	High	Yes	10 oz	Hydration & sensitive scalps
Redken Graydiant	High	Moderate	No	10 oz	Strength & brightness
Joico Color Balance	Moderate	Yes	No	10 oz	UV protection; shine
Olaplex No.4P	High	Moderate	Yes	8.5 oz	Icy tones; brass control
Matrix So Silver	High	Moderate	No	10.1 oz	Stubborn brassiness

How to Choose the Best Shampoo for Gray Hair

According to leading dermatologists and trichologists, selecting a specialized shampoo can make a significant difference in the health and appearance of gray hair. Here’s what experts suggest:

Purple or blue pigments: Essential for neutralizing yellow or brassy tones, leaving hair cool, bright, and silvery.
Moisturizing ingredients: Look for glycerin, hyaluronic acid, natural oils, or ceramides, as gray hair is prone to dryness.
Strengthening agents: Ingredients like keratin, biotin, and panthenol can help reinforce fragile, aging hair strands and reduce breakage.
Sulfate-free formulas: These are gentler, helping to retain hair’s natural oils and preserve softness.
UV protection: Since gray hair is more vulnerable to sun damage (which can worsen dryness and discoloration), choose shampoos with built-in UV filters or pair with heat and sun protection products.

Expert Tips for Caring for Gray Hair

Alternate with a gentle hydrating shampoo: Overuse of purple shampoo can cause dryness or a purple tinge. Use 1–3 times per week, alternating with a mild, moisture-rich cleanser.
Don’t skip conditioner: Choose a deeply hydrating conditioner to counteract any dryness resulting from toning pigments.
Protect from heat and sun: Use a leave-in conditioner or heat protectant, especially if you style frequently.
Clarify occasionally: Use a clarifying shampoo once a month to remove any product or pigment buildup, but avoid using too often, as it may strip natural oils.
See your stylist: Have professional toning or gloss treatments every few months to keep silver hues cool and brilliant.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How often should I use purple shampoo on gray hair?

A: For most people, 1–2 times per week is enough to keep yellow or brassy tones at bay. Overuse may result in a slight lavender tint or worsen dryness, so alternate with a gentle, nourishing shampoo.

Q: Will purple shampoo dry out my gray hair?

A: Some purple shampoos can be drying, especially if they contain more pigment or less moisturizing ingredients. Look for sulfate-free formulas and always follow with a hydrating conditioner.

Q: What causes my gray hair to turn yellow or brassy?

A: Sun exposure, hard water minerals, heat styling tools, and pollutants can all contribute to yellowing. Products with purple or blue pigments counteract these warm tones to restore a brighter appearance.

Q: Can I use purple shampoo if my hair is not entirely gray?

A: Yes. Purple shampoo works for anyone with gray, silver, platinum, or blonde highlights—or even those transitioning to natural gray—to neutralize warm hues and enhance cool, fresh tones.

Q: Is there a difference between blue and purple shampoos?

A: While both blue and purple shampoos are toning, purple is best for neutralizing yellow undertones in gray, light blonde, and silver hair. Blue shampoo is more effective at canceling out orangey or coppery tones, often found in darker blondes and brunettes.

Final Thoughts

Gray hair is unique and breathtaking—but it deserves the right care and formulation to reach its full, luminous potential. The shampoos featured above are acclaimed by stylists, dermatologists, and real users alike. Choosing the one that fits your needs, hair type, and budget will help you showcase your silver strands with confidence and shine. Remember to nurture your gray with consistent moisture, protection, and toning, and enjoy the elegance and strength that comes with letting your natural color shine through.

References

Author

medha deb

Medha Deb is an editor with a master's degree in Applied Linguistics from the University of Hyderabad. She believes that her qualification has helped her develop a deep understanding of language and its application in various contexts.

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