6 Best Shampoos for Black Men in 2023

We picked the 2-in-1 Double-Header Shampoo & Conditioner from Jack Black as the best shampoo for black men, with TeaTree Special Shampoo as the runner-up.

Your hair plays a pivotal role in your daily interactions and first impressions with people. The smell of your hair can leave a favorable impact on that first date or give your loved one a refreshing scent to adore. A healthy scalp keeps you fresh, and it gives you the confidence to have a successful day.

The healthiness of your hair assures you that your personal care efforts are working. It all starts with the quality of your shampoo. You put in your hair daily, so you want to make sure you get it right. The right shampoo product nourishes and revitalizes your hair in the morning.

An effective shampoo prevents dryness and dandruff. Picking the right option in a big hair product market can be a daunting task. But with the proper research, you can attack the day with the ideal shampoo solution.

Things to Look for in a Shampoo

There are three key components to look for when purchasing your next shampoo product. The first is the scent, which gives off a crucial first impression to the people you meet. Depending on what you value out of a fragrance, look for the nature of the smell of the product.

The people you meet throughout the day will have a more favorable impression of you if you smell better, and your shampoo plays a big part. You also need to define what your true needs are, and then identify how the benefits solve those issues:

• Do you want your hair to be softer?
• Are you struggling with dandruff or folliculitis?
• Are you looking for a better smell?
• Are you looking for the best shampoo for your dreads?

The shampoo market is saturated, and each product option offers a unique strength in what you are looking to achieve. Look closely at the unique offering of each alternative in your research.

Lastly, look for products that are free of parabens and sulfates. The options that still contain these chemicals can cause brittleness, dryness, and an oily scalp in the long run. This absence is a must when scanning the ingredients portion of the bottle, so pay close attention. With that said, let’s jump into why we love each of the products below.

6 Best Shampoos for Black Men in 2023

When compiling the list of best shampoos on the market, we used a system backed with substantial research of the top men’s health publications, online reviews, and product websites.

We analyzed the unique benefits and product offerings of each option and listed them so that you can match your preference for the product.

We outlined the pros and cons of each shampoo so that you can make an educated decision and see both sides. Using the below list, you should have what you need to make an accurate decision for the health of your hair.

1. Jack Black – Double-Header Shampoo + Conditioner

First up is our favorite shampoo. Yes, it’s expensive. But you do want the best… right? Why settle for an inferior product when you can pay a little extra for a product that’s going to work well, make your hair smell good, and keep your scalp refreshed?

The Jack Black Double-Header Shampoo and Conditioner is a sulfate-free product that plays a vital role in removing dirt, buildup, and oils from the scalp to keep it healthier and livelier. The company Jack Black served as an early pioneer in the men’s skin industry and pivoted into creating quality hair and shampoo product options.

But what we really like is the natural ingredients and oils that are perfect for normally dry, ashy black skin.

The formula implements a mixture of natural oils, botanicals, and other proteins to make the individual hair follicles thicker and more nourished. Creatine plays a pivotal part in adding strength and volume to the individual hair follicles.

Other components like coconut oil and kelp extract help smooth out the surface of the head, which prevents irritation and moisturizes the scalp. Users rave about its effectiveness and mild smell. 

One thing to note is that while it does later somewhat poorly, this is because it’s a natural product without sulfates. And that’s actually a good thing. This means that the product is being absorbed by your hair and scalp, rather than washing out your natural oils with sulfates.

2. Tea Tree Special Shampoo

Second best is the Tea Tree Special Shampoo, produced by John Paul Mitchell Systems. The company that made this shampoo has had a long, trustworthy reputation with hair care and styling product. It even owns a sister company that delivers personal grooming and hair product solutions for animals and pets.

This product is suitable for all hair types, and it works to wash away and cleanse impurities in both the hair and skin surface. For people who have had bad experiences and irritation with regular shampoos, this could be a valuable alternative.

The tea tree oil works to nourish the root of the individual hairs by unclogging hair follicles. This component, combined with peppermint oil, imparts a soothing feeling over the scalp, which prevents irritation for those who continue to use this product in the long run. 

For those that place an importance on smell and fragrance, the Tea Tree Special Shampoo contains whiffs of lavender, which makes the scent stay and smell fresh. Another great feature of this option is that it does not leave behind any oily substance on the scalp, which a lot of other shampoo options on the market do.

3. Scotch Porter Hydrating Hair Wash

The Scotch Porter Hydrating Hair Wash combines natural ingredients and botanicals. This sulfate-free shampoo option contributes to softer and more workable hair.

It aims to give you head a silkier, smoother look and leaves it with a pure, but significant, woodsy fragrance. Through the formula of this shampoo and its natural ingredients, it combats frizzy hair and moisturizes the driest of scalps.

The formula of silk amino acids, shea butter, and coconut oil delivers a solution that balances the pH of the scalp and restores the more damaged areas of the head.

Through the essential vitamins, the shampoo product proactively counters bad hair odor and leaves your hair with a finish that will keep you refreshed throughout the day.

The Scotch Porter Hydrating Hair Wash got developed by a trustworthy, worldwide brand. There are no reported side effects when scanning the reviews of customers.

4. Malin + Goetz Clarifying Shampoo

You already know that you need a mild shampoo to maintain strong, healthy hair. Most experts also recommend shampooing no more than twice a week. This hair-care routine can come at the cost of a thorough deep cleanse.

But, that doesn’t need to be the case with this Malin + Goetz Peppermint Clarifying Shampoo. This shampoo features peppermint extract as its main ingredient. Peppermint is a well-known amino-acid cleaner that removes stubborn dirt and grime without stripping the hair of its natural oils.

You also get that refreshing tingling sensation after washing your hair, which is a bonus with these kinds of products. Peppermint extract also comes with additional benefits.

For instance, peppermint’s astringent quality helps balance your scalp’s PH by regulating your oil production. Furthermore, peppermint helps to boost blood supply and circulation to your scalp.

This, in turn, helps to promote hair growth. Finally, the ingredient helps to fight dry scalp and dandruff. The shampoo isn’t cheap. But, it has specific qualities that make it excellent value for money.

It’s a unisex shampoo, so you don’t need separate His & Hers products. Plus, a little bit goes a long way because the shampoo has fantastic lather.

You only massage a little product in your hair, and you instantly get a good lather going. The shampoo even smells great! The only major complaint is that the shampoo is a little pricey. But, you still get decent value since it’s not an everyday shampoo.

And, it doesn’t cost nearly as much as some of the products featured in this review. Otherwise, this is the shampoo for a deep cleanse, tingling sensation, and multiple hair-health benefits. There’s a reason why it is the shampoo of choice for many hotels.

5. CHI Infra Shampoo

Admittedly, some of the shampoos featured here are pricey. That’s understandable since you want the best for your hair. Still, everybody likes a good bargain.

CHI Infra Shampoo is more of a general-purpose product for people who don’t have specific hair problems like dandruff, dry scalp or thinning/damaged hair. The shampoo features the brand’s Catatonic Hydration Interlink.

This technology offers many benefits, including correcting the hair and scalp moisture balance. It is also a gentle shampoo if you’ve been suffering irritation at the hands of harsher products.

CHI Infra Shampoo offers a deep cleanse despite only requiring a small amount. It is also a terrific product for chemically treated hair for men rocking a perm. One Amazon user complained that it smells like men’s cologne.

So it’s right up your alley if you are looking for a men’s shampoo. Plus, you get 32 Fl Oz worth of shampoo. You won’t need a refill any time soon, making it great value for money.

Overall, the CHI Infra Shampoo is a great product covering all your hair-care basics. It smells great, cleanses your scalp without stripping natural oils, and it moisturizes and strengthens your hair.

The only complaint is it would be better if the bottle came with a hand pump. In addition, the shampoo can be a little cumbersome to use, given its size. However, this flaw is easy to overlook, given the shampoo’s overall great qualities.

6. Antony Men’s Body Wash and Shampoo

Some men prefer products that you can use for everything short of pouring in the engine. This approach makes sense if you take a minimalist approach to personal care routine. Antony Men’s Body Wash and Shampoo is a terrific two-in-one product.

It is a shampoo AND body wash for people who like to save their shower time. It is also an excellent product for people with chest and back hair who don’t want to manscape.

The shampoo is designed for all hair and skin types, including black men. Its formulation cleanses and conditions the hair and body. For instance, its eucalyptus extracts help to refresh and revitalize the body.

Also, glycerin and vitamin B5 help to cleanse and moisturize your hair. We highly recommend this product for post-workout care. The shampoo and body wash is also a great pick-me-up in the morning, leaving your entire body tingling from head to toe.

It is also arguably the best smelling shampoo in this review. It sports a manly alpine wood scent to counter all post-workout sweat and testosterone. It is also available in multiple sizes, including a travel size option.

The only downside is that this shampoo is pricey. But, considering you also use it as a body wash, you get twice the value. Also, the bottle offers 12 FL Oz of product, so it’ll go a long way. Finally, it lathers up quickly, so you don’t need to use a lot of it to clean your hair and body. 

7. Barrel and Oak – Cleansing Charcoal Shampoo

We see a lot of great extracts in shampoos for black men. These include peppermint, tea tree oil, coconut oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil. But, charcoal is an often overlooked ingredient with many benefits for African American hair.

Charcoal is the main ingredient in this Barrel and Oak shampoo, making it a top choice for black men. For one, charcoal is arguably one of the best cleansers out there.

It has detoxifying properties, which are helpful when you want to get rid of excess grease, dead skin, and product buildup on your scalp. Charcoal also has excellent exfoliating properties, removing impurities from the scalp, root, and hair shaft.

Furthermore, charcoal can help with an itchy or sensitive scalp and also helps to add volume to your hair. This is also a must-have shampoo for black men with dreadlocks. Locks can be challenging to clean and care for, but this Barrel and Oak does a super job.

First, charcoal attracts hard-to-reach dirt, grime, and buildup in your dreads. Then, you can simply wash them away with a good rinse. This deep clean is gentle on your scalp and doesn’t affect your hair’s natural moisture levels.

We also highly recommend this shampoo for first-timers. It will eliminate all those nasty toxins and chemicals from using harsh shampoos.

It is also an excellent alternative for medicated shampoos for the reasons we’ve outlined earlier. Plus, charcoal is a natural deodorizer to eliminate the musty smell from dread rot.  

The only downside is the scent, which isn’t a deal-breaker for most people. The shampoo does have a pleasant peppermint oil aroma. But, some men prefer an odorless product, especially if it’s a charcoal-based one.

 

Finding the Best Shampoo for Black Men

It is one thing to make an educated choice on the right shampoo product. But it is your responsibility to maintain your hair health with the resources that you have at your disposal.

There are many great tips out there to make sure that your hair does not break down, stays nourished through the driest months, and continues to give off its natural shine.

 

An important aspect is to maintain a quality, consistent moisturizing schedule. Black men’s hair is susceptible to the external environment. It tends to dry out because of the polluted and contaminated environment.

This issue causes the hair to get tangled in the long term. By having a regular moisturizing regimen in place, you will prevent your hair from becoming brittle and prone to breaking. While you must maintain a constant moisturizing routine, you must make sure not to use your shampoo products too often.

The shampoo feels and smells good while you use it, so we cannot blame you. But if you overuse it, the product will eventually strip your scalp of the natural, organic oils that contribute to your hair’s protection. You will expose yourself to parabens and SLS that get found in most shampoos.

It is also vital for you to limit your use of styling products. These sources contain harmful ingredients like alcohol and petroleum. While these components might give you a short-term fix and do the job at first, it can provide you negative consequences as time goes on.

They will cause dryness and flakiness in the scalp. If you find yourself shampooing more than once a week, you should work on toning it back.

Tips For Styling

When you step out of the shower, you usually feel like a million bucks. It will feel natural to comb your hair immediately after you rinse, but this could be a bad idea. You should wait to straighten your hair after it is dry because wet hair can break down over time if you comb it in this condition.

Waiting to comb your hair when it gets dry will sustain your hair and keep it healthier for longer. You should always make things easier on yourself, and this includes how you style your hair. You need to keep a hairstyle that is low maintenance and does not require extra effort.

If you have hair makes you burnt out at taking care of it after a while, deprivation can take place. This issue will result in your hair becoming messy, damaged, and weaker. Keep it simple; your hair health with thank you.

A crucial step in maintaining your hair healthy is to avoid harmful environments that contain chlorine and excessive sunlight. Chlorine can break down your hair, dry it out, and make it brittle.

Sunlight produces UV rays, which can severely damage your hair. This issue might not harm your scalp at first but be very careful at prolonged exposure in the sun’s rays. Many tactics go into preserving the health of your hair.

It is crucial to stay consistent and accountable to your practices. There is not a specific formula that best fits everyone. But it is essential to find a system that works and avoid harmful substances that stunt the development and health of your hair.

What’s the Best Shampoo for Black Men?

As you can see, there are a variety of unique solutions for your hair care needs. The smell, texture, and shiny visual appearance of your head will impact people with a memorable impression. It is up to you and your research efforts to decide if it will be a good or bad effect.

The list above provides you with an excellent array of choices. The perfect shampoo product can revitalize and moisturize your scalp. The right choice of shampoo can help prevent the oily feeling that you experience daily.

The indirect effects of a healthy scalp will provide you with the confidence to approach others and get the most out of your day. You will feel better about running your hands through your hair, and you will be thankful you chose the right shampoo.