9 Best Drugstore Shampoos For Coarse Thick Hair In 2024 : Expert Reviewed For Softer Hair!

Here are the best drugstore shampoos for coarse thick hair including sulfate-free and paraben free ones for colored hair that help smoothen and moisturize tresses!

In This Article:

1. Top Shampoos For Coarse Thick Hair 2024
2. How To Choose The Right Shampoo For Coarse Hair
3. FAQs
4. Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

Coarse hair can be a total deal-breaker. You lose time and patience while trying to fix it! 

This problem can be caused unconsciously by a lot of our everyday habits like using heating tools, styling the hair often, subjecting it to sun damage etc.

If you have unruly, unmanageable hair, you need to use the best shampoos for coarse hair. These contain ingredients that can smoothen your hair through prolonged use. 

Shampoos For Coarse Hair	Best For
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Moisturising Shampoo	Oily Scalp
Wella Professionals Invigo Colour Brilliance Shampoo	Color-Treated Hair
Controlled Chaos USE ME Hair Cleanser	Frizzy Hair
Just Nutritive African American Natural Hair Shampoo	African American Hair
Redken All-soft Mega Shampoo	Thinning Hair
Helis’s Gold Revitalising Shampoo	Dry Scalp

Top Shampoos For Coarse Thick Hair 2024

Paul Mitchell Tea tree Lavender Mint Moisturising Shampoo

When I was looking for a shampoo to help my hair get clean and get control coarseness at the same time, I came across this product.

I liked that the chief ingredient here is tea tree oil which is antibacterial, helps remove excess oiliness and encourages hair growth.

When I first used it on my scalp and let it sit there for about 10 minutes then rinsed it off, my scalp felt so refreshed! It also made my hair feel so soft after washing which has never happened before with any other shampoo in the past. It’s like having a whole new head of hair!

Also the tea tree has anti-inflammatory properties that soothe scalp irritations.

It also encourages hair growth. Lavender extracts help in strengthening the hair to facilitate hair growth and thickening. 

Peppermint oil also stimulates hair growth and reduces hair fall. It leaves you feeling fresh throughout the day.

The shampoo is infused with moisture-rich conditioners and amino acids that work together to provide intense hydration and quench your dry and coarse hair.

My favorite part has to be that it also has an amazing smell without the use added perfumes.

I suggest using this shampoo if you’ve got coarse hair and oily scalp.

Pros:

• Gluten, Paraben and sulphate free formula that is safe for sensitive scalp
• Colour-safe as it doesn’t contains SLS or SLES
• Vegan formula that is cruelty-free
• Pleasant smell that comes from essential oils and not perfumes

Cons:

• None that I could see

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 3.5/5
• Smoothening – 4/5
• Cleansing Power – 5/5

Related: Best Shampoo For Tangled Hair

Wella Professionals Invigo Colour Brilliance Shampoo

I have colored my hair a lot and I am always looking for something that will protect my color. I was so excited when i found this shampoo, because it is the best shampoo to protect your hair from damage caused by coloring.

This product also helps in preventing split ends which makes your hair look healthier after washing with this amazing shampoo.

What I liked a lot about this shampoo from Wella professionals is that it transformed my coarse hair into smooth, silky hair in just 2-3 washes. So the formula is supremely effective!

It is specifically made for colored hair that is coarse due to dehydration and it also contains Lime caviar which provides intense moisturisation to your strands.

It closes the cuticle after colouring which makes the colour stay for longer.

I also loved that it guarantees to protect your hair colour for up to seven weeks.

So if you have color-treated coarse hair I say go for it!

Pros:

• Colour- safe as it doesn’t contain sulfates
• Pleasant fragrance that isn’t too overpowering
• Contains Lime Caviar that helps reduce oiliness and cleanses hair without removing moisture

Cons:

• May cause itchy scalp due to it’s natural, preservative-free formula

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4/5
• Smoothening – 4/5
• Cleansing Power – 4.5/5

Controlled Chaos USE ME Hair Cleanser

I have been using this shampoo for over 2 weeks now. And honestly, I’m okay with never using any other kind of shampoo again!

It’s very gentle on my hair and it leaves my hair feeling soft, clean, shiny, silky smooth and healthy! The smell is amazing too as the jasmine essential oil has a nice scent to it.

This is definitely an affordable option in terms of skincare products because you don’t need much quantity at all for your whole head just a small amount will do!

I also loved that it’s a low-foaming cleanser that helps in maintaining the pH of your scalp. It can be used on all hair types including chemically treated and coloured hair. 

This shampoo is created with the goodness of jasmine and lavender essential oils that relax and soothe your senses. 

So if you have an irritated scalp and want something that helps with coarse hair this shampoo is your best bet!

Also, this frizz control shampoo is best suited for dry hair and scalp with eczema as it’s free of harmful ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, BPA and Gluten.

Pros:

• Balances pH suits sensitive and inflamed scalp
• Sulfate, paraben, BPA and gluten free formula suits allergy-prone and sensitive skin
• Doesn’t strip hair dye as it doesn’t contain sulfates
• Suitable for all hair types as it’s both nourishing and cleansing.

Cons:

• Might leave residue as some ingredients are too heavy and rich

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 5/5
• Cleansing Power – 3.5/5

Just Nutritive African American Natural Hair Shampoo

This shampo is exclusively made for those with African American hair. It has a rich, creamy texture that provides moisture to your hair. 

It is infused with the goodness of Hibiscus and Marshmallow extracts. 

Hibiscus is a popular natural ingredient that is a part of a lot of DIY recipes and acts as a conditioner. 

Both these ingredients work together to assist you in smooth detangling to make your hair smoother.

Other ingredients include Kokum Butter and Castor oil that provides hydration to your hair. Kokum butter improves hair elasticity and stimulates hair growth.

Castor Oil makes your hair stronger and healthier and hydrates your scalp. Other ingredients include Aloe Vera, Mango Butter, Coconut Oil and Soy Protein. 

It has an amazing fragrance that I loved, derived from Pure Orange peel, Pepper and Rosemary.

Pros:

• Vegan
• Sulfate-free
• Value-for-money
• Suitable for African American hair
• Contains natural ingredients
• Refreshing fragrance

Cons:

• Might irritate your scalp

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4/5
• Smoothening – 4/5
• Cleansing Power – 4.5/5

Redken All-soft Mega Shampoo

This shampoo is ideal for severely dry or coarse hair. The main ingredient of this shampoo is Aloe vera which is a highly nutritious ingredient for the hair. 

It tackles several hair issues such as Itchy scalp, oily hair, hair thinning etc while promoting hair growth and restoring moisture.

It guarantees to keep your hair hydrated and soft, replenish moisture levels and hydrate severely dry and coarse hair. 

This shampoo is best suited for medium to thick hair. It makes your hair manageable and shiny.

Pros:

• Softens hair
• Value for money
• Lasts long

Cons:

• Not suited for coloured hair
• Contains sulfates

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 5/5
• Cleansing Power – 5/5

ColorProof SuperRich Moisture Shampoo

If you have hair that has become dry and coarse after subjecting it to colouring, this is a great option for you. 

This shampoo lathers well and leaves your hair squeaky clean and vibrant. It guarantees 96% colour retention after up to ten washes.

Although this shampoo is on the pricier side, it is justified by the wide array of benefits it provides. 

It protects your hair from sun and heat damage, replenishes, nourishes and hydrates dry hair, gently cleanses without stripping colour and infuses moisture, shine and vitality.

Pros:

• Colour proof
• Sulfate and paraben-free.
• Salt-free
• Lightweight
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• 450° heat protection
• UVA and UVB protection

Cons:

• Expensive

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 5/5
• Cleansing Power – 4.5/5

Wella Brilliance Shampoo for Coarse hair

One of the standout features of this shampoo is its ability to effectively cleanse without stripping away essential moisture. It lathers beautifully, and a small amount goes a long way. This is especially important for coarse hair, which often requires more product to thoroughly clean.

I loved how it enhanced the vibrancy of my color-treated hair. It helps preserve my hair color, leaving it looking fresh and radiant for longer periods between salon visits.

Plus, the formula contains diamond dust, which adds a luxurious shine to my hair, making it appear healthier and more lustrous.

Another advantage is that it’s safe for daily use and free from sulfates, making it gentle on my hair and scalp.

While the price point may be slightly higher than some other shampoos, the quality of this product and the impressive results make it worth every penny.

Pros:

• Colour-safe
• Pleasant fragrance

Cons:

• None

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 5/5
• Cleansing Power – 3.5/5

Helis’s Gold Revitalising Shampoo

This is another shampoo that helps in softening coarse hair that has been dry and dehydrated due to colouring. It helps in reversing the damage on the hair and replenishes stressed-out hair.

It contains a myriad of natural ingredients like Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil that helps in maintaining healthy hair follicles and makes the hair stronger. (Antunes Viegas, Daniel et al. “Helichrysum italicum: from traditional use to scientific data.” Journal of ethnopharmacology vol. 151,1 (2014): 54-65. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2013.11.005)

It also soothes any scalp irritations. Other ingredients include Silk Protein, Flaxseed oil, Creatine and Natural Betaine.

These ingredients form a protective barrier for sealing moisture and nourish hair to improve elasticity and add shine. 

This shampoo is free of harmful ingredients like SLS, parabens, silicones, mineral oil etc. 

Pros:

• Silicone, Mineral Oil and paraben, SLS free
• Colour safe
•  Helps repair hair damage and restores shine

Cons:

• None

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 4/5
• Cleansing Power – 3.5/5

Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Excellium Taming Shampoo

What stands out most to me is this shampoo’s ability to infuse a sense of youthful vitality into my locks. After each wash, my hair not only feels impeccably clean but also remarkably resilient and full of life.

And I loved how this shampoo expertly tames frizz, making daily styling a breeze. The coarseness that once made my hair hard to manage has been significantly reduced, leaving it much more manageable.

If you’re like me and have color-treated hair, you’ll appreciate the color protection this shampoo offers. It does an admirable job of preserving my hair color.

Beyond its taming and color-protecting abilities, Schwarzkopf’s Excellium Taming Shampoo is enriched with Q10 and Omega-3, two ingredients that provide essential care for aging hair. These components improve the overall texture and suppleness of your locks, making them feel softer and more youthful.

I also love how despite its powerful effects, this shampoo remains gentle on both hair and scalp. The mild formula ensures that it cleanses effectively without causing dryness or irritation.

Pros:

• Suitable for mature hair
• Colour-safe
• Volumising
• Does not leave residue

Cons:

• None

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4.5/5
• Smoothening – 5/5
• Cleansing Power – 4.5/5

How To Choose The Right Shampoo For Coarse Hair

Choosing the right shampoo for coarse hair is essential to keep it healthy, manageable, and looking its best. Coarse hair often needs extra moisture and nourishment due to its thick and sometimes dry texture. Here are some tips on how to choose the right shampoo for coarse hair:

1. Look for Moisturizing Formulas: Coarse hair tends to be on the drier side, so opt for shampoos that are specifically designed to hydrate and moisturize. Look for keywords like “moisturizing,” “hydrating,” or “nourishing” on the shampoo labels.
2. Avoid Sulfates: Sulfates can be harsh on coarse hair and may strip away natural oils, leading to dryness and frizz. Look for sulfate-free shampoos, which are gentler and help retain moisture.
3. Consider Cream-Based Shampoos: Cream-based or sulfate-free cream shampoos are excellent choices for coarse hair. They provide a rich, creamy lather that cleanses without over-drying.
4. Look for Ingredients like Argan Oil or Shea Butter: Ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and coconut oil can provide extra hydration and help tame frizz in coarse hair.
5. Choose a Shampoo for Your Specific Hair Type: Coarse hair can be straight, wavy, curly, or coiled. Select a shampoo that caters to your specific hair type, as the needs can vary.
6. Pay Attention to Your Scalp: Even though you’re focusing on your hair, it’s essential to consider your scalp’s health too. Choose a shampoo that maintains a healthy scalp environment, as a healthy scalp contributes to healthy hair.

FAQs

Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

The author of this article, Leah Marie Priest has a degree in Cosmetology with years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As someone who extensively deals with all kinds of hair textures, products, styling methods and more, hair Leah Marie knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. We have also tested these hair products and processes ourselves to provide you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.

So this was a list of the top shampoos for coarse hair in the market. I tested all of these on the basis of their moisturizing abilities, cleansing power, and how well they soften coarse hair. 

But you need to look at other aspects such as your scalp type and hair issues if you want to buy a shampoo for coarse hair. 

Don’t forget to pick a product that matches your budget as well. 

Also Read:

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Best sulfate-free shampoos

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