For those with curly hair, the right cleanser can make or break the luster, bounce, and overall look of curls. That’s why finding the best shampoo for curly hair is essential—the right one cleanses the scalp and strands without weighing curls down.

You might be wondering why any old sulfate-free shampoo won’t do. While some might be better than others, each cleanser has different benefits. Shampoos typically contain several ingredients to help remove oil, dirt, dead skin cells and other impurities, explains Janiene Luke, M.D., board-certified dermatologist in Loma Linda, CA. “Shampoos, particularly sulfate-containing shampoos, are very effective cleansing agents (also known as surfactants) however, because of their inherent properties, they can impart a change on the surface of the hair…leading to increased frizz.”

Beyond the ingredients of shampoos, our bodies can play a role in how dry or oily hair can get over time. “Our body produces a natural oil called sebum, and those with naturally curly or textured hair tend to have drier hair at baseline (because the sebum does not travel as far down the hair shaft of a curly hair),” explains Dr. Luke. While the cleansers we’re sharing aren’t shampoos for oily hair, curly hair can get oily (dry shampoos that can hold you over until your next wash), so some of the best shampoos for curly hair will tackle this issue without drying out strands. Ahead, find expert-approved selects that will have your curls looking vivacious again.

We spoke with Dr. Luke, Michael Dueñas, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Veluer Creative, Micaella Mosley, curly hair expert and founder of Mila Rose Hair Care, and poured through countless reviews to find the best shampoos for curly hair.

“I love this shampoo because it is suitable for all curl types, is sulfate-free, and can also be used on color-treated hair. It is formulated with rice amino acids (which can help strengthen hair) and avocado oil to help provide moisture,” Dr. Luke says.

Another pick of Dr. Luke’s, this affordable find is great for those with curly hair. “This shampoo is not thick or heavy and is formulated with hyaluronic acid to help retain moisture,” she says. We love that it’s under $10, and available in so many drugstores.

Dr. Luke recommends this shampoo, as it’s specifically formulated for coily, type 4 hair. She says it “is extremely moisturizing. I love the way my hair feels after using this shampoo. It is formulated with several key moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, shea butter, and honey.”

“I love that this cleansing conditioner also helps detangle which is important when managing curly hair. This product also contains shea butter and almond oil to help soften and smooth hair and fight frizz,” Dr. Luke says. And we love that it’s a multitasking product.

Dueñas says this shampoo is lightweight and “smells fantastic, works best on wavy hair as it is light on the oils but just right in the moisturization.” Though, at $32 for just the shampoo, getting the coordinating conditioner can add up.

“This is an oil-based cleanser and can be helpful for those with extremely dry hair. It is sulfate-free, so less likely to strip the hair of its natural oils but also doesn’t leave the hair feeling oily after use,” explains Dr. Luke.

With over 9,000 ratings and nearly five stars, this shampoo and conditioner combo is affordable and is made great for curly hair types. The brand says the color-safe shampoo gently cleanses and hydrates without weighing down curls.

Dueñas recommends this shampoo for curly hair that’s dry as it’s extremely hydrating and uses a lightweight oil to get the job done, so it won’t weigh down curls. “Only takes one wash to notice a difference,” he says.

According to Dueñas, this shampoo isn’t just for blondes. “Don’t let the blonde name fool you. This works fantastic on all colors of hair and repairs from the inside out. You’ll never have a healthier feeling color-treated head of hair.”

With more than 4,700 ratings and nearly five stars on Amazon, this shampoo for curly hair is beloved by shoppers for a reason. Chock-full of nutritious ingredients like elasto-protein and coconut oil, the brand also says it’s great for all hair types.

Dueñas says this shampoo is great for coily hair as it “keeps hair incredibly soft while it smooths frizz as well,” he says. “It is so soft your hair will feel like silk once it’s washed. This is very important for coily hair to take away any sort of grit.”

Experts share the best shampoo for curly hair, including the best shampoo and conditioner for curly hair and the best options for wavy, curly, and coily hair.