10 Best Micellar Shampoos You Need To Try Right Now
Infused with micellar water, you can achieve a velvety smooth, shiny mane in no time.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist
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Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
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Krati DarakCertified Skin Care Coach
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Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
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You’ve heard about (and probably own bottles of) micellar water, but what about micellar shampoo? Well, this extension to the makeup remover goes one step further in your beauty regimen to instantly refresh your tresses and scalp. When transitioning to micellar shampoo, your scalp and hair might need time to adjust to the more gentle cleansing rituals of the product. On average, it takes about 30 days for your scalp and hair to fully adjust. Remember, patience to the process.
Curious to know more about this mystifying product that’s been taking the hair care world by storm? Read on to find out!
In This Article
What Is Micellar Shampoo?
The world is going gaga over the new revolutionary micellar water. What makes it so fancy? Micellar water or micellar shampoo contains tiny molecules called micelles. These are scientifically proven cleansing molecules that cling onto the oils and impurities on your scalp like a magnet. The best part is that they rinse out quickly, taking the dirt and grime along with them. These shampoos are similar to clarifying shampoos but unlike micellar shampoos that can be used every day to keep impurities at bay, clarifying shampoos can be used only once or twice a week.
How is a micellar shampoo different from a regular shampoo? Let’s find out!
What Is The Difference Between Micellar Shampoo And Regular Shampoo?
Micellar shampoos are milder than regular shampoos and can be used every day. The formula is much gentler and does not lead to dryness despite using it regularly. For someone who uses a ton of serums and styling products, this product can be of great help as it clears scalp build-up without drying your scalp. A regular product, on being used every day, can buildup on your scalp over time.
If the entire hair care industry is embracing this product, there must be something about it, right? Here are the benefits.
Benefits Of Micellar Shampoo
- A micellar shampoo cleanses your hair without being too aggressive on your scalp.
- It keeps your hair moisturized and hydrated for days.
- It leaves your hair feeling clean and fresh.
- It helps remove product build-up without stripping your hair color.
- It helps combat unpleasant scents or sweat odors that get trapped in your hair.
- It fights against the effects of environmental pollutants and keeps your hair smelling great all day long.
- It adds a dose of antioxidants to your hair and scalp with every wash.
Let’s now look at the top 10 micellar shampoos you can lay your hands on.
Top 10 Micellar Shampoos To Buy In 2023
1. Best Volumizing:L’Occitane Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo
Image: L'occitane The L’Occitane Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo cleanses dirt, oil, and impurities from your hair and imparts a healthy shine. The gentle formula contains essential oils of rosemary, orange, chamomile lemon, and lavender. This shampoo helps strengthen and volumize your hair and prevent breakage. It repairs damaged hair and adds a subtle fragrance. If you want to know more, check out this quick review on YouTube based on a tester’s experience with the product.
Pros
- Gentle formula
- Suitable for all hair types
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
None
Pro Tip2. Best Shine Boosting:Pantene Pro-V Blends Micellar Shampoo
Pantene’s new micellar shampoo is a nutrient-infused formula that helps remove impurities from your scalp effectively. It contains pro vitamin B5 and antioxidants that protect your hair against breakage. It deeply cleanses the scalp without stripping away hydration. This protein-filled shampoo is ideal for people with greasy and dull hair as it clears the oils off your scalp while adding radiance to your tresses. It aids in dirt and impurity removal and offers protection. Here’s an honest review of the product that details a reviewer’s experience with it.
Pros
- Improves scalp health
- Makes your hair more manageable
- Imparts shine
- Nice fragrance
Cons
None
Quick Tip3. Best Refreshing:Herbal Essences Refresh Micellar Water & Blue Ginger Shampoo
Herbals Essences Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo is specially crafted for adding volume to thin and limp hair. It is infused with natural ingredients like essential antioxidants, sea kelp, and aloe.
This volumizing shampoo gently cleanses your hair by removing dirt and oils from your scalp. The formula balances scalp pH levels and restores life into dull and fragile hair. It adds a natural radiance to your hair by imparting a luminous glow to it. It improves hair texture throughout the hair length. This shampoo contains refreshing notes of fresh ginger blossom and musk. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product.Pros
- Cleanses scalp well
- Doesn’t weigh your hair down
- Adds volume and bounce
- Free of silicones and parabens
- Soothes dry and itchy scalp
Cons
- Not suitable for fragrance-sensitive skin
4. Best Nourishing: Herbal Essences Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo
Image: Herbal Essences Bio The Herbal Essences Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo is gently cleansing and formulated with essential antioxidants from botanical extracts and blue ginger or galangal. It smoothes the hair strands and tames the unruly hair while taking away oil and dirt for soft, shiny, and silky hair after every wash. The shampoo is color-safe. maintains the pH balance of the scalp, and has a refreshing scent of ginger blossom, clean musk, and floral bouquets.
Pros
- Suitable for dry, limp hair
- Reduces breakage
- Color-safe
- Paraben-free
- Paraffin-free
Cons
None
5. Best Gentle Formula:Kerastase Aura Botanica Bain Micellaire Shampoo
This luxurious shampoo is infused with 96% natural ingredients that are transformed into a rich and creamy lather, cleansing away all the dirt and impurities. It contains Samoan coconut oil and Moroccan argan oil that nourish the hair fiber, while the natural micelles remove dirt, impurities, and oils efficiently to give you clean and non-greasy hair. It clears dead cells, sweat odor, and other toxins that cling onto the scalp. Regular use of this shampoo can improve your overall hair health.Pros
- Gentle formula
- Color-safe
- Leaves hair bouncy and shiny
- Orange peel oil adds a citrusy aroma to your hair.
Cons
- Takes time to rinse out
- Can weigh the hair down for some
6. Best Moisture Retaining:Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-To-Foam Shampoo
Image: Carol's Daughter This water-to-foam shampoo cleanses hair gently without stripping it off its natural moisture. Ideal for naturally curly, kinky, and coily hair, it minimizes tangles, reducing time to detangle the hair. It is infused with rose water and naturally-derived glycerin that leave the hair moisturized, shiny, and very soft. It transforms from water to foam lather to easily flow through hair and rinses without causing friction. This shampoo is a 97.1% biodegradable formula that is vegan and free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Vegan
- No artificial colors
- Water-to-foam texture
Cons
- Might have varying results
7. Best Biotin Infused: Mane ‘n Tail Micellar Shampoo
Image: Mane 'n Tail The Mane ‘n Tail Micellar Shampoo gently cleanses hair and removes all dirt and impurities for a squeaky clean scalp. The formulation is enriched with biotin B-7 for healthy hair growth, and revitalized and fortified strands. The detoxifying, pH-balanced formula purifies the scalp and eliminates buildup without stripping the natural sclap oils. This shampoo is easy to wash off and does not dry the hair on wash days or after.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
8. Best For Curly Hair: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Micellar Shampoo
Image: L'oreal Paris The L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Curls Micellar Shampoo comes in a water-to-airy foam form and is a hair elixir for curly and coily hair. It gently cleanses the scalp and helps remove stubborn build-up as well as dirt and pollution. The lightweight formula is enriched with castor oil and hyaluronic acid for well-hydrated, bouncy curls. It helps lock-in the moisture from the scalp to the tip for long-lasting hydration and also fights the effects of humidity. Reviewers on e-commerce forums love the product because it is easy to apply and leaves the scalp clean.
Pros
- Softens the hair
- Moisturizes
- Comes with applicator
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Not for daily use
9. Best For All Hair Types:Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Gentle & Soft Shampoo
Image: Neutrogena The Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Gentle & Soft Shampoo with micellar water is gentle enough to cleanse your hair without stripping your scalp and hair off of natural oils. It offers restorative care to your hair and prevents it from being dry and lifeless. It balances the pH and maintains the scalp’s natural barrier. This shampoo is suitable for sensitive scalp and is made without harmful surfactants that cause dryness.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Strengthens scalp barrier
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
None
10. Best For Daily Use: Grow Gorgeous Sensitive Micellar Shampoo
Image: Grow Gorgeous The Grow Gorgeous Sensitive Micellar Shampoo is the perfect option for those who want a clean scalp every day but are afraid of the damaging effects of daily shampooing. This shampoo is extremely gentle and calming, especially for people with sensitive, itchy scalps. It rebalances the scalp pH and fights off flakes. The skincare-inspired ingredients help nourish and provide strength from within. It is enriched with the goodness of soothing and conditioning allantoin, hydrating cactus extracts, and claming tiger grass to improve scalp resilience. It also contains hydrosoluble inca inchi oil for softer, silkier hair, fermented rice water to boost shine, and amino acids to promote healthy hair.
Pros
- Suitable for everyday use
- Reduces sclap redness
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
Different micellar shampoo formulas work differently when it comes to maintaining your hair. Here is a list of factors you should consider before buying the best micellar shampoo that works effectively on your hair and scalp.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Micellar Shampoos
- Ingredients To Look For
Micellar shampoos are loaded with chemicals that keep the hair nourished and healthy while thoroughly cleaning the scalp. Look for formulas that have nourishing ingredients such as sea kelp, glycerin, rose water, fruit extracts, vitamin B5, and aloe vera. In addition, calendula, chamomile, sage, jasmine, and other calming botanical ingredients keep the scalp from drying out.
- Ingredients To Avoid
Choose micellar shampoos with delicate, non-irritating formulas. Avoid using harsh chemicals that can trigger allergic reactions, such as parabens, phthalates, and alcohol. These may trigger skin conditions if applied on sensitive scalp. In addition, it is best to use products that are non-sticky and lightweight. Finally, choose micellar shampoos that have been dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested.
- pH Levels
Select micellar shampoos that assist in preserving the pH balance of your scalp. These are ideal for sensitive scalps since, unlike the traditional foamy cleansers, they don’t need to be scrubbed in order to work. Instead, ingredients like cornflower water rejuvenate your tresses and preserve the pH levels in their natural state.
- Fragrance
Choose micellar shampoos that are fragrance-free or come with a subtle aroma. Do not opt for overpowering, and extremely smelly shampoos as they may trigger headaches and nausea. Instead, choose micellar shampoos that leave your hair smelling lovely after use.
Infographic: How To Choose The Best Micellar Shampoo
If regular shampoos are not doing the trick for your scalp and hair, it is time to switch to micellar shampoos and achieve free-flowing tresses instantly. But how do you choose the right one and ensure your money is not going down the drain? Check out the infographic below and note down the things you should be looking for when purchasing a micellar shampoo.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Scalp build-up is a common scalp and hair issue. This problem may be aggressive when your scalp residue is not cleared even after regular wash. Therefore, you need to clean such scalps regularly. Unfortunately, many shampoos are not ideal to use daily, and if used, they might turn your scalp dry and lifeless. So your scalp needs the best micellar shampoos to eliminate the build-up and keep the hair and scalp hydrated. The L’Occitane Gentle & Balance Micellar Shampoo is ideal for damaged hair, while the Herbal Essences Blue Ginger & Micellar Water Shampoo is suitable for frizzy and colored hair. But if you have curly or coily hair, the Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-To-Foam Shampoo is ideal for you. In addition, it would be of great help to invest in shampoos free from nasty chemicals to improve your scalp health. Some shampoos impart shine, while some add volume to the hair, and some soothe the dry scalp.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Pooja Karkala, the author, is passionate about the latest products and trends in haircare. She finds absolute joy and satisfaction in drafting customized solutions for her users. She sifted through user feedback on reliable forums and put together this list of the leading micellar shampoos. These shampoos cleanse your scalp and give you soft and smooth tresses.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should you use micellar shampoo?
A micellar shampoo can be used every day as it has a gentle formulation.
Is micellar shampoo the same as clarifying shampoo?
No. Although micellar and clarifying shampoos help remove product buildup from the scalp, a clarifying shampoo is drying and used sparsely. On the other hand, a micellar shampoo is moisturizing and can be used daily.
Is micellar shampoo good for dandruff?
Yes. A micellar shampoo is good for mild to moderate dandruff as it gently cleanses the scalp and removes dead skin and product buildup. However, chronic dandruff cannot be treated with this shampoo.
How do you use micellar shampoo?
A micellar shampoo can be used daily, just like any other shampoo. Apply a bit of product to the wet scalp after lathering in your palms. The micelles in the shampoo attract dirt and impurities from the scalp and help cleanse the hair.
Can I use micellar water instead of shampoo?
Yes. Although you can use micellar water to cleanse the scalp, it is not as strong or effective as a shampoo.
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