15 Best Shampoos For Coarse Hair
Here's the extra TLC you need to tame coarse hair and keep it healthy, soft, and lush.
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
If you are having trouble managing your thick tresses, try getting your hands on the best shampoo for coarse hair. While all hair types are different and need the regular oiling and cleansing, coarse hair needs that extra bit of TLC to be manageable. This hair type usually tends to be dry and frizzy in texture with a dull appearance. Making sure that you moisturize it well is key in adding life and bounce back to your thick hair strands. We have listed down the 15 best shampoos for coarse hair to help you get started.
In This Article
15 Best Shampoos For Coarse Hair
Best For Dry Scalp:teatree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo
The teatree Lavender Mint Moisturizing Shampoo is an ideal product to soothe dry and coarse hair. This hydrating shampoo contains calming lavender, natural tea tree extracts, and cooling peppermint that rejuvenate the senses. All these ingredients thoroughly cleanse and restore the health of dry, unruly hair. This shampoo contains conditioners and amino acids to boost shine, strength, and manageability of the hair.
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan
- Color-safe
Cons
- May cause hair fall.
Best For Frizzy Hair:Maui Moisture Smooth & Repair + Vanilla Bean Shampoo
The Maui Moisture Smooth & Repair + Vanilla Bean Shampoo is best suited for coarse and tightly curled hair. This hydrating and repairing shampoo contains essential moisturizers that help prevent frizz and detangle your hair. The mild, nourishing, and frizz-fighting formula has no harmful additives like dyes, sulfates, silicones, or parabens.
This smoothing shampoo contains a natural blend of ingredients like aloe juice, kukui nut oil, coconut oil, cocoa butter, and vanilla beans. Kukui nut oil has humidity-resistant properties, while vanilla beans and cocoa butter help defrizz, soften, and smoothen stubborn hair strands. The 100% aloe juice soothes and moisturizes the scalp and strands.
Pros
- Silicone-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Dye-free
- Color-safe
Cons
- Greasy
- Leaves residue
Pro TipBest Moisturizing Formula:REDKEN 5TH AVENUE NYC All Soft Mega Shampoo
REDKEN 5TH AVENUE NYC All Soft Mega Shampoo is a deep moisturizing shampoo that helps hydrate and soften extremely dry or coarse medium to thick hair. It restores moisture to the hair and makes the strands soft, shiny, and manageable. This ultra-hydrating shampoo is formulated with aloe vera, cactus extract, Sacha Inchi oil, and REDKEN’s exclusive RCT Protein Complex to lock in moisture and strengthen your hair strands from root to tip.
Pros
- Makes the hair soft
- Long-lasting
- Value for money
Cons
- Contains sulfates
- Not color-safe
Best Fragrance:Aveeno Almond Oil Blend Shampoo
Cleanse your tresses with the Aveeno Almond Oil Blend Shampoo. This is a formula enriched with almond and avocado oil that provides intense hydration to the roots and shafts of the hair. The oils nourish the hair while locking in the natural moisture content of the hair and maintaining pH balance. Oats in the formula soothe the scalp while exfoliating dead skin cells. This deeply moisturizing formula is excellent for dry scalp and thick, coarse, frizzy hair. The formula works from the roots of the hair and promotes a healthy scalp. After a hair wash with this shampoo, you will emit a fresh, rejuvenating fragrance.
Pros
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Suitable for color-treated hair
Cons
- Does not lather
Best Vegan Shampoo:JustNutritive Shampoo African American Hair
The JustNutritive Shampoo for African American Hair is an intense moisturizing shampoo that restores hair vitality. It cleanses the scalp without stripping its natural oils while maintaining the natural pH. This gentle shampoo contains natural essential oils and herbs that thoroughly remove dirt and impurities to leave your hair feeling fresh. It also contains pro-vitamin B5 that repairs and strengthens the strands.
The luxurious blend of nourishing ingredients like marshmallow and hibiscus extracts moisturize and detangle your hair and make it shiny and soft. Castor oil and kokum butter seal in moisture and smooth coarse and rough hair. This gentle shampoo can be used daily as it is free of harsh detergents like sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate.
Pros
- Refreshing mint fragrance
- Vegan
- Sulfate-free
- Value for money
Cons
- May cause scalp irritation.
Pro TipBest For Sleek Hairstyles:Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Shampoo
If you are looking for a shampoo to smoothen your hair and control frizz, The Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Shampoo is just for you! The liquid cream formula cleanses the hair of dirt, grime, and excess sebum. It contains shea butter which moisturizes clean hair and controls rebellious flyaways and unruly hair. It makes the locks soft and smooth while fighting off humidity. The clarifying cleanser gives the hair an overall nourished and lustrous appearance. Give yourself a neat and sleek look with this shampoo.
Pros
- All-day frizz control
- Lathers well
- Oil-control
- Creamy formula
Cons
- May make hair dry
Pro TipBest For UVA-UVB Protection:ColorProof SuperRich Moisture Shampoo
The ColorProof SuperRich Moisture Shampoo is meant to deeply nourish dry and damaged hair. The powerful formula contains a botanical blend of nourishing ingredients that moisturize, repair, and strengthen coarse and rough hair to leave it smooth, shiny, and healthy.
This ultra-repairing shampoo is specifically designed for color-treated hair and offers UVA and UVB protection to make the color last longer. The gentle and lightweight formula revitalizes and moisturizes the hair. This sulfate-free shampoo has a gingered amber fragrance.
Pros
- Gentle
- Lightweight
- 450° heat protection
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Salt-free
- Paraben-free
- 100% vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Expensive
Best For Itchy Scalp:Arganmidas Moroccan Argan Oil Clean Anti Dandruff Shampoo
This Arganmidas Clean Anti Dandruff Shampoo uses Moroccan argan oil to re-establish health and goodness to a dry and itchy scalp. This anti-dandruff formula nourishes the hair with the oil and vitamin E and cleanses the scalp removing excess oil, dead skin cells, and buildup that block the skin’s pores. It helps to eradicate bacteria that grow in these unhealthy environments. It soothes the clean scalp, offers moisturization, and makes the hair glossy and soft. It forms a thick foam that rinses off easily.
Pros
- No harmful chemicals
- Sulfate-free
- Preservative-free
- Anti-dandruff
- Anti-itching
- Oil control
- Easy to rinse
Cons
- Makes scalp greasy
Best Budget-Friendly:Davines LOVE Shampoo
The Davines LOVE Shampoo is a smoothing shampoo for frizzy or unmanageable hair. Its formula is distinguished by a gentle and creamy foam that is meant to gently wash frizzy hair and smooth it. It is enriched with olive extract which is high in fatty acids and vitamin E and is exceptionally nourishing, softening, and moisturizing to the hair. This shampoo prevents hair aging caused by dryness and leaves hair silky, smooth, nourished, and manageable and is affordable.
Pros
- Natural active ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Synthetic-color free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Contains SLS
Best For Volumizing The Hair:Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Excellium Taming Shampoo
Image: Schwarzkopf Professional The Schwarzkopf Professional BC Bonacure Excellium Taming Shampoo is an excellent choice for coarse and colored hair exposed to damage. The nourishing formula is enriched with Q10+ and omega-3 fatty acids that rejuvenate and tame the hair to prevent frizz.
Q10+ is a powerful co-enzyme that stimulates the hair roots and promotes keratin production. Omega-3 smooths the hair surface and provides essential lipid nutrients to maintain hair health. This hair therapy soothes and calms dry scalp while preserving hair color from fading.
Pros
- Color-safe
- Volumizing
- No residue
Cons
- None
Best Antifungal Formula:HELI'S GOLD Revitalize Shampoo
The HELI’S GOLD Revitalize Shampoo is formulated for colored hair prone to damage and roughness. It de-stresses the scalp and hair to reverse damage and restores moisture levels. This repairing and replenishing shampoo imparts instant shine and suppleness to coarse hair to leave it healthy and manageable.
This purifying shampoo contains Helichrysum Italicum flower, a powerful antioxidant with antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, and therapeutic properties. It strengthens the hair structure, provides hydration, regulates sebum production, and nurtures the hair follicles while preventing dandruff or flakes.
This shampoo does not contain any harmful additives and is made only with flaxseed oil, silk protein, creatine, and natural betaine. While silk protein locks in moisture by creating a protective barrier, flaxseed oil nourishes and repairs damaged strands and relieves scalp irritation. Betaine enhances shine, strength, and elasticity of the hair, and creatine improves cell metabolism.
Pros
- Silicone-free
- SLS-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Color-safe
Cons
- None
Best For Damaged Hair:Theorie Monoi and Buriti Glossing Shampoo
Give your hair a healthy shine with the Theorie Monoi And Buriti Glossing Shampoo. This hair cleanser is infused with buriti, monoi, coconut, sage, and grape-seed oils, which hydrate the hair and impart a nourishing gloss. Monoi oil is a blend of coconut oil and Tahitian gardenia petals. Coconut oil adds softness and luster to the strands. Buriti oil is rich in essential fatty acids, vitamins E and C as well as carotenoids. It hydrates damaged, dry hair. Keratin protein in the shampoo provides nutrition and promotes growth. The emollients penetrate each hair shaft and flatten the cuticles. This gives the hair a smooth finish. It has a refreshing fruity fragrance of blended tangerine, strawberry, orange, and apple. Sage oil cleanses the hair and protects it from free radicals caused by UV rays.
Pros
- Cruelty-free
- Phosphate-free
- Paraben-free
- Nitrate-free
- GMO-free
- Safe for keratin or color-treated hair
Cons
- Contains sulfates
Best For Keratin Treatment:4ever SMOOTH PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE X-Treme Smooth Shampoo
The 4ever SMOOTH PROFESSIONAL HAIRCARE X-Treme Smooth Shampoo is specially formulated for rough and dry hair. This sulfate-free shampoo contains moisture-rich ingredients like essential oils, organic keratin, and botanical extracts. It cleanses the scalp while producing a luxurious foam to leave your strands rejuvenated with a fresh and pleasant aroma. This shampoo helps in preserving keratin treatment for a long time so that your hair is never coarse.
Pros
- Gentle
- Pleasant fragrance
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Sodium chloride-free
- Color-safe
Cons
- Expensive
Best Gentle Formula:MONDAY HAIRCARE Moisture Shampoo
Moisture Shampoo by MONDAY Haircare is great for dry stressed hair. With a gentle washing technique, it cleanses, nourishes, and adds moisture to the hair at the same time. It makes hair soft and silky. This shampoo is made with natural ingredients that prevent protein loss. The hydrolyzed rice protein gives strength and boosts moisture retention. The vitamin E in the formula makes your scalp healthy and promotes hair development. Shea butter adds softness and luster.
Pros
- Dermatologically tested
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Sustainable packaging
- Paraben-free
- SLS-free
- Sulphate-free
Cons
- None
Best For Lustrous Hair:Wella Professionals Invigo Brilliance Shampoo
Treat your colored hair with Wella Professional Invigo Brilliance Shampoo. An excellent cleanser for treating coarse hair, this shampoo washes off dirt but protects color vibrancy. This shampoo is pH optimized, which helps to close the cuticles, thereby helping the color last longer. It is formulated with lime caviar which is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. The ‘Color Brilliance-Blend’ also includes molecules of copper which further maintain color radiance and retention. Shampoo with this formula to give your hair a clean, soft, and lustrous feel.
Pros
- pH optimized formula
- Offers shine
- Lovely smell
- Does not dry out the hair
Cons
- None
Coarse hair is thicker in diameter and can be difficult to manage. It tends to develop frizz and dry out quickly. Here are some factors to consider before buying the right shampoo to manage your coarse hair.
Things To Consider Before Buying The Best Shampoos For Coarse Hair
- Ingredients To Avoid
We must choose shampoos that are free from harmful chemicals that damage the hair strands. Go for shampoos that do not contain stuff like paraben, BPA, SLS, sulfate, and silicone. Such shampoos are mostly gentle and can be applied on every alternate day. Â Shampoos loaded with harmful chemicals can also cause hair thinning or even temporary hair fall.
Formulation
Look for non-greasy, pH-balanced, and lightweight formulas that do not leave any residue and get washed off easily to give frizz-free, soft hair. Greasy formulations make your hair look dull and lifeless. They strip off the shine and smoothness away from your follicles and cause irritation on the scalp. The shampoos that are washed off without leaving a greasy impact can make your hair appear voluminous.
Coarse hair often appears to be rough in texture. Hence, one must choose a fragrance-free shampoo that offers deep nourishment and hydration from root to tip. This will make your hair look shiny and lively.
- Ingredients To Look For
Shampoos that have a rich blend of natural ingredients are the best remedy for treating dullness in coarse hair. Ingredients such as aloe juice, cocoa butter, and coconut oil nourish and soften the strands. Vanilla beans present in many shampoos and help remove frizz. Opt for shampoos that consist of botanical ingredients like argan oil, neem, and jojoba oil which impart shine, softness, and moisturization to our hair follicles.
Infographic: How To Wash Coarse Hair And Tips For Maintenance
Managing coarse hair is straining as it tends to get easily tangled and loses its shine very quickly. In addition, it is a high-maintenance hair type that needs intensive moisturizing benefits. Therefore, using a nourishing and softening shampoo is important. Check out the infographic below to learn how to apply shampoo on coarse hair and know what practices are harmful to the health of thick hair. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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Coarse or type 4 hair is thick and voluminous, hence difficult to maintain. Normal maintenance and regular oiling are not sufficient to get salon-quality hair. Type 4 hair needs extra care and protection. The coarse hair dries out quickly and appears dull and lifeless. The best shampoos for coarse hair mentioned in our list help rejuvenate your lifeless hair and make them bouncy and healthy. These shampoos are color-safe, paraben-free, clarifying, hydrating, strengthening, and vegan. However, some products might leave residue and irritate the scalp and it is always wise to avoid such formulas or try a dermatologist-tested one.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti is a certified haircare and skincare coach whose passion lies in writing about various beauty products. She has conducted thorough research on shampoos and read hundreds of online customer reviews to put together a list of the best shampoos for coarse hair. Her recommended products add bounce and lock in moisture to your hair after giving it a thorough cleaning! It is a perfect buy for people who struggle with dry hair after each wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does coarse hair mean?
Coarse hair may not necessarily mean rough hair. But stylists define coarse hair as the hair type that has thicker strands. Usually, this type of hair is drier and tends to get frizzy more often.
How do I know if I have coarse hair?
Take a strand of hair and place it between two fingers. If you can feel the thickness of it, then you probably have coarse hair.
How often should you wash coarse hair?
You can wash coarse hair every 4-7 days as this hair type tends to be less oily and may feel dry if you wash it too often.
What softens coarse hair?
The best way to make coarse hair soft is by applying hot oil on a regular basis. It will provide the right kind of moisture and nutrition that your hair needs.
Does hair get coarser with age?
Usually, hair tends to get less dense or less thick as you age. So your hair shouldn’t get coarser with age. However, mature hair is drier and can feel rough to touch.
What causes coarse wiry hair?
Coarse wiry hair can be caused due to the intake of drugs or certain hair growth medications. Health issues such as thyroid or hormonal imbalances also cause the hair to become coarse and wiry.
