Best Shampoos for Black Men: Growth, Moisture, and Damage Control

Last updated: February 2026 by Darius Washington, Black Men’s Grooming Editor

I spent years using whatever shampoo was cheapest at the store. Head and Shoulders. Suave. Whatever came in the biggest bottle. My hair stayed dry, my scalp stayed flaky, and my barber kept telling me I needed moisture. He was right. Most shampoos are formulated for straight hair that produces enough sebum to coat the entire strand. On 4B or 4C coils, that sebum never makes it past the first bend. The best shampoo for Black men cleans your scalp without robbing your hair of everything it needs to survive.

This guide covers seven shampoos and a co-wash, all selected for tightly coiled textures. I also cover wash frequency by hair type, sulfate-free science, when to co-wash instead of shampoo, and how to match your product to your hair porosity.

If you only read one section, jump to the porosity guide. Matching your shampoo to your porosity is the single biggest upgrade you can make.

Our Top Picks at a Glance

What to Look For in a Shampoo for Black Hair

Before I break down each product, you need to understand what separates a good shampoo for textured hair from one that will dry you out in a single wash.

Sulfate-Free Is the Baseline

Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) strip the natural oils that 4B and 4C hair cannot afford to lose. On tightly coiled hair, sebum pools at the scalp because the coils prevent it from traveling down the strand. Sulfates remove that oil faster than the scalp replaces it. Sulfate-free shampoos use milder surfactants like cocamidopropyl betaine. They still clean. They just do not strip.

Moisture-First Ingredients

Look for shea butter, coconut oil, honey, glycerin, and natural oils (argan, jojoba, castor). These deposit moisture during the wash, not just after. If the first three ingredients on the label are water, a sulfate, and a fragrance, put it back.

Protein Balance

Protein strengthens the hair shaft by filling gaps in the cuticle. But too much protein makes hair stiff and brittle, especially on low-porosity 4C hair. High-porosity hair needs more protein. Low-porosity hair needs less. I cover this in the porosity section.

The 7 Best Shampoos for Black Men (Reviewed)

1. SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo

Best for: All-around moisture and curl definition on 4A-4C hair

SheaMoisture has been in the textured hair game since before “sulfate-free” was a marketing term. Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft (one of the only oils proven to do this; Rele and Mohile, 2003, Journal of Cosmetic Science), silk protein reinforces the cuticle, and neem oil conditions the scalp.

I have been rotating this into my wash days for over two years. On 4C hair, it cleans without that stripped, squeaky feeling. My coils hold definition after towel drying instead of frizzing out. This is the shampoo I tell every guy to start with. Available at every Target, Walmart, and CVS. No excuses.

Key ingredients: Coconut oil, silk protein, neem oil, kelp extract

Pros:

• Coconut oil penetrates the hair shaft for deep-level moisture
• Sulfate-free with a light, satisfying lather
• Black-founded brand with decades of credibility
• Available everywhere at an affordable price
• Works across 4A, 4B, and 4C textures

Cons:

• Can feel heavy on fine, low-density hair
• Hibiscus scent is strong; not everyone wants a floral-smelling shampoo
• May cause buildup on low-porosity hair if used more than once a week

Works for: 4A-4C hair, men who want reliable moisture retention, anyone transitioning from sulfate shampoos for the first time.

Skip if: You have very fine, low-porosity hair that gets weighed down easily. Try Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla for a lighter formula.

See SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Shampoo

2. As I Am Coconut CoWash

Best for: Mid-week cleansing without stripping moisture

This is not a shampoo. That is the point. A co-wash (conditioner wash) cleans without surfactants, using a conditioner base to remove light dirt and refresh curls. As I Am is the gold standard in this category.

Coconut oil and castor oil condition while tangerine extract provides mild cleansing. I use this between shampoo days when my scalp feels fine but my hair needs a reset. If you work out three to four times a week, a co-wash on gym days keeps you fresh without the moisture penalty of shampooing every time.

Key ingredients: Coconut oil, castor oil, tangerine extract, saw palmetto

Pros:

• Cleanses gently without sulfates or harsh surfactants
• Coconut and castor oil add moisture during the wash
• Ideal for maintaining moisture between shampoo sessions
• Saw palmetto may support scalp health (traditionally used for hair thickness)

Cons:

• Will not remove heavy product buildup; you still need a shampoo periodically
• Not effective as a sole cleanser for men who use wave grease or heavy pomades
• Thick consistency requires thorough rinsing to avoid residue

Works for: 4B-4C hair between shampoo days, men who work out frequently, anyone who wants to reduce shampoo frequency.

Skip if: You use heavy styling products daily. A co-wash will not cut through wave grease or pomade buildup. Use Cantu Cleansing Cream for that.

See As I Am Coconut CoWash

3. Bevel Moisturizing Shampoo

Best for: Daily use on short hair, fades, and waves

Tristan Walker built Bevel for Black men, and this shampoo targets the guy with a fade, a low cut, or waves. Shea butter and coconut oil deliver moisture while vitamin E protects the scalp. Lightweight enough for every-other-day use without the buildup heavier shampoos leave on short hair.

If you are maintaining 360 waves, this cleans without disrupting your wave pattern. The wash-and-style method works best with a shampoo that does not coat your hair in heavy oils that weigh down the curl pattern you have trained.

Key ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, vitamin E, tea tree oil

Pros:

• Lightweight formula for frequent washing on short hair
• Does not disrupt wave patterns or fade maintenance
• Black-owned brand built for Black men
• Tea tree oil provides mild antimicrobial scalp support

Cons:

• May not provide enough moisture for longer 4C hair or locs
• Less widely available in stores than SheaMoisture or Cantu
• Higher price per ounce than budget options

Works for: Short haircuts, fades, 360 waves, men who wash every 2 to 3 days, scalp-focused cleansing.

Skip if: You have longer hair (3+ inches) that needs heavy conditioning. Go with SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus or Mielle Pomegranate & Honey.

See Bevel Moisturizing Shampoo

4. Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo

Best for: Damaged, dry, or color-treated textured hair

Monique Rodriguez built Mielle Organics into one of the most trusted names in textured hair care. This shampoo combines honey (a humectant that pulls moisture from the air), pomegranate extract (antioxidants that protect against environmental damage), and babassu oil (lightweight moisture without weighing down curls).

If you have been using sulfate shampoos for years and your hair feels straw-like or refuses to hold moisture, this is the recovery formula. I recommended it to a friend who had been using a drugstore 2-in-1 for a decade. After three weeks of weekly washes, his barber asked what he changed.

Key ingredients: Honey, pomegranate extract, babassu oil, panthenol (vitamin B5)

Pros:

• Honey pulls ambient moisture into the hair shaft
• Babassu oil moisturizes without heaviness or buildup
• Excellent for repairing years of sulfate damage
• Black-owned brand with strong community trust

Cons:

• Honey can make low-porosity hair feel sticky or weighed down in humid climates
• Not the best choice for scalp-focused cleaning; it prioritizes the hair shaft
• Scent is sweet and strong, which is not for everyone

Works for: 4A-4C hair that is dry, damaged, or color-treated. Hair that breaks easily during combing or brushing.

Skip if: You have an oily scalp that needs deep cleansing. This is moisture-first, not clarifying. Try Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo for buildup removal.

See Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Shampoo

5. TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo

Best for: High-porosity hair that loses moisture fast

TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural) was founded by Chris-Tia Donaldson. The Moisture Rich Shampoo uses a triple oil system: amla oil (an Ayurvedic staple for strengthening hair), coconut oil (penetrates the cortex), and olive oil (smooths the cuticle).

If your hair feels hydrated in the shower but is dry again within an hour, you likely have high porosity. The triple oil formula coats and smooths that raised cuticle during the wash, helping moisture stay locked in longer after you rinse.

Key ingredients: Amla oil, coconut oil, olive oil, pro-vitamin B5

Pros:

• Triple oil system addresses the cuticle damage that causes moisture loss
• Amla oil strengthens hair and promotes scalp health
• Specifically formulated for natural, textured hair
• Black-owned brand
• No silicones, parabens, or sulfates

Cons:

• Oil-heavy formula can weigh down low-porosity or fine hair
• Higher price point than drugstore alternatives
• Less widely available in physical stores; easier to find online

Works for: High-porosity 4B-4C hair, chemically treated or heat-damaged hair, men whose hair dries out within hours of washing.

Skip if: Your hair is low porosity. The heavy oils will sit on top of the strand instead of absorbing, creating buildup. Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla is a lighter option.

See TGIN Moisture Rich Sulfate Free Shampoo

6. Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Moisture & Shine Shampoo

Best for: Dry, brittle hair that needs softening without weight

Lisa Price started Carol’s Daughter in her Brooklyn kitchen in 1993. The Black Vanilla shampoo is a lightweight moisturizer that skips heavy oils for sweet clover, rose, and pro-vitamin B5. Sweet clover promotes scalp circulation. Pro-vitamin B5 coats the hair shaft, improving elasticity and reducing breakage.

I recommend this specifically for men with low-porosity 4C hair. Low-porosity hair resists absorbing heavy products, so lighter formulas like Black Vanilla sit better and do not cause the waxy buildup that heavier shampoos leave behind.

Key ingredients: Sweet clover, rose, pro-vitamin B5, aloe

Pros:

• Lightweight formula that will not weigh down fine or low-porosity hair
• Pro-vitamin B5 improves elasticity and reduces breakage
• Legacy Black-founded brand with 30+ years of credibility
• Pleasant vanilla scent that is not overpowering

Cons:

• May not provide enough moisture for severely dry or high-porosity hair
• Cleansing power is mild; will not remove heavy buildup on its own
• Now owned by L’Oreal, which matters to some buyers

Works for: Low-porosity hair, fine-textured 4A-4B hair, men who want lightweight moisture without residue.

Skip if: Your hair is very dry and high-porosity. You need more oil and protein than this provides. Go with TGIN Moisture Rich.

See Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Shampoo

7. Cantu Shea Butter Cleansing Cream Shampoo

Best for: Budget-friendly cleansing and product buildup removal

Cantu is the entry point. $5-7 for a sulfate-free shampoo that actually works on textured hair. Shea butter provides moisture while apple cider vinegar dissolves product buildup and rebalances scalp pH.

This is the shampoo for guys who use wave grease, pomade, edge control, or gel. These products leave residue that lighter shampoos cannot cut through. Cantu handles it without harsh sulfates. Is it as refined as SheaMoisture or Mielle? No. But at this price, it outperforms anything else on the shelf.

Key ingredients: Shea butter, apple cider vinegar, tea tree oil, honey

Pros:

• Most affordable sulfate-free option for textured hair
• Apple cider vinegar dissolves stubborn product buildup
• Available at every major retailer
• Effective on heavy styling products (wave grease, pomade, gel)

Cons:

• Not as moisturizing as premium options; follow with a good conditioner
• Contains some synthetic ingredients that cleaner brands avoid
• Apple cider vinegar scent lingers if you do not rinse thoroughly

Works for: Budget-conscious buyers, heavy styling product users, weekly clarifying washes.

Skip if: Moisture and softness is your priority. Pair it with a conditioner, or use Mielle Pomegranate & Honey for a wash that conditions while it cleans.

See Cantu Cleansing Cream Shampoo

How Often Should Black Men Wash Their Hair?

This is the question your barber answers differently every time you ask. The real answer depends on your hair length, activity level, and product use. Tightly coiled hair cannot distribute sebum from scalp to tip the way straight hair does. Every shampoo, even a sulfate-free one, removes some of that oil. For most Black men with 4B-4C hair, washing too often is a bigger risk than washing too little.

Wash Frequency by Hair Type and Lifestyle

My rule of thumb: shampoo once a week, co-wash once between shampoo days if your scalp needs it. Adjust from there based on how your hair feels, not what the internet tells you.

Sulfate-Free vs. Sulfate: The Science

Sulfates (SLS and SLES) are surfactants that attract oil and water simultaneously, letting water rinse away dirt and product. Effective, but aggressive. A 2005 study in the International Journal of Trichology found that surfactant-based cleansing significantly reduces the hair shaft’s lipid content, with a more pronounced effect on hair that already has limited natural lubrication. Tightly coiled textures fall squarely into that category.

Sulfate-free shampoos replace those harsh detergents with gentler alternatives: cocamidopropyl betaine (coconut-derived, mild lather), sodium cocoyl isethionate (gentle enough for infant products), and decyl glucoside (plant-derived, extremely mild). They clean. They just do not strip. If the reduced lather feels unfamiliar, know that foam is a side effect of sulfate action, not an indicator of cleanliness.

When You Might Need Sulfates

One scenario: a monthly clarifying wash. If you use heavy pomades, wave greases, or silicone-based products, gentle surfactants cannot fully remove that buildup over time. One clarifying wash per month with a mild sulfate shampoo resets your hair. Follow it immediately with a deep conditioner.

Shampoo vs. Co-Wash vs. Cleansing Conditioner

Three products, three different jobs. Most Black men benefit from having at least two in rotation.

Shampoo uses surfactants to remove dirt, oil, and product. The only option that can strip heavy buildup. Use every 5 to 10 days. Reach for it when: your scalp feels oily or itchy, you see flaking, or you have used heavy styling products.

Co-wash (conditioner wash) cleans with a conditioner base and minimal surfactants. Removes light sweat and surface dirt while depositing moisture. It will not remove heavy buildup. Reach for it: between shampoo days, after workouts, or when you want to reduce shampoo frequency.

Cleansing conditioner sits between the two. Mild surfactants in a heavy conditioning base. More cleaning power than a co-wash, more moisture than a shampoo. Good as a primary wash if you only shampoo once or twice a month.

My rotation: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus once a week on Sunday. As I Am Coconut CoWash on Wednesday after the gym. Two wash days, two products, consistent moisture.

Hair Porosity Guide: Match Your Shampoo to Your Hair

Porosity is the most overlooked factor in choosing hair products. It describes how well your hair absorbs and retains moisture. Two men with identical 4C curl patterns can have completely different porosity levels and need different shampoos.

The Float Test

Drop a clean, product-free hair strand into a glass of room-temperature water. Wait two to four minutes.

• Floats on top: Low porosity. Your cuticle is tightly sealed.
• Sinks slowly to the middle: Normal porosity. Your cuticle opens and closes normally.
• Drops to the bottom quickly: High porosity. Your cuticle is raised or damaged.

Shampoo Recommendations by Porosity

Why Porosity Matters More Than Hair Type

The Andre Walker system (4A, 4B, 4C) describes curl pattern. Porosity describes how your hair interacts with moisture. Two 4C men can have opposite porosity levels and need opposite products. If you have been following recommendations for your “hair type” and they still do not work, porosity is almost certainly the missing variable. Heat damage, chemical treatments, and relaxer history all raise porosity over time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should a Black man wash his hair?

For 4C hair with no heavy product use, once every 7 to 10 days. If you work out frequently or use heavy styling products, every 4 to 5 days. Men with short hair or fades can wash every 3 to 5 days. Overwashing strips the natural sebum that textured hair depends on for moisture retention. Use a co-wash between shampoo days if your scalp needs refreshing.

What does sulfate-free actually mean, and does it matter?

Sulfate-free means the shampoo does not contain sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) or sodium laureth sulfate (SLES). These detergents create heavy lather but strip the natural oils that tightly coiled hair cannot afford to lose. For most Black men, sulfate-free is the better default. The exception is a monthly clarifying wash with a mild sulfate shampoo to remove stubborn product buildup.

What is the difference between shampoo, co-wash, and cleansing conditioner?

Shampoo uses surfactants to remove dirt, oil, and product. Co-wash uses a conditioner base with minimal cleansing agents for a gentle, moisture-preserving clean. Cleansing conditioner falls between the two. Most Black men benefit from rotating shampoo (weekly) and co-wash (between shampoo days).

How do I know my hair porosity, and why does it matter for choosing shampoo?

Drop a clean strand of hair in a glass of water. If it floats, low porosity. If it sinks to the middle, normal. If it drops to the bottom fast, high porosity. Low porosity needs lightweight shampoos without heavy oils. High porosity needs heavy, protein-enriched formulas. Matching shampoo to porosity is the fastest way to improve moisture retention.

Can the wrong shampoo cause hair loss in Black men?

Harsh sulfates, high alcohol content, and strong fragrances can damage the hair cuticle and irritate the scalp, contributing to breakage and thinning. Central centrifugal cicatricial alopecia (CCCA), the most common form of scarring hair loss in Black people, has been linked to harsh chemical treatments and scalp inflammation. While shampoo alone rarely causes permanent loss, using the wrong one consistently weakens hair. If you notice increased shedding, switch to a sulfate-free formula and see a dermatologist experienced with textured hair.

The Bottom Line

Here is your recap:

• SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus is the best all-around shampoo for Black men with textured hair
• As I Am Coconut CoWash is the go-to for mid-week cleansing without moisture loss
• Bevel Moisturizing Shampoo is built for short hair, fades, and waves
• Mielle Pomegranate & Honey repairs damage and restores softness
• TGIN Moisture Rich is the answer for high-porosity hair that will not stay moisturized
• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla works best for low-porosity hair that gets weighed down
• Cantu Cleansing Cream is the best budget sulfate-free option on the market

Your next step: Take the float test. Match your porosity to the right shampoo from the table above. Wash once a week. Co-wash between. Give it four weeks.

Your barber has been telling you to take care of your hair for years. Now you know exactly how. Start this Sunday.

For more, check out our guide to the best face wash for Black men, the best moisturizer for Black men, our breakdown of types of fades, or how to pull off a curly hair fade.