Shea Moisture is one of my all-time favorite haircare brands. Their ingredients are natural, their products are super effective, they’re certified cruelty-free, and they cater to all hair types and textures. Oh, and you can find them almost everywhere!
The only problem is, they carry a lot of products — and if you’re new to the line, it can be frankly overwhelming. With 20 different shampoos alone, Shea Moisture has options on options. So how do you narrow it down?
We’re here to help on this one. Today, we’re listing the top 5 best Shea Moisture shampoos of all time, based on our own testing, customer reviews, and overall popularity. Read on to find your new favorite shampoo!
Table of Contents
5 Best Shea Moisture Shampoos:
- Best Overall: Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo
- Best for Dry Hair: Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
- Best for Damaged Hair: Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
- Best for Curly Hair: Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
- Best for Coily Hair: Shea Moisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo
1. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo
If you are looking for a hydrating, moisturizing, and softening shampoo, you need to try Shea Moisture’s beloved Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Shampoo. In my opinion, it’s the best shampoo in their entire lineup and it’s effective for all hair types.
This product makes hair silky soft and clean and does all of this without sulfates. It’s also very affordable (around $10 a bottle) and available at most drugstores.
- Hair Type: All hair types
- Scent: Honey
- Key Ingredients: Manuka Honey, Yogurt Extract, Mafura Oil
Recommended For: If you’re looking for a first Shea Moisture product to try, make it this one! This shampoo is universally beloved because it does exactly what it claims — cleanses and strengthens hair strands without weighing down the hair.
This shampoo is suitable for all hair types and textures, although the coarsest hair types may want a stronger, more moisturizing option like one of the shampoos listed below.
Pros:
- Works well for all hair types
- Contains moisturizing ingredients and protein to make hair strong and soft
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free and natural
Cons:
- Doesn’t contain sulfates so it may not remove heavy build-up from hair
- May not be hydrating enough for the coarsest hair types
2. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
For dry and damaged curly hair, the Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo is a targeted formula that’s well worth a try. As with all Shea Moisture products, this shampoo is cruelty-free and natural, and free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
- Hair Type: Curly (Best for types 3 and 4)
- Scent: Honey
- Key Ingredients: Manuka Honey, Mafura Oil, Fig Extract
Recommended For: This shampoo is the one to get if you have curly hair in need of serious moisture. It contains a mix of oils to soften dry and damaged hair and provide extra hydration. Fans love it for its magical frizz-reducing properties and its low price.
This shampoo is recommended for curly hair types 3 and 4, as it contains intense oils that may weigh down wavier hair types. However, it’s definitely worth a try if you have wavy hair with extra damage and dryness.
Pros:
- Contains excellent moisturizing ingredients for dry hair
- Cruelty-free and natural
- Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, and petrolatum
- Affordable and easy to find
Cons:
- Too heavy for all but the driest hair types
- Some say the scent is too strong
3. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo
Damaged hair types in need of a strengthening shampoo should look no further than Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo. Designed for natural, chemically processed, or heat-styled hair, this product removes buildup and strengthens for less breakage.
- Hair Type: Curly (Best for types 3 and 4)
- Scent: Peppermint
- Key Ingredients: Peppermint Oil, Black Castor Oil, and certified organic Shea Butter
Recommended For: If your hair is damaged and in need of a strengthening treatment, or is limp or weighed down by product buildup, this clarifying shampoo with Black Castor Oil is an amazing choice. Available at most drugstores, this product is formulated for curly hair that’s been damaged by heat styling or chemical processing.
While this product is meant for curly hair, it can be used by other hair textures. One note, since this is a clarifying shampoo, it may be too drying for everyday use. I recommend starting off slow and using this no more than once a week for best results.
Pros:
- Light peppermint scent
- Excellent clarifying shampoo to remove buildup
- Some reviewers claim that the Black Castor Oil in this shampoo helps with hair growth
Cons:
- This is a clarifying shampoo so it is not recommended for everyday use.
- Can be drying; not recommended for extremely dry hair
- Peppermint oil tingles — skip if this isn’t something you like in a shampoo.
4. Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
If you want an all-purpose shampoo that’s designed for curly hair, run, don’t walk, to pick up Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo. It contains a mix of protein and moisture to address multiple hair issues at once. It also smells amazing thanks to its coconut and hibiscus blend!
- Hair Type: Damaged Hair, Curly Hair (Best for types 3 and 4)
- Scent: Coconut
- Key Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Silk Protein
Recommended For: If you want a wonderful everyday shampoo for curly hair, this is the Shea Moisture shampoo to get. It’s strengthening and moisturizing yet perfectly balanced, so it won’t weigh your hair down. It’s also not too drying or stripping, so it’s great for regular use.
My favorite thing about this shampoo is the smell! I love coconut scents and this smells amazing. I’d use it just for the scent, to be honest, but it’s super effective at moisturizing and taming frizz as well.
Pros:
- Smells incredible — a must if you like coconut scents
- Free of phthalates, parabens, and silicones
- Always cruelty-free
- Great for regular use a few times a week
Cons:
- A more all-purpose moisturizing shampoo that isn’t as strong and targeted as others on this list
- Best for thicker hair types — can weigh down thin hair
5. Shea Moisture Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo
Tangle-prone hair types, take note: Shea Moisture’s Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter Hi-Slip Detangling Shampoo is here to change your life! It’s specifically formulated to provide the “slip” that hair needs to tame tangles while you shower. This is especially important for coily hair types that can be difficult to detangle.
- Hair Type: Tangle-prone Curly Hair (Best for types 3 and 4)
- Scent: Red Palm Oil & Cocoa Butter
- Key Ingredients: Red Palm Oil, Cocoa Butter, and Fair Trade Shea Butter
Recommended For: Anyone who struggles with hair that’s difficult to detangle can benefit from this shampoo. It is specifically designed for coily hair that can be difficult to detangle in the shower, but it can be used by wavier hair types that struggle with dryness.
This shampoo is beloved by reviewers who rave about its amazing detangling benefits — it’s rare to detangle hair using just shampoo but this product delivers on this claim. If you’re tired of dealing with tangles, try this ASAP!
Pros:
- Anti-shrinkage formula for coily, curly hair
- Rich in antioxidants and vitamins
- Great for hair that’s prone to tangling in the shower
Cons:
- May be too oily for straight or wavy hair types — can weigh hair down
- Scent is just okay, more of a mild, unisex fragrance
What do you think is the best Shea Moisture shampoo?
Have you tried their shampoos? If so, which one is your fave? Do you love Shea Moisture products as much as I do? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section down below.
Anything for straight hair with oily scalp and dry ends?
This is helpful! I’d love some other recommendations for this brand’s products, especially for conditioners & skin care options.