If you are looking for cleansers free of toxins, you can trust the following list of charcoal goodness to have lustrous, shiny, healthy hair. So please scroll down and take your pick!
What Does Charcoal Shampoo Do?
Deep Cleansing: An activated charcoal shampoo is a natural cleanser that pulls out dirt, impurities, toxins, and excess oil that clog your hair follicles. It absorbs excess sebum from your scalp and leaves it squeaky clean. Detoxifies: It extracts all the harmful pre-wash residue from your hair and keeps your scalp clean. Soothes The Scalp: It is ideal for people with various scalp conditions like dryness, irritation, itchiness, flakiness, psoriasis, or eczema. The charcoal shampoo helps in soothing and calming the scalp while treating all these conditions. Boosts Volume: A charcoal shampoo is a gentle yet effective cleanser that does not strip down your hair’s natural oils. Instead, it enhances hair texture and boosts volume and luster. You are sure to notice a healthier bounce in your tresses from the very first time you use a charcoal shampoo. Promotes Hair Growth: Activated charcoal unclogs hair follicles and cleans your scalp to create a healthy environment for effective hair growth. Improves Hair Texture: Activated charcoal shampoo draws out all the greasiness that weighs your hair down. It provides your hair with healthy conditioning to make it shiny, glossy, and stronger.
Now that you know the benefits of a charcoal shampoo, swipe up to read through the best options available on the market.
10 Best Charcoal Shampoos Of 2022 For Healthy Hair
1. Best Sulfate-Free Formula: OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Shampoo
The OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Shampoo has a purifying and highly nourishing formula. It is ideal for dry and damaged hair, as it helps in conditioning your strands to balance and infuse shine. The clarifying blend of this formula contains activated coconut charcoal and kaolin clay that remove build-up to deeply cleanse your scalp and hair. It thoroughly cleans the dull and dehydrated hair strands to make them squeaky clean and shiny. This activated charcoal shampoo detoxifies your scalp without stripping off its natural moisture or drying it. This video takes you through this product’s details. Best Suited For: Dry hair Pros
Moisturizing Lathers richly Pleasant fragrance Color-safe Sulfate-free
Cons
May cause flakes
2. Best For Calming Effects: Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo
The Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampo has a gentle and calming formula. It is enriched with highly beneficial ingredients like African black soap, bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil, and willow bark extract. These potent ingredients eliminate dirt, excess oil, pre-wash treatment residues, and flakey build-up from your scalp. They soothe and calm your itchy and inflamed scalp and help revitalize it gently. The gentle formula rigorously cleanses your scalp and creates a healthy environment for healthy and well-nourished hair growth. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video. Best Suited For: Curly hair Pros
Moisturizing properties Lathers richly Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Paraben-free Petroleum-free Propylene glycol-free Mineral oil-free Cruelty-free
Cons
Contains synthetic fragrances Not suitable for sensitive scalp
3. Best For Overall Scalp Cleanse: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal And Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
The Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is a natural scalp revitalization treatment. It helps in keeping your hair soft, healthy, balanced, and thoroughly moisturized. It caters to common concerns like dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp and soothes scalp with its potent ingredients. The unique formula contains vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators that balance and cleanse the strands by removing build-up from the scalp. The shampoo is enriched with binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, biotin, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex. The binchotan charcoal detoxifies the scalp. It draws out impurities that clog the hair follicles and promotes overall scalp health. Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps strengthen the hair shaft and follicles to boost hair volume. Coconut oil has moisturizing abilities that prevent dryness and flakiness, and tea tree oil promotes overall hair health. The peppermint and spearmint oils have a natural calming ability and soothe itchy and irritated scalp. The oils also maintain a healthy scalp pH level. Know more about this product in this video. Best Suited For: All hair types Pros
Naturally derived ingredients Vegan Sulfate-free Silicone-free Phthalate-free Paraben-free Artificial dye-free Gluten-free Cruelty-free
Cons None
4. Best Paraben-Free Formula: Pantene Pro-v Blends Charcoal Shampoo
The Pantene Pro-V Blends Charcoal Shampoo deep cleanses and rejuvenates dehydrated hair. It effectively removes excess oil, scalp build-up, and impurities to leave your hair and scalp clean. The shampoo is enriched with activated charcoal, nutrients, vitamin B5, rich antioxidants, mint leaves, water lily, and amber. These ingredients add volume and bounce to your hair. The formula also revives dead and dry hair ends. This detoxifying shampoo makes your hair healthy, glossy, and shiny. Best Suited For: All hair types Pros
Lathers richly Gentle on scalp Pleasant fragrance Safe for color-treated hair Paraben-free Silicone-free Artificial dye-free
Cons
Weighs down the hair
5. Best For Color-Treated Hair: Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo
The Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo is enriched with natural ingredients. This detoxifying charcoal shampoo cleanses your hair and removes excess dirt and oil that may otherwise weigh it down. It refreshes and deeply cleanses your hair and scalp for a clarifying and detoxifying effect. This Love Beauty And Planet Charcoal Shampoo contains coconut oil, bamboo charcoal, and bergamot that seal moisture and strengthen your hair. The shampoo is suitable for color-treated and chemically-treated hair as it is free from toxins and harmful chemicals. Best Suited For: All hair types, dry scalp, chemically-treated hair, and color-treated hair Pros
Lathers richly Vegan Plant-based cleanser Pleasant fragrance Cruelty-free Dye-free Silicone-free Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free
Cons
May cause tangles and knots May dry out the ends
6. Best For Antioxidant Properties: Honeydew Planative Charcoal Shampoo
The Honeydew Planative Charcoal Shampoo is a plant-based formula replete with the goodness of pure essential oils. The activated charcoal shampoo enhances your hair quality and texture while nourishing your scalp thoroughly. The formula is enriched with activated charcoal, avocado, almond, camellia extract, and sage extract. This charcoal shampoo also has nourishing natural oils like keratin jojoba oil and coconut oil. These antioxidant-rich oils tackle various scalp concerns like itchiness and flaking and help maintain healthy scalp and hair growth. The activated charcoal deeply cleanses your scalp by pulling out the dirt, oil, and product build-up that clog your hair follicles and weigh your hair down. Avocado has nourishing properties that strengthen dry hair and prevent hair breakage. Almond is a rich source of vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and fatty acids that help in repairing damaged hair. Jojoba oil is also rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E that hydrate your hair and balance the scalp. Camellia and sage extract strengthen hair, improve its elasticity to reduce damage, breakage, and split ends. They also energize the hair follicles and promote thicker hair growth. This activated charcoal shampoo is sure to leave your hair looking healthy, refreshed, shiny, and voluminous. Best Suited For: All hair types Pros
Plant-based formula Moisturizing properties Lathers richly Pleasant fragrance Sulfate-free Paraben-free Cruelty-free
Cons
Not suitable for oily hair
7. Best For Odor Elimination: IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo
The IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo is a highly powerful spray that can be used between washes to prolong shampooing. This dry shampoo deeply cleanses your scalp by absorbing oil and eliminating odor. It contains detoxing charcoal powder that lifts dirt and build-up, and white tea powder that soothes the scalp and supports the hair follicles. It boosts volume and bounciness of oily, limp, or dull hair. This charcoal dry shampoo protects your hair color from UV rays and can be used to prep the strands before styling them. Best Suited For: All hair types, fine hair, and oily scalp Pros
Good absorbency Ideal for a quick fix Vegan Safe for chemically-treated hair Cruelty-free Gluten-free Paraben-free Sulfate-free
Cons
May make hair feel crunchy
8. Best Clarifying Formula: Hask Charcoal With Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo
The Hask Charcoal With Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo is a clarifying formula that gives your hair and scalp a rejuvenated feel. This activated charcoal shampoo contains charcoal derived from coconut shells that are further combined with citrus oils extracted from lemon and grapefruit. This potent formula thoroughly clarifies the scalp by eliminating impurities and build-up. The formula contains coconut shell extracts and does not stain your hair. Best Suited For: All hair types, including color-treated hair Pros
Lathers richly Color-safe Pleasant fragrance Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Gluten-free Cruelty-free Aluminum starch-free Drying alcohol-free Artificial color-free
Cons
May make your hair coarse
9. Best For Keratin-Treated Hair: Theorie Sage Charcoal & Bamboo Detoxifying Shampoo
The Theorie Sage Charcoal & Bamboo Detoxifying Shampoo is an aromatic and highly concentrated blend of natural and lab-formulated ingredients. This charcoal shampoo consists of naturally healing botanical ingredients like moringa oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and sage essential oil. It also contains Japanese binchotan white charcoal, bamboo extract, keratin proteins, and Theorie’s amino complex. The moringa oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and sage essential oil contain antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acids that help in restoring softness and strength in color-treated or keratin-treated hair. They nourish and protect your hair from harmful UV rays that cause oxidative stress (free radicals). The Japanese binchotan white charcoal’s detoxifying power eradicates excess oil to retain your hair’s natural vitality. The bamboo extract is a rich source of amino acids and flavonoids that nourish your hair. The keratin proteins leave your hair feeling hydrated, smooth, detoxed, shiny, and thoroughly enhanced. Theorie’s amino complex rebuilds and strengthens your strands by supplying nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. This charcoal shampoo restores shine and makes your hair softer and completely refreshed. Best Suited For: Dry, normal, oily, textured hair, chemical-treated hair, and keratin-treated hair Pros
Pleasant vanilla fragrance Vegan Cruelty-free Sulfate-free Gluten-free Paraben-free Phthalate-free Harsh chemical-free
Cons
May dry hair out
10. Best For Improving Scalp Health: Dounguri Activated Charcoal Shampoo
The Dounguri Activated Charcoal Shampoo is a gentle formula that deeply cleans your hair and scalp. The activated charcoal eliminates unwanted sebum, impurities, and dirt, and helps regulate sebum secretion along with boosting hair luster. It also contains natural essential oils like Moroccan argan oil, avocado oil, almond oil, jojoba oil, and camellia seed oil. The Moroccan argan oil is a rich source of vitamin E, omega 6 fatty acids, and antioxidants. These help in promoting healthy, softer, and silky hair. The avocado oil contains oleic acid and monounsaturated fats that seep into your hair shaft to moisturize and strengthen it. The protein, omega 9 fatty acids, and vitamin E in almond oil repair, treat, and condition your hair to promote hair strength and prevent hair breakage. The jojoba oil consists of copper, zinc, vitamin C, vitamin B, and vitamin E that prevents dandruff and boost hair thickness. Moreover, the camellia seed oil rejuvenates and revitalizes your hair with its high levels of unsaturated fats, vitamin E, calcium, and minerals that also strengthen and make your hair voluminous. This activated charcoal shampoo also prevents cuticle damage. It preserves hair protein and moisture. Best Suited For: All hair types Pros
Pleasant fragrance Value for money Sulfate-free Paraben-free
Cons
May make hair greasy and oily in some
Here are a few factors to consider if you are planning to add a charcoal shampoo to your hair care routine:
How To Choose The Best Charcoal Shampoo
Your Hair Type
Selecting the shampoo based on your hair type is just like choosing the right shoe size. Charcoal shampoos are deemed for purifying your hair and scalp. But they may also dry out specific hair types. It is important to check the hair type the charcoal shampoo you pick suits and caters to. Some charcoal shampoos are specific to dry or dull hair, while others suit all hair types. Explore the options available and ensure that you pick the right one. There are only a few charcoal shampoos ideal for chemically-treated hair, keratin-treated hair, or color-treated hair. So, ensure you read the label and pick the one that suits your hair the best. A wrong shampoo could fade your hair color or leave your hair feeling brittle.
Supporting Ingredients
There is no denying that activated charcoal shampoos ensure your hair and scalp get the cleanest possible wash. But charcoal can dry out most hair types as it tends to strip down the natural moisture while thoroughly cleansing hair and scalp. Hence, make sure the formula contains some other supporting ingredients that help nourish and maintain your hair’s moisture levels. Various botanical ingredients often found in activated charcoal shampoos have highly moisturizing abilities. Check for ingredients like shea butter, natural essential oils, kaolin clay, coconut oil, tea tree oil, aloe vera, jojoba oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, or almond oil. These ingredients provide extra moisture, balance the scalp’s health, rejuvenate and revitalize the scalp, and add shine to your tresses.
Hair And Scalp Concerns
Most often we change shampoos because there is a certain concern that needs to be targeted and treated. Activated charcoal shampoos help in deep cleansing, detoxifying, purifying, and nourishing your scalp and hair. Know the concern that you need to target/treat; like dandruff, build-up, dry scalp, itchiness, oily scalp, or any other. Good hair care is essential as it ensures proper health for both your stands and your scalp. For instance, if your hair is dry, but your scalp is oily, then choose a shampoo designed for oily hair and pair it with a nourishing conditioner. But if you have a dry scalp, look for a formula that contains natural oils. It will lock in moisture and keep your scalp dandruff and flake-free. Such formulas also add bounce and volume to your hair.
Toxin-Free Formula
Remember that highly acidic and highly alkaline shampoos often end up destroying your hair texture and quality. Organic shampoos have low pH levels and therefore, are ideal choices. Apart from these, ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, phthalates, ammonium lauryl sulfate, silicone, along with other artificial adulterants cause severe effects on your hair. They can either irritate your scalp, make your hair brittle, dry, or cause hair fall. Therefore, select an activated charcoal shampoo that is toxin-free and safe to use.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast. Her in-depth research and knowledge provide readers with an unbiased opinion about the best charcoal shampoos for healthy hair. She has also reviewed several user feedback to prepare this list. These charcoal shampoos help achieve lustrous, healthy, and shiny hair. Can we use charcoal shampoo for dandruff? Yes, charcoal shampoo has detoxifying properties that help in cleansing the scalp. It purifies the scalp by fighting impurities and fungal infections like dandruff. Is charcoal shampoo good for oily hair? Indeed it is. Charcoal shampoo purifies your scalp to remove excess oil, dirt, flakes, and impurities. It helps unclog your hair follicles and pores to balance oily scalp and greasy hair. Does charcoal shampoo help treat scalp psoriasis? Charcoal has excellent exfoliation and detoxifying properties. This makes the charcoal shampoo remove dead skin cells, dandruff, flakes, and impurities from the scalp. It is extremely beneficial for psoriasis and eczema. How often should we use charcoal shampoo? Charcoal is often considered to be a drying agent that dehydrates and messes with your hair color. So, for best results, wash your hair with charcoal shampoo once a week or two weeks depending on your hair type. It is best to avoid daily use if your hair is dry, dull, or damaged. Is charcoal shampoo safe for colored hair? Yes, charcoal shampoos are safe for colored hair when used once a week.
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