Which is the Best Shampoo in India? (in 2025)

Which is the best shampoo in India in 2025? To find this out, I once again bought and checked the ingredients of 100 plus shampoos available both online and offline. After thoroughly going through them, I have categorised all the shampoos into 5 categories. 

So, if you are suffering from hair fall, premature greying of hair or you generally want strong and healthy hair, you must use the best shampoos in India today. So without any further delay, let’s get started.

Selection Criteria for the Best Shampoos

While selecting the best shampoos in India, my focus was on 4 things:

1. Non-toxic Ingredients: Most commercial shampoos in the Indian market seem to look promising but when you turn the pack, you know how damaging they can be for your hair. Attributing to the strong chemicals in them, no doubt, these shampoos can give an instant silky and shiny appearance to your hair but will eventually weaken them from the roots.
2. Price: Some shampoos are 100% toxin free but are premiumly priced. For example, Juicy Chemistry’s shampoo is priced at Rs 500, Vilvah shampoo at Rs 550, and Ash Ba’s curly hair shampoo at Rs 1000. For this article, I have rejected all shampoos priced above Rs 400.
3. Availability: Which is why I have kept one category dedicated to offline options.
4. Suitability: I have tried and kept a natural shampoo for all hair types.

Before I share the best shampoos in India, let me assure you that no shampoo brand has paid me. Nor am I with or against any brand. I am just like you, a consumer who is used to shampooing but loves his hair more.

Category #1: Best Liquid Shampoos in the Indian Market

This category includes the best shampoos available online, toxin-free, and priced reasonably under Rs 400.

• Just Herbs 8 in 1 Root Nourishing Hair Fall Control Shampoo: This shampoo is specially formulated for someone with an oily scalp. All the active hair-friendly herbs like amla, neem, hibiscus, henna, vetiver, and fenugreek are separately mentioned on the pack. Unlike other brands, the base ingredients are clearly mentioned and it is free from harsh chemicals. A 200 ml bottle costs Rs 355.
• The Moms Company’s Natural Protein Shampoo: Since hair is made up of protein, this shampoo contains quinoa protein and wheat protein along with niacinamide and moringa oil. It is especially for dry hair. A 200 ml bottle costs Rs 286, the cheapest among the best.
• Rustic Art’s Aloe Clary Sage Shampoo: The hero ingredients here are clary sage and aloe vera, known to strengthen hair from the roots. It is 100% toxin free and suitable for all hair types. A 200 ml bottle costs Rs 360.

All these shampoos have a transparent texture and make good lather when mixed with water. They do not contain Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) or Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES) but have other safe surfactants often derived from coconut. Their fragrance comes from plant essential oils, with no artificial fragrance added, which is a big plus.

Why are these the best shampoos? Not only do they avoid hair damaging chemicals, but they also come in regular shampoo-type bottles making it easy to switch from popular shampoos. However, the only downside is that they are not available offline. Since shampoo is not perishable, you can buy in bulk once you find one that suits you.

Category #2: Best Shampoos Available Offline

Many shampoos offline have misleading labels. When buying a shampoo, never fall for what is written on the front of the bottle. Always turn it around and check for two things:

• Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS)
• Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES)

If the shampoo contains either of these, avoid buying it as both are strong detergents that can damage hair follicles. I found that 95% of shampoos offline contain these. Out of at least 50 shampoos offline, here are 4 decent options:

• Dove Hair Therapy Sulphate Free Shampoo: It doesn’t have SLS or SLES but contains some harsh chemicals. Still, it is better than Dove’s regular shampoo and most other popular shampoos. A 380 ml bottle costs Rs 450.
• Tresemme Pro Protect Sulphate Free Shampoo: Better than other Tresemme shampoos.
• Wow’s Red Onion Shampoo: Better than Dove and Tresemme, with no harsh chemicals except artificial fragrance.
• Mamaearth’s Onion Shampoo: Also has no harsh chemicals, and the fragrance is IFRA certified.

Category #3: Misleading Shampoos

This category includes shampoos that project themselves as toxin-free but do not reveal their complete ingredient list.

• Indulekha Bhringa Shampoo: It contains bhringraj, amla, and other hair-friendly herbs but only about 10% of the shampoo. The rest 90% is a shampoo base that is not disclosed. This is a major marketing trick where companies buy shampoo base wholesale and add some herbs to label it as Ayurvedic proprietary medicine. The customer never knows if it is sulphate free or contains harsh chemicals. A 200 ml bottle costs Rs 240 but, in my opinion, it’s not worth it.
• Kesh King’s Range of Shampoos: Also markets ayurvedic herbs but hides the shampoo base.
• Patanjali’s Shampoo: At least mentions it has sulphate in it.
• Biotique: Very popular but misleading, with no ingredient information on the bottle.
• Forest Essentials: Sells 200 ml shampoo at Rs 1300 but mentions only 65.5% of the ingredients.

As a thumb rule, any shampoo that mentions “base QS” or “shampoo base” should be rejected. Only then will companies spend more on proper packaging than on celebrity ads.

Category #4: Best Shampoo Bars

Why use a shampoo bar? There are three reasons:

1. A shampoo bar lasts longer. Brands believe one shampoo bar equals at least two bottles of 200 ml shampoo, making it an affordable option.
2. It is travel-friendly. Carrying shampoo bottles can be cumbersome, but a shampoo bar fits into the smallest of bags.
3. It is eco-friendly with no plastic waste.

Here are some of the best shampoo bars in the business:

• Surfactant Based Shampoo Bars (High Performance, Preferable):
  • Shunyam’s Hibiscus Shampoo Bar
  • Earth Rhythm’s Shikakai Reetha and Curry Leaf Shampoo Bar
  • Rustic Art’s Neem Tulasi Shampoo Bar
• Soap Based Shampoo Bars (Low Performance but Cheap, Less Preferable):
  • Goli Soda’s Probiotic Shampoo Bar
  • Neev’s Budget Friendly Shampoo Bar
  • Earthy Sapo’s Reetha Shampoo Bar

I have rejected Preserve’s shampoo bar because, despite promoting star ingredients, it contains artificial fragrance and color. All the recommended shampoo bars are 100% toxin free and make decent lather, making them very easy to use. Prices are under Rs 400. Choose according to your hair type.

Also Read: Which is the Best Face Wash in India? (in 2025)

Category #5: Truly Ayurvedic Powdered Shampoos

The Indian market is full of so-called Ayurvedic shampoos, but if I had to buy one, it would be a powdered shampoo. These are truly Ayurvedic because they align with Ayurveda’s core philosophy: what you can eat, you can apply on your skin and hair.

Examples include:

• Havintha Natural Hair Shampoo: Contains just 4 ingredients – amla, reetha, shikakai, and methidana. No surfactants, preservatives, or unwanted additives.
• Herbotoniq’s Bhringraj Brahmi Shampoo: Contains 9 best Ayurvedic herbs for hair in powdered form along with multani mitti.
• The Forest Herbs Shikakai Mix Hair Wash Powder: The most budget-friendly option, with 500 grams for just Rs 390, containing 7 herbs in powdered form.

These shampoos do not foam because they don’t contain surfactants but not only clean hair but also nourish it deeply. Foam is less important than hair health. The downside is they don’t smell great and switching to powdered shampoos might be challenging at first but results are worth it.

Pro Tips for Using Powdered Shampoos:

• Use very little quantity; excess can dry hair.
• If you have very dry hair, add some milk powder to the shampoo.
• Mix with curd and use as a hair mask once a week for deep conditioning.

Texture-wise, Havintha and Herbotoniq are smoother than Forest Herbs.

Summary and Recommendations

Check the shampoo you currently use. If it contains SLS, SLES, or hides its ingredients in a base, it deserves to be thrown away, not kept in your bathroom.

If you want to switch to liquid shampoos, the easiest transition, try one of these according to your hair type:

• Just Herbs 8 in 1 (for oily hair)
• The Moms Company Protein Shampoo (for dry hair)
• Rustic Art Clary Sage Shampoo (for all hair types)

If you want to buy a decent shampoo offline, consider:

• Dove Sulphate Free Shampoo
• Tresemme Pro Protect Version
• Wow Red Onion Shampoo
• Mamaearth Onion Shampoo

If you travel a lot and want a budget-friendly shampoo that makes good lather, try shampoo bars. For short hair, any shampoo bar will work. For long hair, prefer surfactant-based shampoo bars like Shunyam’s Hibiscus or Earth Rhythm’s Shikakai Curry Leaf.

If your hair is seriously damaged or you want nothing but the best, come back to basics with traditional powdered shampoos like Havintha, Herbotoniq, and Forest Herbs. Pick and choose according to your preference.

There is every chance that the shampoo you had in mind is not mentioned here because it was rejected during research. Among 100 plus shampoos, these are the best toxin-free shampoos in India in 2025. Try and see what works best for you.

FAQs About Shampoos in India (2025)

Q1: Why should I avoid shampoos containing Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (SLES)?

A1: SLS and SLES are strong detergents that can damage hair follicles and weaken your hair over time, even though they may provide an instant silky and shiny appearance.

Q2: Are expensive shampoos always better?

A2: Not necessarily. Some premium shampoos are toxin-free but cost more than Rs 400, which may not be affordable for everyone. There are effective, toxin-free shampoos available under Rs 400.

Q3: What are shampoo bars and why should I consider them?

A3: Shampoo bars last longer, are travel-friendly, eco-friendly (no plastic waste), and can be more affordable. Surfactant-based shampoo bars perform better than soap-based ones.

Q4: What makes powdered shampoos truly Ayurvedic?

A4: Powdered shampoos contain natural herbs without surfactants or preservatives, aligning with Ayurveda’s philosophy of using what can be eaten on skin and hair.

Q5: How can I use powdered shampoos if I have dry hair?

A5: Use less quantity to avoid dryness. You can add milk powder or mix the powder with curd and use it as a hair mask for deep conditioning.

Q6: Are natural fragrances better than artificial ones in shampoos?

A6: Yes, natural fragrances from plant essential oils are preferable as they avoid the harmful effects of synthetic fragrances and are gentler on hair and scalp.

Final Thought

Your hair deserves the best care, and choosing the right shampoo is the first step. Avoid harmful chemicals, choose toxin-free options within your budget, and consider traditional Ayurvedic methods for long-term hair health. Remember, healthy hair is more important than foam or instant shine.