Best Drugstore Shampoo for Frizz

If your hair puffs up the second you step outside, you are not alone. Frizz shows up when the outer layer of your hair, the cuticle, lifts and lets moisture in, which is why humid days and dry, damaged strands are the worst combo.

The right shampoo will not fix everything on its own, but it sets the foundation. A good drugstore formula can gently cleanse while smoothing the cuticle, locking in moisture, and giving your conditioner and stylers a better chance to work. Below you will find the best drugstore shampoos for frizz, how to pick the right one for your hair type, and simple tweaks that make a big difference in how sleek your hair looks.

Quick picks

• Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo Best overall for everyday frizz control. This budget friendly classic leaves hair noticeably smoother and shinier without feeling heavy, especially on straight to wavy hair. It is a great starting point if your main issue is poufiness and surface frizz.
• L’Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Sulfate Free Shampoo Best for color treated and dry hair. The gentle, sulfate free formula cleanses without stripping, which helps keep colored or highlighted hair soft and less prone to frizz. It is ideal if your hair feels parched or you heat style often.
• SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo Best for curls and coils. Packed with coconut oil and shea butter, this shampoo adds slip and moisture, which helps curls clump instead of frizzing out. It suits wavy, curly, and coily textures that need extra nourishment.
• Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo Best for thick, unruly hair. This formula leans richer and uses smoothing silicones to create a sleek, glossy finish that can really help with dense, coarse strands. Reach for this if your hair feels big, bushy, and hard to tame.
• Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo Best for blowouts and heat styling. Designed to complement keratin and smoothing treatments, it helps hair lay flatter and stay smoother after blow drying or flat ironing. It is a smart choice if you regularly style your hair straight and want longer lasting results.

How to choose a drugstore shampoo for frizz

Most anti-frizz shampoos make big promises, but the best one for you depends on your hair type, how damaged it is, and whether you color or heat style. Use these simple checks to narrow it down quickly.

Match the formula to your hair type

• Straight and fine hair: Look for words like “lightweight,” “volume,” or “smoothing” instead of “deep moisture” or “butter.” Too much oil or heavy butters can make fine hair limp.
• Wavy and moderately thick hair: You can usually handle a bit more moisture. Balanced formulas that mention “smooth,” “sleek,” or “shine” work well.
• Curly and coily hair: Seek shampoos that highlight moisture, curl definition, and ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, or glycerin. You want slip and hydration to prevent your curls from frizzing out.

Decide on sulfates vs sulfate free

Sulfate detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, create big lather and remove oil efficiently. That can be helpful for very oily scalps, but too much cleansing can rough up the cuticle and increase frizz, especially on dry or damaged hair.

• Sulfate free: Better for color treated, dry, curly, or fragile hair. These shampoos are often milder and help hair hold onto natural moisture.
• Sulfates: Can work if your scalp gets oily fast or you use a lot of product, but pair them with a rich conditioner and avoid scrubbing lengths aggressively.

Understand silicones and smoothing agents

Many anti-frizz shampoos rely on silicones like dimethicone to coat the cuticle and make hair feel smoother. These can be very effective and are safe for most people, but they may weigh down very fine or low porosity hair over time.

If you prefer lighter formulas, look for labels that emphasize “silicone free” or use alternative smoothers like fatty alcohols, plant oils, or polyquaterniums. If your hair is thick, coarse, or very frizzy, silicones can be your friend and give you more immediate results.

Scan for moisture boosting ingredients

Frizz usually signals that your hair needs both hydration inside the strand and a smoother cuticle on the outside. Helpful ingredients include:

• Glycerin, panthenol, and aloe for attracting and holding water in the hair.
• Oils like argan, coconut, or sunflower to soften and add shine.
• Shea butter or cocoa butter for richer moisture on thicker textures.
• Keratin and other proteins in small amounts to help strengthen damaged hair.

Consider your scalp and sensitivity

If you have a sensitive scalp, look for “gentle,” “sulfate free,” and “dye free” wording and avoid strong fragrances. Oily or flaky scalps may still need a slightly stronger cleanser, so in that case, focus on shampooing the roots and keep conditioner and heavier products on the mid lengths and ends.

In-depth reviews

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo review

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo is a workhorse pick if you want smoother hair without spending much or changing your whole routine. It is best for straight to wavy hair that tends to puff up or look dull, but not severely damaged. The formula includes argan oil and smoothing agents that help the cuticle lie flatter, which translates to more shine and less halo frizz.

The texture is a classic gel shampoo that lathers easily and rinses clean, so it will not leave hair feeling coated. If your hair is very fine, you may want to concentrate it at the scalp and use a light conditioner so it does not get too flat. Compared with Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek, Garnier feels a bit lighter and more suitable for people who want frizz control but still like some movement and volume.

L’Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Sulfate Free Shampoo review

L’Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Sulfate Free Shampoo is a smart choice if your hair is color treated, highlighted, or dry from heat styling. Because it skips harsh sulfates, it cleanses more gently and helps your color last longer without that squeaky, stripped feeling. The formula uses marula oil and conditioning agents to soften hair and create a smoother surface.

The lather is creamier and less foamy than a typical sulfate shampoo, which can take a wash or two to get used to, but it leaves hair feeling supple and less tangled. If you currently use a basic shampoo and find your hair feels rough or your ends look frayed, this will likely feel like an upgrade. Compared with Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine, EverPure is better for high maintenance hair that needs protection, while Garnier remains the better budget pick for healthy but frizzy strands.

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo review

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo is built for waves, curls, and coils that need moisture first and foremost. It is rich in coconut oil, shea butter, and silk protein, which together help reduce frizz by nourishing the hair shaft and encouraging curls to form defined clumps instead of flyaways. This shampoo is sulfate free and leans creamy, so it works especially well for dry or porous hair that drinks up moisture.

You will notice a thicker texture and less intense lather compared with a classic drugstore shampoo. That is intentional, since it aims to cleanse without stripping out the natural oils that curls rely on for shine and bounce. If your hair is fine and only slightly wavy, this formula may feel a bit heavy over time, in which case Garnier or EverPure are better fits. But if your curls feel rough and frizz out even with leave in products, this richer shampoo can be a game changer.

Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo review

Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo is a classic choice for thick, coarse, or highly porous hair that seems to expand in every direction. It uses a blend of silicones and conditioning ingredients to coat the hair fiber, making it feel smoother, more controlled, and glossier. If your main goal is to reduce volume and get a sleeker silhouette, this formula fits the bill.

The lather feels silky, and once your hair is dry you will likely notice fewer flyaways and less puffiness around the crown. Because it is on the richer and more coating side, it is not the best match for fine hair or those who prefer a very lightweight feel. Compared with Tresemme Keratin Smooth, Pantene Smooth & Sleek is a bit more everyday friendly, while Tresemme is better if you focus heavily on blowouts and heat styling.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo review

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo is targeted at people who love polished blowouts or flat iron styles and want them to last. It includes keratin and smoothing agents that help reduce frizz and make hair feel more uniform from roots to ends, which can be especially helpful if you have a mix of textures or heat damage. On thick, wavy, or curly hair that you often wear straight, it can noticeably cut down on time spent fighting flyaways.

The formula has a salon like slip and tends to leave hair feeling very smooth, especially when paired with a matching conditioner. Fine hair types may find it slightly heavy for daily use, but using it a couple of times a week before styling can still help. Versus Pantene Smooth & Sleek, Tresemme Keratin Smooth is more focused on supporting heat styled looks, while Pantene provides similar smoothness with a slightly more conditioning feel for everyday wear.

Frizz taming tips beyond shampoo

A good shampoo is important, but your habits before and after washing have just as much impact on frizz. Small changes can make the difference between fluffy and polished hair.

• Use lukewarm instead of hot water. Very hot water swells the cuticle and can make hair more prone to frizz. Finish with a quick cool rinse to help seal things down.
• Condition from mid lengths down. Anti-frizz shampoos set the stage, but conditioner does the heavy smoothing work. Focus it from the ears down, detangle gently with your fingers or a wide tooth comb, and let it sit for a few minutes.
• Swap rough towels for microfiber or cotton. Rubbing your hair with a standard bath towel lifts the cuticle. Instead, gently squeeze out water, then wrap hair in a microfiber towel or a soft cotton T-shirt.
• Add a leave in product. A light leave in conditioner, cream, or serum can lock in the benefits of your shampoo and conditioner. Start with a pea size amount, focusing on ends, and adjust as needed.
• Protect hair from heat. Always use a heat protectant before blow drying, curling, or flat ironing. Aim your dryer downward along the hair shaft to keep the cuticle smooth.

If you still battle intense frizz after adjusting your routine, consider trimming damaged ends or spacing out color and chemical treatments. Fried, split ends will always frizz, no matter how good your shampoo is.

Final thoughts

The best drugstore shampoo for frizz depends on what your hair needs most. If you want an affordable, reliable option for everyday frizz control on straight or wavy hair, Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo is a great first try. For color treated or dry hair that needs gentler cleansing, start with L’Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz-Defy Sulfate Free Shampoo.

Curly and coily textures that crave moisture will likely do best with SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo, while thick, unruly hair can benefit from the extra smoothing power of Pantene Pro-V Smooth & Sleek Shampoo or Tresemme Keratin Smooth Shampoo. Whichever you choose, pair it with a good conditioner, gentle drying habits, and a lightweight styler so your anti-frizz shampoo has the best chance to shine.

See also

For even more control over flyaways and humidity, pair your shampoo with one of the best hair oils for frizzy hair to seal in moisture and add shine.

• Explore our picks for shampoos free of sulfates and parabens if your hair is sensitive or easily dried out.
• Get your routine ready for vacation with the best hair products for humid beach trips that fight frizz and saltwater damage.
• Repair breakage and boost softness with a deeply nourishing option from our best hair masks for damaged hair guide.
• Finish your style with touchable hold using one of the best hairsprays for curly hair to keep frizz at bay all day.

FAQ

What ingredients should I look for in a drugstore shampoo for frizz?

Look for a mix of gentle cleansers plus conditioning and smoothing ingredients. Moisturizers like glycerin, panthenol, and aloe help hair hold onto water, while oils such as argan, coconut, or sunflower can soften and add shine. Silicones like dimethicone coat the cuticle and are very effective for immediate smoothness, especially on thick or very frizzy hair.

Do I need a sulfate free shampoo to control frizz?

You do not have to go sulfate free, but many people with frizz prone hair find it helpful. Sulfate free shampoos are usually less stripping, which keeps your cuticle calmer and reduces roughness that leads to frizz. If your hair is color treated, curly, or already dry, a sulfate free formula is often the better long term choice.

Which shampoo is best for fine hair that still gets frizzy?

If your hair is fine and tends to get flat, choose a lightweight anti-frizz shampoo that emphasizes shine and smoothness without words like “intense moisture” or “butter.” Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine is a good starting point because it helps with surface frizz but does not feel overly heavy. Focus shampoo at the scalp, rinse well, and pair it with a light conditioner just on your ends.

How long does it take to see results from an anti-frizz shampoo?

You should see some improvement in smoothness and manageability after the first few washes, especially if you were using a very harsh or drying shampoo before. That said, the biggest changes show up over a couple of weeks as your hair retains more moisture and you combine your shampoo with a good conditioner and gentler drying habits. If you see no difference after two to three weeks, it might be worth switching formulas.

Can I mix and match different brands of shampoo and conditioner?

Yes, it is completely fine to mix brands as long as the products suit your hair type. You might prefer a particular anti-frizz shampoo but want a lighter or richer conditioner from another line. Pay attention to how your hair feels and looks rather than keeping everything from one brand by default.

How often should I wash frizzy hair?

Most people with frizz prone hair do well washing two to four times per week, depending on how oily their scalp gets and how much product they use. Washing too often with a strong cleanser can dry out your lengths and increase frizz, while washing too rarely may cause buildup that makes hair dull and rough. If you are unsure, start with every other day and adjust based on how your scalp and ends feel.

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