Noticing your first strands of gray hair may come as a surprise or feel like a long time coming—either way, it doesn’t have to be a moment of dread. Instead, it can be an opportunity to add some gray hair care products to your routine that’ll bring out the best in your new hair color.
Embracing your grays, rather than dyeing them, has increased in popularity over the last few years, and that decision can come with a bit of a learning curve (because it isn’t just the color of your hair that changes as you age—its texture and density can too). Switching up your products now can also benefit your hair’s health in the long run. According to dermatologists, the right shampoo, conditioner, and post-shower treatment can help silver hair look shiny and feel strong. We spoke to several derms to find out which products are worth a try and what kind of changes you can expect from your hair as you get older.
In this article
- What happens to your hair as you age?
- What should you look for in products for gray hair?
- Shop the best shampoos for gray hair
- Shop the best conditioners for gray hair
- Shop the best leave-in treatments, masks, and serums for gray hair
What happens to your hair as you age?
There are a few key changes that usually happen to aging hair, but we’ll start with the reason why we’re all here: graying. The cells that produce melanin and give your hair its color are known as melanocytes, and as you get older they decrease in quantity and eventually die off. Without melanocytes, your hair loses pigment and turns gray, Candace Spann, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Las Vegas, tells SELF.
Around that time, your hair will also start to feel finer and thinner, Dr. Spann says. In turn, you may notice increased shedding and hair loss, Brendan Camp, MD, FAAD, a dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in New York, tells SELF. As SELF has previously reported, the hormonal changes that occur during menopause can be a contributing factor to hair loss: When estrogen levels decrease and testosterone levels increase, your hair follicles can shrink, fall out, and become less dense overall.
Fluctuating hormones also affect how much oil your scalp can produce, Elizabeth Houshmand, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist based in Dallas, tells SELF. As a result, your hair may feel drier, coarser, or frizzy.
Your hair can start to gray in your 30s or 40s (though some people may notice graying as early as their 20s), Dr. Spann says, and the changes in your hair’s texture and density will usually follow. She adds that that timing mainly depends on genetics—but stress, health conditions like thyroid disease, and lifestyle habits like smoking can speed it up.
What should you look for in products for gray hair?
If you want to give your grays a boost, switch to a purple shampoo, Dr. Spann says. They’re more commonly used to brighten and correct blonde hair that’s turned yellow or taken on brassy tones, but they have a similar effect on gray hair, she explains. Gray and white hair is also susceptible to bleaching and yellowing (it’s a common reaction to some chemicals and the sun’s UV rays, Dr. Spann says), so a purple shampoo can serve as a neutralizer and help return your hair to its true shade.
If you want to address the textural changes in your hair, prioritize gentle shampoos (i.e., ones made without drying ingredients like sulfates), hydrating conditioners, and nourishing hair masks, serums, and oils, Dr. Houshmand says. Dr. Camp recommends using products made with strengthening and moisturizing oils, like argan oil, jojoba oil, and avocado oil. Ingredients like shea butter, volumizing keratin, and protective silicones (including dimethicone) are also good to look for.
If you want to go a step further, Dr. Houshmand recommends shampooing less, cutting back on chemical treatments and hot styling methods, and using a silk pillowcase at night in order to help your hair stay smooth and healthy.
However you decide to tweak your hair care routine (or even if you choose to keep it exactly the same!), just remember that these changes are a totally normal part of getting older, Dr. Spann says.
Best shampoos for gray hair
For those looking to reinvigorate their grays, Dr. Houshmand likes Klorane’s Anti-Yellowing Shampoo, which has a purple-blue tint that helps counteract copper or yellow tones in your hair. R+Co’s Bleu Blonded Brightening Shampoo is another great option if you’re going the purple route—it won a Healthy Beauty Award this year for its color-correcting tone and ultra-moisturizing formula.
Or make hydration your priority with these Healthy Beauty Award–winning shampoos from Dae, Verb, and Bask & Bloom. They’re all made without harsh cleansing agents and instead feature ingredients like rich plant-based oils and butters that help condition and soften hair. Bask & Bloom’s Gentle Herbal Cleanser is specifically formulated for natural hair, with a nozzle that makes it easy to apply the product directly to your scalp.
Finally, if you’re concerned about your hair’s volume, Dr. Houshmand recommends RevitaLash’s Thickening Shampoo. It’s formulated to make your hair appear fuller, plus it contains nourishing jojoba oil.
Amazon
Amazon
Amazon
Courtesy of brand
Courtesy of brand
Best conditioners for gray hair
Conditioners are all about restoring moisture to your hair, but some have additional benefits that can help you reach your hair goals. For hydrated, glossy grays, consider Soapbox’s Keratin Shine Boosting Conditioner or Oribe’s Supershine Moisturizing Hair Cream—the former contains argan oil and won a 2024 Healthy Beauty Award, while the latter uses a cocktail of ingredients like soy protein and amber extract to smooth and soften your hair.
The 2022 Healthy Beauty Award–winning Mielle Organics Oats and Honey Soothing Conditioner wowed one curly haired tester with its texture, fragrance, and detangling effects. There’s also the Coco Creme Curl Quenching Conditioner from Carol’s Daughter (a Healthy Beauty Award–winning brand), which is formulated for curls ranging from loose waves to coils and contains both shea butter and coconut oil.
And if your hair is easily damaged, the cult favorite No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner from Olaplex is an excellent choice (it’s made to not only moisturize your hair, but strengthen it too). The Conditioner from Nécessaire is a little lighter-weight than the rest of our picks, but it’s still highly effective. One 2023 Healthy Beauty Award tester called it a “10/10” and said it “left my hair feeling soft, smooth, and silky after each wash.”
Amazon
Amazon
Courtesy of Nécessaire
Courtesy of brand
Amazon
Amazon
Best leave-in treatments, masks, and serums for gray hair
These products can provide a deeper level of conditioning for extra dry, coarse, or damaged hair. Dr. Houshmand recommends using a hair-repairing mask once a week, noting that K18 is her preferred brand. You can also try Vegamour’s luxurious HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask, which left our Healthy Beauty Award tester’s hair as shiny as glass, frizz-free, and, in their words, “so freaking soft.” And Briogeo’s almond oil-infused Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask is a long-standing favorite among hair mask fans.
If you prefer hair serums and oils to masks, we have two winners from 2023’s Healthy Beauty Awards to consider. The Moringa Anti-Breakage Serum from Shaz & Kiks felt impressively light to our testers, who found that it gave their hair structure and shape and kept their ends looking smoother for longer. Meanwhile, Fable & Mane’s MahaMane Smooth & Shine Hair Oil won for its gorgeous fragrance, heat protection, and efficient formula (our tester said they only needed one or two drops to see greater hydration and shine).
Sephora
Courtesy of brand
Courtesy of Shaz & Kiks
Courtesy of Vegamour
Courtesy of Fable & Mane
Sephora
Get more of SELF’s stellar product recommendations delivered right to your inbox (for free!).
Related:
- 13 Night Creams Derms Love for Aging Skin
- The Best Eye Creams for Mature Skin, According to Dermatologists
- These Are the Shoes You Want If You Have Plantar Fasciitis
