The 14 best shampoo and conditioner sets for all types of hair.

Hair washing routines typically start with cleansing your hair with the best shampoo for your hair type, followed by lathering with a nourishing conditioner. For optimal results, try following these easy steps:

1. Use lukewarm water, rather than hot water, to wet your hair before applying shampoo. Be sure the water fully soaks into your hair so the shampoo will penetrate open hair cuticles and spread more evenly.
2. Squirt a small amount of shampoo with water into your palm before gently massaging it into your scalp. Focus more on the scalp than the ends, especially for dry or textured hair.
Rinse the shampoo out completely with warm water. (Forget that second wash, which can strip your hair of its natural oils.)
3. Apply conditioner to the bottom two-thirds of your hair; avoid the scalp since your roots create their own oil. To moisturize extra dry hair, you can apply more conditioner to the ends and leave it on longer.
4. Rinse out your conditioner under cool running water, which closes the cuticles and helps reduce frizz.
5. Finally, gently blot or pat your hair dry with a towel — never rub it, which leads to breakage.

The answer may seem obvious: Shampoo is made for cleansing and conditioner is for, well, conditioning. Shampoo’s primary purpose is to clean your hair and scalp, from the roots to the tips. But let's get to the real root of the matter.

A good shampoo is formulated to remove and wash away all kinds of buildup. And we’re not just talking about dirt. Sweat, dead skin cells, skin particles like dandruff, excess oil, product buildup — even contaminant particles from environmental pollutants such as smoke — can all accumulate over time and need cleansing from your hair.

The goal of a good hair conditioner is different. Conditioner smooths and conditions the hair follicles of each strand. Hair conditioners made of natural oils, proteins, and plant-based extracts actually strengthen the hair shaft by sealing in nutrients and moisture.

Finding the best natural shampoo and conditioner for you depends on factors such as your hair type. Scroll up to see which sets match your specific hair type so you can give products that are best for your hair a try.

How much shampoo and conditioner you use, and how often you wash and condition your hair, depends on a few factors, including your hair type. Rarely do people actually need to wash their hair each day, as it can strip the scalp of sebum, a natural oil it produces that is essential for the health of your hair and scalp.

If you have oily, thin, straight hair, you’ll want to wash it more often — as much as every couple of days — to keep it from appearing greasy. Try reversing the order of your hair washing routine: Condition fine hair first and shampoo it afterwards so it doesn’t get weighed down.

If you’ve got curly, coiled, or textured hair, then washing it less often — no more than once a week or every other week — will help to maintain your hair’s luster. Shampooing too often can lead to more frizz and make hair less manageable. If you use shampoo frequently, try conditioner-only product on alternate days.

At Grove, we take the guesswork out of which products are good for you and your home. Every product meets strict standards for being nontoxic, effective, sustainable, and cruelty-free. Once you find products you love, we ship to your home on a flexible, monthly schedule.

If you're ready to make the transition to natural cleaning, beauty, and household products, shop Grove Collaborative's natural products for the eco-friendly tools to tackle the job.