Best Softening Shampoo of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2026

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Softening Shampoo is a must-have for anyone looking to achieve silky, smooth hair. This specially formulated shampoo is designed to gently cleanse and nourish hair, leaving it feeling soft and manageable. Its unique blend of natural ingredients, including aloe vera and jojoba oil, work together to hydrate and soften hair, while also promoting healthy growth. Whether you have dry, damaged hair or just want to maintain a healthy shine, Softening Shampoo is the perfect addition to your hair care routine. It's gentle enough for daily use and suitable for all hair types.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

AVEDA Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo Cover #TOP 1
AVEDA Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Redken All Soft Shampoo Cover #TOP 2
Redken All Soft Shampoo
ftb score rating icon 9.7
BIOLAGE Hydra Source Shampoo Cover #TOP 3
BIOLAGE Hydra Source Shampoo
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Softening Shampoo

AVEDA Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo

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AVEDA Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo Cover
Aveda Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo | Gentle Daily Shampoo | for Normal to Dry Hair | 97% Naturally Derived* | Silicone Free | Iconic Cherry Almond Aroma of Tonka, Orange, Ylang Ylang, 8.5 Fl Oz

AVEDA Cherry Almond Softening Shampoo is a 99% naturally derived, color-safe shampoo that deeply conditions and restores softness and shine to normal to dry hair. With cherry blossom extract, almond oil, and certified organic shea butter, this shampoo provides superior slip and effortless detangling, leaving hair touchably soft and full of weightless bounce. It is gluten-free, vegan, and silicone-free, making it perfect for all hair types.

What We Like
99% naturally derived
Color-safe for all lengths of normal to dry hair
Gluten-free, vegan, and silicone-free

Redken All Soft Shampoo

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Redken All Soft Shampoo Cover
Redken All Soft Shampoo - Moisturizes & Hydrates Dry, Brittle Hair, Gently Cleanses and Softens, With Argan Oil, Safe For Color-Treated Hair, 10.1 Fl Oz

Redken All Soft Shampoo is a professional salon shampoo formulated with Argan Oil, a plant oil that softens and moisturizes and conditions hair from root to tip. It provides hydration, moisture, and softness for all dry hair types looking to condition. It also protects color-treated hair, leaving it looking vibrant, soft, and hydrated. Customers report that it leaves their hair feeling silky soft with increased manageability, suppleness, and shine. It also helps alleviate dry scalp issues.

What We Like
Moisturizes and conditions hair
Protects color-treated hair
Leaves hair silky soft and manageable
Helps alleviate dry scalp issues
Pleasant scent

BIOLAGE Hydra Source Shampoo

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BIOLAGE Hydra Source Shampoo Cover
Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo - Softens, Moisturizes & Adds Shine, For Dry Hair, Infused with Micro-Filtered Aloe Vera & Fermented Hyaluronic Acid, Vegan & Paraben-Free, Packaging May Vary

BIOLAGE Hydra Source Shampoo is a hydrating shampoo infused with Aloe that gently cleanses and quenches dry hair while attracting moisture. It helps optimize moisture balance for a weightless finish and provides up to 15X more moisturized hair after just one application. Suitable for all hair textures and types, this professional shampoo leaves hair soft and shiny. Paraben-free, Silicone-free, Mineral-oil free and colorant free.

What We Like
Soft, manageable hair
Moisturizing without greasiness
Light, pleasant fragrance
Long-lasting large bottle
Works for color-treated hair

Redken All Soft Shampoo with Argan Oil

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Redken All Soft Shampoo with Argan Oil Cover
Redken All Soft Shampoo - Moisturizes & Hydrates Dry, Brittle Hair, Gently Cleanses and Softens, With Argan Oil, Safe For Color-Treated Hair, 33.8 Fl Oz

Redken All Soft Shampoo is a professional salon shampoo that provides intense softness and shine for dry, brittle hair. It is formulated with Argan Oil, which conditions hair from root to tip leaving it silky soft, manageable, and supple. The shampoo is suitable for fine to medium hair types and adds moisture and nourishment to damaged and dry hair. It is perfect for color-treated hair as it protects the hair color and restores the moisture balance of the hair.

What We Like
Deep hydration
Softens dry hair
Reduces frizz
Light, pleasant scent
Improves manageability

Aunt Jackie's Oh So Clean Shampoo for Natural Curls and Waves, 12 oz

Aunt Jackie's Oh So Clean Shampoo for Natural Curls and Waves, 12 oz Cover
Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils Oh So Clean Deep Moisturizing and Softening Hair Shampoo for Natural Curls, Coils and Waves, Enriched shea Butter, 12 oz

Aunt Jackie's Oh So Clean Deep Moisturizing and Softening Hair Shampoo is a 12 oz shampoo that cleanses and softens the most difficult to manage hair with a blend of healthier ingredients and natural conditioners. It is enriched with coconut oil, shea butter, and extra virgin olive oil that thoroughly and gently cleanse natural hair curls, coils, and waves while keeping them moisturized. This shampoo is proudly made in the USA.

What We Like
Enriched with coconut oil, shea butter, and extra virgin olive oil
Thoroughly and gently cleanse and soften the most difficult to manage hair
Made with healthier ingredients and natural conditioners
#TOP 6

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Sulfate Free Shampoo

Pantene Pro-V Miracles Sulfate Free Shampoo Cover
Pantene Pro-V Miracles Sulfate Free Shampoo, Extreme Damage Care Regenerative Oil Blend, Soften and Strengthen Stressed, Dry, Damaged Hair, Argan & Jojoba Oils, Paraben-Free, 13.5 Fl Oz

The Pantene Sulfate Free Shampoo is designed to care for extremely damaged hair by deeply moisturizing and smoothing it, helping you manage frizz and add a natural shine. It works on a molecular level to repair and strengthen your hair from within, reversing damage and making your hair more resilient. Enriched with Pro-Vitamin B5, argan oil, and jojoba oil, this shampoo nourishes your hair with antioxidants, promoting healthier strands. Plus, its sulfate-free formula gently cleanses without harsh chemicals, making it safe for color-treated hair and suitable for daily use.

What We Like
Deep moisture and frizz control
Molecular hair bond repair
Pro-Vitamin B5 and antioxidants
Sulfate-free, gentle cleansing
Color-safe formula
#TOP 7

GRYFOX Softening Moisturizing Shampoo

GRYFOX
GRYFOX Softening Moisturizing Shampoo Cover
GRYFOX Softening Shampoo for Women Men, Moisturizing & Gentle on Scalp

GRYFOX Moisturizing Shampoo is designed to gently cleanse your hair while adding a beautiful shine and softness you can feel. It includes ginseng extract, which helps strengthen your hair, making it look fuller and healthier. Aloe vera is also added to soothe your scalp and keep your hair hydrated, so it feels balanced and well cared for. With this shampoo, your hair will be clean, easy to manage, and lightweight, giving you a glossy finish that’s simple to detangle every day.

What We Like
Gentle cleansing
Hair strengthening
Scalp hydration
Easy detangling
Glossy finish
#TOP 8

OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo

OGX
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White
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo Cover
OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo, Hydrating & Restoring Shampoo Moisturizes for Soft Hair After the First Use, Paraben-Free, Sulfate-Free Surfactants, 13 fl. oz

The OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo is a creamy, nourishing shampoo that contains coconut oil, coconut milk, and whipped egg white protein to strengthen and hydrate hair. Suitable for all hair types, this shampoo leaves hair shiny, healthy, and beautiful while also providing up to 24-hour frizz control and humidity protection. The sulfate-free surfactant hair care system is paraben-free and gentle on your tresses, while the delicious scent of creamy coconut, white peach, and shea butter leaves locks smelling irresistible.

What We Like
Strengthens and hydrates hair
Provides up to 24-hour frizz control and humidity protection
Suitable for all hair types

BIOLAGE Hydrasource Shampoo: Quench Dry Hair

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BIOLAGE Hydrasource Shampoo: Quench Dry Hair Cover
Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo - Softens, Moisturizes & Adds Shine, For Dry Hair, Infused with Micro-Filtered Aloe Vera & Fermented Hyaluronic Acid, Vegan & Paraben-Free, 13.5 Fl Oz

BIOLAGE Hydrasource Shampoo is a hydrating shampoo that gently cleanses and quenches dry hair while attracting moisture. It provides 6x more moisturized hair with one use and helps optimize moisture balance for a weightless finish. This salon professional hair treatment gives you up to 15X more moisturized hair after just one application. Suitable for all hair textures and types, this professional shampoo leaves hair soft and shiny. Formulated with Aloe, it is paraben-free, silicone-free, mineral-oil free and colorant free. Pair with Hydra source Conditioner or Detangling Solution for best results.

What We Like
Soft and manageable hair
Moisturizing without greasiness
Light pleasant fragrance
Long-lasting large bottle
Suitable for color-treated hair

SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo

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gold
SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo Cover
Shea Moisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil for Dry, Damaged Hair Sulfate-Free 13 oz

SheaMoisture Intensive Hydration Shampoo is a sulfate-free shampoo formulated with Manuka Honey, Mafura Oil, and Fair Trade Shea Butter to cleanse and hydrate dry, damaged hair. Customers have reported that it leaves their hair feeling soft and manageable, with minimal static and improved condition. However, some have noted that it can leave a residue feeling and can be difficult to rinse out.

What We Like
Hydrating for dry hair
Soft and shiny results
Great scent
Effective for various hair types
Good value for money
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our softening shampoo research, we found 48 softening shampoo products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 491,215 customer reviews through our big data system to write the softening shampoo list. We found that most customers choose softening shampoo with an average price of $12.93.

The softening shampoo are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of softening shampoo, including Aveda, Redken, Biolage, Aunt Jackie's, Pantene. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.