10 Best Hairstylist-Approved Charcoal Shampoos Of 2024

Think again if you think charcoal is an active ingredient only used in skincare products. Today, the market is flooded with the best charcoal shampoos to help you get the hair of your dreams. Indeed a solution to dry, brittle, and lifeless strands, shampoos infused with charcoal cleanse hair and revive them with life. Not only do they effectively draw out impurities, but they also cleanse the scalp clean without leaving any residue and without stripping your scalp of its natural oils.

If you are looking for cleansers free of toxins, you can trust the following list of charcoal goodness to have lustrous, shiny, healthy hair. So please scroll down and take your pick!

What Does Charcoal Shampoo Do?

•  Deep Cleansing: An activated charcoal shampoo is a natural cleanser that pulls out dirt, impurities, toxins, and excess oil that clog your hair follicles. It treats scalp issues, absorbs excess sebum from your scalp, and leaves it squeaky clean.
•  Detoxifies: It extracts all the harmful pre-wash residue from your hair and keeps your scalp clean.
•  Soothes The Scalp: It is ideal for people with various scalp conditions like dryness, irritation, itchiness, flakiness, psoriasis, or eczema. The charcoal shampoo helps in soothing and calming the scalp while treating all these conditions.
•  Boosts Volume: A charcoal shampoo is a gentle yet effective cleanser that does not strip down your hair’s natural oils. Instead, it enhances hair texture and boosts volume and luster. You are sure to notice a healthier bounce in your tresses from the very first time you use a charcoal shampoo.
•  Promotes Hair Growth: Activated charcoal unclogs hair follicles and cleans your scalp to create a healthy environment for effective hair growth.
•  Improves Hair Texture: Activated charcoal shampoo draws out all the greasiness that weighs your hair down. It provides your hair with healthy conditioning to make it shiny, glossy, and stronger.

Now that you know the benefits of a charcoal shampoo, swipe up to read through the best options available on the market.

10 Best Charcoal Shampoos Of 2024 For Healthy Hair (Reviews)

1. Best Sulfate-Free Formula:OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Shampoo

4.4

Now 14% Off

BUY ON AMAZON | $17.18

The OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Shampoo has a purifying and highly nourishing formula. It is ideal for dry and damaged hair, as it helps in conditioning your strands to balance and infuse shine.

This clarifying blend contains activated coconut charcoal and kaolin clay that remove build-up to deeply cleanse your scalp and hair and eliminate styling product residues. It thoroughly cleans the dull, dehydrated, and lifeless hair strands to make them squeaky clean and shiny. shine-enhancing activated charcoal shampoo detoxifies your scalp without stripping off its natural moisture or drying it. This video showcasing a reviewer’s experience takes you through this product’s details.

Best Suited For: Dry hair

Quick Tip

If you use hairsprays or dry shampoos frequently, follow up with OGX Purifying + Charcoal Detox Conditioner for a thorough cleanse.

2. Best For Calming Effects:Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo

4.4

Image: Sheamoisture

BUY ON AMAZON | $8.39

The Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Deep Cleansing Shampoo has a gentle and calming formula. It is enriched with highly beneficial ingredients like African black soap, bamboo charcoal, tea tree oil, and willow bark extract.

These potent ingredients eliminate dirt, excess oil, pre-wash treatment residues, and flakey build-up from your scalp. They soothe and calm your itchy and inflamed scalp and help revitalize it gently. The gentle formula rigorously cleanses your scalp and creates a healthy environment for healthy and well-nourished hair growth. For a more detailed review of this product, check out the tester’s experience in this video.

Best Suited For: Curly hair

Pro Tip

Use a hair massager brush and gently massage your scalp in circular motions after using this shampoo for new hair growth.

3. Best For Overall Scalp Cleanse:Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal And Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo

4.4

Image: Briogeo

BUY ON AMAZON | $42.0

The Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo is a natural scalp revitalization treatment. It helps in keeping your hair soft, healthy, balanced, and thoroughly moisturized and is a great addition to your hair care routine. It caters to common concerns like dry, itchy, flaky, and irritated scalp and soothes scalp with its potent ingredients. The unique formula contains vegetable-derived micro-exfoliators that balance and cleanse the strands by removing build-up from the greasy scalp. It is clinically proven to reduce up to 82% of dry scalp flaking and increase scalp hydration by up to 2x.

The shampoo is enriched with binchotan charcoal, coconut oil, biotin, peppermint, spearmint, and tea tree oil complex. The binchotan charcoal detoxifies the scalp. It draws out impurities that clog the hair follicles and promotes overall scalp health. Biotin is a B-complex vitamin that helps strengthen the hair shaft and follicles to boost hair volume. Coconut oil has moisturizing abilities that prevent dryness and flakiness, and tea tree oil promotes overall hair health. The peppermint and spearmint oils have a natural calming ability and soothe itchy and irritated scalp. The oils also maintain a healthy scalp pH level. Several reviewers have noticed a visible improvement in their flaky scalp after using it consistently for a few months. Know more about a tester’s experience of using this volume-boosting product in this video.

Best Suited For: All hair types

Why We Think It's Worth Buying

A whopping 1,930 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.

4.Best Paraben-Free Formula:Not Your Mother’s Activated Bamboo Charcoal & Purple Moonstone Shampoo

4.1

Image: Not Your Mother's

BUY ON AMAZON | $16.99

The Not Your Mother’s Activated Bamboo Charcoal & Purple Moonstone Shampoo is made of 98% naturally derived ingredients. The shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and removes product build-ups and impurities. The formula also moisturizes the follicles and restores the pH balance of your scalp. The gentle blend of bamboo charcoal and purple moonstone refreshes your scalp and promotes healthy blood circulation. This chemical-free shampoo is also suitable for colored hair. Reviewers love its subtle scent and recommend it to add a boost of moisture to your hair.

Best Suited For:  All hair types

5. Best For Color-Treated Hair:Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo

4.3

Image: Love Beauty And Planet

BUY ON AMAZON | $14.99

The Love Beauty And Planet Delightful Detox Sulfate-Free Shampoo is enriched with natural ingredients. This detoxifying charcoal shampoo cleanses your hair and removes excess dirt and oil that may otherwise weigh it down. It refreshes and deeply cleanses your hair and scalp for a clarifying and detoxifying effect.

This Love Beauty And Planet Charcoal Shampoo contains coconut oil, bamboo charcoal, and bergamot that seal moisture and strengthen your hair. This refreshing shampoo is an excellent choice for color-treated and chemically-treated hair. The product has not undergone animal testing and is free from toxins and harmful chemicals.

Best Suited For: All hair types, dry scalp, chemically-treated hair, and color-treated hair

6. Best For Antioxidant Properties:Honeydew Planative Charcoal Shampoo

4.1

BUY ON AMAZON | $16.95

The Honeydew Planative Charcoal Shampoo is a plant-based formula replete with the goodness of pure essential oils. The activated charcoal shampoo enhances your hair quality and texture while nourishing your scalp thoroughly. The formula is enriched with activated charcoal, avocado, almond, camellia extract, and sage extract. This charcoal shampoo also has nourishing natural oils like keratin jojoba oil and coconut oil. These antioxidant-rich oils tackle various scalp concerns like itchiness and flaking and help maintain healthy scalp and hair growth.

The activated charcoal deeply cleanses your scalp buildup by pulling out the dirt and oil that clog your hair follicles and weigh your hair down. Avocado has nourishing properties that strengthen dry hair and prevent hair breakage. Almonds are a rich source of vitamins A and E, antioxidants, and fatty acids that help in repairing damaged hair. Jojoba oil is also rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamin E that hydrate your hair and balance the scalp. Camellia and sage extract strengthen hair, improve its elasticity to reduce damage, breakage, and split ends. They also energize the hair follicles and promote thicker hair growth. This activated charcoal shampoo is sure to leave your hair looking healthy, refreshed, shiny, and voluminous.

Best Suited For: All hair types

7. Best For Odor Elimination:IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo

4.4

Image: Igk

BUY ON AMAZON | $16

The IGK First Class Charcoal Detox Dry Shampoo is a highly powerful spray that can be used between washes to prolong shampooing. This dry shampoo deeply cleanses your scalp by absorbing oil and eliminating odor.

It contains detoxifying charcoal powder that lifts dirt and build-up, and white tea powder that soothes the scalp and supports the hair follicles. It boosts volume and bounciness of oily, limp, or dull hair. This oil-controlling charcoal dry shampoo reduces oil production, protects your hair color from UV rays, and can be used to prep the strands before styling them.

Best Suited For:  All hair types, fine hair, and oily scalp

8. Best Clarifying Formula:Hask Charcoal With Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo

4.5

BUY ON AMAZON | $5.99

The Hask Charcoal With Citrus Oil Purifying Shampoo is a clarifying formula that gives your hair and scalp a rejuvenated feel. This activated charcoal shampoo contains charcoal derived from coconut shells that are further combined with citrus oils extracted from lemon and grapefruit.

This potent formula thoroughly clarifies the scalp by eliminating impurities and build-up and promotes hair rejuvenation. The formula contains coconut shell extracts and does not stain your hair.

Best Suited For: All hair types, including color-treated hair

9. Best For Keratin-Treated Hair:Theorie Sage Charcoal & Bamboo Detoxifying Shampoo

4.4

Image: Theorie

BUY ON AMAZON | $20

The Theorie Sage Charcoal & Bamboo Detoxifying Shampoo is an aromatic and highly concentrated blend of natural and lab-formulated ingredients. This charcoal shampoo consists of naturally healing botanical and nourishing ingredients like moringa oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and sage essential oil. It also contains Japanese binchotan white charcoal, bamboo extract, keratin proteins, and Theorie’s amino complex.

The moringa oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, sesame oil, and sage essential oil contain antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acids that help in restoring softness and strength in color-treated or keratin-treated hair. They nourish and protect your hair from harmful UV rays that cause oxidative stress (free radicals). The Japanese binchotan white charcoal’s detoxifying power eradicates excess oil to retain your hair’s natural vitality.

The bamboo extract is a rich source of amino acids and flavonoids that nourish your hair. The keratin proteins leave your hair feeling hydrated, smooth, detoxed, shiny, and thoroughly enhanced. Theorie’s amino complex rebuilds and strengthens your strands by supplying nutrients and oxygen to the hair follicles. This charcoal shampoo restores shine and makes your hair softer and completely refreshed and comes in lovely packaging.

Best Suited For: Dry, normal, oily, textured hair, chemical-treated hair, and keratin-treated hair

10.Best Honey-Free Formula:Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo

4.5

Image: Drybar

BUY ON AMAZON | $26

The Drybar On The Rocks Clarifying Charcoal Shampoo pulls out the impurities from the pores in the scalp and removes product buildup. The vegetable protein in the shampoo treats damaged hair and strengthens the follicles. This strengthening shampoo tames the oil glands and controls excess sebum production in your scalp without stripping off your natural moisture. This shampoo is free of harsh chemicals like paraben, sulfate, and phthalates and has not undergone testing on animals.

Best Suited For:  All hair types

Here are a few factors to consider if you are planning to add a charcoal shampoo to your hair and scalp care routine:

How To Choose The Best Charcoal Shampoo

•  Your Hair Type

Selecting the shampoo based on your hair type is just like choosing the right shoe size. Charcoal shampoos are deemed for purifying your hair and scalp. But they may also dry out specific hair types. It is important to check the hair type of the charcoal shampoo you pick suits and caters to.

Some charcoal shampoos are specific to dry or dull hair, while others suit all hair types. Explore the options available and ensure that you pick the right one. There are only a few charcoal shampoos ideal for chemically-treated hair, keratin-treated hair, or color-treated hair. So, ensure you read the label and pick the one that suits your hair the best. The wrong shampoo could fade your hair color or leave your hair feeling brittle.

•  Supporting Ingredients

There is no denying that activated charcoal shampoos ensure your hair and scalp get the cleanest possible wash. But charcoal can dry out most hair types as it tends to strip down the natural moisture while thoroughly cleansing hair and scalp. Hence, make sure the formula contains some other supporting ingredients that help nourish and maintain your hair’s moisture levels.

Various botanical ingredients often found in activated charcoal shampoos have highly moisturizing abilities. Check for nourishing ingredients like shea butter, natural essential oils, kaolin clay, coconut oil, tea tree oil, aloe vera, jojoba oil, argan oil, grape seed oil, avocado oil, or almond oil. These ingredients provide extra moisture, balance the scalp’s health, rejuvenate and revitalize the scalp, and add shine to your tresses.

•  Hair And Scalp Concerns

Most often we change shampoos because there is a certain concern that needs to be targeted and treated. Activated charcoal shampoos have proven efficacy in deep cleansing, detoxifying, purifying, and nourishing your scalp and hair. Know the concern that you need to target/treat; like dandruff, build-up, dry scalp, itchiness, oily scalp, or any other.

Good hair care is essential as it ensures proper health for both your stands and your scalp. For instance, if your hair is dry, but your scalp is oily, then choose a shampoo designed for oily hair and pair it with a nourishing conditioner. But if you have a dry scalp, look for a formula that contains natural oils. It will lock in moisture and keep your scalp dandruff and flake-free. Such formulas also add bounce and volume to your hair.

•  Toxin-Free Formula

Remember that highly acidic and highly alkaline shampoos often end up destroying your hair texture and quality. Organic shampoos have low pH levels and therefore, are ideal choices.

Apart from these, ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, parabens, phthalates, ammonium lauryl sulfate, silicone, along with other artificial adulterants cause severe effects on your hair. They can either irritate your scalp, make your hair brittle, dry, or cause hair fall. Therefore, select an activated charcoal shampoo that is toxin-free and safe to use.

Infographic: 6 Tips To Use Charcoal Shampoos For Good Hair Health

Charcoal shampoos are potent scalp-detoxifying products that also promote overall hair health. They effectively remove product buildup, dirt, excess oil, and dead skin cells, leaving you with a clean scalp and improved hair health. However, you need to keep a few things in mind to reap maximum benefits while using charcoal shampoos. Check out the infographic below to learn more.

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

Can we use charcoal shampoo for dandruff?

Yes, charcoal shampoo has detoxifying properties that help in cleansing the scalp. It purifies the scalp by fighting impurities and fungal infections like dandruff.

Is charcoal shampoo good for oily hair?

Indeed it is. Charcoal shampoo purifies your scalp to remove excess oil, dirt, flakes, and impurities. It helps unclog your hair follicles and pores to balance oily scalp and greasy hair.

Does charcoal shampoo help treat scalp psoriasis?

Charcoal has excellent exfoliation and detoxifying properties. This makes the charcoal shampoo remove dead skin cells, dandruff, flakes, and impurities from the scalp. It is extremely beneficial for psoriasis and eczema.

How often should we use charcoal shampoo?

Charcoal is often considered to be a drying agent that dehydrates and messes with your hair color. So, for best results, wash your hair with charcoal shampoo once a week or two weeks depending on your hair type. It is best to avoid daily use if your hair is dry, dull, or damaged.

Is charcoal shampoo safe for colored hair?

Yes, charcoal shampoos are safe for colored hair when used once a week.

Why Trust StyleCraze?

Shiboli Chakraborti, the author of this article, is a hair care enthusiast. Her in-depth research and knowledge provide readers with an unbiased opinion about the best charcoal shampoos for healthy hair. She has also reviewed several user feedback to prepare this list. These charcoal shampoos help achieve lustrous, healthy, and shiny hair.

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Reviewer Author Editor Fact Checker

Jill TurnbullHairstylist

   

Jill Turnbull is an internationally acclaimed freelance hairstylist, colorist, and makeup artist with over 47 years of experience. She founded her own beauty brand and her work has been featured in editorial magazines worldwide.

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Shiboli ChakrabortiCommerce Editor

 

Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.

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Aditi NaskarAssociate Commerce Editor

Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.

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Ramona SinhaEditor

Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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