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How to choose a shampoo? A complete guide

Standing in front of the shampoo shelf, unsure which one to pick? You're not alone. Choosing a shampoo is one of the most common cosmetic dilemmas – because it's not just about hair type, but also scalp condition, chemical history, and even local water. This guide will help you figure it out once and for all. Step 1. Know your hair type Before checking the ingredients, you need to know what you're dealing with. Oily — the scalp produces a lot of sebum, hair looks heavy the day after washing. Dry and brittle — lack of moisture and lipids, hair is dull, rough to the touch, prone to breakage. Normal — balanced, doesn't require intensive correction, gentle care is sufficient. Combination — oily roots, dry ends. One of the most challenging types to care for. Step 2. Read the ingredients — a few you should know You don't need to be a chemist. Just a few key names: Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5) — moisturizes and regenerates hair structure. Good for all types, especially dry and damaged. Hydrolyzed Keratin — strengthens porous and color-treated hair. Fills gaps in the hair structure. Plant oils (argan, jojoba, coconut) — excellent for dry and thick hair. For fine hair, they can be too heavy — look for lighter versions. ⚠ SLS / SLES (sulfates) — effectively cleanse but can dry out the scalp. For sensitive skin, look for "sulfate-free" formulas. ⚠ Silicones (Dimethicone, Cyclomethicone) — smooth and add shine, but can build up residue. Some people love them — observe how your hair reacts.💡 Golden rule: Shampoo cleanses the scalp — conditioner cares for the lengths. If you have combination hair, look for a shampoo for oily roots and a conditioner for dry ends. Step 3. Special needs Color-treated hair — look for "color safe" formulas without SLS. Citric acid in the ingredients helps close the cuticle and set the color. Curly hair — needs more moisture. Avoid drying alcohols, look for humectants (glycerin, aloe vera). Sensitive scalp — no sulfates, parabens, or artificial dyes. For dandruff, a shampoo with zinc or piroctone olamine will be good. Hair loss — look for biotin, caffeine, and niacinamide, which stimulate microcirculation in the scalp. Step 4. Common hair washing mistakes Applying shampoo to dry hair instead of wetting it first Water that's too hot — opens the cuticle and washes out pigment from color-treated hair Rubbing with a towel instead of gently squeezing — leads to breakage and frizz Washing hair daily — for many types, 2-3 times a week is optimal Buying a shampoo "for everyone" and being surprised it doesn't work Ignoring water hardness — in hard water, it's worth using a chelating shampoo once a week