Shampoos & Care

Liquid shampoo such as the Sandorini Shampoo or the Tea Tree Oil Shampoo from cmd Naturkosmetik is the classic, uncomplicated choice and available in almost any texture and active-ingredient combination you could want. Solid shampoos, also called shampoo bars, such as the Lemon Vanilla Shampoo Bar or the Schaumie Hydroboost from Puremetics, are highly concentrated, which makes them especially long-lasting, and they save on packaging waste by skipping the plastic bottle. Shampoo powder such as the Organic Shampoo Powder Volume from CULTIVATOR'S only turns into foam once water is added during application, making it particularly space-saving and easy to travel with, though it takes a bit of practice to use. For uncomplicated everyday use, liquid shampoo is usually the simplest choice, while solid or powder versions are worth it for travel or for sustainability reasons. All three formats combine well within the same hair care routine - for example, a solid shampoo at home and a liquid one on the go.

For fine hair that goes flat quickly, a volumising shampoo such as the Organic Shampoo Powder Volume works well, building up the hair structure without weighing it down. Oily scalps benefit from a clarifying, deep-cleansing shampoo such as the Tea Tree Oil Shampoo, which reliably removes excess sebum. Dry or stressed hair, on the other hand, needs moisturising formulas such as the Schaumie Hydroboost, which provide intensive care without weighing down the lengths. For coloured hair, it's worth trying a repair shampoo such as the More Energy Repair Shampoo, which specifically addresses the needs of chemically treated hair and helps preserve colour as long as possible. For mixed hair types, such as an oily scalp with dry lengths, it often helps to focus the shampoo mainly on the scalp and care for the lengths with conditioner instead of extra shampoo.

Yes, in a wide selection: cmd Naturkosmetik carries several natural shampoo variants such as Sandorini, Sunny Sports, or the tea tree oil shampoo, all with clear, transparent ingredient lists. CULTIVATOR'S offers a particularly innovative, plastic-free natural cosmetics option with its organic shampoo powders. Puremetics rounds out the natural segment with solid formats such as shampoo bars, solid conditioner, and solid hair treatment. avril, Uoga Uoga, and Mossa Naturkosmetik add further options to the range. These products are usually clearly labelled 'organic' or 'natural' and often skip silicones, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

Sulfates are strong surfactants that create a particularly rich lather, but they can further dry out the skin barrier on sensitive scalps or dry hair. Sulfate-free shampoos usually lather a little less but cleanse more gently, and they're especially suitable for coloured hair, since sulfates can wash out colour faster. Silicones form a smoothing film around the hair, giving it a noticeably smoother, shinier look, but they can feel heavy and weighing on fine hair and build up over time with frequent use. Silicone-free shampoos, like many of the natural cosmetics options from cmd Naturkosmetik or Puremetics, are therefore especially well suited to fine hair or to anyone who occasionally wants a 'detox' wash without silicone build-up. Whether sulfate- and silicone-free is the better choice for you depends strongly on your individual hair type - there's no single right answer for everyone.

When switching from liquid shampoo to a solid one like a shampoo bar, you either rub the bar directly onto wet hair or work up a lather in your hands first before massaging it in, then rinse as usual. Many people report a short transition period of one to two weeks in which the hair first needs to get used to the new format - that's normal and usually settles on its own. With shampoo powder, you dissolve a small amount in wet hair with a little water until it foams up, which can feel a bit unfamiliar at first compared with the instant lather of a liquid shampoo. Give your hair enough time to adjust with every format change before deciding the new product isn't right for you. If you're unsure, you can also combine formats - alternating between liquid and solid instead of switching completely.

Professional salon brands such as Olaplex, Rene Furterer, Sebastian Pro, and Marlies Möller are usually developed in collaboration with hairdressers and often contain more highly concentrated, targeted active ingredients for specific hair problems such as severe damage, frizz, or colour preservation. Drugstore shampoos such as those from L'Oréal or Revlon, by contrast, are designed more broadly for the mass market, usually formulated a bit more mildly, and more accessible in price. For severely damaged, chemically treated, or very specifically demanding hair, it's often worth reaching for a professional brand, since the concentration of active ingredients is more precisely targeted at the problem. For uncomplicated everyday care without a specific hair issue, a good drugstore shampoo is usually completely sufficient. The price difference mostly reflects the higher concentration of active ingredients and the more elaborate formula development behind professional brands.

For a sensitive scalp, it's worth looking at especially mild formulas such as the Schaumie Sensibelchen from Puremetics, which deliberately does without fragrances and irritants. For dandruff, a shampoo with tea tree oil can help, since tea tree oil has antibacterial and sebum-regulating properties without further drying out the scalp. If you have dandruff, leave the shampoo on the scalp a little longer and massage it in gently instead of rinsing it out immediately, so the active ingredients have more time to work. Don't keep switching between different products - instead, give a mild, targeted shampoo at least two to three weeks before deciding it doesn't work. For persistent symptoms such as strong itching, redness, or widespread dandruff, you should also consult a dermatologist, since these can sometimes point to a scalp condition that needs treatment.

Natural cosmetics brands such as cmd Naturkosmetik, avril, and CULTIVATOR'S focus on plant-based formulas, ingredient transparency, and often plastic-saving formats such as powder or solid bars. Puremetics rounds out the range with handmade, solid care products made in small batches. Professional salon brands such as Olaplex, Rene Furterer, and Sebastian Pro stand out with intensively tested, highly concentrated formulas for specific hair problems, while Aveda combines plant-based active ingredients with salon quality. Classic drugstore brands such as L'Oréal and Revlon round out the range with a broad, affordably priced selection. Which direction suits you best depends on whether natural cosmetics, targeted professional active ingredients, or an affordable everyday shampoo matters most to you.