Drugstore Hair Care Dos and Don’ts, According to Hairstylists (2025)

The debate has been going on for years: Is drugstore hair care bad for your hair? The internet, stylists and everyday consumers all seem to have different opinions, making it hard to know what actually is the truth. Not to mention that everyone’s hair is different, and therefore, will respond differently to different products. While some people have been using the same tried-and-true drugstore shampoo for 20 years, others strictly stick to professional products only. Here, we talked to three hair experts to help get to the bottom of the debate, including the reasons behind the negative perception of drugstore hair care, ingredients to look out for and drugstore hair products to try.

The main differences between drugstore hair products and professional hair products

While the differences can vary from product to product, overall, one of the biggest differences between drugstore hair care and professional hair care is the quality and cost of ingredients. “Luxury brands tend to use more exclusive, high-end ingredients that are often more expensive and less accessible. This makes sense because if you’re using more specialized ingredients, the price naturally reflects that,” explains Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Laura Polko Los Angeles. “On the other hand, drugstore products typically focus on more accessible, tried-and-true ingredients that work for a broader range of people. But just because a product is higher-end doesn’t automatically make it better—it all depends on what your hair needs.”

Some of the ingredients drugstore hair brands use are considered “fillers”, such as unnecessary waxes, which are essentially ingredients that just add “fluff”—a.k.a., they don’t really provide any benefit to your hair. “Drugstore formulas are often mass-produced with more fillers, while salon-quality products are designed with high-quality ingredients that nourish and strengthen hair,” affirms Jennifer Korab, a celebrity hairstylist and colorist and the founder of Renaissance Salon and Spa. “Professional salon hair care formulas are designed to provide better, longer-lasting benefits.”

Two other main differences between drugstore and professional hair care are concentration levels and research, says Christine Bellemare, co-founder, owner and lead stylist at Maven A Collect. She says that higher-end products tend to be more concentrated, “requiring less product for better results,” she says. “Drugstore options often rely on cheaper ingredients like sulfates and silicones and are more diluted.” As far as research goes, Bellemare adds that higher-end brands tend to invest more in research “to create tailored solutions for specific hair needs.”

Is drugstore hair care bad?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to whether or not drugstore hair products are bad for your hair. Inherently, a hair care product being labeled as “drugstore” doesn’t immediately make it a bad product. The skepticism of drugstore hair care mainly comes from the fact that many (but not all) drugstore hair brands have been known to use ingredients that may not be the best for your hair. “Drugstore hair brands aren’t inherently bad but often use cheaper ingredients like sulfates or silicones, which may cause buildup or dryness,” says Korab.

Polko agrees, telling us, “The idea that all drugstore products are bad for your hair is a misconception. However, there are a few ingredients you should watch out for.”

Ingredients to avoid in drugstore hair products

So, which ingredients do some drugstore hair brands use that you should be wary of? For starters, try to avoid products with heavy alcohol content, advises Polko. “Products with a high alcohol content can dry out your hair, much like alcohol can dry out your skin or body,” she explains.

Sulfates and silicones can also create potential damage and harm to hair, especially if used over time. “When shopping for drugstore hair products, it’s a good idea to avoid ingredients like sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate), which can dry out hair by stripping away natural oils, and silicones (dimethicone), which can cause buildup and weigh hair down,” says Korab. “Alcohols (isopropyl alcohol) are drying, particularly for curly or textured hair, while parabens and phthalates are preservatives that may irritate the scalp and disrupt hormones. To keep your hair healthy, opt for products with more natural, nourishing ingredients like oils or proteins.”

Bellemare agrees with the above and also adds “wax-based conditioners” as well as “synthetic fragrances and dyes” to the list of ingredients to be cautious of. These ingredients can cause buildup on the hair and also be drying and damaging to strands.

Why there has been a resurgence in drugstore hair care

Lately, drugstore hair care has been having a huge boom in popularity, largely thanks to influencers promoting drugstore products on social media. However, just because your favorite influencer is promoting it, doesn’t mean it’s the best choice. “Recently, drugstore products have gained popularity due to influencer recommendations, but many of these influencers don’t have a background in hair and don’t understand what’s actually happening at a molecular level. What they’re promoting might feel good initially, but in reality, these products are not designed for long-term hair health,” explains Bellemare.

This is not to say that every drugstore hair product you see on social media is bad. There are great drugstore hair brands on the market that do care about your strands. The way to decipher which products are safe for your hair and which aren’t all comes from reading and understanding the labels. “It’s important to check for ingredients that may strip moisture or cause long-term damage,” affirms Polko. “That being said, many drugstore products are formulated to be gentle and nourishing, so it’s all about reading labels and understanding your hair’s specific needs.”

Drugstore hair products worth trying

While most of our experts recommend professional products over drugstore options, there are a few they mentioned that they do recommend. One that Korab likes is Pantene Pro-V Repair and Protect Shampoo, which is “known for its ability to repair and protect damaged hair while strengthening it and enhancing shine. It’s widely praised for striking a balance between moisture and repair, delivering results without being too harsh on the hair.” Another pick she likes is L’Oréal Elvive Hyaluron Plump Hydrating Conditioner. “Both products provide reliable and budget-friendly solutions for maintaining healthy hair,” says Bellemare.

Polko’s own hair care line is sold at Target, making it a “drugstore” hair care brand. It’s professional-grade and high quality, but won’t make you break the bank. “I like drugstore products that are straightforward and effective. There are some really great drugstore products out there that can deliver results, and honestly, there are even times when I prefer them over more expensive brands,” she says. “I created Laura Polko Los Angeles with that in mind. It falls right at the intersection of quality and affordability which is why I think it’s been so successful so far. People love that they can get professional-grade hair care and quality products at a price point and retailer that is available to the masses.”