Dating to 1762, shampoo originated in India and has since spread all over the world. It’s an absolute essential in the bathroom. However, with so many different types of shampoo out there, it is easy to get confused. How many of us know whether we are using the right shampoo? Are we making things worse? Not to fear! This handy guide will help you determine the right shampoo for your scalp and hair type.

What exactly does shampoo do?

Sebum is a natural oil that is secreted by the skin. Though it is beneficial, over the course of the day, accumulation of sebum can leave your hair looking dull and greasy. Oil also attracts dust, pollen, and dirt, leaving your hair dirty. Water alone won’t wash off the oil. A shampoo works to dissolve the oil, using surfactants to help the oil bind to the water, making it easy to rinse out. The more dirt there, the less lather there will be — if you’re not getting much lather with your shampoo, it’s because your hair is especially dirty!

What’s in a shampoo?

Shampoo is generally made by combining a surfactant with a co-surfactant in water. What it does is essentially act as a heavy-duty soap that makes it easier to trap oil and grease. Additional ingredients depend on exactly what type of shampoo it is and who it is for.

Types of shampoos for different scalp types

Oily scalps

If you’ve got an extra oily scalp, avoid using moisturising, hydrating, and smoothing shampoos. The extra moisture will not benefit you in any way and only serve to make your scalp even oilier. Look for labels that mention volumizing, strengthening, or balancing. These products are more effective at removing excess oil. A clarifying shampoo can be a big help for super-oily scalp conditions, but be careful to not overuse the product and dry out your scalp. Dry skin can actually stimulate more oil and sebum production.

The Kerasilk Detoxifying Shampoo and Serum rebalances oily scalp, effectively removes dandruff and strengthens the natural protective layer of your skin.

Dry scalps

If you’ve got a dry scalp, avoid using volumising, strengthening, or balancing shampoos. These will strip your scalp of some much needed moisture and make it flaky. Look for the words moisturising, hydrating, and smoothing on product labels — these can be great at helping give your hair a much needed moisture boost. Skip the sulfates, which are extremely drying to both your hair and scalp.

For dry and damaged hair, meet the Dualsenses Rich Repair, a series that intensively restores severely damaged hair from the inside the hair and reawakens the natural shine with intralipid complex.

Normal scalps

If your scalp is neither oily nor flaky, you’re in luck. Choose a shampoo based on your hair type, and you’re good to go.

• Hydrating/Moisturising: Great for adding moisture, shine, and smoothness to hair. Good for thick, curly, or coarse hair that lacks moisture. Dualsenses Just Smooth is as its name suggests, instantly creates manageability and frizz control that detangles and nourishes locks with kukui nut oil. Goodbye strand knots, and hello to smooth, touchable soft hair.
• Volumising: Great for fine or limp hair, adding volume
• Strengthening/Fortifying: Good for damaged, over-processed, highlighted, weakened, or brittle hair. Usually contains extra protein to improve hair’s condition. The Dualsenses Rich Repair series focuses on intensively restoring severely damaged hair from the inside, and well as bring back their hair’s natural shine with intralipid complex. Dualsenses’ unique FadeStop Formula minimises colour fading, so they healthy hair and coloured hair can exist at the same time.
• Balancing: Typically a nice middle-of-the-road option. Not too moisturising, but won’t dry your hair out.
• Smoothing: Rich with extra moisturisers and smoothing agents that help seal the cuticle and provide a great start for straight and smooth styles.
• Curly: Very moisturising and contains ingredients that reduce frizz without weighing down the curls. The Kerasilk Control Shampoo and Conditioner pair is perfect, cleansing gently while taming unruly and frizzy hair.

How to shampoo properly

Believe it or not, there’s actually a proper way to shampoo your hair. While most people don’t recommend washing your hair everyday, Singapore’s hot and humid climate give us little choice. Just like over-conditioning, be wary of overdoing it. Try to wash your hair only once a day — too little sebum can lead to a dry scalp, and that’s another problem on its own! You also don’t need to focus on washing the ends of your hair, instead, focus on cleansing your scalp.

Where to book hair salon services?

Chez Vous Hair Salon

Digital Perm: Get natural-looking curls or waves with our digital perm services, which use advanced technology to create long-lasting, bouncy curls.

Keratin Hair Treatment: Get smooth, frizz-free hair with our keratin hair treatment, which nourishes and strengthens your hair while reducing frizz and damage.

Advanced Sugar Hair Treatment: Our advanced sugar hair treatment is a natural, gentle way to get shiny, healthy hair. This treatment is suitable for all hair types, including sensitive scalps.

Creative Hairworkz

Creative Hairworkz is a professional hair salon located in Alexandra Road. Our team of experienced stylists is dedicated to providing our clients with exceptional service and quality haircare. We specialize in a wide range of hair services, including hairdressing, permanent waves with a haircut, tinting & coloring (excluding haircut), straightening services, and treatments/steaming (excluding haircut).

De Hair Tique Salon

De Hair Tique Salon is a premier hair salon located in the heart of Serangoon Central. Our team of skilled hairstylists is committed to providing you with the highest level of hair care and styling services to ensure you look and feel your best. Our salon is equipped with the latest hair care technology and the best products to give your hair the pampering it deserves. We offer a wide range of services, including hairdressing, coloring, highlighting, straightening, perming, hair treatment, and scalp therapy. Visit us today and let us help you achieve your hair goals!

Essensuals by TONI&GUY – Marina Bay

Essensuals by TONI&GUY – Marina Bay is a top-notch hair salon located at Marina Boulevard. Our team of experienced hairdressers and stylists are committed to providing personalized and exceptional hair services to our clients. Our range of services includes haircuts, hair colouring, and hair pampering to ensure that our clients get the look they desire while maintaining healthy and beautiful hair. With our years of experience and expertise, we strive to provide the best hair experience for our clients. Visit us today and let us make you look and feel your best!

Blow + Bar – Boat Quay

Blow + Bar is the first hair salon in Singapore to be set in a hip and contemporary bar setting. Wind down at Blow + Bar’s One Raffles Place as a team of bubbly stylists attend to your hair, nail and makeup needs. If you are in a hurry to a big event, Blow + Bar offers exclusive quickie services that will have you all done up within 30 minutes! 

Selecting the right shampoo for your hair type is essential for maintaining healthy, beautiful locks. Make the smart choice for your hair, and while you’re at it, don’t forget to book your next hair services appointment on Vaniday. Your hair deserves the best, and so do you!