Top 15 Shampoo Brands in India (2026)

India washes its hair with a remarkable mix of brands: century-old global names, salon-born professional labels, and home-grown Ayurvedic and digital-first brands. The choice runs from the anti-dandruff leader to the herbal shampoo your grandmother would recognise, and from a Paris salon formula to a Bengaluru start-up's apple cider vinegar bottle. This guide profiles fifteen shampoo brands sold in India — who owns them, where they come from, what each one is known for, and who it suits best.

This is an editorial selection, not an official ranking. The order below is not a league table, and we have not used sales figures or market shares to arrange it. Availability varies by city: some brands sell in every Indian kirana store, while others sell mainly online or through salons. Use the profiles to match a shampoo to your hair — dandruff, damage, hair fall, frizz or everyday washing — and check what your local stores stock.

Anti-Dandruff, Damage Repair or Herbal: What the Categories Mean

Anti-dandruff shampoos are built around an active ingredient that controls the flaking and itching of the scalp. Head & Shoulders leads here — its zinc pyrithione formula has been the category's benchmark since 1961 — and TRESemmé, Dove and Himalaya all make dandruff-care variants. If flakes are your main problem, start with this group and use the shampoo regularly rather than occasionally.

Damage-repair shampoos are made for hair that has been coloured, heat-styled or weakened by hard water and pollution. Pantene, Dove, L'Oréal Paris, TRESemmé, Garnier and Matrix live here, with keratin, argan oil and pro-vitamin formulas that aim to smooth, strengthen and add shine. The difference between them is mostly about the formula and the finish — some leave hair sleek, others leave it light and bouncy.

Herbal and Ayurvedic shampoos are India's own category: bhringraj, amla, reetha, onion and apple cider vinegar, sold by Himalaya, Biotique, Indulekha, Khadi Natural, Mamaearth and WOW Skin Science. They suit buyers who want plant-based ingredients and gentle, everyday formulas. The right herbal brand depends on your concern — hair fall, dandruff, dryness or dullness — and on whether you prefer a traditional Ayurvedic blend or a modern, fragrance-led formula.

Quick Answer: The 15 Brands at a Glance

• Head & Shoulders — the anti-dandruff leader, launched in 1961 by Procter & Gamble; zinc pyrithione and the Cool Menthol range.
• Pantene — the Swiss-born Pro-V brand, created in 1945, owned by Procter & Gamble since 1985; Total Damage Care and Hair Fall Control.
• Dove — the Unilever care brand, launched in 1957; Intense Repair and Hair Fall Rescue shampoos.
• L'Oréal Paris — the Paris beauty house, founded in 1909; Elvive Total Repair 5 and the first soap-free shampoo.
• TRESemmé — the salon-born American brand, first made in 1947, now with Unilever; Keratin Smooth for frizz control.
• Herbal Essences — the botanical brand, launched by Clairol in 1971, now with Procter & Gamble; bio:renew and Argan Oil ranges.
• Himalaya — the Indian herbal wellness company, founded in 1930 in Bengaluru; Anti-Hair Fall shampoo with bhringaraja.
• Biotique — the Ayurvedic beauty brand, founded in 1992 by Vinita Jain; Bio Bhringraj and Bio Kelp shampoos.
• Mamaearth — the toxin-free Indian brand, founded in 2016 by Ghazal and Varun Alagh; Onion shampoo for hair fall.
• WOW Skin Science — the Bengaluru D2C brand, founded in 2014; Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo.
• Indulekha — the Kerala Ayurvedic brand, launched in 2009, now with Hindustan Unilever; Bringha shampoo for hair fall.
• Garnier — the French natural-beauty brand, founded in 1904, part of L'Oréal since 1965; Fructis and Whole Blends.
• Khadi Natural — the Delhi herbal brand with roots in 1963; handmade, paraben-free herbal shampoos.
• Matrix — the American salon brand, founded in 1980 by Arnie and Sydell Miller, part of L'Oréal since 2000; Biolage and Total Results.
• BBlunt — the Mumbai salon brand, founded in the late 1990s by Adhuna and Ashoke Bhabani, now with Honasa Consumer; Intense Moisture and Repair Remedy.

The Brands in Detail

1. Head & Shoulders

Head & Shoulders is the world's best-known anti-dandruff shampoo, and the oldest specialist in this guide. It was introduced in the United States in 1961 by Procter & Gamble, after a decade of research led by chemical engineer John Parran Jr. into the dandruff-causing fungus. The active ingredient his team settled on — zinc pyrithione — is still the heart of the formula today.

The range in India is led by the Cool Menthol and Smooth & Silky variants, plus 2-in-1 shampoo-and-conditioner bottles and sachets sold in every small shop. Head & Shoulders suits anyone whose main hair problem is dandruff or an itchy scalp: use it regularly, leave it on the scalp for a minute or two, and the flakes stay away. It is the default first bottle for dandruff in Indian homes.

• Brand owner: Procter & Gamble
• Launched: 1961, United States; zinc pyrithione formula
• Known for: anti-dandruff care, Cool Menthol, Smooth & Silky
• Best for: dandruff and itchy scalp

Check the price of the Head & Shoulders Cool Menthol shampoo on Amazon

2. Pantene

Pantene is the Pro-V brand — and one of the oldest names in this guide. It was created in Switzerland in 1945 by Hoffmann-La Roche, which named it after panthenol, the pro-vitamin at the centre of its formula. Procter & Gamble bought the brand in 1985 and relaunched it around the world as Pantene Pro-V, the 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner that became its signature.

The range in India is led by Total Damage Care, Hair Fall Control and the newer Miracle Rescue and Hair Science lines. Pantene suits buyers who want a reliable, everyday shampoo for damaged or falling hair: the formulas are gentle, the bottles are widely available, and the brand's Indian ambassadors have made it a household name. For damaged hair on a normal budget, it is the safe starting point.

• Brand owner: Procter & Gamble (since 1985)
• Founded: 1945, Switzerland; named after panthenol
• Known for: Pro-V formula, Total Damage Care, Hair Fall Control
• Best for: everyday care for damaged hair

Check the price of the Pantene Total Damage Care shampoo on Amazon

3. Dove

Dove began as a bar, not a shampoo. Unilever launched it in the United States in 1957 as a beauty bar containing one-quarter moisturising cream, with the promise that it would not dry the skin the way soap did. The brand came to India in 1995 and grew into hair care in the years that followed, carrying the same gentle, moisturising idea into shampoo.

The range in India is led by Intense Repair, with keratin actives for dry and damaged hair, and Hair Fall Rescue for weak hair. Dove suits buyers with dry, frizzy or damaged hair who want a mild, everyday shampoo: the formulas are creamy, the fragrance is soft, and the brand is sold in every Indian town. For hair that feels rough after washing, Dove is the gentle fix.

• Brand owner: Unilever (Hindustan Unilever in India)
• Launched: 1957, United States; in India since 1995
• Known for: one-quarter moisturising cream, Intense Repair, Hair Fall Rescue
• Best for: dry, frizzy and damaged hair

Check the price of the Dove Intense Repair shampoo on Amazon

4. L'Oréal Paris

L'Oréal Paris is the oldest beauty company in this guide, and the one that invented the modern shampoo. It was founded in Paris in 1909 by chemist Eugène Schueller, who began by selling a safe hair dye to local hairdressers. In 1934, Schueller launched Dop, the first soap-free shampoo — until then, women washed their hair with black soap boiled in water.

The range in India is led by Elvive Total Repair 5, Dream Lengths and the Extraordinary Clay and Hyaluron Moisture lines. L'Oréal Paris suits buyers who want salon science at a supermarket price: the formulas are research-led, the range covers every hair concern, and the brand's famous line says what it stands for.

"Because You're Worth It"

— L'Oréal Paris tagline (lorealparis.co.in).

• Brand owner: L'Oréal Group
• Founded: 1909, Paris, by Eugène Schueller; first soap-free shampoo 1934
• Known for: Elvive Total Repair 5, Dream Lengths, Hyaluron Moisture
• Best for: research-led care for damaged and long hair

5. TRESemmé

TRESemmé began in the salon, not the supermarket. It was first made in 1947 by the Godefroy Manufacturing Company in New York, developed with stylist Edna L. Emmé — the name is a play on the French for "well-loved" and her surname. The line was sold only to professional salons for decades, before Alberto-Culver bought it in 1968 and Unilever acquired it in 2010.

The range in India is led by Keratin Smooth, with keratin and argan oil for straighter, shinier hair, and Hair Fall Defense. TRESemmé suits buyers who want a salon finish at home: the shampoos are made for frizz control and smooth styling, and the brand's professional heritage shows in the formulas. For frizzy hair that needs taming, it is the salon pick of this guide.

• Brand owner: Unilever (since 2010; formerly Alberto-Culver)
• Founded: 1947, New York; salon-only at first
• Known for: Keratin Smooth, Hair Fall Defense, salon heritage
• Best for: frizz control and smooth, styled hair

Check the price of the TRESemmé Keratin Smooth shampoo on Amazon

6. Herbal Essences

Herbal Essences is the botanical romantic of this guide. Clairol launched it in 1971 as a single shampoo — Clairol Herbal Essence — in a clear bottle with a cartoon nature girl on the label, and it became the scent of the seventies. Procter & Gamble bought the brand from Clairol in 2001 and rebuilt it as Herbal Essences, a full range of botanical shampoos and conditioners.

The range in India is led by the bio:renew collections — Argan Oil, Coconut Milk, Aloe and the rose-scented lines — all built around plant-based ingredients and strong, memorable fragrance. Herbal Essences suits buyers who choose a shampoo by scent and feel: the formulas are light, the bottles are bright, and the fragrance lasts. For a sensory, everyday wash, it is the most cheerful brand here.

• Brand owner: Procter & Gamble (since 2001; formerly Clairol)
• Founded: 1971, United States, by Clairol
• Known for: botanical formulas, bio:renew, Argan Oil, Coconut Milk
• Best for: fragrant, light everyday washing

7. Himalaya

Himalaya is the Indian herbal pioneer of this guide. It was founded in 1930 by M. Manal, who had watched villagers in Burma calm restless elephants with the root of the Rauwolfia serpentina plant and set out to test the herb scientifically. The company grew from that first drug, Serpina, into India's best-known herbal wellness house, headquartered in Bengaluru.

The range in India is led by the Anti-Hair Fall shampoo with bhringaraja and palasha, plus Protein shampoo and the gentle baby shampoo. Himalaya suits buyers who trust Ayurveda and want a mild, herbal wash: the formulas are gentle enough for daily use, the ingredients are named on the pack, and the brand is sold in pharmacies as well as supermarkets. For hair fall with a herbal approach, start here.

• Brand owner: Himalaya Wellness Company
• Founded: 1930, by M. Manal; HQ Bengaluru
• Known for: Anti-Hair Fall shampoo, Protein shampoo, herbal wellness
• Best for: gentle herbal care and hair fall

8. Biotique

Biotique is the brand that took Ayurveda to the world before selling it at home. It was founded in 1992 by Vinita Jain, who had studied Ayurvedic texts in her family's tea estates in Assam and Darjeeling and then researched biotechnology in Switzerland. She built Biotique by blending the 5,000-year-old science of Ayurveda with modern biotechnology, and sold first in Switzerland before coming home to India in 1994.

The range in India is led by Bio Bhringraj therapeutic shampoo for hair fall, Bio Kelp protein shampoo and the Bio Walnut Bark and Bio Papaya lines. Biotique suits buyers who want Ayurvedic ingredients in a modern, dermatologist-tested formula: the shampoos are botanical, the fragrances are herbal, and the brand's Swiss research story is part of its identity. For Ayurveda with laboratory backing, Biotique is the pick.

• Brand owner: Bio Veda Action Research (Biotique)
• Founded: 1992, by Vinita Jain; HQ Noida
• Known for: Bio Bhringraj, Bio Kelp, Advanced Ayurveda
• Best for: Ayurvedic care with modern formulation

9. Mamaearth

Mamaearth is the youngest Indian brand in this guide, and the one that grew fastest. It was founded in 2016 by husband and wife Ghazal and Varun Alagh, who could not find toxin-free baby products for their newborn son and decided to make them. The brand began with baby care, moved into skin and hair care, and became the flagship of Honasa Consumer, which listed on the Indian stock exchanges in 2023.

The range in India is led by the Onion shampoo — onion oil with plant keratin for hair fall — plus the Rosemary, Rice Water and Argan variants. Mamaearth suits buyers who want toxin-free, natural-ingredient shampoos and who shop online: the brand is digital-first, the ingredient lists are printed plainly, and the Onion shampoo is one of India's most-bought hair products. For hair fall with a modern natural formula, it is the online favourite.

• Brand owner: Honasa Consumer Ltd.
• Founded: 2016, by Ghazal and Varun Alagh; HQ Gurugram
• Known for: Onion shampoo, toxin-free formulas, digital-first brand
• Best for: hair fall and natural-ingredient care

Check the price of the Mamaearth Onion shampoo on Amazon

10. WOW Skin Science

WOW Skin Science is the Bengaluru D2C brand that made apple cider vinegar a shampoo ingredient in India. It was founded in 2014 by brothers Manish and Karan Chowdhary, with Ashwin and Arvind Sokke, as an internet-first beauty brand under Body Cupid Pvt Ltd. The brand sold only online from day one, and its Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo became one of the best-selling shampoos on Amazon in India.

The range in India is led by the Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo, plus Red Onion Black Seed, Rosemary Biotin and Coconut Milk variants. WOW suits buyers who shop online and want sulphate- and paraben-free formulas with a clear hero ingredient: each bottle names its key ingredient on the front, and the brand's D2C model keeps the range focused. For a clarifying, ingredient-led wash, WOW is the digital pick.

• Brand owner: Body Cupid Pvt. Ltd. (BuyWow)
• Founded: 2014, Bengaluru, by the Chowdhary brothers
• Known for: Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo, Red Onion Black Seed, sulphate-free formulas
• Best for: clarifying washes and online shopping

Check the price of the WOW Apple Cider Vinegar shampoo on Amazon

11. Indulekha

Indulekha is the Kerala Ayurvedic brand that grew from a regional oil into a national name. It was first launched in 2009 by the Kerala-based Mosons Group as a premium Ayurvedic hair oil, and its Bringha Oil — a proprietary Ayurvedic medicine for hair fall, made with bhringraj and other herbs — carved out a loyal following across the south. Hindustan Unilever acquired the brand in 2016 and took it across India.

The range in India is led by the Bringha Hair Cleanser shampoo, the companion to the famous Bringha Oil, plus the newer scalp serums for hair growth and dandruff. Indulekha suits buyers who want a genuinely Ayurvedic, doctor-recommended approach to hair fall: the products are registered as proprietary Ayurvedic medicines, not ordinary cosmetics, and the brand's Kerala roots are part of its story. For hair fall with Ayurvedic credentials, Indulekha is the specialist.

• Brand owner: Hindustan Unilever (since 2016; formerly Mosons Group)
• Launched: 2009, Kerala; Bringha Oil with selfie comb 2014
• Known for: Bringha Oil and Bringha shampoo, Ayurvedic hair-fall care
• Best for: Ayurvedic treatment of hair fall

12. Garnier

Garnier is the French natural-beauty brand with the oldest hair-care idea in this guide. It was founded in 1904 in Blois, France, by hairdresser and perfumer Alfred Amour Garnier, whose first product was a plant-based hair lotion — the first of its kind. L'Oréal acquired Laboratoires Garnier in 1965, and the brand became one of the group's largest, built on natural ingredients at mass-market prices.

The range in India is led by Fructis — the fruit-powered shampoos for hair fall, damage and dullness — and Whole Blends, with honey, avocado and other natural blends. Garnier suits buyers who want natural ingredients without a premium price: the formulas are fruity and gentle, the bottles are bright and affordable, and the brand is sold everywhere. For a cheerful, natural, everyday shampoo, Garnier is the value pick.

• Brand owner: L'Oréal Group (since 1965)
• Founded: 1904, Blois, France, by Alfred Amour Garnier
• Known for: Fructis, Whole Blends, natural ingredients
• Best for: affordable natural hair care

13. Khadi Natural

Khadi Natural is the oldest-rooted Indian brand in this guide. It traces its roots to 1963 and the Gramodaya Ashram, an institution registered under the Khadi and Village Industries Commission, founded to keep Gandhiji's khadi movement alive through indigenous products. The Delhi-based brand makes handmade, herbal personal care — and its paraben-free shampoos are among the most widely sold herbal shampoos in India.

The range in India is led by the herbal shampoos — Amla and Bhringraj, Honey and Almond, Saffron and Papaya — plus handmade soaps, face washes and hair oils. Khadi Natural suits buyers who want simple, herbal, chemical-light products at low prices: the formulas are traditional, the packs are plain, and the brand's khadi heritage is genuine. For a budget herbal shampoo, it is the honest choice.

• Brand owner: Khadi Natural (Beacon Bio Life Sciences Pvt. Ltd.)
• Roots: 1963, Gramodaya Ashram; HQ Delhi
• Known for: handmade herbal shampoos, paraben-free formulas
• Best for: budget herbal and Ayurvedic washing

14. Matrix

Matrix is the salon professional of this guide. It was founded in 1980 in the United States by husband-and-wife hairdressers Arnie and Sydell Miller, who wanted to build a "matrix" of support for every stylist, every hair type and every business model. The brand sold only to salons, and L'Oréal acquired it in 2000, making it part of the group's Professional Products division.

The range in India is led by Biolage — the botanical salon range — and Total Results, with shampoos for colour-treated, damaged and curly hair. Matrix suits buyers who want salon-grade formulas and do not mind paying a little more: the shampoos are concentrated, the ranges are specific to hair type, and the brand is sold through salons and professional stores. For colour-treated or salon-styled hair, Matrix is the professional pick.

• Brand owner: L'Oréal Professional Products Division (since 2000)
• Founded: 1980, United States, by Arnie and Sydell Miller
• Known for: Biolage, Total Results, salon professional care
• Best for: colour-treated and salon-styled hair

15. BBlunt

BBlunt is the salon brand that became a products brand. It was founded in the late 1990s in Mumbai by celebrity hairdresser Adhuna Bhabani and Ashoke Bhabani, as a chain of premium salons under Bhabani Blunt Hairdressing. Godrej Consumer Products took a stake in 2013, and in 2022 Honasa Consumer — the parent of Mamaearth — acquired the brand and its salons.

The range in India is led by the Intense Moisture and Repair Remedy shampoos, plus the brand's hair colour and styling products. BBlunt suits buyers who want salon expertise in a bottle: the shampoos are made for coloured, dry and damaged hair, and the brand's salon heritage gives it credibility with stylists. For hair that has been coloured or heat-styled, BBlunt is the salon-born choice.

• Brand owner: Honasa Consumer Ltd. (since 2022)
• Founded: late 1990s, Mumbai, by Adhuna and Ashoke Bhabani
• Known for: Intense Moisture, Repair Remedy, salon heritage
• Best for: coloured, dry and damaged hair

Brand Comparison Table

How to Choose a Shampoo Brand

Start with your hair problem, not the brand. Dandruff, hair fall, damage, frizz and dryness are different jobs, and no single shampoo does all five best. Decide what bothers you most — flakes on a dark shirt, hair in the drain, split ends, frizz in humidity — and shortlist the brands that lead in that category. A great anti-dandruff shampoo can still be a poor choice for coloured hair.

Match the formula to your scalp. Oily scalps need a clarifying wash and can handle a stronger shampoo; dry scalps need a mild, moisturising one. If your scalp itches or flakes, use a medicated or anti-dandruff shampoo regularly rather than once in a while. If your hair is fine and flat, avoid heavy, creamy formulas that weigh it down.

Read the ingredient list, not just the front label. The hero ingredient — zinc pyrithione, keratin, argan oil, bhringraj, onion — is usually printed on the front, but the full list tells you whether the shampoo is sulphate-free, silicone-free or fragrance-heavy. If you have a sensitive scalp, a fragrance-free or mild formula is worth the search.

Buy the right size first. Try a small bottle or a sachet before committing to a litre pack: hair reacts differently to the same shampoo in different water and weather. A shampoo that works in a humid coastal city can feel different in dry, hard-water conditions inland. Give a new shampoo two to three weeks before judging it.

Check the seller before you buy online. Branded shampoo is widely copied, so buy from the brand's own store, its official website or an authorised seller. On Amazon India, check that the listing names the brand as the manufacturer and the seller as authorised — the listings linked in this guide do.

FAQs

Which is the best shampoo brand in India?

There is no single answer — it depends on your hair and scalp. Head & Shoulders leads on dandruff; Pantene leads on everyday damage repair; Dove leads on gentle care for dry hair; TRESemmé leads on frizz control; and Himalaya, Biotique and Indulekha lead on Ayurvedic care. This guide is an editorial selection to help you choose, not an official ranking.

Which shampoo is best for dandruff?

For dandruff, start with Head & Shoulders — its zinc pyrithione formula has been the category standard since 1961 — and use it regularly, leaving it on the scalp for a minute before rinsing. TRESemmé, Dove and Himalaya also make dandruff-care variants. If flakes persist after a few weeks of regular use, see a dermatologist rather than switching brands again.

Which shampoo is best for hair fall?

For hair fall, the herbal and Ayurvedic brands lead: Indulekha Bringha, Himalaya Anti-Hair Fall and Biotique Bio Bhringraj are built for it, and Mamaearth Onion shampoo is the most-bought online option. Pantene Hair Fall Control and Dove Hair Fall Rescue are the mass-market alternatives. Hair fall has many causes, so a shampoo helps most when the cause is breakage or a weak scalp.

Are herbal and Ayurvedic shampoos better than regular shampoos?

Not automatically. Herbal shampoos suit people who want plant-based ingredients and gentle formulas, and brands like Himalaya, Biotique and Khadi Natural have long track records. But a well-made regular shampoo — Pantene, Dove or L'Oréal Paris — can be just as gentle and often repairs damage better. Choose by your hair's needs, not by the word on the label.

Are shampoos sold on Amazon India genuine?

They can be, if you buy carefully. Choose listings where the brand is named as the manufacturer and the seller is the brand itself or an authorised seller — the six Amazon listings linked in this guide meet that test. Avoid listings with no brand name, stock photos only, or prices far below every other seller.

Why does this guide not list prices?

Shampoo prices vary by city, size, retailer and season, and change too often for a guide to stay accurate. We link to Amazon India for the brands sold there so you can see the current price before buying.

Conclusion

India's shampoo shelf rewards both loyalty and curiosity. Keep a dependable anti-dandruff or damage-repair brand in mind for the wash you do most often, back the Indian makers — Himalaya, Biotique, Indulekha, Khadi Natural, Mamaearth and WOW — when you want herbal or natural care at an Indian price, and leave room for the global classics when your hair needs salon science. Whichever brand you choose, match it to your scalp, try a small bottle first, and check the seller before you pay.

Research note: Brand backgrounds in this guide were checked against the brands' official websites, company histories and reputable profiles in November 2026. Ranges and product names are as the brands themselves describe them; availability varies by city. If you spot an error, please contact VisitBest so we can correct it.