With premium haircare brands promising salon-like results at home, it can be tempting to believe that a higher price tag means better hair. However, the right shampoo depends on several factors beyond its cost. HT Lifestyle spoke to Dr Swetha Sridhar, Medical Director, Dr Swetha’s Skin Sutra Clinic, to decode the difference between expensive and affordable shampoos and explain what your hair and scalp really need.
The price of a shampoo does not determine how effectively it cleans the scalp or improves hair health. What matters more is the formulation and whether it addresses the individual’s specific scalp and hair needs. A good shampoo should effectively remove excess oil, sweat, product buildup, and environmental pollutants without excessively stripping the scalp’s natural barrier. However, these benefits do not necessarily justify a higher price for everyone. For example, someone with a normal scalp and healthy hair may do perfectly well with a reasonably priced shampoo. Dr Swetha recommends that consumers look beyond branding and price and check the ingredients, formulation, and intended purpose of the product. A more expensive shampoo is not automatically a more effective one.
Expensive shampoos are not necessarily better, according to Dr Swetha. “Some premium shampoos may contain sophisticated conditioning agents, specific active ingredients, or better cosmetic formulations that improve softness, manageability, and the feel of the hair,” highlighted Dr Swetha.
