Guide to Target Shampoos: Top 5 Picks Reviewed

Ever walk down the hair care aisle at Target feeling completely overwhelmed? Rows and rows of colorful bottles promise shiny, strong, and perfect hair, but which one is actually right for *you*? It’s a common struggle! Finding the perfect shampoo feels like a treasure hunt where the map keeps changing.

Target is a hair care paradise, but all those choices can lead to decision fatigue. You want something that cleans well without stripping your color, or maybe you need a miracle for dry scalps. The sheer volume of brands—from drugstore staples to fancy salon favorites—makes comparing ingredients a headache.

Don’t worry! This guide cuts through the noise. We are diving deep into the best shampoos Target stocks right now. You will learn how to match your hair type to the perfect bottle, discover budget-friendly gems, and finally walk out of Target confident in your purchase.

Ready to ditch the trial-and-error guessing game? Let’s explore the top shampoos waiting for you on those bright red shelves.

Top Shampoos At Target Recommendations

No. 1
Retrona Hair Washing Basin for Bedridden - Portable Shampoo Bowl and Basin at Home for the Elderly -...
  • ✅A MUST-HAVE FOR THE BEDRIDDEN, DISABLED, AND SENIORS - Our hair wash basin revolutionizes the hair washing experience, particularly for individuals who are elderly, disabled, bedridden, pregnant, physically challenged, on prolonged bed rest, or have limited mobility
  • ✅ERGONOMICALLY TAILORED FOR OPTIMAL COMFORT AND CONVENIENCE - The hair wash basin has been specifically crafted for comfort and convenience. Its special design provides excellent support for the head and neck, ensuring a pleasant experience during hair washing. We have also incorporated an upgraded towel-hanging feature that allows caregivers to conveniently hang their towels within easy reach
  • ✅EASY TO INSTALL AND USE - Our portable hair wash basin is designed for ease of use and is self-explanatory. Its user-friendly nature allows for intuitive operation without the need for complex instructions. To get started, simply use the piston to block the water flow. Once you have completed the hair-washing process, connect the draining tube to either the left or right side at the bottom of the basin. This enables smooth and efficient water drainage
No. 2
Veterinary Formula Clinical Care Antiparasitic & Antiseborrheic Medicated Dog Shampoo, 16 oz –...
  • GENTLE SOOTHING – Helps promote a healthy skin and coat free of flaky, dry, or overly oily skin that may be caused by environmental stressors.
  • FAST ACTING – Works fast with powerful ingredients that help shed dry skin and hydrate your pet's skin. Wash and soak on skin and coat for 10-15 minutes. Repeat 2-3 times weekly.
  • VET-RECOMMENDED – This paraben, dye, and soap-free pet shampoo has gentle cleansers and is made without damaging detergents. Oatmeal and Allantoin add hydration and nourish the skin.
No. 3
Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Love at First To Foam Sulfate Free Shampoo with Aloe and...
  • Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Micellar shampoo with Aloe for hair transforms from a water to a gentle foam lather for a deep clean quickly without stripping or harsh friction to help cut down time on wash day
  • Cleanses Hair Quickly – Perfect for curly hair, kinky hair and coily hair, our targeted applicator helps the liquid formula instantly flow through hair providing easy scalp access and quickly rinses clean
  • Reduces time to detangle hair – Sulfate free shampoo transforms from a liquid into a gentle foam lather without harsh friction and effortlessly works throughout, minimizing tangles
No. 4
THYMUSKIN® Classic Serum - Step 2 of 2 in the Thymuskin 2-Step System, provides targeted...
  • Provides targeted nourishment for typical men’s hair concerns to the scalp to help fortify hair at the base.
  • Formulated with the GKL–02 Thymic Peptide Complex, it strengthens the hair and scalp, promoting it to look healthier and fuller.
  • For Application to the Scalp
SaleNo. 5
ADAMS Plus Flea & Tick Shampoo with Precor IGR for Cats, Kittens, Dogs & Puppies Over 12 Weeks of...
  • EFFECTIVE FLEA AND TICK TREATMENT: Kills fleas, flea eggs, ticks and lice on contact
  • SOFT, SHINY AND CLEAN: Rich, creamy formula washes and conditions your pet’s coat, leaving it soft, shiny and easy to manage. Light scent helps your pet smell fresh.; Great for all dogs and cats 12 weeks and older
  • CONTINUOUS PROTECTION: This shampoo stops the flea life cycle and keeps flea eggs from hatching for 28 days
No. 6
THYMUSKIN® Sensitive Serum - Step 2 of 2 in the Thymuskin 2-Step System, provides targeted...
  • Delivers targeted nourishment to the scalp to help fortify hair at the base.
  • Formulated with the GKL–02 Thymic Peptide Complex, it strengthens the hair and scalp, promoting it to look healthier and fuller.
  • Specifically tailored for woman for dry, sensitive scalp.
SaleNo. 7
FURminator Ultra Premium deShedding Shampoo for Dogs Helps Reduce Excess Shedding, 16 oz
  • DESHEDDING FORMULA: Helps reduce excess shedding.
  • FORMULATED WITH MULTIPLE CONDITIONING AGENTS: Helps strengthen and nourish skin and coat.
  • FEATURES ODORCAPTURE 360 TECHNOLOGY: Helps remove the wet dog smell.
SaleNo. 8
Burt's Bees for Pets Hypoallergenic Cat Shampoo with Shea Butter and Honey - A Gentle Kitten Shampoo...
  • DID YOU KNOW CATS NEED BATHS TOO? Even though cats groom themselves, cats should be bathed every 4-6 weeks using cat bathing supplies like shampoo for cats, especially for those with skin allergies, dermatitis, or weight issues that hinder grooming
  • CLEANS AND CONDITIONS- This cat shampoo for sensitive skin has naturally derived shea butter and honey to soothe while keeping your cat's coat clean and soft - a must-have in your cat bathing supplies.
  • NATURALLY DERIVED INGREDIENTS– Safe & gentle cat shampoo with 99.7%+ natural origin formulas, formulated without chemical detergents, phthalates, parabens, or sulfates, as well as colorants and dyes.

Finding Your Perfect Hair Match: A Target Shampoo Buying Guide

Target is a fantastic place to shop for shampoo. They offer many brands for every hair need. Choosing the right one can feel tricky. This guide helps you pick the best shampoo for your beautiful hair.

Key Features to Look For

When you look at a shampoo bottle at Target, check for these important features.

  • **Hair Type Suitability:** Does the bottle say “For Dry Hair,” “For Oily Scalp,” or “For Color-Treated Hair”? Always pick a shampoo made for *your* hair type.
  • **Ingredient Focus:** Look for buzzwords like “Moisturizing,” “Volumizing,” or “Clarifying.” These tell you the shampoo’s main job.
  • **Scent and Feel:** While not essential for cleaning, the scent matters for your shower experience. Read reviews if possible to gauge the smell.
Important Ingredients: What’s Inside Matters

Shampoos contain many things. Some help your hair, and some might cause problems for certain people.

The Good Stuff (Beneficial Ingredients)

Good shampoos often contain ingredients that nourish your hair.

  • **Natural Oils (Like Argan or Coconut Oil):** These add moisture and make hair soft.
  • **Proteins (Like Keratin):** These help fill in weak spots in your hair shaft, making it stronger.
  • **Vitamins (Like Biotin or Vitamin E):** These support healthy hair growth and shine.
Ingredients to Watch Out For (Potential Irritants)

Some ingredients clean very well but can strip your hair or irritate your scalp.

  • **Sulfates (Like Sodium Lauryl Sulfate – SLS):** These make lots of bubbles. They clean deeply, but they can dry out curly or color-treated hair.
  • **Parabens:** These keep the shampoo fresh for a long time. Some people prefer to avoid them because they are preservatives.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Shampoo Quality

The quality of a shampoo depends on what it doesn’t have and how well it cleans without causing harm.

Improving Quality

Higher quality shampoos often use gentler cleansing agents instead of harsh sulfates. They include more beneficial oils and fewer unnecessary fillers. If a shampoo focuses on gentle cleansing and targeted treatment (like anti-dandruff), it usually offers better results.

Reducing Quality

Shampoos that focus only on being the cheapest often use harsh detergents. These strip your hair of its natural oils. Also, shampoos with heavy silicones can build up on the hair. This buildup makes hair look dull over time, even though it feels smooth right after washing.

User Experience and Use Cases

Think about how you use shampoo and what you expect from it.

Daily Washers vs. Occasional Washers

If you wash your hair every day, you need a very gentle, sulfate-free formula. Harsh cleansers will dry your scalp quickly. If you only wash twice a week, you might use a stronger clarifying shampoo once a month to remove buildup, and a gentle one for regular washes.

Solving Specific Problems

Target stocks solutions for almost every issue. If your scalp is itchy, look for shampoos with ingredients like tea tree oil. If your hair is fine and flat, choose “Volumizing” formulas that do not contain heavy moisturizing oils.


10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Buying Shampoo at Target

Q: Can I find salon-quality brands at Target?

A: Yes! Target carries many professional lines, like SheaMoisture, OGX, and sometimes even specific lines from major salon brands. Look in the dedicated beauty aisles.

Q: What is the difference between “moisturizing” and “hydrating” shampoo?

A: Both aim to add moisture. Moisturizing shampoos often use oils to coat the hair. Hydrating shampoos usually use humectants (like glycerin) to draw water into the hair shaft.

Q: I have oily hair. Should I avoid all conditioners?

A: Not necessarily. Use a light, volumizing conditioner, but focus only on the ends of your hair. Never massage conditioner into your scalp.

Q: Are “natural” shampoos always better?

A: Natural does not always mean better for your hair. Some natural ingredients can still cause allergies. Focus on what your hair needs, not just the label.

Q: How do I know if a shampoo is clarifying?

A: Clarifying shampoos will usually state “Clarifying” on the bottle. They are designed to remove product residue, chlorine, and hard water buildup.

Q: Should I buy a shampoo and conditioner from the same line?

A: It is often best. The formulas are designed to work together for the best results. However, it is okay to mix if you have very oily roots and very dry ends.

Q: What should I do if a new shampoo makes my hair feel weird?

A: Give it two weeks. Sometimes your hair needs time to adjust, especially if you switched from a heavy, silicone-based product. If it still feels bad after two weeks, stop using it.

Q: Are Target store brands (like Everspring or Up & Up) good?

A: Many shoppers love them! They often offer good quality ingredients at a lower price point. They are great for budget-conscious buyers.

Q: What does “sulfate-free” really mean for my budget?

A: Sulfate-free shampoos are usually a little more expensive than budget brands. They use gentler cleansers that cost the manufacturer more money.

Q: How often should I switch shampoos?

A: You do not need to switch often. If your hair is healthy, stick with a good product. Switch only if the weather changes drastically or your hair needs change (like if you start coloring your hair).

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