I still remember the day my hairdresser told me that my sulfate-packed drugstore shampoo was actually destroying my highlighted hair, and I was like, "What do you mean?" (I was also scrubbing my face with 10 percent benzoyl peroxide wash every night at the time, so you could say my beauty regime wasn't exactly gentle.) As it turns out, many drugstore shampoo brands are loaded with sulfates (which leave your hair squeaky clean but also stripped of its natural oils) and silicones (which add slip but can also cause waxy buildup)...but that doesn't mean all drugstore shampoos are bad news.

Despite what you may think, a more expensive shampoo isn't always going to be better. "You can actually get very good quality products at a drugstore," cosmetic chemist Nick Dindio previously told Cosmo. The best drugstore shampoo will vary based on your hair type and needs, but generally speaking, I like to look for budget-friendly shampoos that are free from 1) more aggressive sulfates, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and 2) non-soluble silicones, like dimethicone. (And FTR: There is a time and place for both sulfates and silicones! It all depends on what your hair can handle.)

Ahead, all the best drugstore shampoos (as determined by Cosmo editors with a variety of hair types and my own personal testing), as well as expert tips for finding the best formula for your needs.