6 Top Molecular Shampoos For Your Best-Ever Hair

Peptides and amino acids will make molecular shampoos your hair’s new BFF. These types of shampoos contain both lipophilic (oil-attracting) and hydrophilic (water-attracting) sites—the lipophilic sites help to bind sebum and oily dirt while hydrophilic end binds to water, which allows for the removal of the sebum (or oils) while washing with water. If your hair is damaged because of the elements, heat styling, or constant colouring, try one of these molecular shampoos to repair and restore your hair’s natural beauty. —Jennifer Cox

The Nº.4C Bond Maintenance Clarifying Shampoo from Olaplex ($41) is infused with patented OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology and is a part of their exclusive Broad-Spectrum Clarifying System. This shampoo can remove damaging impurities from the surface of the hair without stripping or drying it out. It’s safe to use on permanently dyed hair once every 1-2 weeks or as needed as an alternative to regular shampoo.

Redken’s Acidic Bonding Concentrate Shampoo ($33) is a sulfate-free, bonding shampoo that provides ultimate strength repair along with intense conditioning. It is also specially formulated to repair damaged hair and protect colour too. It contains citric acid as well that reinforces weakened bonds within your hair to improve hair strength.

Used by professionals for super soft hair, turn to AG Care’s Balance Apple Cider Vinegar Sulfate-Free Shampoo ($34). It gently cleanses the hair and scalp, sealing the cuticle to enhance shine with apple cider vinegar, argan oil, and an abundance of nourishing superfoods. This shampoo is 98% plant-based and naturally derived.

Designed for all hair types, especially dry, thirsty, and chemically-treated hair, there’s Loma’s Nourishing Shampoo ($30). It is safe to use on keratin-treated hair and hair pieces, as it repairs and restores the natural beauty of your locks. It was created with skincare cleansers and helps control frizz as well as preserve colour. Use it with their Nourishing Conditioner for all-over restoration.

The Television Perfect Hair Shampoo + Conditioner from R+Co ($68) lives up to its name – it has everything you need for the small screen: body, shine, strengthening, softening, and smoothing. It is formulated with juniper berry extract to help maintain the optimal oil balance of the scalp and it also detoxifies hair follicles and soaks up impurities on the hair and scalp; glycerin, a naturally occurring humectant that helps hair retain moisture by maintaining the moisture balance of hair; and babassu seed oil, a natural emollient with restorative properties.

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo ($49, available at Sephora Canada) can do it all: it is a colour-safe, pH-optimized shampoo that is used to effectively cleanse while maintaining hair health, preventing frizz, preserving colour, and enhancing shine. It is microbiome-certified too so it can help maintain scalp health and preserve the scalp’s natural microbiome.