It can feel daunting that on top of an everything shower, there are also pre-shower steps to consider—and let’s not even get into what happens post-shower. Nonetheless, pre-shampoo products are trending on TikTok, with a 600 percent increase in search week over week, according to Spate. If we’re adding yet another step, it better be worth the time and financial investment. There are pre-shampoo options for a variety of benefits, including detoxing, hydrating, bond-building and color-protecting. These are the products we think are worth the extra time and money.
Pre-shampoo products to try
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Shu Uemura Essence Absolue Pre-Shampoo & Nourishing Treatment Scalp Oil ($52)
This oil is like a drink of water for parched hair and scalps. Over 85 percent of users agreed their scalp felt moisturized after two weeks of use. With 99 percent naturally derived ingredients—like Japanese red camellia, jojoba, argan, avocado and sweet orange oils—you can feel good about nourishing your scalp.
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Pattern Bounce Back Pre-Poo ($25)
Meet the perfect pre-shampoo treatment for curly, coily and tight textures. The new launch from Tracee Ellis Ross comes in handy to promote elasticity, smooth frizz and help bring coils back to life after heat styling.
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Kérastase Première Concentré Décalcifiant Ultra-Réparateur ($58)
This powerful treatment knocks out calcium buildup, repairs damage and strengthens hair. Dullness and weak hair bonds are no match for this formula.
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R+Co GEMSTONE Pre-Shampoo Color Protect Masque ($39)
If you’re worried about your fresh hair color fading, this R+Co masque is a must-add to your routine. It’s designated to fortify and seal the cuticle for a softer shine and vibrant, long-lasting color, all the while it’s also enhancing compromised strands.
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Garnier Fructis Hair Filler Inner Fiber Repair Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($10)
This filler for your hair penetrates seven layers deep to repair strength and bonds, giving your hair a huge leg up before you even get in the shower.
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Sisley-Paris Pre-Shampoo Purifying Mask ($112)
Hit reset on your hair with this new launch from Sisley-Paris. The white clay mask absorbs and eliminates pollution and impurities on the scalp and hair, all the while soothing everything it comes in contact with.
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EverPure Bond Strengthening Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($10)
If it’s good enough for Eva Longoria to prep for the Oscars with, it’s good enough for us. Plus, it’s scientifically proven to strengthen hair and reduce breakage on colored, bleached or damaged hair.
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Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil ($32)
This best seller is expertly formulated to moisturize and soothe the scalp while strengthening strands, with over 94 percent of users agreeing their hair was smoother and scalp was soothed after one use.
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Mielle Mongongo Oil Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($7)
Applying this treatment before your next wash will result in softer, healthier, more manageable hair. Rave reviews say this treatment is worth the extra time pre-shampoo, saving you time in styling and detangling later.
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Amika Fadeblock Pre-Shampoo Color Seal Hair Treatment ($26)
Protect your beloved hair color with this pre-shampoo treatment that seals the cuticle and balances hair’s PH. Hard water, salt water, chlorine and UV rays are no match for this shiny shield.
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Act + Acre Cold Processed Vitamin E Scalp Detox Oil ($48)
Think of this as a cold-pressed juice for your scalp—refreshing and detoxifying. It breaks down build-up, sweat and all the other junk you don’t want hanging out on your scalp. Meanwhile, it also restores the moisture barrier and supports the microbiome, so you have a healthy hydrated head of hair.
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Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Intensive Treatment ($33)
This pre-shampoo has the power to reverse one year of visible damage in just one use by reinforcing weak hair bonds. The success is in the sales—the brand says one bottle of this treatment is sold every 10 seconds.
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Coco & Eve Bond Building Pre-Shampoo Treatment ($25)
Bond building is the name of the game for this pre-shampoo treatment, and by doing so, it dramatically reduces damage to colored and chemically treated hair.
