10 Best Shampoo For Soft Water In 2024 For Healthy, Voluminous Hair

Want to fix soft water problem with hair? Here is my review of the best shampoo for soft water areas to keep your hair cleansed and voluminous.

A lot of us have heard about the effects of hard water on our hair. But did you know that soft water can be equally problematic for your tresses?

Soft water is extremely low in minerals and won’t make shampoo (or other surfactants) lather easily. This study by the BMC Public Health Journal published in June 2003, shows that soft water is distinctly lacking in calcium and magnesium.

The low mineral levels make it difficult for shampoos to clean hair properly and prolonged use of soft water can make hair too greasy as the cleansing products won’t lather.

Here are some of the best shampoos that are suited to wash hair in soft water:

Why You Should Trust Haireveryday?

The author of this article, Amy Angelos has a degree in Cosmetology from The Salon Professional Academy in San Jose, California with 10 years of experience in dealing with hair care, scalp care, and hairstyling. As she is adept at styling hair of various textures from straight, wavy to curly and African American, Amy knows what kind of products and procedures suit each hair type and person. Our Editor Leah Marie Priest has also tested these hair products and processes and fact checked this article to give you an unbiased review about every product. Each of our articles are also reviewed by a team of medical professionals so that you get the most accurate and expert-reviewed information.

Top Shampoo For Soft Water In 2024

Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo

Best Clarifying Shampoo For Soft Water

I recently tried out Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo and I have to say, I was impressed! It has become one of my absolute favorites, especially since I live in a soft water area. The first time I used this shampoo, I noticed a difference right away. My hair felt cleaner and softer than ever before.

Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo has a delightful scent that is both fresh and fruity; there is a hint of apple with a light sweetness to it. I love how the scent lingers in my hair for days after I wash it. It’s a nice pick-me-up in the morning!

When it comes to the ingredients, Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo is full of natural ingredients like apple cider vinegar and green tea extract. It also helps balance my scalp’s pH level. This is really important for anyone with soft water because it helps keep my scalp healthy and prevents any buildup of chlorine or minerals.

The formula of Fekkai Apple Cider Shampoo is also quite gentle, which I especially appreciate since I have highlights and color-treated hair. It removes dirt and buildup without stripping my hair’s natural oils. My hair remains soft and hydrated.

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Infused with apple cider vinegar to rebalance the scalp.
• Enriched with antioxidants for a healthy hair environment.
• Delicate formula suitable for daily use.
• Leaves hair with a refreshing and invigorating scent.
• Strengthens and adds shine to the hair.

Benefits and Pros:

• Sulfate-free, so suitable for colored hair
• Apple cider in the shampoo helps clarify gently
• Lovely green apple scent

Disadvantages and Cons:

• None

Maple Organics Degrease Shampoo

Best Natural Shampoo For Soft Water

I love the formula of this shampoo as it glides on my hair without being greasy and it never leaves my locks feeling stripped or brittle. It manages to degrease without being overly drying, while also nourishing my hair with its castor oil, which helps tame frizz and add shine.

Along with being a great degreaser, this shampoo has an irresistible scent. It has a subtle, citrusy aroma that fills my bathroom every time I lather it in, and it’s so delightful that I look forward to shower sessions.

My hair now feels incredibly soft, has more volume and a shinier appearance after a few months of using it. Most impressively though, it lasts me almost twice as long as any other shampoo I’ve tried before.

In conclusion, its pH-balanced formula is ideal for the soft water areas, and it’s made a huge difference to the health and look of my hair. Plus, it has a great scent and a great price point too. If you live in an area with soft water, I’d highly recommend giving this shampoo a try!

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Organic and natural ingredients for a gentle yet effective cleanse.
• Formulated with tea tree oil for its antibacterial properties.
• Balances sebum production to prevent excessive oiliness.
• Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances.
• Adds a touch of volume to the hair.

Benefits and Pros:

• pH balanced formula good for sensitive scalp
• Shampoo is sulfate-free and gentle on colored hiar
• The argan oil helps nourish while cleaning it

Disadvantages and Cons:

• None

Redken Hair Cleansing Cream

Best Shampoo For Soft Water And Hard Water

From the first use of this Redken cleanser, I could feel the difference. My hair felt softer and more nourished after just one wash. What stood out to me the most was how quickly the shampoo lathers, lathering up quickly and evenly every time.

This is great for my constantly busy days as I don’t need to spend a long time washing and rinsing.

In terms of scent, the Redken Hair Cleansing Cream has a pleasant citrus scent that is not too overpowering. I find the scent lasts for a couple of days and does not irritate my skin. Whilst I do not need the extra conditioning provided in the shampoo, It provides a nice boost of moisture if needed.

Unlike some shampoos, it doesn’t strip my hair of its natural oils or leave a heavy residue. My hair also feels more hydrated, which is perfect because soft water can often make hair feel dry and brittle.

It’s great to use with hard water as well as it removes both mineral residues. And it works with soft water as it clears excess oil.

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Professional-grade formula recommended for use before chemical treatments.
• Clarifies and removes mineral deposits from hard water.
• Restores hair’s natural shine and vitality.
• Ideal for swimmers, frequent stylists, and individuals with hard water exposure.
• Prepares hair for optimal absorption of treatments.

Benefits and Pros:

• Removes excess oil, residue and mineral deposit from hair
• Good for colored hair as it doesn’t contain SLS

Disadvantages and Cons:

• Can be too clarifying for dry hair

Related: Clarifying Shampoos For Hard Water

Voluminous Sea Salt Shampoo

Best Soft Water Volumizing Shampoo

Looking to add some volume to your hair? The Voluminous Sea Salt Shampoo is the best man for the job.

Soft water is lacking in minerals like calcium and potassium. And while this is a good thing for dry, frizzy hair, it can spell trouble for greasy locks.

This shampoo, enriched with sea minerals, fixes that problem right up! But that’s not enough for us.

The reason why we adore this product is that it contains only plant-based surfactants – no sulfates here!

So despite cleansing your hair and making it voluminous, it never dries it out.

We also like how this shampoo is cruelty-free. Oh, and the rosemary and lavender scent? So amazing!

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Sea salt infusion for a natural boost in volume and texture.
• Nourishing formula with essential minerals for healthy hair.
• Provides a beachy, tousled look without drying out the hair.
• Suitable for all hair types, especially those seeking added body.
• Enhances natural waves and curls.

Benefits and Pros:

• Sea salt infusion for added volume and texture.
• Nourishing formula with essential minerals.
• Provides a beachy, tousled look.
• Suitable for all hair types.
• Enhances natural waves and curls.

Disadvantages and Cons:

• May be too drying for individuals with already dry or damaged hair.
• Not suitable for daily use for some hair types.

Honeydew Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo

Best Shampoo For Soft Water And Dandruff

Another among our list of the best shampoo for soft water areas is this one by Honeydew.

The greasiness resulting from soft water use on hair can lead to other problems like dandruff and inflammation.

The Lemon Sage Oily Hair Shampoo fixes that with its lemon and tea tree oil formula.

It removes excess oil, soothes redness and inflammation, and clears dandruff flakes from the scalp.

And as it is free of sulfates, it can be used by people with sensitive scalps and colored hair as well. It’s a great soft water volumizing shampoo too.

If you’re more environmentally conscious, this shampoo is just the thing for you as it’s ethically made with sustainable ingredients and comes in recyclable packaging.

The formulation is cruelty-free too!

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Contains natural extracts of honeydew, lemon, and sage.
• Gentle enough for daily use without stripping essential oils.
• Controls excess oil production without over-drying.
• Leaves hair with a fresh and invigorating scent.
• Promotes a balanced and healthy scalp.

Benefits and Pros:

• Natural extracts of honeydew, lemon, and sage.
• Gentle for daily use without stripping essential oils.
• Controls excess oil without over-drying.
• Fresh and invigorating scent.

Disadvantages and Cons:

• Scent may be too strong for some individuals.
• May take time for the scalp to adjust to oil control.

Ethique Shampoo Bar Oily Hair

Best pH Balanced Shampoo For Soft Water

A shampoo bar, soft water, and oily hair – it’s not the punchline of a joke, but just the description of this Ethique Solid Shampoo.

If you want to switch to hair products that are more environmentally friendly, try starting with this bar.

It’s made of lemon and orange essential oils that remove excess oiliness from the scalp.

But there are also humectants like glycerin in the ingredients list that keeps your hair from getting too dry.

There are no harsh surfactants in this shampoo bar either.

All ingredients used in the Ethique shampoo bar are vegan, and the bar is completely cruelty-free.

Its pH-balanced formula is great for color-treated hair too.

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Sustainable and eco-friendly shampoo bar.
• Concentrated formula reduces packaging waste.
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced ingredients.
• Balances oil production without harsh chemicals.
• Long-lasting and travel-friendly.

Benefits and Pros:

• Sustainable and eco-friendly shampoo bar.
• Concentrated formula reduces packaging waste.
• Vegan, cruelty-free, and ethically sourced.
• Balances oil production without harsh chemicals.
• Long-lasting and travel-friendly.

Disadvantages and Cons:

• Some individuals may find it less convenient than liquid shampoos.
• Initial adjustment period for those new to shampoo bars.

Tree To Tub Soapberry For Hair Shampoo

Best Sulfate Free Shampoo For Soft Water

Another shampoo that’s great for treating both oiliness and hair loss is the Tree To Tub Soapberry Shampoo.

As the name says, all the ingredients in this shampoo go straight from the tree to your hair.

So no harsh chemicals like sulfates, parabens, silicones, or artificial fragrances here!

This organic shampoo contains ingredients like caffeine, saw palmetto, biotin, and rosemary that control greasiness, prevent hair fall, and boost new hair growth.

The formulation helps maintain a pH level of 5.5 on the scalp, making Tree to Tub the best shampoo for soft water areas.

We also liked the refreshing scent it leaves behind on your hair.

The fragrance is 100 percent natural and comes from the eucalyptus and tea tree essential oils in the formulation.

Key Features of Shampoo:

• Features organic soapberry as a natural cleanser.
• pH-balanced formula suitable for sensitive skin and scalps.
• Moisturizes and hydrates the hair and scalp.
• Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances.
• Gentle enough for color-treated hair.

Benefits and Pros:

• Features organic soapberry as a natural cleanser.
• pH-balanced formula suitable for sensitive skin and scalps.
• Moisturizes and hydrates the hair and scalp.
• Free from sulfates, parabens, and artificial fragrances.
• Gentle enough for color-treated hair.

Disadvantages and Cons:

• Texture may be thinner than traditional shampoos.
• Some may find the scent too subtle.

WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo

Best Soft Water Hair Loss Shampoo

Did you know that