The top 10 shampoo brands in India 2026 all got cheaper overnight on 22 September 2025. The GST Council cut the tax on shampoo from 18% to 5%, and the big companies published new prices. A 355 ml bottle of Clinic Plus Strong & Long dropped from ₹393 to ₹340, and Pantene’s 340 ml Hair Fall Control fell from ₹410 to ₹355.
Few shoppers realise how concentrated the shelf is. Four of the brands on this list, Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Dove and TRESemmé, belong to Hindustan Unilever. Two more, Head & Shoulders and Pantene, belong to Procter & Gamble. Here’s how the leading shampoo brands compare.
Shampoo in India: 2026 Snapshot
| Point | Detail |
| GST on shampoo | Cut from 18% to 5% on 22 September 2025 |
| HUL’s shampoo brands | Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Dove, TRESemmé |
| P&G’s shampoo brands | Head & Shoulders, Pantene |
| Biggest price cut seen | Sunsilk Black Shine 350 ml, ₹430 to ₹370 |
| Cheapest format | Single-use sachets, sold widely in rural India |
| Also confirmed the cut | L’Oréal India, from 22 September 2025 |
Who Makes India’s Shampoo
- Hindustan Unilever: Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Dove and TRESemmé
- Procter & Gamble: Head & Shoulders and Pantene
- L’Oréal: L’Oréal Paris
- Indian companies: Himalaya, CavinKare (Chik) and Honasa (Mamaearth)
Pick by Hair Concern
- Dandruff: Head & Shoulders
- Hair fall: Dove Hair Fall Rescue, Pantene Hair Fall Control, Clinic Plus Strong & Long
- Dry or frizzy hair: Dove, TRESemmé, L’Oréal Paris
- Shine and softness: Sunsilk
- Gentle or herbal: Himalaya, Mamaearth
The HUL Stable
1. Clinic Plus (Hindustan Unilever)
Clinic Plus is one of India’s most familiar family shampoos, especially in smaller towns, where its sachets are everywhere.
- Price: Strong & Long 355 ml ₹340 (down from ₹393 after the GST cut)
- Best for: affordable everyday family use
2. Sunsilk (Hindustan Unilever)
Sunsilk’s Black Shine is one of its best-known variants, aimed at shiny, soft hair.
- Price: Black Shine 350 ml ₹370 (down from ₹430)
- Best for: shine and manageability
3. Dove (Hindustan Unilever)
Dove brings its moisturising approach to hair care, and its Hair Fall Rescue range is among its most popular.
- Prices: Hair Fall shampoo 340 ml ₹435 (down from ₹490); 180 ml ₹145 (down from ₹165)
- Best for: dry hair and breakage from rough handling
4. TRESemmé (Hindustan Unilever)
TRESemmé is HUL’s salon-inspired brand, with keratin and smoothing ranges for frizzy hair.
- Price: not verified
- Best for: salon-style smoothness at home
The P&G Pair
5. Head & Shoulders (Procter & Gamble)
Head & Shoulders is India’s best-known anti-dandruff shampoo, and its Cool Menthol variant suits hot, sweaty weather.
- Prices: Cool Menthol 300 ml ₹320 (down from ₹360); Smooth & Silky 72 ml ₹79 (down from ₹89)
- Best for: dandruff and an itchy scalp
6. Pantene (Procter & Gamble)
Pantene’s Pro-V formulas target hair fall and damage, and they’re sold widely in supermarkets and online.
- Prices: Hair Fall Control and Deep Repair 340 ml ₹355 each (down from ₹410)
- Best for: damaged hair and hair fall from breakage
Global and Salon-Style
7. L’Oréal Paris
L’Oréal Paris offers targeted ranges such as Total Repair 5 and Extraordinary Oil. The company confirmed the GST cut on shampoos from 22 September 2025.
- Price: not verified
- Best for: repairing damage and colour-treated hair
Indian Favourites
8. Himalaya
Himalaya’s herbal shampoos, including its well-known anti-dandruff and protein ranges, are a popular gentle option.
- Price: not verified
- Best for: herbal, mild everyday cleansing
9. Chik (CavinKare)
Chik is widely credited with popularising low-cost shampoo sachets, which helped bring shampoo to millions of rural households.
- Price: not verified
- Best for: budget sachets
10. Mamaearth (Honasa Consumer)
Mamaearth’s shampoos focus on “toxin-free” positioning, with popular onion and rice water ranges for hair fall.
- Price: not verified
- Best for: buyers who prefer natural-positioned hair care
Shampoo Prices Before and After the GST Cut
| Brand | Product | Old MRP | New MRP |
| Head & Shoulders | Smooth & Silky 72 ml | ₹89 | ₹79 |
| Dove | Shampoo 180 ml | ₹165 | ₹145 |
| Head & Shoulders | Cool Menthol 300 ml | ₹360 | ₹320 |
| Clinic Plus | Strong & Long 355 ml | ₹393 | ₹340 |
| Pantene | Hair Fall Control 340 ml | ₹410 | ₹355 |
| Pantene | Deep Repair 340 ml | ₹410 | ₹355 |
| Sunsilk | Black Shine 350 ml | ₹430 | ₹370 |
| Dove | Hair Fall 340 ml | ₹490 | ₹435 |
New MRPs are the companies’ announced prices from 22 September 2025. Online and supermarket offers may be lower.
Shampoo Tips for Healthier Hair
- Match the shampoo to your scalp, not just your hair length. An oily scalp needs a different formula from dry ends.
- Use conditioner on the lengths only, not the scalp.
- Wash two to three times a week for most hair types, or more often if your scalp is very oily.
- Rinse in lukewarm water, since very hot water dries out hair.
- See a dermatologist for persistent dandruff or heavy hair fall, as it may need medical treatment.
Shampoo Questions, Answered
Q1. Which is the best shampoo brand in India?
A: It depends on your hair. Head & Shoulders leads for dandruff, Dove and Pantene for hair fall and damage, Sunsilk for shine, TRESemmé for frizz, and Himalaya for gentle herbal care.
Q2. Did shampoo prices fall after the GST cut?
A: Yes. GST on shampoo fell from 18% to 5% on 22 September 2025. For example, Clinic Plus Strong & Long 355 ml dropped from ₹393 to ₹340.
Q3. Which companies own the major shampoo brands?
A: Hindustan Unilever owns Clinic Plus, Sunsilk, Dove and TRESemmé. Procter & Gamble owns Head & Shoulders and Pantene. L’Oréal owns L’Oréal Paris.
Q4. Which shampoo is best for dandruff in India?
A: Head & Shoulders is the best-known anti-dandruff shampoo, and its Cool Menthol 300 ml now costs ₹320. For persistent dandruff, a dermatologist may suggest a medicated shampoo.
