Gray or white hair can be stunning, but it needs special care. Because gray and white hair lack pigment, strands reflect what clings to them day in and day out — think: chlorine, pollution, smoke, minerals from water, and even certain hair care product debris. These outside forces work to dull even the most vibrant hair colors, but on white and gray hair, their lackluster effects are much more noticeable and can appear as a yellow cast.

What’s more: Natural pigment acts as a shield, helping protect hair from environmental stressors like UV rays. Once these pigments decrease, your hair loses some of its natural defense against oxidation and, therefore, yellowing.

To counteract the dingy yellow that often plagues gray and white hair, try a color-depositing shampoo. The silver, blue, or violet pigments in these shampoos work to temporarily neutralize yellow and orange tones, returning hair to a vibrant gray, silver, or white.

6 Best Shampoos for Gray Hair

Here we run down our favorite shampoos created specifically for gray hair.

1. Better Not Younger Silver Lining Shampoo

The first shampoo developed specifically to meet the needs of gray/silver aging hair, this sulfate-free formula tones down brassiness and yellowing, while hydrating, smoothing, and adding fullness, volume, and lift. Available at better–notyounger.com

2. Kerotin Purple Shampoo

Kerotin Purple Shampoo is a brightening and toning shampoo, free of sulfates and sodium chloride. Because of its clean formulation, it does not leave hair feeling dry after washing. The accompanying conditioner (not shown) leverages the ultra-moisturizing benefits of mango butter to deeply condition hair. Kerotin also offers a deeply pigmented purple mask 

3. Redken Color Extend Graydiant Shampoo 

Formulated specifically for gray hair, this shampoo is part of a two-step pigment program: It neutralizes yellow with violet pigments; the accompanying conditioner (not shown) brightens hair further with custom silver dyes. Available at ulta.com.

4. Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo

Long turned to when brassy tones needed busting in blondes, this color-enhancing shampoo also zaps yellow from gray hair using deep-violet pigments. Just be careful: Left on too long and it will turn your gray temporarily lilac. Available at target.com.

5. Matrix Total Results So Silver Shampoo

This shampoo deposits violet pigments uniformly to provide a seamless, even-toned neutralization of unwanted yellow as it gently clarifies hair of what’s dulling it. Available at ulta.com.

6. Aveda Blue Malva Shampoo

For the eco-minded, this shampoo derives its blue pigment from the blue malva flowering herb, which also soothes scalp conditions, moisturizes, and acts as a mild clarifier. Available at aveda.com.

Are you ready to go gray? Here’s some advice.

>READ: The Best Conditioners For Gray Hair

>READ: TRANSITIONING YOUR HAIR COLOR: GRACEFULLY GOING GRAY

>READ: DOES YOUR WHITE HAIR COLOR WASH YOU OUT?

Photos: Courtesy of the companies