Choosing the best shampoo for dry hair and matching hydrating conditioners comes with its trials and tribulations. We tend to cycle through options that dry out our hair even more in the process. We saved you a lot of time and frustration by compiling this list of the best shampoos for dry hair that will whip your strands back into shape.
Dry hair lacks moisture and natural oils, leading to problems like frizz, breakage, and split ends. Using a regular shampoo can strip away even more of this precious moisture, making the problem worse. Here’s why you should consider switching to a special shampoo for dry hair:
- Gentle cleansing: Unlike ordinary shampoos that can be harsh and drying, shampoos for dry hair are formulated with gentle cleansers that remove dirt and impurities without stripping away essential oils. This helps maintain the natural moisture balance of your hair, preventing dryness and damage.
- Hydrating ingredients: Shampoos for dry hair are packed with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid, argan oil, and shea butter, which penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep conditioning. This helps improve manageability, reduce frizz, and add shine to your hair.
- Repairing properties: Dry hair is more prone to damage. Ingredients like keratin and ceramides that help repair and strengthen hair strands. This reduces breakage and split ends, promoting healthier and more resilient hair.
- Improved scalp health: Dryness can also affect your scalp, leading to irritation and flaking. These products promote a healthy scalp environment, which is essential for healthy hair growth.
- Customization for your hair type: Dry hair can come in various textures, from fine to coarse. Different formulas are suited for each hair type, so pay attention to this when choosing the right product for you.
Ultimately, using a special shampoo for dry hair is an investment in the health and beauty of your hair. By providing the right care, you can combat dryness, prevent damage, and enjoy soft, shiny, and manageable hair.
Ready to find your perfect match? We at StudyFinds have taken the time to research multiple expert sources to bring you today’s ranking of the best shampoo for dry hair on the market. Don’t agree with our list or feel we missed out on a great recommendation? No worries, we would love to hear from you in the comments below.
The List: Best Shampoo for Dry Hair, According to Experts
1. Oribe Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
If you’re prone to scratching your scalp here and there, Oribe’s Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is the choice. “Formulated with salicylic acid, per Abramite’s recommendation for flaky hair, revived the strands near my roots and hydrated my dry scalp. This formula is vegan, recommended for all hair types and textures, and will hydrate your hair from root to tip,” says the NY Post.
“Oribe is a fan-favorite hair care brand and for good reason. Although the price point is steep, their incredibly well-made products will give your hair new life. Their range offers a ton of products for various hair types and concerns,” boasts Real Simple.
“The shampoo will help define those patterns as well as tame frizz and add shine, according to the brand. You can also pair it with its matching conditioner or hair mask,” adds NBC News.
2. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Olaplex is a leader in reparative hair products and treatments, so it’s no surprise to see Olaplex No 4. Bond Maintenance as the number two best shampoo for dry hair. “The brand’s patented Bond Building Technology repairs damage and split ends and supports hair bonds to help protect against future damage. We recommend pairing it with Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner for best results,” offers Shape.
“Enter the crowd-favorite Olaplex, a mighty addition to your bathroom shelf and an even more powerful addition to your hairwashing routine. Mixed with the brand’s No. 3 and No. 5, its Bond Maintenance Shampoo feels like the formula seeps into your scalp for a gentle, refreshing vibrance. It’s unmatched and wonderful on curly hair, namely because it’s incredibly moisturizing, which Abramite explains is best to soften the curls, add bounce, and define the shape,” says the NY Post.
“Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology does wonders for split ends, breakage, and overall damaged hair. This hydrating formula nourishes and softens hair while repairing broken bonds and strengthening. One reviewer describes the formula as transformative and states, ‘I used to have hair that broke very easily, but now it’s long and healthy and luxurious,'” adds Oprah Daily.
3. Kerastase Nutritive Bain Shampoo
Specifically formulated for dry, sensitized hair, Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Shampoo delivers nourishing and protective antioxidants to your strands while replenishing hair fibers. The result is hair that feels touchably soft and looks gloriously shiny,” offers Hair.
“For straight or fine hair, Biolage curl specialist and celebrity stylist Cynthia Alvarez says, ‘avoid anything heavy that could weigh down your hair and instead look for a lightweight or mild formula.’ So if you have dry and thin hair, this Kérastase formula (and its matching conditioner) is your best bet for nourishment that won’t deflate strands,” adds Good Housekeeping.
“If touching your hair throughout the day reminds you more of straw than silk, you may need something that does a little more than cleanse. While you’re singing in the shower, this nutritive shampoo infuses each strand of hair with glucose proteins and nourishing lipids so you get that soft, slo-mo shake shine even before you move on to conditioner,” says The Cut.
This shampoo also gets five stars from StudyFinds’ Associate Editor, Sophia Naughton. “I bleach my hair to a crisp every time I get highlights, so finding a shampoo that actually nourishes my hair is a little tricky,” adds Naughton. “I now use this Kerastase shampoo every time I shower and, not only does it hydrate my hair, but it makes it smell like I just stepped out of the salon every time. The Nutritive line also has a leave-in that is one of my favorites, too!”
4. Davines NaturalTech Nourishing Shampoo
For an intensely replenishing and nourishing formula, Davines has harnessed the power of roucou oil for those who suffer from dry tresses. “Paired with their Oi Absolute Beautifying Conditioner makes for the ultimate anti-dry hair duo,” says Cosmopolitan.
“Finding a formula that will repair hair without weighing it down is crucial for dry, fine hair. This shampoo from Davines harnesses the natural power of grape extract to restore and repair dry, damaged hair. The clean ingredients make it an excellent pick for fine hair, and the shampoo’s creamy texture hydrates even the finest strands,” states Shape.
“A collective favorite of our experts, Davis uses this to help cleanse and treat her weak, dry, and fine hair. ‘Any time I use it, it’s almost like a spa treatment,’ says Davis. ‘I feel like my hair feels so much more moisturized, and it’s a really good reset, especially for dry hair.’ Apply the paraben-free shampoo and gently massage it into your scalp and hair until the gel turns into a cream. After rinsing, use the Momo conditioner for the best results, according to Davines,” informs NBC News.
5. Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Coconut Shampoo
Not only does this shampoo help hydrate curls, but it also helps enhance your curl’s natural shape to reduce frizz and amplify curl definition. “Formulated specifically for curly hair, this shampoo features natural ingredients like silk protein, coconut, and neem oil to restore shine and hydration while gently cleansing curly hair,” says Shape.
“This shampoo and twinning conditioner from SheaMoisture contains coconut oil to nourish parched curls, plus hibiscus flower extract to improve hair elasticity (hello, bounce!) while minimizing breakage. Plus, the brand claims it’s sulfate- and silicone-free. We haven’t tested it in the Lab, but reviewers swear by it,” states Good Housekeeping.
“If you have thick and curly hair, consider this shampoo that uses water, coconut oil, aloe vera, and shea butter (among other ingredients) to cleanse, moisturize, reduce frizz, and define curls, according to the brand. Reviewers say this creamy shampoo, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 19,700 reviews on Amazon, is gentle on the scalp and even helps create soft and shiny curls without adding conditioner,” boasts NBC News.
6. Pureology Hydrate Shampoo
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is perfect for anyone with medium to thick dry color-treated hair. “It intensely moisturizes your strands, while the brand’s AntiFade Complex ensures your hair color remains vibrant,” says Hair.
“Color-treated hair and dryness typically go hand in hand. Luckily, this formula provides hydration, preserves hair color, increases shine, and gives it a soft and smooth feel. It also contains sunflower seed extract, a UV filter, and vitamin E to protect against environmental factors, such as pollution and sun exposure, that strip color,” shares Oprah Daily.
“This 100 percent vegan formula is ideal for medium to thick hair types and keeps your hair color looking like you got it done yesterday (seriously). The star ingredients—jojoba, green tea, and sage—are perfect for stimulating the scalp and nourishing the hair follicles right down to the root. All you’ll need is a dime-sized amount to get your mane nourished and moisturized, all while keeping your color intact,” explains Real Simple.
7. Redken All Soft Shampoo
Redken Shampoo can be a game-changer if your locks are supremely parched. And it comes in many variations. “This nourishing formula softens and adds hydration to very dry, coarse hair,” offers Hair.
“Redken’s cult All Soft collection has been reimagined for even drier, straw-like hair. So if, your hair has been bleached to the moon and back (and is on the curly side), invest in a bottle of this shampoo. Yes, I know it’s not the cheapest, but this range is famous for bringing dry, brittle, broken hair back to silky softness – and I can personally vouch for its effectiveness. My 4-month-old chemically-treated hair extensions feel almost new again,” says Cosmopolitan.
“Coloring your hair with bleach or dye can dry it out and make it feel stiff and brittle. This formula from Redken works to soothe strands back to their youthful, pre-color state using argan oil and aloe vera. Customer reviews state how fast the product works, with hair noticeably softer and less damaged after just one wash,” states Shape.
You might also be interested in:
- Best Hair Masks for Dry Hair
- Best Shampoo for Grey Hair
- Best Shampoo for Oily Hair
- Best Shampoo Bars
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Note: This article was not paid for nor sponsored. StudyFinds is not connected to nor partnered with any of the brands mentioned and receives no compensation for its recommendations. This article may contain affiliate links in which we receive a commission if you make a purchase.