The 13 best shampoos for dry hair that will nourish and restore brittle strands

After years of using and loving the amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo, it beat out the other contenders as our top pick among the very best shampoos for dry hair. It is loaded with hydrating and moisturizing powerhouses like hyaluronic acid, squalane, and coconut water. Additionally, according to the company, the shampoo is specially formulated to provide up to 72 hours of hydration. In my experience, my hair feels more nourished and moisturized for far longer than any other shampoo. It gently cleanses and transforms into a rich lather upon contact with water. Oh, and did I mention it's vegan and cruelty-free? 

Even the frizziest hair is no match for this shampoo, but don't just take it from us. "The L'Oreal Paris EverPure Frizz Defy Shampoo is a great option to fit your budget and tame your frizz," says Los Angeles-based hairstylist Bradley Leake. He tells Business Insider, "This shampoo is sulfate-free and contains Marula Oil, which will significantly improve your texture and contain your frizz but without adding that greasy feel." Bonus: it's suitable for color-treated hair, too.

Damaged hair does care — and that's precisely why it's worth snagging Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair!™ Super Moisture Shampoo. This uber-hydrating hair-care essential delivers moisture while eliminating dirt, buildup, and excess oil without weighing down the hair or stripping color. It's loaded with beneficial ingredients like conditioning shea butter, nourishing coconut oil, and anti-inflammatory algae extract.

Fine, dry hair is no match for Pureology's Hydrate Sheer Shampoo, which features a creamy silicone- and sulfate-free formula that's well-suited for fine, dry, and color-treated strands. Jojoba is known for its nourishing and smoothing properties, while green tea promotes healthy hair growth. Additionally, salicylic acid gently exfoliates and removes excess oil and product buildup. 

With its innovative sulfate-free formula, it's no wonder why the Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo has made this list of the best shampoos for dry hair. Enriched with ingredients like antioxidant-laden argan oil, smoothing algae, and free radical-fighting vitamin A, it's gentle enough for everyday use, even on color-treated hair. Its signature scent, which features a blend of spicy amber and sweet florals, is just the icing on the proverbial cake. For more of the best sulfate-free shampoos, check out our guide.

Designed for everyday use, the Dove Daily Moisture Shampoo is our pick for the best drugstore shampoo for dry hair. Despite its lightweight formula, the shampoo intensely hydrates and smoothes strands. That's because it's infused with ultra-versatile glycerin, a powerful humectant that helps boost moisture and condition hair, ultimately making it softer. 

Since curly hair is more porous than straight or wavy hair, it requires even more moisturization. Enter the Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo, which features a nourishing blend of vitamins and botanicals to boost moisture sans any greasiness. Its gentle cleansing formula won't strip your delicate strands, either. Find more of our favorite shampoos for curly hair here.

"Mielle's Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo contains rosemary oil to promote circulation to the scalp and hair follicles and protect the hair from environmental stressors via its antioxidant properties," says Dr. Green of this wallet-friendly shampoo. Meanwhile, peppermint oil helps "promote hair growth and strength." Best of all, it's under $10 per bottle. 

After reading rave reviews about this top-rated shampoo for dry hair, I decided to put it to the test — and I was pleasantly impressed with the results. While the formula is lightweight, it's packed with beneficial ingredients like protective panthenol, vitamin-rich aloe, and fatty acid-loaded camellia seed oil. Even after just one use, my hair felt visibly softer straight out of the shower up until my next wash day. The fresh, clean scent added an extra-luxe touch.

The Biolage Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo features a creamy vegan formula loaded with plant-based ingredients. Capuaçu butter is an emollient rich in fatty acids, making it great for softening, moisturizing, and nourishing strands. Apricot kernel oil, another emollient, softens and soothes. Similarly, aloe offers soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, while salicylic acid gently exfoliates to keep your hair — and scalp! — clean as a whistle. 

Those with fine or thinning hair should opt for a lightweight shampoo that won't weigh down their delicate strands, which is exactly where the Nexxus Ultralight Smooth Shampoo comes into play. As one of our top picks for the best shampoos for dry hair, this product features a (seemingly) weightless formula — seriously, I didn't even feel it come out into the palm of my hair in the shower! — that effortlessly transforms into a thin lather. Because of its light and airy texture, I found it incredibly easy to massage into my scalp. I was also pleasantly surprised to find that my usually knotty, tangled hair was quick — and relatively pain-free — to brush out the following day, even after going to bed without styling it.

It's no secret that color-treated hair is more prone to dryness. However, the Redken AllSoft Shampoo was specially formulated to combat this. Its hero ingredient, argan oil, boosts hydration, protects against damage, and moisturizes. Glycerin also helps replenish damaged, color-treated strands, while salicylic acid can help lock in color by promoting a healthy scalp.

Scalp health is integral to overall hair health. Not Your Mother's Scalp Balancing Shampoo is formulated to gently cleanse the scalp and remove product buildup, excess oil, and flakes without stripping it of essential oils. The dermatologist-tested shampoo is also formulated with ingredients like glycerin and seawater to calm irritation and boost hydration. I was able to get my hands on this shampoo and put it to the test, and I especially loved how creamy the texture was, which, in turn, allowed for an ultra-rich lather. If you’ve ever struggled with dandruff, check out our guide on the best dandruff shampoos for more great options for sensitive scalps.

Ingredients:

According to Dr. Green, "The best shampoos for dry hair will contain hydrating ingredients such as shea butter and jojoba oil and healthy hair ingredients such as biotin, argan oil, and coconut oil."  On the contrary, she recommends avoiding products that contain parabens, "which can strip the hair and scalp of their natural oils, resulting in further dryness and irritation," along with alcohol and isopropanol, both of which "can lead to the drying of hair strands and can additionally damage the hair follicles." Sulfates, including sodium lauryl sulfate, described by Dr. Green as  "a cleansing agent that creates a lather," can lead to "hair follicle damage when left in the hair." Finally, those with sensitivities should also steer clear of fragrances, which can "irritate the scalp and damage the hair follicles."

Hair type: 

Your hair type "absolutely" dictates what kind of shampoo for dry hair you should use, explains Dr. Green. For example, says the dermatologist, "If you have fine or thin hair, you may want to purchase shampoos with lightweight ingredients such as jojoba oil to prevent buildup and weight on the hair." On the other hand, those with thick or coarse hair can use shampoos with heavier ingredients like shea butter "that the hair strands can absorb." It's also worth noting that those with color-treated hair should look for "shampoos with proteins to deeply repair and strengthen the hair and hydrating ingredients to replenish moisture lost during the coloring process."

How do you determine if you have dry hair?

Per Dr. Green, "Dry hair typically appears as dull or flat with no shine to the strands." Additionally, dry hair "may snap or break easily when stretched gently" since it's prone to damage. Finally, it's worth noting that "individuals with dry hair may also complain of an itchy or flaky scalp due to decreased oil production."

What causes dry hair?

A number of factors can cause dry hair. For one, says Dr. Green, "Overwashing your hair and using harsh or improper ingredients can excessively strip the hair of its natural oils." Meanwhile, "Some individuals may be genetically predisposed to dry hair due to lower levels of oil production on the scalp." Hormone imbalances, certain medications, or medical conditions can also "play a role in decreased oil production and dryness." Dr. Green is also quick to note that "excessively using heat styling tools or using heat without protectants can lead to hair cuticle damage" since it strips the hair of moisture, ultimately leading to — you guessed it — dryness.

How often should you wash your dry hair?

Put simply, there is no one-size-fits-all answer when it comes to how often you should wash your hair. That said, explains Dr. Green, "It may be beneficial to start with washing your clothes once a week." From there, she says, "It is important to pay attention to how your hair feels."  For example, "If your hair feels weighed down or oily throughout the week, you can increase the frequency of washing." On the contrary, if your hair still feels dry, it may help to decrease the frequency of washing. 

Your hair type also plays a vital role in determining how often you should wash your hair. Think of it this way, says the dermatologist: "Those with coarse, dry hair may be able to wash their hair less frequently than those with fine, dry hair."

Can extremely dry hair be repaired?

Prepare to breathe a sigh of relief: According to Dr. Green, "Extremely dry hair can be repaired with the right hair care products and regimen." For one, "Using hydrating products, targeted treatments, and decreasing the use of heat styling can all be beneficial to repairing and restoring dry hair."