Hello, hydration
There’s no shortage of factors that can cause dry hair—everything from heat styling to chemical treatments to sun exposure to even washing too frequently can cause dryness, says Amy Abramite, creative director and stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. And dry hair not only doesn’t look good, but it also doesn’t feel good. Not to mention that, if left untreated, it can become even more damaged.
Happily, something as simple as using the right type of moisturizing shampoo and conditioner can be a great way to start quenching parched hair. Look for words such as ‘hydrate’ and ‘repair’ on the labels, suggests celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown. She adds that choosing sulfate-free formulas is also a good idea; these cleansing ingredients can strip the hair of its natural moisture.
Now, there are many shampoos and conditioners out there that claim to combat dryness and damage. To find the very best in show, we tried some of the top-rated options out there, our testers rating each formula’s texture and feel, ingredient list, and how well it hydrated and repaired their hair. Our team then combined these results with expert recommendations and our own research to create this list.
Ahead, the best shampoos—and their accompanying conditioners—for dry hair.
Best Overall: Maui Moisture Heal + Hydrate Conditioner
This sudser delivers a powerful dose of hydration thanks to ingredients such as shea butter, aloe vera juice, coconut oil, and macadamia nut oil, just to name a few. It’s sulfate-free and silicone-free, too, making it a great pick for all hair types, curls included. The wallet-friendly price and tropical fragrance are just bonuses.
Best Budget: Odele Moisture Repair Shampoo
We’re giving top honors to this newbie from one of our favorite haircare brands of all time. The formula is all about restoring and reviving even the driest, most damaged hair—particularly coarse and curly hair types—all while gently cleansing away oil, product buildup, and other impurities.
At work in this powerhouse shampoo are hydrating aloe and humectant glycerin, plus amino acids, rice protein, and quinoa extract, all of which make hair feel and look better after even just one wash. And, as always, the blissful citrus and melon scent is completely naturally derived.
Best Drugstore: Pantene Hydrating Glow with Baobab Essence Shampoo
From one of the most beloved drugstore hair care brands, this formula is amazing for anyone who needs to add some extra moisture back into their hair. The namesake ingredient is known for being deeply hydrating; the formula is also sulfate-free and loaded with good-for-your-hair antioxidants and vitamins, too. Plus, it lathers beautifully.
Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Pretty much anything and everything Olaplex makes is ideal for dry, damaged hair, and this shampoo and conditioner duo is no exception. A great choice for all hair types, it’s extremely moisturizing but also helps to subsequently address split ends, dryness, weakness, and more.
Best for Scalp Health: WOW Apple Cider Vinegar Shampoo
Breaking news: Good hair starts with a good scalp, and this formula is ideal for that very reason. According to the brand, apple cider vinegar helps to deep clean and purify your scalp, removing debris and build-up that can ultimately end up impeding hair growth. It’s also sulfate-free, and the conditioner contains coconut and avocado oils for moisturization purposes.
Best for Fine Hair: Virtue Recovery Shampoo
“This shampoo and conditioner work to repair dry, damaged hair and is formulated with keratin protein that gets deposited directly into the hair,” says Brown of one of her picks. Still, unlike so many other similarly reparative formulas that can be too thick or heavy for those with fine hair (read: can end up weighing down your hair), this is still lightweight enough that it’s still good for even those with thinner hair. We like pairing it with the Virtue Labs Recovery Conditioner to really see a difference.
Best for Thick Hair: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo
The bad news: Thick hair can be more prone to dryness and damage, particularly at the ends. The good news: This shampoo (which is really so moisturizing you could call it a cleansing conditioner) can help. A litany of different ingredients—rose oil, algae extract, and biotin—can help repair and hydrate while still cleansing thoroughly and rinsing out cleanly. Try it out with the Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask, a deeply hydrating in-shower treatment. You won’t be disappointed in the results.
Best Sulfate-Free: Mielle Organics Babassu Conditioning Shampoo
Babassu oil is the star of the show here, a fruit-derived oil that penetrates the hair follicle for the ultimate dose of moisture.1 Great for both dry and curly hair, it also touts strengthening almond protein and is color-safe as well. Just FYI, because it is sulfate-free, you may need to use quite a bit of it if you like to get lots of lather going.
Best for Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo
Fun fact: Curly hair can actually be more prone to dryness than straight hair. The elliptical shape of the hair makes it harder for natural moisturizing oils to make their way down from the scalp and throughout the length of the hair. It’s why curly hair types can definitely benefit from a moisturizing shampoo like this one. Shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe are just a few of the many moisturizing ingredients in the sulfate formula, which is also super affordable.
Best for Colored Hair: Unite 7Seconds Shampoo
“This is a great daily moisturizing shampoo and conditioner that doesn’t weigh hair down but still delivers plenty of moisture and shine,” explains Brown. She also lauds it for protection from UV rays and the ensuing color fading, a major win for anyone who colors their hair. Bonus points for the fact that it’s also sodium chloride-free, so even those who get keratin treatments can use it.
Best Smoothing: Davines Love Smoothing Shampoo
A quick science lesson: Frizz and dryness often go hand-in-hand. (Frizz is caused when there’s a moisture imbalance between your hair and the outside environment.) This one-stop shop is great for addressing both. “The shampoo’s smoothing formula has a soft and creamy foam that gently cleanses and nourishes hair without weighing it down. The conditioner adds to the smoothing benefits and makes hair more hydrated and shiny,” says Brown, who is a big fan. Pair it with Davines LOVE Conditioner for the best results.
Best Splurge: Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
Pricey? Yes. Worth it? Also, yes. It has a laundry list of various ingredients that work not only to hydrate but also to strengthen the hair, add tons of oil, balance the scalp, repair damage, and much, much more. In short, it’s a great option if you have dry hair, but really it’s ideal for anyone’s hair that requires some extra TLC, for whatever reason that may be. The signature Oribe scent (which is so good you’ll be able to skip perfume) is the icing on the cake.
Best Splurge: Kerastase Bain Satin 2 Shampoo
Yes, $35 is a steep price for shampoo, but thanks to the high-quality ingredients and professional endorsement, we believe this hydrating helper is worth the cost. A favorite among stylists, the Bain shampoo is designed to quench parched hair. Shelly Aguirre, professional hair stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, names this shampoo a “classic” for cleansing dry hair types. “The best part of high-end formulas is that they wash out well and won’t weigh the hair down,” she says.
Loaded with lipids and glucids, gentle shampoo restores shine and nourishes hair after one wash. Pair it with the Lait Vital Conditioner for the best results.
Best For Coily Hair: Carol’s Daughter Wash Day Delight Water-to-Foam Shampoo
Micellar water is a staple in French skincare, but Carol’s Daughter is making a strong case for its hair benefits. Coily hair tends to be the driest in the curly family, and harsh cleansers can aggravate the issue. This gentle water to foam cleanser walks the tightrope between gentle and effective.
Despite its lack of sulfates, this water delivers satisfying suds, and the targeted tip allows you to concentrate on otherwise hard-to-reach areas—hello scalp. Beyond that, aloe, aka a curly girl’s secret weapon, nourishes and soothes for added shine.
Best For Wavy Hair: Klorane Ultra-Gentle Shampoo with Oat Milk
Wavy hair comes in a range of shapes, from rolling hills to rigid ripples. In order to combat dryness, this cleanser uses the gentlest ingredients, like organically harvested oat milk, and is designed to return strands to their natural pH. Adam Maclay, a celebrity hairstylist based in New York City, calls this a go-to for thirsty hair. “It not only allows the natural pH balance of the scalp to stay true but is excellent for all hair types,” he says, “It is great for the in-between days when not utilizing heavy moisturizing products.”
Best for Flyaways: Sienna Naturals H.A.P.I. Shampoo
Factors like the environment, harsh hair products, fuzzy towels, etc., exacerbate dryness and intensify breakage, but sometimes, the root of the issue stems from a lack of moisture. This sulfate-free formula effectively cleans (yay, suds!) without drying out strands. On top of that, soothing aloe leaf juice nourishes and baobab oil conditions thirsty strands. The slippery gel coats hairs without weighing them down and melts tough to break down tangles. Pair it with the Sienna Naturals Untangled Conditioner for the best results.
Best Natural: Davines MOMO Shampoo
Another favorite among stylists, Davines prioritizes hair health over everything. Powerful ingredients (without any of the bad stuff) cut through excess oil and create the perfect foundation for a hydrating conditioner. The star ingredient is Cartucciaru melon, grown on a small farm in Italy. Rich in vitamins A and C, potassium, and zinc, this cleanser functions like a green juice for your hair.
If you don’t experience a heavy lather when using, that is okay—you aren’t supposed to. Gently massage it into your scalp for a deep clean and some light bubbles. Pair it with the MOMO Conditioner for best results.
Final Verdict
Look no further than these shampoos and conditioners to help revive your dry, tired hair into being healthy and hydrated. Our top picks, Maui Moisture’s Heal + Hydrate Shea Butter Shampoo and Conditioner, instantly hydrate hair after only one wash due to its Infusion of shea butter and aloe vera juice. However, if your hair is extremely damaged, Olaplex’s No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo and No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner are your best bet. These raved-about, super-potent formulas repair broken bonds within the hair to revitalize brittle strands. Finally, if you’re after an affordable, clean, cruelty-free option, the new Odele Moisture Repair Shampoo and Conditioner is one of our favorites.
What to Look For in a Shampoo or Conditioner for Dry Hair
Hydrating Ingredients
To repair dry hair, Abramite recommends shampoos and conditioners that contain coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter. “Coconut oil moisturizes and softens dull, coarse hair and prevents protein loss by nourishing and strengthening it with vitamins,” she explains. “Argan oil contains vitamin E for silky soft strands, and shea butter locks in moisture with vitamins A and E to heal and seal the cuticle, preventing breakage.”
Avoid Sulfates and Harsh Ingredients
Sulfates and other harsh ingredients strip hair of natural oils. They can be very drying, which is exactly what you’re trying to avoid. You want the shampoo to increase moisture and repair hair, not do the opposite.
FAQ
What causes dry hair?
Dry hair happens for a variety of reasons. “First, some people naturally have a drier texture,” says Aguirre. “Beyond that, overprocessing and the climate can affect moisture levels.” Maclay also references hot tools as a common dry hair culprit.
What can I do to treat dry hair?
“Utilizing a gentle shampoo and a hydrating conditioner will help treat dry hair,” Maclay says, “For an added boost, a hair mask once or twice a week will help to keep your ends moisturized.” He also recommends taking a break from heat styling and getting a trim every few months to shed dead ends.
How often should you wash dry hair?
Unfortunately, there is no set rule for how many times you should wash your hair, however, “dry hair can be caused by overwashing the hair,” according to Maclay. If your hair is feeling particularly brittle, try eliminating one wash from your weekly routine.
As a good rule of thumb, Aguirre recommends washing twice a week and seeing how your hair responds.
