The 12 Best Shampoos for Dry Hair of 2024
If you have dry hair, it can be tricky to find a shampoo that effectively removes dirt, oils, and product build-up without stripping it of any further moisture. That’s why the best shampoos for dry hair contain nourishing ingredients like shea butter along with avocado, jojoba, argan, and olive oils to keep hair feeling soft and silky.
For hair that’s particularly dry or if you have a sensitive scalp, you’ll want to steer clear of sulfates (particularly sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate). While these cleansing agents offer shampoos that satisfyingly sudsy, foaming lather, they “tend to strip the hair of natural oils,” says Cristina B. King, hair stylist at Rita Hazan Salon.
Beyond seeking out an ingredient list that’s gentle, choosing the right shampoo for dry hair can depend on your hair’s texture and thickness, whether or not you have color- or chemically- treated hair, and personal preferences like the scents and budget. To pinpoint the best dry hair shampoos that keep in mind all of these aforementioned factors, we also consulted with board-certified dermatologists Lauren Penzi, MD, FAAD and Carolyn Stull, MD, FAAD, on preferred ingredients and advice on caring for your dry hair.
OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo at Amazon
$11
$8
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo at Amazon
$36
Nexxus Color Assure Sulfate-Free Shampoo For Color-Treated Hair at Amazon
$26
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Only a small dab of this concentrated shampoo is needed to get a thorough, gentle cleanse.
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This formula is rich and may weigh down very thin or fine hair.
The luxurious Pureology Hydrate Shampoo is fantastic for just about anyone looking for a nurturing, non-stripping cleanse that leaves their hair tangle-free and soft. It contains jojoba, an emollient that Reavey explains, “nourishes the scalp while providing moisture and preventing dryness.” You’ll also find glycerin, which “draws moisture from the atmosphere to hydrate the hair,” she adds. Rounding out the vegan ingredient list is vitamin E and sunflower seed oil, which further support the needs of dry hair.
A small dollop of the product is all that’s needed to achieve the cleanse you‘re looking for, as this shampoo is rich and highly concentrated. This is a major plus, considering this is more of a splurge shampoo than a budget buy. Do be aware that if you thin hair, this product may be too heavy for you.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, sunflower seed, vitamin E, glycerin | Size: 1.7, 9, and 33.8 ounces | Scent: Lavender, patchouli, and bergamot
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Its creamy lather leaves scalp and hair feeling clean and moisturized, all at a budget-friendly price.
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The scent does not linger as long on your hair as some other shampoos.
Maintaining a healthy scalp is needed to combat dry hair, so considering products like the Dove Scalp + Hair Therapy Hydrating Shampoo will not only help moisturize your hair, but also give your scalp much needed TLC. This drugstore shampoo has a balancing and strengthening formula that cleans well without overstripping hair, thanks to ingredients including niacinamide (aka vitamin B3), vitamin E, zinc and peptides. It also contains glycerin to provide extra moisture.
The shampoo is sulfate-free, vegan, and PETA-certified cruelty-free, with a citrus and floral scent that is subtle and tends not to linger as long as some other shampoo’s fragrances. It’s also nourishing against sensitive scalps, and gentle enough on dry hair that it can be used daily. If you’re someone who needs extra scalp care without breaking the bank, this is a solid pick.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, niacinamide, vita