How to Find the Best Shampoo For Dry Hair

Quench dry hair with a nourishing shampoo that’s specially formulated to nourish and hydrate dry strands. Look for hydrating ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera.

The best shampoo for dry hair will depend on what’s causing your dryness, which can range from factors like your porosity (lower porosity can take longer for products to absorb) or overprocessed or color-treated hair.

1. Look for a hydrating formula

When it comes to the best shampoo for dry hair, you’ll want one that delivers moisture and nourishes strands. This is because oftentimes the culprit of your brittle, dull, or flaky tresses is low hydration levels. Whether caused by harsh shampoos, frequent color treatments, or environmental stressors, the solution is a hydrating shampoo that will replenish what’s been stripped off your scalp and locks.

A hydrating shampoo will also give your hair a nice shine and tame frizz without being too heavy or sticky. The key is to look for a creamy shampoo that contains humectants, which help lock in natural oils and prevent dryness.

For a highly-rated formula that’s formulated with nourishing ingredients, try this hydrating shampoo that has an average of 4.6 stars on Amazon. It’s infused with ginkgo, Indian gooseberry, and ginger to help boost the appearance of your strands and lock in moisture.

Those who don’t wash their hair daily (or just prefer to skip the rinse) will love this convenient and effective product that can refresh strands on the go. Just be sure to hold the product four to six inches away from the head and spray directly at the roots, focusing on areas that tend to get oiliest first—for most women, this is the hairline, nape of neck, and crown. Then, massage the product in with your fingertips.

2. Look for a gentle formula

A hydrating shampoo for dry hair will have ingredients that will gently cleanse your strands without stripping them of their natural oils, which are the key to healthy strands. Look for a gentle surfactant like sodium lauryl sulfoacetate, which provides mild cleansing without harshness. Also, check the ingredient list for other nourishing ingredients, such as shea butter and argan oil.

If your hair is color treated or chemically processed, opt for a shampoo that’s safe for those types of treatments. And don’t forget to always follow up with a moisturizing conditioner and use heat protection when styling your strands.

Another important factor to keep in mind is how often you wash your strands. Excessive washing can exacerbate dryness by stripping the hair of its shampoo for dry hair natural protective oils, so try to limit your washing to two or three times per week.

The best hydrating shampoos for dry hair will provide a deep, gentle cleanse and intensely hydrate the strands to help them stay hydrated longer. The Pureology Hydrate Shampoo, for example, is a great option for those seeking a non-stripping, gentle cleanse that leaves the hair deeply hydrated. It’s formulated with jojoba, an emollient that Reavey says «nourishes the scalp while providing moisture and preventing dryness,» as well as glycerin, which draws moisture from the atmosphere to hydrate the hair.

3. Look for a sulfate-free formula

A sulfate-free shampoo is formulated without the detergent sulfates (such as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfoacetate) found in many traditional shampoos. This allows the formula to create a good lather, but without the chemical drying effects. Sulfates can strip the hair and scalp of their natural oils, leaving them parched and prone to damage.

The right sulfate-free shampoo will effectively remove dirt, oil, and product build-up from your strands while maintaining moisture. This is important because dry hair tends to be brittle and can break easily. The right sulfate-free formula will also help balance your hair’s natural oil production, which may be off in people with dry scalps and can cause overproduction in those with oily scalps.

Sulfate-free shampoos can also work better for color-treated hair. Traditional sulfates can have a negative impact on the vibrancy of dyed hair, causing it to fade over time. However, sulfate-free BONDING TREATMENT shampoos can provide the gentle cleansing needed to maintain color longevity.

When applying sulfate-free shampoo, it is best to apply from mid-length to ends of hair and leave it in for a few minutes. This will allow the conditioner to penetrate deeper into your strands, where it is needed most. It’s also important to apply the conditioner as directed on the bottle and not use too much – too much can weigh your hair down.

4. Look for a fragrance-free formula

Whether you want to refresh hair in between washes or add extra volume to your strands, a good dry shampoo can help. Look for one that’s lightweight and made with ingredients like kaolin clay, tapioca starch, and rice starch to absorb excess oils. “They can help remove odors and tame frizz and static without adding any weight to the hair,” says an GH beauty pro.

Fragranced formulas can trigger allergies, irritate skin and scalp conditions, or contribute to indoor air pollution, so opting for fragrance-free is a smart move. Look for products with ingredients listed in the ACDS Core Allergens Series if you’re particularly sensitive or prone to irritants.

A deep conditioning treatment is another essential step in the quest for healthy, hydrated hair. Look for a formula that’s packed with hydrating and restorative ingredients, like coconut oil, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid, to make the difference in your parched tresses.

Getting your hair to glow and shine isn’t easy, but by following the right routine and incorporating the best shampoo for dry hair into your beauty regimen, you can give your strands the boost they need. Try incorporating these tips into your daily routine and we’re confident your hair will look and feel more lustrous than ever. Just don’t forget to moisturize with a rich hair mask once a week!