The 5 best shampoos for dry hair
Revitalize your tresses with these luxurious shampoos
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The quest for nourished, shiny hair is one that many of us embark upon, especially when faced with the frustrating reality of dry and brittle locks. When factors like environmental stressors, heat styling and chemical treatments constantly challenge our hair’s vitality, the significance of a well-chosen shampoo shouldn’t be underestimated.
Of course, every person’s hair has distinct characteristics that influence its behaviour and needs. From straight to curly, fine to coarse and oily to dry, the spectrum of differences is extensive. This diversity makes it challenging to offer universal product suggestions that suit everyone’s needs — even “dry hair”, though narrowed down to its own category, is only an umbrella term when you factor in a person’s genetics, environment and sensitivities to ingredients.
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A thorough understanding of your unique hair profile, being able to recognize which ingredients do or don’t work for you and being okay with a little trial and error is necessary when it comes to discovering the shampoo that truly works for you. That being said, our recommendations stem from thorough research; from reading hundreds of buyer reviews and from trying the products ourselves. In hopes that we’ve helped you narrow down your options, here are the five hydrating shampoos (each with varying ingredients, aimed at different hair types) to try if you struggle with dry hair.
Best overall: Living Proof Restore ShampooBest for curls: Function of Beauty PRO Custom Recovery Shampoo for Curly, Damaged HairBest for frizz: JVN Nurture Hydrating Shampoo For Dry HairBest for blondes: BondiBoost Blonde Baby Hydrating Toning Purple ShampooEditor favourite: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo for Dry, Colour-Treated Hair
Key ingredients: Proprietary amino cleansing complex, glutamic acid-based emollient, phytantriol Hair type: Fine, medium, thickHair Texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coilyClean at Sephora seal of approval: YesVegan and cruelty free: Yes
Why buy: This sulfate- and silicone-free shampoo will ensure gentle cleansing without stripping your natural oils, making it suitable for all kinds of hair types — including colour-treated hair. Living Proof’s formula uses their proprietary amino cleansing complex to create a protective barrier, which can reduce future damage, enhance shine and prevent breakage. Regular use of Living Proof Restore Shampoo can lead to visibly improved hair texture, manageability and overall vibrancy. After a 200-person consumer-use test, clinical results state that 84 per cent of consumers expected their hair to continue to get healthier over time with continued use.
Price: $45Where to buy: Sephora, AmazonRecommended conditioner pairing: Living Proof Restore Conditioner
Key ingredients: Adaptive f3 bonding complex, alanine, virgin poppy seed oil Hair type: Fine, medium, thick Hair Texture: CurlyClean at Sephora seal of approval: YesVegan and cruelty free: Yes
Why buy: This Function of Beauty shampoo combines the power of personalized hair care with professional-grade ingredients, effectively rejuvenating and nourishing curly and damaged strands. With its sulfate- and paraben-free formula, it gently cleanses while promoting hair health and hydration, which can enhance your natural curls and restore your hair’s vitality. The PRO Custom Recovery Shampoo’s unique ingredients (like alanine, which supports curl definition, reduces frizz and helps to maintain bounce) work to repair and revitalize, leaving your hair manageable, soft and visibly healthier. Clinical results concluded that after five washes, hair was two times smoother with two times less breakage.
Price: $32Where to buy: SephoraRecommended conditioner pairing: Function of Beauty PRO Custom Recovery Conditioner Mask for Curly, Damaged Hair
Key ingredients: Aloe leaf juice, panthenol, camellia seed oil Hair type: Fine, medium, thick Hair Texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coily Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Yes Vegan and cruelty free: Yes
Why buy: Enriched with a carefully curated blend of nourishing ingredients, this shampoo offers a rejuvenating experience for your hair and scalp. Formulated by renowned hair expert Jonathan Van Ness, it combines the benefits of aloe, panthenol and camellia seed to combat dryness and restore your hair’s shine. Its sulfate-free formula ensures gentle cleansing without stripping away essential oils, making it suitable for all kinds of hair types, including colour-treated hair. Regular use of JVN Nurture Hydrating Shampoo promises to transform dry, brittle hair into lustrous locks, promoting manageability, softness and shine. As for clinical results, 100 per cent felt their hair was hydrated without being weighed down and 97 per cent saw softer and smoother hair with less frizz (based on a 21-day consumer study of 35 subjects that used the product daily).
Price: $29Where to buy: SephoraRecommended conditioner pairing: JVN Nurture Hydrating Conditioner For Dry Hair
Key ingredients: Violet pigments, hydrolyzed quinoa, avocado oil Hair type: Fine, medium, thick Hair Texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coilyClean at Sephora seal of approval: Yes Vegan and cruelty free: Yes
Why buy: This toning shampoo not only neutralizes brassy and yellow undertones with its purple pigments but also stands out due to its unique hydrating formula. Unlike traditional purple shampoos that can strip hair of moisture, BondiBoost’s formula combines toning benefits with essential hydrating ingredients to leave hair vibrant and nourished. Infused with hydrolyzed quinoa, this purple shampoo can help strengthen porous, colour-damaged or grey hair. Its sulfate- and paraben-free formula is also ultra gentle, which makes it suitable for regular use.
Price: $39Where to buy: SephoraRecommended conditioner pairing: BondiBoost Blonde Baby Hydrating Toning Purple Conditioner
Key ingredients: Jojoba, green tea, sage Hair type: Medium, thickHair Texture: Straight, wavy, curly, coilyClean at Sephora seal of approval: NoVegan and cruelty free: Yes
Why buy: Infused with jojoba and green tea, this Pureology shampoo replenishes and locks in essential moisture, combating dryness and leaving your hair feeling luxuriously soft. Its colour-preserving formula helps extend the vibrancy of colour-treated hair by preventing fading and maintaining the integrity of your hair’s current hue. Free from sulfates and harsh chemicals, Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo ensures gentle yet effective cleansing, making it suitable for sensitive scalps and maintaining the overall health of your hair. Based on consumer testing of 82 women using a regimen of Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner, 88 per cent of women said their hair feels instantly soft while 84 per cent of women said their hair feels intensely nourished.
Price: $49Where to buy: Sephora, AmazonRecommended conditioner pairing: Drybar Liquid Glass Smoothing Conditioner
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Revitalize your tresses with these luxurious shampoos
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You can order most of them from Amazon
includedBest overall:Best for curls:Best for frizz:Best for blondes:Editor favourite: Best overall: Living Proof Restore ShampooKey ingredients: Hair type: Hair Texture:Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Vegan and cruelty free: Why buy: Price: Where to buy: Recommended conditioner pairing:Best for curls: Function of Beauty PRO Custom Recovery Shampoo for Curly, Damaged HairKey ingredients: Hair type: Hair Texture: Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Vegan and cruelty free: Why buy: Price: Where to buy: Recommended conditioner pairing: Best for frizz: JVN Nurture Hydrating Shampoo For Dry HairKey ingredients: Hair type: Hair Texture: Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Vegan and cruelty free: Why buy: Price: Where to buy: Recommended conditioner pairing: Best for blondes: BondiBoost Blonde Baby Hydrating Toning Purple ShampooKey ingredients: Hair type: Hair Texture: Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Vegan and cruelty free: Why buy: Price: Where to buy: Recommended conditioner pairing: Editor favourite: Pureology Hydrate Shampoo for Dry, Colour-Treated HairKey ingredients: Hair type: Hair Texture:Clean at Sephora seal of approval: Vegan and cruelty free: Why buy: Price: Where to buy: Recommended conditioner pairing: