Dryness can be the root cause of many hair problems such as frizziness, breakage, and hair fall. How do you keep the moisture in when you want your hair to remain fresh and clean? The answer lies in the shampoo that you use and your hair type.

The best shampoo for dry hair will keep your hair clean, moisturized, but not too greasy or oily. It must also be within your budget and be readily available for you as you may reach for this product very often. It should also be right for the type of hair you have, whether dyed, bleached, curly, or straight.

Finding the best shampoo for dry hair might require a bit of trial and error but with the plethora of brands and ingredients out there, you should easily find the right one for you. From argan oil to coconut oil, whether sulfate-free or not, this guide should help you narrow down your choices for nourished and healthy hair.

Many people who suffer from dry hair use treatments like bleach and hair dye. These chemicals can cause a lot of damage to the hair and make it dry, dull, and prone to breakage.

If you dye your hair a lot and want to bring back some moisture and nourishment into your hair, try the Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment. Now, this isn’t necessarily a shampoo per se, nor is it a conditioner. However, it makes this list because it’s one of the best things you can do to your dry, bleached, or colored hair.

This treatment is free of any sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and phosphates, making it very gentle for dry and damaged hair. This treatment isn’t for everyday use so even if the bottle doesn’t have a lot of product, it should last you for a while.

The Olaplex line is essential for people who regularly dye or bleach their hair as it leaves it feeling soft, silky, and healthy. It does take some time for you to see effects so make sure to use this regularly and consistently before making a judgment.

The Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3 Repairing Treatment needs the help of other hair-repairing products, especially in your shampoo and conditioner. It’s always best to couple this treatment with a shampoo and conditioner that is also free of any sulfates, phthalates, parabens, and phosphates and is safe for colored or bleached hair.

Moisturizing and hydrating products are great accompaniments to the Olaplex No. 3 Repairing Treatment for bringing back the life into your dry hair.

Key Features
  • At-home hair treatment
  • Reduces breakage and visibly strengthens hair
  • Vegan and sulfate- and paraben-free
  • Salon-recommended
Specifications
  • Package Size: 3.3 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Hydrolyzed soy protein, vitamin A, Jojoba seed oil
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Olaplex
Pros
  • Good for damaged, bleached, and dyed hair
  • Makes hair silky soft and healthy-looking
  • Repairs hair damage
Cons
  • Takes time before you notice results
  • Not a lot of product in the bottle
  • Not the most moisturizing

If your hair is dry but easily weighed down by products that contain a lot of oils, look no further. The Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is a good in-between shampoo for fine hair that is kind of dry, but not super dry.

If you wash your hair daily or every other day, this is a good option to go for because it doesn’t leave your hair feeling greasy in between washes.

This shampoo contains ingredients derived from the aloe plant which makes it moisturizing and hydrating but not heavy. These ingredients help quench the thirst of thin, dry, and stressed hair. It smells clean and leaves your hair feeling soft and lightweight.

Many customers also noted that this shampoo makes their hair feel soft and silky even without using conditioner, making this a good option for those who wash-and-go or need a quick shower routine. This is also a good option if you heat-style your hair often as the shampoo makes it easier to style and hold product.

If you’re looking for salon-level products but at a more affordable price, then the Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is for you. While it’s great for thin and fine hair that suffers from medium dryness, it’s not for thick and curly hair.

Using this on thicker hair can leave your strands feeling as though there’s a film or residue on them. It’s also not the best for colored or bleached hair as it is not moisturizing enough and contains sulfates which can dry out damaged hair even more.

Key Features
  • Moisturizes with aloe
  • Increases softness and manageability
  • Leaves hair 15% more moisturized after one use
  • Gently cleanses and quenches dry hair
Specifications
  • Package Size: 33.8 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Aloe
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Biolage
Pros
  • Good for thin hair
  • Smells clean
  • Good for daily or every-other-day washing
Cons
  • Not for thick, wavy, or curly hair
  • Not for very dry hair
  • Not as moisturizing as Ultra Hydrasource

Many shampoos for dry hair out there seem to work best for fine and straight hair. But folks with curly locks also suffer from dry hair, if not more so. Curly hair has a harder time spreading moisture and oils from the scalp all the way down to the ends of the strands.

If you add dye or bleach to this hair type, it can result in frizz and brittleness if left untreated. One of the best ways to treat this is by choosing the right shampoo for dry hair.

Maple Holistics has several shampoos that treat dry hair but the most recommended would have to be the Silk18 Shampoo and Conditioner Set. This set comes with a shampoo that is formulated with jojoba oil, aloe vera extract, and silk amino acids for hydrated and moisturized hair that is soft and silky.

This shampoo is also free of any parabens and sulfates which can cause dryness and damage to the hair over time. Because it’s free of sulfates, this shampoo will leave your hair feeling soft and weightless but still nourished. The silk amino acids bring moisture to the scalp, not just your strands, so that you can have moisturized hair that lasts all day.

This is a good shampoo to use also if you color or bleach your hair because it’s very gentle. Because it is sulfate-free, this shampoo doesn’t lather much. It also works best followed with conditioner, and make sure to switch shampoos every other month to keep the results lasting longer.

Key Features
  • Vanilla scented
  • Silk amino acids moisturize hair and scalp
  • Natural ingredients
  • Cruelty-free and vegan
Specifications
  • Package Size: 10 fl oz each
  • Notable Ingredients: Jojoba oil, aloe vera extract, silk amino acids
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Maple Holistics
Pros
  • Works on curly hair
  • Smells good
  • Good for colored and bleached hair
Cons
  • Doesn’t lather up much
  • Works better with conditioner
  • Hydration doesn’t last long

Coconut oil is a common product found in hydrating and moisturizing shampoos. This is a great ingredient for anyone with dry hair (as long as you don’t react negatively to it!) as it also leaves a very nice and tropical scent.

Coconut oil is very nourishing and locks in any moisture for long-lasting softness in your hair. It can even be used alone as a very rich hair mask.

If you’re keen on using coconut oil but aren’t so excited about slathering oil directly onto your strands, try out the OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo.

This shampoo for dry hair contains coconut oil and vanilla bean extract, natural ingredients that help revitalize and repair dry hair. This is a good shampoo for dry hair because it is sulfate-free but still cleanses the hair deeply and leaves it feeling moisturized and soft.

If you shampoo your hair daily, this is a good option. The OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo works better as a daily shampoo as some customers noted that it can leave their scalp feeling greasy in between washes.

While this is a good shampoo for dry hair, it does work best when coupled with a conditioner for dry hair as well. When using products with coconut oil, a conditioner is almost always needed to retain the moisture and ensure that the entire strand is moisturized.

The scent of this shampoo comes from the essence of tiare. This shampoo has a very strong and long-lasting fragrance that may be overwhelming for some.

Key Features
  • Creamy coconut, white peach, and shea butter scent
  • Natural ingredients: coconut oil and vanilla bean extract
  • Ideal for dry and frizzy hair
  • Hydrating shampoo that smoothens and revives hair
Specifications
  • Package Size: 13 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Coconut oil, vanilla bean extract, essence of tiare
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: OGX
Pros
  • Good for daily use
  • Good for wavy and curly hair
  • Safe for colored hair
Cons
  • Can make hair oily or greasy if not used daily
  • Very strong scent
  • Needs conditioner

The best shampoo for dry hair doesn’t have to be very expensive! With the Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner Set, you get two 16.9 fluid ounce bottles of product at an affordable price. This set is sure to last you a while, even if you wash your hair daily.

The Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo and Conditioner Set is great for dry hair as it nourishes and moisturizes dry hair and is safe for colored or keratin-treated hair. It was made with natural ingredients and does not contain any harsh chemicals like sulfates and parabens.

While not necessarily organic, this shampoo is good for dry hair as it leaves it feeling clean, smelling good, and looking smooth and shiny. It will revitalize and moisturize thin, dry strands with the Moroccan Argan Oil, a popular ingredient for shampoos that are meant to bring back life to dull and dry hair.

The shampoo also has UV and thermal protectants that make it safer and easier to style your hair with heat. The smell is not very strong but should be avoided if you are experiencing allergic reactions to things like that.

The Pure Nature Argan Oil Deep Hydra Nourishing Shampoo should be used daily, as going more than 3 days without washing can leave your hair feeling very greasy. It also must be used with the conditioner otherwise your hair will feel stuck together and prone to tangles.

Key Features
  • Shampoo and conditioner set
  • Safe and healthy for colored or keratin-treated hair
  • UV and Thermal protectant
  • No harsh chemicals
Specifications
  • Package Size: 16.9 fl oz each
  • Notable Ingredients: Moroccan Argan oil
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Pure Nature
Pros
  • Free of sulfates, parabens, gluten, sodium chloride, and phthalates
  • Makes hair softer and easier to style
  • Prevents tangles and frizz
Cons
  • Makes hair feel greasy in between washes
  • Scent doesn’t last long on hair, smells manly but clean
  • Makes hair tangled without conditioner

OGX’s Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco Shampoo and Conditioner Set is a great option for those with dry hair as argan oil is known to be highly moisturizing and nourishing. While it may seem as though applying oil to your hair will make it oily and greasy, the OGX Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco shampoo is meant to keep your hair silky and soft for a healthy shine.

This shampoo is sulfate- and paraben-free, making it a good option for colored or bleached hair. It will gently clean the hair but not lather up so much, so don’t add too much product in search of the bubbly lather. Instead, apply a small amount all over and massage it into the scalp.

This shampoo also claims to protect your hair from heat styling without any harsh chemicals. Follow up the shampoo with the Renewing + Argan Oil of Morocco conditioner to retain the moisture and anti-frizz look all day. While this smells good, some customers noted that the smell was strong and artificial.

It can also increase hair fall for some customers, especially if your hair is thin and brittle. It’s best for those who shampoo their hair daily or at least every other day. If you go more than a couple of days without washing your hair, this shampoo tends to make your hair and scalp very greasy.

All in all, it’s not a bad moisturizing shampoo for dry hair and comes decently priced for its size.

Key Features
  • Moroccan Argan oil repairs and hydrates hair
  • Sulfate-free
  • Supports shine and softness while strengthening
Specifications
  • Package Size: 13 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Moroccan Argan oil
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: OGX
Pros
  • Good for color-treated hair
  • Smoothens hair
  • Gentle and smells good
Cons
  • Can increase hair fall
  • Makes hair greasy in between washes
  • Fragrance smells artificial

Moisturizing and hydrating shampoos can leave your scalp feeling heavy and greasy. When shampoos are too thick and nourishing, they can cause build-up that results in dandruff and itchiness. This is unfortunate especially when the oil in your scalp doesn’t moisturize your ends, leaving your hair dry and frizzy but your roots full of grease and product!

The solution is to find a shampoo that hydrates your strands without the heaviness. A clarifying shampoo once a week is also a good option, but some can avoid the need for two shampoos with the help of the Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo.

This is the lightweight version of their hydrating shampoo which is supposed to make your hair feel soft and silky but not weigh it down at the roots.

It is free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens which can make your scalp dry and produce more sebum. This shampoo is a thick concentrated formula which means you only need a little bit to wash your hair.

This bottle should last you at least 75 washes, depending on your length of hair and how often you wash. It builds a good lather and makes your hair soft and silky even before using a conditioner, so it’s good for those who need a quick shower routine.

If you have fine, colored hair and wash it daily, this is a good shampoo to keep your hair moisturized and healthy. However, it does have a strong smell and is not suitable for thick, wavy, or curly hair.

Key Features
  • Silicone-free, lightweight shampoo
  • Safe for fine, dry, color-treated hair
  • Thirst-quenching formula
  • Hydrates without weighing down hair
Specifications
  • Package Size: 33.8 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Jojoba, green tea, and sage
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Pureology
Pros
  • Builds a lather even though it’s sulfate-free
  • Makes hair soft and tangle-free even before conditioner
  • Great color-retention even if used daily
Cons
  • Needs to be washed out thoroughly
  • Smells strong
  • Not for wavy or curly hair

Dry hair looks extra frizzy and unhealthy when your hair type is thin and fine. Add color treatments to the equation and you’ll get a dry disaster!

One way to remedy this dilemma is by using a shampoo for dry hair that is sulfate-free and also lightweight. When you use a shampoo that is too thick and moisturizing, it can lead to dull and heavy hair, especially at your roots.

The L’Anza Healing Volume Thickening Shampoo almost sounds too good to be true. It heals hair that has been damaged from coloring and bleaching, it adds volume and thickens the hair, and it’s also hydrating?

This shampoo does seem to do the trick for folks with very thin, fine, and straight hair. It contains a Bamboo Bodifying Complex, made with bamboo-derived silica, that builds volume and thickness in fine and thin hair.

Its Keratin Healing System improves hair strength so that limp hair doesn’t fall flat. Use this shampoo daily and you will start to notice changes.

To add shine and strength to fine, dry hair, the L’Anza Healing Volume Thickening Shampoo contains meadowfoam flower, seed oil, and pea extract, which nourish and revitalize without adding too much weight.

This shampoo can also protect your hair from heat styling and repair damage from color treatments with the help of cactus flower extract, an ingredient that allows your hair to stay protected even in hot and dry conditions. While this shampoo does wonders for thin and fine hair, it’s not for curly or thick hair.

Key Features
  • Delivers body & fullness to fine, thin hair
  • Provides gentle cleansing without leaving hair rough or dry
  • Sodium chloride-free formula contains Gugo Bark for rich, abundant lather
  • Contains bamboo, cactus flower, and pea extract
Specifications
  • Package Size: 10.1 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Bamboo bodifying complex, cactus flower, meadowfoam flower, pea extract
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: L'Anza
Pros
  • Great for thin and dry hair
  • Can be used daily
  • Safe on colored hair
Cons
  • Bottle is hard to hold
  • Doesn’t thicken hair very much
  • Not for curly or wavy hair

If you’re looking to splurge a little and indulge in a more high-end shampoo for your dry hair, then the Oribe Shampoo for Moisture and Control is for you. This luxurious shampoo will tame your tresses, leaving them smooth and silky over time.

Whether you have frizzy locks or incredibly thick and kinky curly hair that dries out, the Oribe Shampoo for Moisture and Control is a great option. A little goes a long way thankfully so while an 8.5 fl oz bottle might seem small for the price, you won’t have to restock on this very often.

This shampoo is also free of any sulfates, parabens, lauryl, and sodium chloride. It won’t lather up as much as other shampoos that contain sulfates but that doesn’t mean your hair isn’t being thoroughly cleaned.

The Oribe Shampoo for Moisture and Control contains Oribe’s Signature Complex made with watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts that defend hair from oxidative stress, photoaging, and the deterioration of your hair’s keratin. It also protects colored and keratin-treated hair from drying out or damage from the elements.

The shampoo also contains an amino acid complex and sunflower extract which repair and strengthen the hair for less breakage and hair fall. A polymer complex prevents tangles and static, leaving your hair shiny and conditioned.

Its microemulsion smoothing system makes your hair soft and controlled. This shampoo works best if followed by the Oribe Conditioner for Moisture and Control, and you will see results with regular use.

Key Features
  • Moisturizes thick, curly, and dry hair
  • Nourishing and smoothing
  • Dermatologist-tested, safe for colored and keratin-treated hair
  • Formulated without harsh chemicals
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8.5 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Oribe
Pros
  • Smells good
  • Makes your hair feel like you came from a high-end salon
  • A little goes a long way
Cons
  • Needs to be used regularly before seeing results
  • Doesn’t lather up a lot
  • Works best with conditioner

Davines is an Italian brand that focuses on creating high-quality hair products for various hair types. Their moisturizing shampoo, the Nounou shampoo, contains Fiaschetto tomato extract that leaves the hair feeling soft and deeply hydrated.

The Nounou shampoo is made with a gentle, sulfate- and paraben-free formula that has a strong shine-enhancing effect. When coupled with the conditioner or hair mask, it can make thin hair feel thick, strong, and healthy.

This shampoo works for a variety of hair types, ranging from straight to super curly, in bringing back much-needed moisture and shine to your strands.

Because it’s free of any harsh chemicals, it leaves your hair feeling weightless even if you go a couple of days between washes. It won’t cause any adverse reactions for many who have sensitive skin. It also means that it’s very safe and effective for highly processed or damaged hair.

It gently cleanses the hair but leaves it nourished and hydrated, especially when used with a conditioner or hair mask. While you don’t get a ton of product for the price, you do get a decent amount that should last you a while because a little of this shampoo goes a long way.

The scent of this shampoo is pretty clean but it’s not the strongest. If you prefer highly scented or fragranced shampoos, this might be too mild for you.

At the end of the day, the Nounou shampoo by Davines is a good option for people who are in search of a natural and high-quality nourishing shampoo for dry hair.

Key Features
  • For damaged and processed hair
  • Delicately cleans and deeply nourishes hair
  • Contains Fiaschetto Tomato
  • Made in Italy
Specifications
  • Package Size: 8.45 fl oz
  • Notable Ingredients: Fiaschetto tomato extract
  • Paraben Free?: Yes
  • Brand: Davines
Pros
  • Leaves hair weightless in between washes
  • A little goes a long way
  • Very gentle and good for sensitive skin
Cons
  • Not very scented
  • Needs to be followed by conditioner
  • Not a lot of product in bottle

Dry hair leads to various symptoms that can be worrisome and a bother to deal with daily. People who suffer from dry hair often experience things like frizziness, hair loss, brittle hair that breaks, and dullness.

Having a healthy head of hair might feel out of reach for now but never fear, the best shampoos for dry hair are here!

There are many names and terms on shampoo bottles that can make the journey to nourished hair confusing.

What’s the difference between moisturizing and hydrating? How do I know my hair type? What if my hair’s just a mix of all the types and problems out there? Here are a few tips on choosing the best shampoo for dry hair.

Hair Type and Scalp Type

First, determine your hair and scalp type. Is it straight, curly, or wavy? How curly is it? What other textures are in your hair?

Do you often bleach or dye your hair? Is your scalp oily but your ends are dry? Do you have dandruff or itchiness? These are all important questions to ask before looking for the right shampoo for your dry hair.

A common issue people experience is having an oily scalp but very dry ends. You might think that the solution is to use a shampoo that is very moisturizing to bring back life into your hair, but this just makes your scalp even greasier. The best shampoo for this type of hair is one that not super moisturizing or hydrating or for curly hair.

Finding the Right Shampoo For Your Hair

Look for shampoos that are strengthening, balancing, clarifying, or volumizing, and opt for bottles that do not have sulfates in them. These will help reduce the sebum in your scalp and leave your hair prepped for conditioner.

When applying conditioner, make sure to only apply it to the ends and middle parts of your hair, avoiding the scalp.

If your scalp is dry as well as your hair, opt for more moisturizing and nourishing shampoos. If you’re experiencing flakiness and itchiness, you might have to use a dandruff shampoo or see a dermatologist before experimenting with shampoos.

You can also use hair masks and conditioners to add more moisture back into your hair.

Understanding Your Hair

There are many types of shampoos for dry hair out there but it’s important to also know what kind of scalp and hair texture you have.

With this helpful guide, you should be able to narrow down your choices for the best shampoo for dry hair that fits you and your lifestyle.

Resource— Gr8ness, Good Housekeeping

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