The best shampoos for dry hair can be total game-changers in your styling routine. Whether your hair is naturally dry or parched from excessive color treatments and heat styling, brittle strands are a stubborn bummer. And as you know by now, dryness doesn’t discriminate—even oily scalps can lead to straw-like strands. Cherin Choi, a bicoastal hairstylist, emphasizes the importance of selecting a formula with ingredients that cater to the specific needs of dry hair, setting you up for long-term success. “Opt for shampoos containing nourishing oils, aloe vera, or hyaluronic acid to hydrate without weighing hair down,” she advises. That’s why we combed through the backs of beloved bottles, checked in with experts to learn why they work, and made sure our editors gave them a good suds to see what the hype is all about.
Our top pick was the HairStory New Wash, a lather-less shampoo (yes, that’s right) that offers a milky cleanse hydrating enough to skip the conditioner if you please. Other options on this list will work overtime to repair your split ends, fight dandruff, and more.
Best shampoos for dry hair, at a glance
- Best Overall: HairStory New Wash, $46
- Best for Dry Hair: K18 Peptide Prep Detox Clarifying Shampoo, $38
- Best for Split Ends: No. 4 Olaplex Shampoo, $32
- Best for Dandruff: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Exfoliating Shampoo, $42
- Best for Sensitive Scalps: Cerave Hydrating Shampoo, $9
How we tested shampoo for dry hair
We tested shampoo for dry hair based on ingredients, texture, how well they lathered (and washed out), and how our hair felt post-wash and beyond. The best shampoos had ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to deeply nourish, hydrate and detangle strands, and all gave us a nice thick and creamy lather. Finally, the ones that made this list kept our hair velvety smooth and flyaway and static free. Post two to three washes, our strands were soft, smooth, and moisturized for days.
Best Overall: New Wash by HairStory
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While the idea of a non-foaming shampoo might raise an eyebrow (who doesn’t love a rich lather?), Hairstory’s New Wash makes a compelling case. Too much foam can actually dry out your hair, which is why this formula transforms into a milky wash instead—cleansing, conditioning, supporting scalp health, and enhancing texture, all without harsh detergents. It’s a favorite of Choi for good reason: It works on all hair types, plays nice with color-treated strands, and can even replace your conditioner if you’re a one-and-done kind of washer. You’re welcome to follow up with a conditioner, but we love the built-in convenience.
Best for Dry Hair and an Oily Scalp: K18 Peptide Prep Detox Clarifying Shampoo
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If you’re among the, erm, lucky few with dry hair and an oily scalp, you probably have a few choice words for your genetics. But take a deep breath—K18’s Clarifying Shampoo might just be your hair’s saving grace. It’s a favorite of Choi and Ebony Knight, stylist and owner of Textured Press. “It’s actually also a chelating shampoo, which means that it penetrates the outer layer of the hair shaft into the middle and removes metals and toxins—great for anyone who uses hard water to shampoo and condition hair,” Knight explains.
“While this shampoo is suitable for all hair types, I found it to be extra useful for my fine hair, which tends to get oily at the root. The consistency itself isn’t overly sticky or goopy; it’s actually quite lightweight and absorbs quickly into the hair,” adds commerce writer Alanna Marie Kilkeary. “I didn’t have much of an issue washing it out either—my dry scalp and hair instantly felt smooth and clean.”
Best for Split Ends: No.4 Olaplex Shampoo
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Olaplex is the gold standard of reparative hair care, particularly in its bond-building technology, which effectively tackles split ends. “Having No. 4 on deck has totally transformed my hair since I started using it. My split ends look way less split, and my hair has stopped falling out in big chunks when I shower,” says Glamour contributor Talia Abbas. “Everything just looks and feels healthier, which is nothing short of a miracle for my insanely dry and frizzy hair.” Yes, it works like magic—but it’s the science you should be thanking. In addition to a blend of gentle, coconut oil–based surfactants, the formula features the brand’s patented bond-building technology—a reparative molecule that helps strengthen dry, damaged strands and re-seal split ends from the inside out.
Best for Dandruff: Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Exfoliating Shampoo
- Courtesy of brand
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
- Original photo from Alanna Martine Kilkeary testing Briogeo Scalp Revival Charcoal + Coconut Oil Micro-Exfoliating Shampoo
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Choi vouches for Briogeo’s Scalp Revival Charcoal and Coconut Oil Exfoliating Shampoo as a dandruff-busting option for dry hair. This scrub-like formula combines ingredients such as coconut, mint, tea tree leaf oil extract, and microcrystalline cellulose, a physical exfoliant. “If you’re in the market for a deep clean, this exfoliating shampoo will do just the trick,” says Kilkeary. “It’s almost a blend of a shampoo and a scrub, which makes for a really unique experience, and I’d highly recommend it for anyone who deals with flakiness, especially during seasonal transitions.” She adds that since using the shampoo, she’s noticed less flaking and reduced scalp irritation. “The only thing I’d note about this one is that you really have to make sure you wash it out, as some residue might be left behind.”
Best for Sensitive Scalps: Cerave Hydrating Shampoo
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Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara shouts out CeraVe’s Hydrating Shampoo as a solid pick for sensitive scalps and dry hair—a combo for the ages. This drugstore diamond gently clears buildup without stripping moisture, which is crucial for anyone with dryness or reactivity. If synthetic fragrance bothers you, you won’t find any here. The formula sticks to hardworking, no-fuss basics like ceramides, niacinamide, and hyaluronic acid—delivering all the hydration, none of the hassle.
Best Softening: SheaMoisture Daily Hydrating Shampoo
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This is another favorite of Gohara’s. It helps soften strands so hair looks and feels healthier with every wash. Virgin coconut and shea oils, creamy coconut milk, and acacia senegal team up to moisturize and boost shine, smoothness, and softness—while also making detangling a breeze. For best results, follow your lather with a serving of SheaMoisture’s Daily Hydration Conditioner, and try to resist the urge to run your fingers through your hair all day.
Best for Frizzy Hair: Living Proof No Frizz Shampoo
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For dry, frizzy hair, Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and owner of Second Floor Salon in NYC, swears by this Living Proof shampoo. The formula uses innovative technology that mimics the effects of silicone, offering detangling, slip, sleekness, conditioning, and shine—all powered by a gentle, sunflower-based surfactant. “I love this shampoo because it’s effective in taming frizz and has a nice citrus scent,” he explains.
Kilkeary tested the formula and seconded Cavalcante’s praise. “This was the shampoo I was probably most impressed by on this list. It smells nice and sweet and provides a good lather without being excessively soapy. I think it did a great job at smoothing out my strands (for real, they were quite knotty before I tested this), and I’d definitely recommend it for anyone who wants to revitalize their hair if it’s extra dry or consistently breaking,” she echoed.
Best for Fine Hair: Joico Hydra Splash
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Melissa Nieves, a New York City–based hairstylist, recommends Joico’s Hydra Splash for the girlies with fine, dry hair. “Its lightweight formula contains coconut water, sea kelp, rosehip oil, arginine, and keratin, which aid in repairing, strengthening, and protecting hair from future damage,” Nieves shares. The result? Up to 24 hours of hydration, a noticeable boost in shine, and strands that feel nourished—not weighed down—even after just one wash.
Best for Thick Hair: Amika Hydrorush Shampoo
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Thick, dry hair can be especially tough to manage, which is why we’re big fans of this shampoo. Powered by hyaluronic acid, squalane, bio-fermented coconut water, blue-green algae, and polyglutamic acid, this formula delivers deep, lasting hydration between washes. It works beautifully on coarse textures—from 2A to 4C—lathers like a dream, and smells just as good as it performs.
“My hair tends to get dry and brittle during season changes, so I always turn to this shampoo when it needs a boost of hydration. It’s lightweight and easily lathers, and almost instantly plumps my hair strands and makes them supersoft and velvety. It also keeps my hair moisturized pretty much all day long and keeps my flyaways in check too,” says Glamour commerce writer Alanna Martine Kilkeary.
Best Solid Shampoo: Gemz Hydration Lock Shampoo
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A solid shampoo is a solid choice (see what we did there) if you’re constantly on the go. This one is easy to travel with, fits snugly in your travel case, and is water activated. You can quench dry strands with the this shampoo bar, which deeply nourishes hair with one to two lathers—you simply run it under water and watch it dissolve into a creamy, hydrating formula.
Frequently asked questions
What do hairstylists recommend for dry hair?
In addition to using a shampoo for dry hair, giving your strands some extra TLC on wash days can make a big difference. “Use a deep-conditioning mask with ingredients like shea butter, argan oil, or keratin at least once a week to replenish moisture and smooth the hair cuticle,” suggests Choi. She also recommends keeping up with regular trims to ward off split ends. “They can travel up the shaft and make dry hair look even more brittle. Trimming every six to eight weeks keeps your ends healthy and helps retain moisture.”
What should you look for in a shampoo for dry hair?
Nieves tells clients to look for ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera, argan oil, honey, rosehip oil, and jojoba oil to keep dryness at bay. Meanwhile, Dr. Gohara suggests scanning product names for an initial clue about what’s inside. “Keep an eye out for shampoos labeled ‘hydrating,’ ‘moisture-rich,’ or ‘nourishing,’” she says. “These usually contain humectants like glycerin or panthenol to attract water, emollients like shea butter or argan oil to smooth, and gentle surfactants (like sodium cocoyl isethionate) that cleanse without stripping.” Dr. Gohara adds, “Ingredients like ceramides can also help repair the scalp barrier and lock in moisture.”
She and Choi agree on one major rule: Steer clear of sulfates (like SLS and SLES), which strip natural oils and only worsen the problem. “A balanced pH (around 4.5 to 5.5) helps maintain the scalp’s natural barrier and moisture levels. Low-foaming formulas also tend to be gentler on dry hair,” concludes Choi.
Other tips for keeping your hair moisturized
“To maintain moisturized hair, establish a consistent routine. This includes regular deep-conditioning treatments, limiting heat styling, reducing washing frequency, and scheduling haircuts every three to six months,” says Nieves. Dr. Gohara offers a metaphor: “Treat your dry hair like your favorite cashmere—handle with care and condition often. Use a rich conditioner every wash, follow with a leave-in moisturizer, and seal in hydration with lightweight oils like jojoba or squalane. Deep-conditioning masks can be a tall drink of water for parched strands, especially after heat styling or in dry climates—but if your routine doesn’t include frequent washes, try non-rinse options like hydrating sprays or creams to revive hair between wash days,” she says. She and Choi also recommend switching to silk or satin pillowcases. “Switch your pillowcase to silk or satin to reduce friction and moisture loss while you sleep. Cotton absorbs natural oils and causes breakage,” says Dr. Gohara.
Meet the experts
- Cherin Choi, a bicoastal hairstylist
- Ebony Knight, a stylist and the owner of Textured Press
- Mona Gohara, a Connecticut-based board-certified dermatologist
- Rogerio Cavalcante, a hairstylist and owner of Second Floor Salon in NYC
- Melissa Nieves, a New York City–based hairstylist
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