There are few things as frustrating as dry, damaged hair. It might feel like the only solution is to slather on an intensive, thick conditioning hair mask, but actually, a suitable shampoo is equally as important. Howard Reyes, senior hairstylist at Manhattan-based salon Suite Caroline, says, “It’s imperative for dry hair types to select a shampoo that cleanses without stripping, while also nourishing without weighing it down.”
Before you choose your shampoo, you’ll need to figure out why your hair is dry, says Lizzy Weinberg, a New York City–based stylist at Hairthorne. Dryness can be a result of color or heat damage or may be due to your hair’s natural porosity level (which can be low or high — this is essentially dependent on how the hair interacts with retaining moisture). Cosmetic chemist Ginger King adds that genetics can play a part in how dry your hair is.
In general, when looking for the right shampoo to hydrate dry hair, the experts we spoke to recommend looking for products that are free of alcohols, silicones, and sulfates, because those ingredients will only dry it out more. And because anyone can get dry hair, regardless of hair type, we asked Rankin and five other hairstylists to talk about the best shampoos for all textures. Read on for their picks, which include shampoos for moisturizing and repairing as well as options for fine, curly, and thick hair.
Best overall shampoo for dry hair
Almost all of our experts recommended Oribe. Senior stylist Jay Morales of Baja Studio in Soho says “it’s great for high texture, thick, coarse, curly or highly processed hair”. Morales adds that “every time I use this shampoo on my clients, it helps with smoothing and eliminating frizz.” He notes that it’s also easier to blow dry clients’ hair after, whether it’s “a straight smooth blow dry or diffused curly style.” Lorna Pollack, senior stylist at Kinloch Salon in Brooklyn, finds that the formulation “attacks dryness and frizz, while also helping to eliminate unwanted volume, leaving the hair feeling sleek and controlled.”
The formula also has a built-in UV protector and includes a cocktail of nourishing ingredients, such as coconut, watermelon, and lychee extract, making it akin to a hydrating smoothie for hair. Saint Latimer, colorist at Suite Caroline, says the brand’s Signature Shampoo is “simply perfect.” He adds that the scent is “immediately intoxicating and luxurious.” Tracy Rasmussen, stylist at Gem House Salon in Greenpoint, also likes Oribe’s Cleansing Cream for dry hair, recommending it in particular for those who work out regularly and need to wash daily but don’t want to strip their hair. She notes that the formula is “gentle” and leaves the hair feeling soft and fresh.
If you’re not sure how often you should be shampooing in the first place, Amanda Power, founder of Power Hair BK, offers these general guidelines: “I recommend every other day for fine to medium hair, whereas thick hair could go anywhere between three days to a full week. Coarser, thick hair ranges from five to 14 days between shampoos. The same rules apply for dry hair — don’t overdo it just because your strands feel super-parched.”
Best (less expensive) shampoo for dry hair
“Mondays has created an incredible line of amazing shampoos and conditioners at an affordable price point” Latimer says. “The Moisture Shampoo is a favorite for very dry hair. If my client needs something at an accessible price, I send them straight to those pink bottles.” Clara Leonard, a NYC-based editorial hair stylist, is also a fan of the brand and notes that the selection includes different options for all hair types (we’ve previously recommended Monday’s fine-hair range). And though this shampoo is under $10, it’s SLS and paraben free and contains enriching ingredients like shea butter and rice-protein extract.
Best shampoo for dry fine hair
If you are fine haired and struggling with dryness, Chelsey Pickthorn, master stylist and founder of Pickthorn Salon, suggests staying away from any volumizing shampoos you may use in your daily routine, as they tend to contain ingredients that exacerbate the problem. To pump hydration back into your strands without weighing them down, she tells her clients to go for the Davines Nourishing Shampoo.
Best shampoo for dry thick hair
Dhiran Mistry, hairstylist and owner of The Carriage House NC, recommends Kérastase. For his clients with especially dry, thicker hair, he particularly rates Bain Satin Riche Shampoo. “It contains glucose to replenish hair with an energetic boost of nutrition, lipids which help retain moisture to prevent hair from drying out. The addition of iris rhizome extract also works as an antioxidant to prolong nutrition.” Mistry adds that the formula is gentle enough that it can be used frequently if needed.
Best shampoo for dry chemically treated hair
“If you are in dire need of some repair, I would opt for the Ultimate Reset,” Weinberg says. Though she notes the shampoo is “very rich,” she explains that it is formulated to be used frequently. However, she also importantly says that extremely damaged hair should not be washed daily and says “the natural oils our scalp produces are good for your hair. And dry hair needs all the moisture it can get. So if you’re using a heavy repair-style shampoo, try to stretch out your washing.” The formula is concentrated, so though it’s expensive, you’ll need a smaller amount to create a good lather — making it last longer.
Best (less expensive) shampoo for dry chemically treated hair
“Color-treated hair also tends to be more fragile, so gentle nourishment and strength is key,” advises Latimer, Colorist at Suite Caroline. “JVN Nurture Hydration Shampoo is wonderful.” The color-safe formulation also includes aloe-leaf juice and panthenol, a strengthening agent that locks in moisture and seals the hair cuticle to prevent splitting.
Best shampoo for removing product buildup from dry hair
To remove product buildup, stylists generally recommend a clarifying shampoo, but those are probably too harsh for already dried-out locks. Shu Uemura’s Cleansing Oil Shampoo is a bit more unconventional than your normal shampoo; it “uses oils to break down dirt and buildup,” giving hair a clean feel without stripping it, according to Rasmussen.
Best shampoo for sensitive scalps
If you need to wash your hair more often, Morales recommends Davines Dede Shampoo. He says “its light, gentle formula won’t weigh your hair down. It’s also great for those with sensitive scalps.” Morales also strongly recommends using the right deep-conditioning mask at least once a week to keep fine hair hydrated so it can look and feel its best. For fine hair, his mask of choice is the Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask With Prickly Pear Oil.
Best shampoo for dry wavy hair
Shannon King, owner and education director at Hair & Co BKLYN, reaches for Maria Nila True Soft Shampoo when working with dry, wavy hair. King says that it’s his “absolute favorite” for defining curls.The formula is rich in antioxidants and fatty acids, which help to retain moisture and repair the hair’s surface.
Best shampoo for dry tight coils
Weena Jerome-Alexandre, founder of Renaissance Curls in Harlem, recommends Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath for her clients with tight coils: “We can literally feel our client’s hair get smoother when we use it at the salon.” She says the shampoo contains ingredients such as certified organic raw shea butter and monoi extract, which work to restore the cuticle of the hair and repair keratin fibers.
Additional reporting by Dominique Pariso
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