Hair Feeling Brittle? Shop The 15 Best Shampoos for Dry Hair

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If you are prone to dry hair, the common solution is usually to layer on conditioners, masks, and oils as a quick fix. While all of those things are essential steps in a hair care routine, sometimes the fix is simply a shampoo. Despite what you may believe, shampooing your hair is the key to hair hydration. When we pile on products, it can cause build-up and make it difficult for our hair to get the proper treatment it deserves. A shampoo cleanses away all the gunk and allows your strands to soak in all the moisturizing goodness that follows. What's even better is finding a shampoo that offers hydrating properties of its own, as it will clean your hair without causing excessive dryness.

Starting with a hydrating shampoo can offer longevity and shine and help extend the time between washes. This is a tip that hair experts often use to increase hair health. “Try to minimize the frequency of shampooing and air dry whenever possible to optimize hydration level,” explains Ebony Bomani, educator and stylist at The Mane Choice. “Never be afraid to use a little oil on the ends once the hair is dry to lock in longer-lasting moisture.” We've all had to nurse our hair back to health at one point or another, so we polled ELLE editors and sifted through customer reviews to create a list of the 15 best hydrating shampoos you should add to your beauty stash.

Raw Shea Retention Shampoo

This sulfate and paraben-free shampoo repairs heat-damaged strands with the help of sea kelp and argan oil. Ideal for natural hair during the transition period, your strands will be strong and long in no time.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

“This was one of the first product I bought when I started my natural hair journey years ago and I still find myself reaching for it. For me one of the tests of a great shampoo is on the cleanses while still allowing me to detangle large knots before adding conditioner and this passed with flying colors.” — Tasha Nicole Smith, Beauty Assistant

Hydrating Shampoo

Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo is ideal for all hair types that suffer from excessive dryness. Ingredients like argan oil and red algae moisturize the hair and deliver immediate results.

Sephora rating: 4.3/5 stars

“My dry and dyed hair loves argan oil because it's super hydrating and helps with just about every hair woe—it's shinier, stronger, and smoother after using this product. I love the classic Moroccan Oil scent, too, because it smells like a fancy perfume.” — Margaux Anbouba, Beauty Editor

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Restore Shampoo

Part of Living Proof’s Restore System— which also includes a Living Proof Restore Conditioner and Mask—this shampoo reverses hair damage completely. Your hair will look and feel brand-new.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “From the first wash my hair felt healthier and stronger. I'd used it every 2-3 days and every time my hair was stronger. Within a month of using it (a little goes a long way) my hair went from tearing off and falling out by the hand full- to noticeably stronger shinier hair.”

Moisture Recovery Shampoo

Packed with hydrating jojoba oil, this shampoo doesn’t just make your hair feel healthier in the moment. Even days after your last cleanse, you’ll still feel a noticeable difference in the shine, health, and hydration of your strands.

Ulta rating: 3.8/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “The shampoo felt like it really cleaned my hair. It kept my hair from getting greasy fast. I liked the fresh smell fragrance. My hair definitely feels healthier.”

Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

Formulated without silicones, this shampoo will never make your hair feel squeaky and fragile. Instead, with continued use, you’ll notice your hair will feel stronger and able to withstand the effects of hot tools.

Ulta rating: 4.4/5 stars

“Don't give me a bouquet of roses—instead, I want this rose-scented hair collection that gives me my softest hair ever. The shampoo is super lathery and only needs a single wash to cleanse and hydrate.” — M. A.

Hydration Shampoo

Curly hair is notoriously dry, so this shampoo uses aloe vera, coconut oil, and honey to gently cleanse your scalp without stripping out healthy oils that your hair needs.

Ulta rating: 4.6/5 stars

“I've made it a rule to never question the genius of icon Tracee Ellis Ross especially because since using this shampoo I've noticed that my hair is healthier more manageable with every wash. I love this paired with the matching conditioner and leave in. Bonus point for the light and yummy smell!” — T. N. S.

Hydrasource Shampoo

So often hydrating shampoos end up weighing down finer hair textures. This shampoo does the opposite, giving strands the moisture they need while still allowing for volume.

Ulta rating: 4.2/5 stars

An Ulta Reviewer says: “I have long wavy hair. Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo (used in conjunction with the Hydra Source conditioner) keeps my hair hydrated and healthy. It is the only shampoo (and conditioner) I will ever use.”

Shampoo for Moisture & Control

If you have a ton of hair, you need a shampoo that's up for the task. This product contains amino acids and natural extracts to dramatically reduce flyaways and strengthen the hair from the inside out.

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

“This is more a luxury shampoo, specifically formulated for people with waves and curls. Although I have a very slight wave pattern and dry hair from coloring, I found that this shampoo was rich without being greasy. I’ve noticed that Sephora reviewers with a variety of curls loved this shampoo for its hydration, and praised it for its softening and repairing capabilities.” — Kathleen Hou, Beauty Director

Redken All Soft Shampoo

Infused with argan oil, this product will leave you with hydrated, soft and shiny hair after every wash. If you particularly struggle with dry brittle hair or breakage you definitely want to add this shampoo to you stash to help rescue your way, curls or coils.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

“This is one of the best-rated moisturizing shampoos on Amazon and for good reason. One of the best hair compliments I can receive is when my hair accidentally brushes someone’s arm and they say, “Wow, your hair is so soft.” It actually happens with this shampoo/conditioner combo, which is aptly named, thanks to the argan oil and “moisture complex” in the formula. Many Amazon reviewers call this one of the best shampoos/conditioners they’ve ever used.” — K. H.

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IGK Hot Girls Hydrating Shampoo in Beauty: NA.

Hydrate Shampoo

Gentle enough not to damage your color-treated strands, but strong enough to cleanse and hydrate medium to thick hair types, this shampoo is great for hydration and color protection. It’s also packed with jojoba, green tea, and sage to fight breakage and reverse previous hair damage.

Ulta rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Ulta reviewer says: “I have used this shampoo for years. I love the way it makes my hair feel and look so healthy.”

Repairing Shampoo

You'll never want to miss a wash day to last forever once you wash your hair with Kerasilk Repairing Shampoo. The creamy gentle lather will transform frizzy dry hair to smooth, soft, and shiny strands after only a few uses.

Amazon rating: 4.1/5 stars

“Kerasilk is a brand that uses a form of biomimetic silk in its products, so that it helps in strengthening and smoothing hair. The Repair line is for dull, dry hair and it was so moisturizing that I felt like I already used conditioner. If you have particularly oily roots, I would skip this product, but it is great for people whose hair are thirsty for moisture. The scent was also a light, pretty floral without being overpowering.” — K. H.

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Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo

Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Shampoo is made from 97 percent plant extracts like coconut milk and apricot oil that work together to replenish dry strands. It’s also cruelty-free and comes in a fully recyclable container, so you’ll have a positive effect on the environment and your hair.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “This shampoo cleans my hair without harsh chemicals. It does such a great job that my naturally oily hair doesn’t get oily as fast as it used to. The scent is also wonderful, it’s not too sharp it’s just right. As far as the price goes it is more expensive than other store brands however you get a good product so it’s worth it.”

BioRenew Coconut Milk

Come for the cleansing abilities, stay for the creamy texture. Herbal Essences utilizes coconut to hydrate strands and soften hair. One Amazon user used the shampoo after chemotherapy treatments damaged their hair and noticed how it rebuilt the hair follicles and left hair smooth and shiny.

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “I can’t get enough of this! It’s moisturizing and has a great scent. I find a lot of smells overpowering and nauseating but this one doesn’t do that. It also leaves my hair feeling soft and light, which is a plus for people with lots of thick, wavy hair like mine.”

Nutritive Solutions Daily Moisture Shampoo

Not only will your hair feel softer, stronger, and hydrated, but it will also smell ahh-mazing. Best paired with Dove’s Nutritive Solutions Conditioner.

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

An Amazon reviewer says: “Very nice scent smells fresh I have type 3a hair and this legitimately leaves my hair soft and non-frizzy. I believe this is a great affordable option”

Meet the Expert

Ebony Bomani, educator and stylist at The Mane Choice

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What is the best shampoo for dry hair?

It’s important to take a good look at the ingredients you're using in your products. Bomani recommends looking for hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, and emollient oils that attract moisture.

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What causes hair dryness?

Some hair product formulas are riddled with alcohol, silicone, and sulfates that ultimately make your hair even drier, so it’s important to look at ingredient lists. Heat damage, chemical treatments, or just your hair’s natural texture can contribute to dryness.

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Why Trust Elle Beauty?

As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, ELLE.com editors spoke with hair experts about the absolute best 15 hydrating shampoos for dry hair. The authors personally tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.

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