‘My Hair Was So Soft’

Kayla Blanton is a health and beauty writer of seven years and has interviewed dozens of experts in the field, giving her supreme product knowledge and judgment for shopping recommendations.

You might look to the best conditioners to solve any dry hair woes, but your shampoo shouldn’t be left out of the equation. After all, choosing the best shampoo for dry hair opens up the door to twice the hydration on wash day.

“A good shampoo for dry hair should be hydrating, sulfate-free, and infused with nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, glycerin, or ceramides,” says Marcos Diaz, a celebrity hairstylist who has worked for Hailey Bieber, Katy Perry, and Sienna Miller.

With that in mind, we tested 21 best-selling hydrating shampoos to see if they live up to their claims. Keep reading to see what our testing revealed.

Our Stars

Reviews

Best Overall: Amika Normcore Signature Shampoo

We found this shampoo to be silky smooth on frizz-prone hair during and after washing, and it even improved hair texture and moisture levels over time. It contains vitamin-packed coconut acid, shea butter, and sea buckthorn. When used in combination with the brand’s Normcore Conditioner, which we tested, the formula is clinically proven to leave hair seven times more conditioned. In our tests, it even lessened the frequency with which additional oils and hair treatments were necessary to keep hair soft and shiny.

Size: 9.3 ounces ($2.58/ounce) | Key Ingredients: Coconut acid, vitamins, antioxidants  | Color Safe: Yes

Best for Curly Hair: SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Coconut Hibiscus Shampoo

Our tester with 3A/3B coils put this formula through a true trial. They found it looked “amazing” after the first wash, leaving curls bouncy, defined, and “not frizzy at all.” The texture of the shampoo was rich, coated the hair well, and imparted a like-new shine — thanks to the product’s rich ingredients of coconut oil, silk proteins, shea butter, and neem oil. Its aim is to cleanse the hair without stripping it of moisture, and that’s exactly what it accomplishes.

Size: 13 ounces ($0.69/ounce) | Key Ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, silk proteins | Color Safe: Yes

Best for Dandruff: Davines Momo Moisturizing Shampoo

We found this formula to work surprisingly well at keeping dandruff at bay, considering its intentionally creamy and foamy low lather. Our tester’s hair has mild dandruff and became flake-free after consistent use. Immediately after washing, there was a noticeable lack of oil around the scalp, but the hair didn’t go thirsty — strands were also rejuvenated with a drink of moisturizing melon extract and nourishing vitamins A and C to protect and strengthen.

Size: 8.45 ounces ($4.14/ounce) | Key Ingredients: Melon extract  | Color Safe: Yes

Best for Frizzy Hair: LolaVie Restorative Shampoo

A hero product of Jennifer Aniston’s hair care line, this shampoo acts as a de-frizzer and detangler in one, according to our tests. It made hair easier to smooth and comb through and eliminated the need for additional softening products. Our tester was even able to use less conditioner than usual. The shiny, silky results also made it easier and faster to use styling tools  — just a few strokes of the straightener and you’re done. The shampoo also contains biotin and niacinamide to promote hair strength.

Size: 8.5 ounces ($3.65/ounce) | Key Ingredients: Vegetable ceramides, botanical extracts, biotin  | Color Safe: Yes

Best for Fine Hair: Redken All Soft Shampoo

We found this shampoo brought softness and body to dry, brittle, thin hair after just one wash. Likely thanks to the shampoo’s argan oil moisture complex, our tester said her hair was left feeling clean — but not stripped — and hydrated. Her tresses were “nourished, less brittle, and less stringy,” she said. “My hair was so soft, I could hardly stop running my hands through it.” Washing up creates a creamy lather that isn’t slimy or off-putting, but really coats the hair and makes an impact.

Size: 10.1 ounces ($2.67/ounce) | Key Ingredients: Argan oil | Color Safe: Yes

Best for Damaged Hair: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

It can be difficult for damaged hair to feel “clean” because you don’t want to overwash it, but this shampoo treats hair while cleansing. Our tester usually went back for a second cleanse out of habit, and when she did, it noticeably did its job with an “excellent” lather that makes the formula, in her opinion, “really worth the money.” The shampoo also worked to tame damaged, face-framing flyaways garnered after a hair coloring experience that left them “fried” and unmanageable. Best of all, the shampoo brought hair back to life without weighing it down.

Size: 8.5 ounces ($3.76/ounce) | Key Ingredients: Coconut oil-derived cleansers  | Color Safe: Yes

More Shampoos for Dry Hair Our Testers Liked

Although the above formulas were our favorite, we tested a few other dry hair shampoos that are also worth checking out. If you have specific needs, like additional protein or extra moisture, you might like one of the picks below.

How We Tested

We tested 21 hydrating shampoo formulas ranging from $10 to $35. Our testers with various dry hair types — damaged, curly, thin, frizzy — used one shampoo exclusively for six weeks, following manufacturer instructions. They recorded their experiences based on the shampoo’s texture, how well it cleansed and hydrated, and its overall effectiveness. 

They also took user experience and price into consideration, as well as how each shampoo worked with its corresponding conditioner, which we also tested. At the end of the testing period, each tester rated their assigned formula on a scale from one to five and decided if they would recommend it to someone else.

Complete Your Routine

Once your dry hair is restored by a new regimen, you’re going to want to complete the look with some new hair tools or a luxurious mask. You can shop some of our proven favorites in those categories below. Your best, healthiest hair days await!