The best shampoos for dry hair
Amelia Jean Hershman-Jones
Beauty & skincare
Reading time: 3 minutes
Frizzy, damaged hair with split ends? These dry hair shampoos will help quench thirsty strands in no time
There are many reasons why our hair becomes dry, from the weather and blow-drying to colouring and our age. ‘I split dry hair into naturally dry and processed hair that has become dry,’ explains hair stylist and founder of the new Arkive haircare range, Adam Reed. ‘What’s important is finding the balance between nourishing and taking care of your hair type’s needs.’
Much like the right cleanser can make a world of difference to dry skin, the same goes for your choice of shampoo for hair.
Unsure of where to start? Let these industry-leading experts show you how to add some valuable moisture to your regime – whatever your hair type – for healthier, more hydrated locks.
Why is my hair so dry?
‘All hair types can be dry,’ explains Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and brand president at Philip Kingsley. ‘But tightly coiled hair types are more prone to lacking moisture.’ Why? Because ‘it can be trickier for the oil at the roots to travel down to the ends’.
Environmental factors may also play a role – from the weather to the heated tools you use. ‘Dryness usually results from, and is made worse by, external aggressors, such as heated styling, chemical processing, UV rays and salt and chlorinated water exposure,’ says Anabel. ‘Longer hair is also more prone to dryness simply because the ends have been exposed to the elements for longer.’
How often should I shampoo dry hair?
This depends on your hair texture. ‘If you have fine hair, cleanse daily or every other day – but do not double cleanse,’ says Anabel. ‘Coarser and coiled hair can go a bit longer and take a more vigorous wash but, even when coarse hair becomes dry it will be more fragile – so take care when you shampoo.’
And technique is key. ‘Do not scrub your strands – instead, put the main focus on your scalp; gently but firmly massage your scalp for approximately one minute and lightly squeeze the suds through the lengths of your hair,’ recommends Anabel. ‘Rinse well and follow with a conditioner.’
Here are 10 of the best shampoos for dry hair at Boots
Best shampoo for afro & textured hair
Try: Sheamoisture Hydrate & Repair Shampoo Manuka Honey & Yoghurt
• Size: 384ml
• Cruelty-free
When it comes to finding a shampoo that hydrates and repairs, this sulphate-free formula fits the bill. Infused with manuka honey and yoghurt extract, the shampoo gets to work on extremely dry and brittle curly strands, delivering intense moisture and nourishment. The result? Healthy curls that have their bounce back.
Best shampoo for hydration
Try: Maui Moisture Revive & Hydrate Shea Butter Shampoo
• Size: 385ml
• Vegan*
Unlike a lot of shampoos that start with deionised, chemically treated water as the main ingredient, this shampoo starts with a blend of 100% pure aloe vera juice as the first ingredient, followed by coconut water and plant oils to nourish as it gently cleanses.
Unsure how often to lather up? Here’s our advice on how often you should wash your hair.
Best shampoo for dry, coloured hair
Try: Bondi Boost Rapid Repair Shampoo
• Size: 300ml
• Vegan*
• Cruelty-free
Colouring hair regularly can weaken the hair’s structure, which affects the texture, making it brittle and more prone to damage. This sulphate-free formula is aimed at helping to prevent coloured hair fading as quickly.
Repairing, strengthening and hydrating, it contains a conditioning complex to help seal the cuticle and strengthen dry, damaged hair. It also features panthenol to help increase hair’s elasticity and macadamia nut oil to restore moisture and shine.
Best shampoo for curly hair
Try: Arkive All Together Now Co Cleanse
• Size: 300ml
• 98.97% natural
• Vegan*
• Cruelty-free
• Certified B Corp
Curly hair can be more prone to dryness, as well as oily at the roots and dry at the ends as it’s harder for oil produced at the scalp to reach the ends.
This co-cleanse from Adam Reed’s new Arkive range helps restore hydration in dried-out curly hair, locking in moisture and enhancing curl pattern.
‘It contains baobab oil, jojoba oil and shea butter, which all work to moisturise the hair. Used regularly they’ll allow the hair to maintain moisture,’ says Adam. ‘And remember to brush hair regularly to disperse your natural oils through the lengths.’
Best shampoo for fine hair
Try: Andrew Fitzsimons Body Volume Shampoo for Fine Hair with Caffeine
• Size: 260ml
• Vegan*
If you have fine hair, you’ll know only too well how hard it can be to find products that condition, but don’t weigh your hair down. This formula strikes the balance, helping hair appear bouncier and fuller-bodied thanks to the reinvigorating caffeine content and a protein-based complex. The result? Softer, shinier and stronger hair. We’re sold.
Best shampoo for added shine
Try: L’Oréal Elvive Hydra Hyaluronic Acid Shampoo
• Size: Size: 400ml
When it comes to dehydrated skin, hyaluronic acid is seen as a beauty must-have in your morning and/or evening routines. And a new wave of products are bringing the benefits of this acid to your hair. The formula, infused with this moisture-retaining molecule, coats strands to help keep them feeling hydrated for several days and looking visibly plumped, bouncy and shiny.
Best shampoo for dry scalps
Try: Philip Kingsley Flaky/Itchy Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
• Size: 250ml
‘While the condition of your scalp won’t impact the condition of hairs that have already grown from the mid-lengths to the ends, an oily, flaky scalp can cause oxidative stress and impact the hair cuticle and integrity of strands as they grow and emerge from the follicle,’ explains Anabel Kingsley. ‘This may result in hair that’s more prone to dryness, dullness and breakage.’
This award-winning cleanser helps relieve scalp irritation, while clearing flakiness and build-up. It’s mild enough for daily use, and will leave your hair shiny and manageable.
‘Those with a scalp condition, like dandruff, should cleanse daily to every other day. However, for the health of your scalp, you should not leave more than three days between hydrating shampoos. Your scalp is skin and needs regular cleansing,’ advises Anabel.
Best shampoo for dry, frizzy hair
Try: Bumble and bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo
• Size: 250ml
If dryness has made your lengths more prone to breakage, flyaways and frizz, try introducing this nourishing pick into your routine. Sulphate-free, it’s infused with six oils including coconut, safflower and sweet almond to help soften, silken, tame, de-frizz, detangle and protect dry hair.
Best shampoo for menopausal dry hair
Try: Pantene Hair Biology Menopause Shampoo For Thinning Hair
• Size: 250ml
Hair can become drier with age and, as collagen levels deplete – affecting the amount of oil your scalp can produce – strands become more wiry and frizzy, potentially leading to thinning.
Featuring the brand’s Pro-V blend of nutrients, vitamin B3 and white tea, this pick helps moisturise dry hair without weighing it down, while calming the scalp.
From skin changes to how to combat them, find out how the menopause might be affecting your skin in our guide.
Best shampoo for untreated, textured and brittle hair
Try: Cantu Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
• Size: 400ml
This shampoo, enriched with shea butter and avocado oil, is great for leaving the scalp and hair feeling thoroughly cleansed yet soft, while textured hair and curls are defined. It also smells amazing! It’s the sulphate-free shower staple you’ll want to stock up on.
Found this useful? Find more advice in our guide to different hair textures and how to care for them.
