Whether you live in a dry climate or have color-treated hair (which tends to make it drier), you may need a good shampoo that effectively cleanses without stripping. Many sulfate-based formulas may feel luxurious to use but can exacerbate dryness and irritation. We’ve rounded up the best shampoos for dry hair, including our top pick overall, Rōz’s Foundation Shampoo, which uses coconut-based surfactants alongside moisture-boosting ingredients like glycerin and ceramides to cleanse and help restore shine.
The best shampoos for dry hair cleanse your strands while adding much-needed moisture.
ILLUSTRATION: FORBES / PHOTO: RETAILERS
When narrowing down our list of winners, we carefully evaluated the ingredients, intended hair type and price. “Look for shampoos that contain hyaluronic acid or a protein," says Emily Claire, a colorist and stylist at Rob Peetoom Salon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. “Hyaluronic acid draws moisture into the hair, while protein strengthens and smooths, improving the hair’s ability to retain hydration.” She also advises avoiding sulfates and clarifying or detoxifying formulas. With this advice in mind, we rounded up the best shampoos for dry hair that nourish, hydrate and smooth.
You’re sensitive to fragrance, although this one is pleasant and not strong
The Rōz Foundation Hydrating Shampoo is our top pick thanks to its gentle formula that hydrates and balances without stripping strands. It’s a favorite of deputy editor Jane Sung’s, who keeps it in her haircare rotation and also uses it on her little boy’s hair. “I like how well it cleans while leaving hair soft and manageable,” she says. The shampoo is suitable for all hair types and textures, and it helps eliminate product buildup that naturally occurs. It has a rich lather thanks to coconut-based surfactants (a healthier-for-hair alternative to sulfates), and a ceramide complex helps strengthen, hydrate and protect hair over time.
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Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (coconut-based surfactant), tea tree oil, glycerin, inulin (a natural prebiotic) | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $1.76 Best for:
Soothing dry, itchy scalps
Rich lather
Preserving color-treated hair
Skip if:
You need immediate dandruff relief
If you have a dry scalp, Jupiter’s Hydrating Shampoo helps balance its pH thanks to the addition of inulin (a natural prebiotic) and tea tree oil. Tea tree oil also helps eliminate scalp residue and has antifungal and antimicrobial properties. This shampoo has a nice lather and a mild scent with hints of tangerine leaf oil and lavender oil.
“Many shampoos for dry scalps tend to dry out and strip my hair, but Jupiter’s formula keeps my strands shiny, soft and bouncy,” says beauty writer Molly Calhoun. “I’ve used this formula for several months, in addition to Jupiter’s Anti-Dandruff Balancing Shampoo. It prevents an itchy scalp—even in dry winter months—without stripping my color, and I like the scent, which is light and not overpowering.”
If you’ve tried other options that left your scalp itchy and irritated, this pH-balanced formula might be the best choice for you. Ceramides and hyaluronic acid hydrate; zinc PCA and caffeine target dandruff and regulate sebum production; and panthenol and niacinamide help condition and soothe. Additionally, the brand’s signature low-molecular-weight peptide blend (this means it penetrates the hair shaft more effectively) helps repair breakage, resulting in softer, smoother strands with continued use.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Frizzy Hair
An Effective Frizz-Fighter For Fine To Medium Hair
Sephora
Kérastase Nutritive Hydrating Shampoo
Sulfate-free: No | Key ingredients: Sodium laureth sulfate (a common surfactant), glycerin, salicylic acid, panthenol, niacinamide | Size: 8.5 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $5.05 Best for:
Infusing strands with lightweight hydration
Fine to medium hair types
Skip if:
You have thick, coarse hair
You want a sulfate-free formula
Taming frizzy strands can be complicated because you want to smooth flyaways without leaving hair limp and flat. This deeply hydrating shampoo uses plant-based proteins, niacinamide and glycerin to lock in hydration and keep strands frizz-free. It also leaves hair shiny, soft and bouncy. It’s designed for fine to medium hair; if you have thick, coarse hair, the Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin Riche Hydrating Shampoo is a better option.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Damaged Hair
Creamy Formula Nourishes And Adds Shine
Crown Affair
Crown Affair The Hydrating Shampoo
Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (coconut-based surfactant), tsubaki seed oil, red algae extract | Size: 8 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $5.25 Best for:
Deeply hydrating and cleansing
Delicate, refreshing scent
Medium to thick hair types
Skip if:
You have very fine hair
Crown Affair’s formula cleanses hair and infuses each strand with hydration without weighing it down. Hero ingredients include tsubaki meadows—a lightweight oil blend rich in antioxidants—and red algae extract, which strengthens and adds shine. The resulting cream-like formula feels indulgent and restorative, leaving strands looking bouncy, glossy and healthy. Although I have thin, wavy hair, I reach for this shampoo when I’ve been using heat tools more often or during the colder months when I need an extra boost of hydration.
Color-treated hair requires special care to prevent fading, dryness and damage. We like the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo because it delivers a rich, gentle lather that doesn’t dry out hair of cause color to fade prematurely, and it helps repair broken bonds. The patented technology also minimizes breakage—from things like excessive heat tool use or styling—while it also adds softness and shine, thanks to hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, panthenol and sunflower seed oil.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Fine Hair
A Deeply Hydrating Option For Delicate Strands
Amazon
Davines Momo Hydrating Shampoo
Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Cocamidopropyl betaine (a mild surfactant), panthenol, melon fruit extract | Size: 8.4 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $4.40 Best for:
Deeply hydrating and cleansing
Delicate, refreshing scent
Medium to thick hair types
Skip if:
You have coarse, unruly hair
For fine, dry hair, this popular Davines formula hydrates without being heavy or leaving strands looking greasy or limp. I have fine hair and have used this shampoo for years; I love how bouncy and soft it leaves my hair. I like using it in conjunction with the Momo Hydrating Conditioner, which I concentrate on my mid-lengths to ends. (If you’re still searching for the right formula, check out our guide to the best shampoos for fine hair.)
Best Shampoo For Dry, Coarse Hair
Infused With Powerful Hydrators Like Hyaluronic Acid
Sephora
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo
Sulfate-free: Yes | Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, squalane, sea buckthorn, bio-fermented coconut water | Size: 9.2 ounces | Price per fluid ounce: $3.04 Best for:
Intense, lasting hydration
Repairing heat damage
Medium to thick hair types
Skip if:
You have fine hair
If you have coarse, curly or unruly strands that could benefit from deep hydration, you can’t go wrong with this formula from Amika. The formula contains powerful hydrators, including hyaluronic acid, squalane, blue algae and bio-fermented coconut water that the brands says will maintain hydration for up to 72 hours. Reviewers say it leaves hair extremely soft and has a pleasant scent.
How We Chose The Best Shampoos For Dry Hair
To narrow our picks for the best shampoos for dry hair, I worked with Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung to leverage our team’s deep market knowledge and extensive testing experience, highlighting products and brands that deliver hydrating, effective formulas.
We evaluated the key ingredients in our top picks to ensure they cleanse without stripping the scalp while providing lightweight hydration.
Hair type is another important factor we considered—the shampoos on our list cater to different types and textures, from fine to coarse.
Our experts also provided recommendations based on their experience, while we reviewed customer reviews for standout product traits.
As everyone’s budget looks slightly different, we included a wide range of prices.
What To Look For In The Best Shampoos For Dry Hair
When caring for dry hair, look for hydrating, nourishing formulas that gently cleanse and protect strands. Here’s what to keep in mind, based on expert guidance.
Key Ingredients
When evaluating shampoos, look for hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, glycerin, aloe vera, ceramides or panthenol. These can help strands retain moisture and keep the hair shaft looking shiny and smooth. Oils are another beneficial component; tsubaki seed oil (found in Crown Affair’s The Hydrating Shampoo) is one example, but argan, jojoba and almond oil are also great hydrators. Instead of sulfates, look for mild cleansing agents like cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine, a coconut-based surfactant.
Sulfates
Sulfates are chemicals used to cleanse and can be found in many personal care and bath products. Two of the most common sulfates you might notice on labels are sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate. They are used in shampoos to create a rich, luxurious lather, but they can strip your scalp and hair of too much oil in the process, leaving you feeling dry. Instead, look for formulas that use coconut-based surfactants to produce a nice lather without causing excessive dryness. If you live in a dry climate or have color-treated hair, which tends to be on the drier side, it’s especially important to look for a gentle option that’s nourishing and hydrating.
Hair Type
Consider your hair type, texture and other concerns when selecting the right shampoo. Those with fine, wavy hair will have slightly different needs than those with thick, coarse hair. Also, if you dye your hair, you’ll want to look for a shampoo that’s safe for color-treated strands (like the Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo) to prevent fading.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted beauty and grooming team has published dozens of expert-led stories dedicated to haircare.
The author of this piece, Katherine Louie, is a lifestyle editor with more than seven years of firsthand experience testing beauty products. She has personal experience with three brands on this list: Jupiter, Crown Affair and Davines.
All products in this story were selected or approved by Forbes Vetted deputy editor Jane Sung, who oversees the beauty and grooming, fashion and travel categories and has two decades of experience covering lifestyle topics.
Louie gathered key insights and guidance from Emily Claire, a colorist and stylist at Rob Peetoom Salon in Williamsburg, Brooklyn.
Look for a sulfate-free formula that contains hydrating ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin and panthenol, according to Claire. It can also be helpful to avoid clarifying or detox shampoos, which can strip your scalp and hair of essential oils.
To care for extremely dry strands, limit how often you heat-style your hair, pick a nourishing, hydrating shampoo and wash less frequently (using lukewarm rather than hot water). “Heat doesn’t just dry hair out, it can also worsen dryness because damaged cuticles allow moisture to escape more quickly," says Claire. “Keep the heat styling to a minimum if your hair already feels dry and always use a heat protectant.” She also recommends focusing shampoo application on the scalp rather than the ends, following with a good conditioner. Sleeping on a silk pillowcase can also be beneficial to prevent breakage.
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