There are days when I comb through my hair and marvel at how soft and silky it feels, and then there are the days when it is coarse, brittle, and practically begging for resuscitation. In lieu of CPR, I reach for the best shampoo for dry hair, because even a single wash can restore a level of confidence usually reserved for shampoo-commercials.
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Best for Frizzy Hair
Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Shampoo
As a beauty editor, my routine is in a constant state of evolution, which means there are always new formulas vying for a place in my shower come wash day. Consider this list the result of months of testing and an unreasonably high standard for what hydration should actually mean.
A few things to keep in mind while you shop: price point (many drugstore formulas now perform just as beautifully as their luxury counterparts), hair texture (some formulas excel on curls, others on finer strands), whether your hair is color-treated and, of course, scent. Ahead, the best shampoos for dry hair, chosen with the help of celebrity hairstylists.
In This Story:
Best Overall: RŌZ Foundation Hydrating Shampoo
Rōz Hair
Foundation Hydrating Shampoo
- Why We Love It: We could wax poetic about Rōz, the hair care line created by celebrity hairstylist Mara Roszak, for hours but in the interest of brevity, we will try to keep it short. The Hydrating Shampoo is the standout of the lineup, anchored by the brand’s signature BotaniComplex to nourish and protect strands. Celebrity hairstylist Sky Kim echoes the sentiment, calling it “a beautiful, lightweight cleanser that gives dry hair that fresh, clean feeling without stripping it. It has a subtle, almost spa-like scent and leaves hair soft and bouncy rather than weighed down.”
- Editor’s Experience: “I thought a bob would be more low maintenance that my long hair, but it’s proved itself to be more high maintenance; even though it only takes a few minutes, I need to heat style it every day. When my hair is feeling particularly brittle or my flyaways are standing a bit too tall, I reach for this shampoo. Post-wash, my hair is doll-like and soft even after one use.” —Concetta Ciarlo, beauty shopping writer
- Key Ingredients: BotaniComplex, ceramide complex
- Best For: All hair types
- Size: 70 mL, 300 mL, 900 mL
Best Splurge: Vegamour HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
Vegamour
HYDR-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
- Why We Love It: I put my entire family onto this shampoo, which was a good idea until they started stealing from my Vegamour stash. Powered by the brand’s patented Karmatin, a vegan silk alternative to keratin and silicone, it delivers serious hydration without weighing hair down. “This formula really nourishes dry hair without heaviness,” says Kim. “I like it for clients who want a clean, vegan option that still feels rich and restorative. It has natural ingredients that help the hair appear fuller.” After each use, my curls look more defined and hydrated, plus the frizz is noticeably reduced, which means I can spend a lot less time fussing with my hair.
- Key Ingredients: Karmatin, aloe vera, magnolia bark extract
- Best For: All hair types, hair strengthening and growth
- Size: 236 mL
Best for Frizzy Hair: Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Shampoo
Gisou
Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Shampoo
- Why We Love It: Powered by honey, the bees practically insist you use this nourishing shampoo from influencer Negin Mirsalehi who has an undoubtedly stellar head of hair. Kim explains that the honey and ceramides make it ideal for repairing dry, damaged strands while keeping them glossy. “It’s amazing for color-treated hair that needs both hydration and strength,” she continues. It is also scented with the brand’s signature Wildflower Honey fragrance, so your hair will not only look hydrated and shiny but smell incredible too.
- Key Ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, silk protein
- Best For: Dry hair, color-treated hair, frizz
- Size: 250 mL
Best Drugstore: Pantene Shampoo & Conditioner Set
Pantene
Shampoo & Conditioner Set
- Why We Love It: When you have a lot of hair, splurging on shampoo every month can become a real expense, which is why we’re so grateful that quality drugstore formulas like this one from Pantene exist. According to Kim, this is “a classic that actually holds up, especially if you are on a budget,” adding that “the formulas have come a long way; they cleanse well and add a nice slip and softness without buildup.” Your hair will look Pantene-hair flip worthy, and it will smell amazing too, with notes of wild berries and vanilla.
- Key Ingredients: Panthenol
- Best For: All hair types, color-treated hair
- Size: 26.4 Fl Oz
Best K-Beauty: Dr. Groot Hair Thickening Shampoo
- Why We Love It: You might have a ten-step Korean skin-care routine for your face, but K-beauty extends to hair too, and Dr. Groot is proof. Kim explains that “this is great for anyone with thinning or fine, dry hair. It cleans the scalp really well while helping create that fuller, thicker look—a good balance between hydration and strength.” It’s clinically tested and contains biotin and rosemary oil to help volumize thinning, damaged strands while removing buildup that can clog scalp pores.
- Key Ingredients: Biotin, rosemary oil, caffeine
- Best For: Thinning hair, damaged hair
- Size: 385 mL
Best for Softness: Maria Nila True Soft
- Why We Love It: Swedish girls swear by Maria Nila, and so do I (someone who has been to Stockholm exactly once) whenever my dry strands need to be brought back to life. Kim agrees, noting that “this is both gentle and effective. The argan oil adds instant smoothness without feeling greasy, and it is great for anyone with fine hair that still needs moisture.” You will notice a difference almost immediately. After one wash, hair looks softer, shinier, and noticeably healthier. Plus, the floral scent of lilies, jasmine and rose lingers for hours afterward, which only adds to the appeal.
- Key Ingredients: Argan oil
- Best For: Dry hair, color-treated hair
- Size: 100 mL, 350 mL
Best for Curls: Innersense Hydrating Cream Hairbath
Innersense
Hydrating Hairbath Shampoo
- Why We Love It: If your dry strands are parched and begging for a metaphorical glass of water, this Hairbath shampoo is exactly what the doctor ordered. It contains a blend of raw shea butter, avocado, sage, monoi and tamanu oils to nourish the cuticle and leave hair softer and smoother. Kim adds that “this is one of my go-tos for natural, clean beauty lovers. It has a creamy, moisturizing lather that leaves curls or waves super soft and defined,” and as someone with curls, I can attest.
- Editor’s Experience: “This is the best clean shampoo I’ve ever used. The formula cocktails certified organic ingredients like shea butter and tamanu and avocado oils into a rich cream that I’d liken to a cowash. The result is instantly nourished strands, reduced frizz, and more defined curls.” —Kiana Murden, beauty shopping editor
- Key Ingredients: Shea butter, avocado, sage, monoi and tamanu oils
- Best For: Textured hair, curls, coils, all hair types
- Size: 295 mL
Best for Fine Hair: Crown Affair Hydrating Shampoo
- Why We Love It: If you’re someone who showers religiously, Kim says this shampoo is “perfect for people who wash frequently and don’t want to lose moisture.” The reason is that the formula, which contains hydrating tsubaki meadows and red algae extract, is elevated yet simple. She adds that it is “gentle, hydrating, and leaves the hair feeling clean but silky.” It also cleanses hair of oils, buildup, and pollutants, which is especially important if you live in a metropolitan city. And on scent, this smells of a sparkling blend of yuzu, green tea, bergamot, and sandalwood.
- Key Ingredients: Tsubaki meadows, red algae extract
- Best For: Damaged hair, frizz, frequent washing, fine hair
- Size: 82 mL, 237 mL
Best for Textured Hair: Pattern Beauty Hydration Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “This is incredible for textured or curly hair, as it is rich and creamy, cleanses without stripping, and really helps maintain the curl’s natural pattern and shine,” says Kim. It’s touted as a curl-enhancer, and as someone whose natural curls can easily get weighed down, I can confirm that after one use they are back to their former glory. The formula contains honey, aloe vera, and coconut oil—the holy trinity of moisture.
- Key Ingredients: Honey, aloe vera, coconut oil
- Best For: Wavy, curly, coily hair
- Size: 290 mL, 740 mL
Best for Thick Hair: Kerastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo
Kérastase
Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo
- Why We Love It: “A tried-and-true luxury classic,” per Kim, who notes this “is amazing for dry or sensitized hair. It is deeply nourishing while still giving that light, glossy finish Kérastase is known for.” It’s not necessarily meant for fine strands, but rather for very dry medium to thick hair, since it’s a rich, moisturizing shampoo formulated with plant-based proteins and niacinamide.
- Editor’s Experience: “Dry shampoo is a big part of my beauty routine, and this formula was able to remove all the product buildup and leave my hair so soft that I begged my roommate to feel it.” —Iman Balagam, contributor
- Key Ingredients: Plant-based proteins, niacinamide
- Best For: Medium, thick hair
- Size: 250 mL, 500 mL
Everything You Need to Know
Celebrity hairstylist Mel Dominguez explains that dry hair occurs when the scalp does not produce enough natural oil (sebum) or when those oils cannot travel down the hair shaft due to damage or texture. She says the most common causes include heat styling, color or chemical services, sun exposure, environmental dryness, lack of conditioning or moisturizing, and naturally coarse textures that lose moisture quickly.
What do hairdressers recommend for dry hair?
Dominguez says the foundation of treating dry hair starts in the shower with a hydrating shampoo and conditioner that add moisture without stripping natural oils. She recommends deep conditioning once a week, ideally with heat or steam to help the formula absorb more effectively. On damp hair, she suggests using a leave-in conditioner or a lightweight hair oil to lock in moisture and keep strands soft throughout the day.
Furthermore, regular trims every six to eight weeks help remove dry ends before they split. Dominguez notes that limiting hot tool use and always applying heat protectant when you do style is essential for preventing further dryness.
How do you rehydrate severely dry hair?
To rehydrate severely dry hair, it’s essential to pay close attention to your hair-care routine. Dominguez recommends starting with a pre-shampoo oil treatment to protect strands before washing. (And in cases when you need to rid of residue and buildup, opt for a good clarifying shampoo.) She suggests switching to a sulfate-free hydrating shampoo so the hair is cleansed gently rather than stripped. Follow with a rich conditioner or hair mask, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends, and rinse with cool water to help seal the cuticle. Dominguez also advises using a leave-in moisturizer with a lightweight oil each day until the hair’s elasticity and softness improve.
What to Look for in a Shampoo for Dry Hair
According to Dominguez, the best shampoos for dry hair contain a mix of the following:
- Humectants (glycerin, honey, panthenol): to attract and draw moisture into the hair
- Emollients (shea butter, coconut oil, jojoba): to soften and smooth the hair surface
- Proteins and ceramides to help rebuild damaged areas and prevent breakage
- Amino acids to strengthen and hydrate the hair from within
- pH-balanced formulas in the 4.5 to 5.5 range to maintain a healthy, sealed cuticle
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity hairstylists—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to shampoos for dry hair, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, lather, and the hair-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
- Sky Kim is a celebrity hairstylist based in Brooklyn, New York whose clients include Gigi Hadid, Oscar Isaac, Uma Thurman and Rachel Brosnahan.
- Mel Dominguez is a Los Angeles-based celebrity hairstylist whose clients include Madison Beer and Kim Petras.
