Dry hair can be a frustrating challenge, especially when it coincides with issues like frizz, breakage, and dullness. These problems are often exacerbated by environmental factors, over-styling, or simply an improper haircare routine. The best shampoos and conditioners for dry hair can help replenish much-needed moisture while addressing specific concerns to help restore your hair’s healthy appearance. But haircare products are rarely one-size-fits-all—and in order to find a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner duo that works for you, it’s important to understand your needs. If you need help on that front, keep scrolling—we’re sharing a look at some of our favorites ahead, plus tips on how to find the right shampoo and conditioner for your strands.
How To Choose a Shampoo and Conditioner for Dry Hair
Choosing the best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair requires understanding your hair type and needs. Products for fine hair, for example, likely won’t work well for someone who’s sporting thick, bouncy curls. The reverse is true, too: Products for coarse or curly hair will typically be too heavy for someone with finer strands. It seems like a lot to consider, but we’re breaking down a few tips to help your search, below.
Look for hydrating formulas
It seems pretty obvious, but if you’re on the hunt for the best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair, you’ll want to be sure you’re reaching for a hydrating formula. Ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin are good to look for if your hair is fine, as they can help boost hydration without weighing down your strands. For thicker or coarser hair, look for a shampoo with argan oil or other plant-derived oils to help smooth and nourish your mane. And if you’re dealing with damage—as is often the case when the hair is dry and brittle—seek out reparative formulas with ingredients such as keratin, biotin, or plant-derived proteins.
Choose clarifying products wisely
Clarifying shampoos can be great for those with oily hair or a lot of product build-up, but they’re often a bit too drying for those with already-thirsty strands. Read the label on your shampoo before buying it—if you see words like “clarifying,” “purifying,” or “detoxifying” on the bottle, it’s likely a stronger formula best reserved for tackling buildup.
Consider your hair type
As mentioned above, when searching for the best shampoo and conditioner for dry hair, it’s essential to consider your specific hair type and texture. If you have fine or thin hair, you’ll typically want to look for lightweight, moisturizing products that won’t weigh your hair down. On the other hand, thick hair can handle (and often needs) richer, more nourishing formulas that provide intense hydration. If you have curly or coily hair, you’ll likely do best with products made specifically for your hair type. Curls are often prone to dryness, and they require special care to look and feel their best. Finally, if your hair is color-treated, it’s important to choose gentle, color-safe formulas that focus on hydration and damage repair, as color processing can strip hair of moisture. Tailoring your shampoo and conditioner to your hair type ensures you’ll address dryness effectively while maintaining healthy-looking strands.
12 of the Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry Hair in 2025
Now that you know what to look for when shopping for your next shampoo and conditioner, keep scrolling for a look at 12 of our favorites for various hair types, textures, and concerns.
Good hair day by @matrix.
For all hair types
Matrix Food for Soft Hydrating Shampoo and Conditioner
Quench thirsty tresses with this lightweight, daily-use duo. The shampoo for dry hair gently cleanses and helps remove excess oil without stripping the hair of moisture, while the conditioner—which contains avocado oil and hyaluronic acid—helps replenish hydration for smooth, soft strands. When used as a system, this editor-favorite pair leaves the hair up to seven times more moisturized—and locks in that hydration for up to 72 hours.
For dry, damaged hair
L’Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Shampoo and Conditioner
As anyone with a heat-styling addiction likely knows, dryness and damage often go hand-in-hand. This professional-quality duo can help address both concerns at once. The gentle, protein-packed shampoo cleanses and helps strengthen dry, damaged hair, while the conditioner deeply moisturizes and repairs for soft, shiny strands. If your hair needs extra TLC, grab the coordinating Protein Treatment Hair Mask and add it to your routine once per week.
For fine hair
Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo and Conditioner
Many moisturizing shampoos and conditioners contain oils, which can be too heavy for those with fine or thin hair. As such, finding products that’ll hydrate your hair without weighing it down can be challenging. We’re big fans of this duo, which is silicone-free, sulfate-free, and perfect for those with finer strands. Plus, the formula is concentrated, so a little goes a long way—unless your hair is very long, a dime-sized amount of product should suffice.
Good hair day by @biolage.
For thick or coarse hair
Biolage Professional Ultra Hydra Source Shampoo and Conditioning Balm
Thick hair, too, requires special treatment to look and feel its best, especially when it’s dry. Replenish your mane with this nourishing pair, which contains apricot kernel oil, aloe vera, and cupuaçu butter. The shampoo gently cleanses while helping to optimize the hair’s moisture balance, while the conditioning balm instantly replenishes moisture for smoother strands.
For curly hair
Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo
If you’re on the hunt for the best shampoo for dry hair to cleanse your waves and curls, this option from Mizani is one to consider. It’s formulated with argan oil, cupuaçu butter, and honey and is designed to help quench thirsty curls. Use it alone or pair it with the brand’s Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask for added nourishment.
For natural hair
Redken All Soft Mega Curls Shampoo and Conditioner
Natural hair is uniquely susceptible to dryness, and a lack of moisture can make your mane look dull and rough instead of shiny and springy. To replenish moisture—and your mane’s healthy appearance—reach for this duo. The silicone- and sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses dry curls, while the rich conditioner hydrates, nourishes, and helps improve manageability for soft, shiny hair.
For straight hair
Kérastase Nutritive Lait Vital Conditioner
In our opinion, the best conditioners for dry hair are those that help restore moisture without leaving the hair feeling weighed down. That can be a big ask if your hair is fine or straight, but this hydrating conditioner fits the bill. The creamy formula, which contains niacinamide and plant-based proteins, boasts an ultra-light texture and deeply hydrates fine to medium strands. Plus, it helps strengthen the hair and boosts shine by up to 116%.
Good hair day by @pureology.
For color-treated hair
Pureology Hydrate Shampoo and Conditioner
While all of Pureology’s haircare products are designed for color-treated hair, we’re partial to this shampoo and conditioner for dry hair in particular. The sulfate-free duo gently cleanses, hydrates, and nourishes color-treated hair, delivering up to three times more hydration in a single use than a standard shampoo. The pair also contains an antifade complex to help keep your color looking fresh, healthy, and vibrant.
For frizz control
Redken Frizz Dismiss Shampoo and Conditioner
If you’re constantly battling frizz, chances are good that your hair isn’t as moisturized as it could be. To help hydrate your strands and score a sleeker style, try this pair from Redken. The sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses the hair, while the conditioner—which contains a 2% Smoothing Complex with Babuassu oil—moisturizes, detangles, and provides all-day frizz control for soft, shiny strands.
For addressing buildup
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Delicate Comfort Deep Cleanser
As mentioned earlier, clarifying shampoos are often too harsh for use on dry, brittle hair. This deep-cleansing shampoo for dry hair is an exception to the rule. The clarifying formula helps remove dirt, oil, and product build-up while simultaneously intensely hydrating the hair and scalp. The result: soft, moisturized hair—sans unwanted buildup. We suggest using it once a week to help keep your hair and scalp feeling balanced and hydrated.
For bleached hair
Kérastase Blond Absolu Bain Lumière Shampoo and Cicaflash Conditioner
As anyone sporting platinum locks knows, bleaching your hair can be damaging—and, more often than not, the process leaves your strands in desperate need of moisture. Quench your tresses with this hyaluronic acid-infused duo from Kérastase. The gel shampoo gently cleanses and boosts shine, while the lightweight conditioner deeply moisturizes, softens, and helps protect hair against breakage.
For intense nourishment
Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Hair Mask
If you find that your daily conditioner isn’t quite enough to address dryness, consider adding this hair mask to your routine. The luxurious formula, which contains antioxidant-rich red moringa oil and red algae extract, intensely hydrates dry hair and helps protect it against potentially damaging external stressors, such as smog, smoke, and dirt. It also helps tame frizz and detangles the hair for smooth, silky strands.
[H2] How To Properly Use Hydrating Shampoos and Conditioners
Even the best conditioner for dry hair won’t provide the results you’re looking for if you use it improperly. The same goes for shampoo—for the best results, you’ll need to be sure you’re using the products as directed. First, take a look at the product instructions: Some shampoos and conditioners can be used every wash day, while others are best used more sparingly. It may also be a good idea to assess how often you wash your hair. Depending on your hair texture, you may only need to wash your hair once or twice per week to keep it feeling fresh. You can use dry shampoo to help keep greasiness at bay between wash days.
When you do lather up, do so with lukewarm water, as hot water can strip your hair of much-needed moisture. Focus your shampoo application on the scalp—avoid vigorously scrubbing the ends of your hair, as doing so can exacerbate dryness. Don’t forget to rinse your hair thoroughly to remove all residue.
After shampooing, apply a generous amount of conditioner, focusing mainly on the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, where it tends to be driest. For the best results, leave the conditioner in for a few minutes (or as long as instructed on the bottle). If your hair is particularly dry or damaged, consider applying a leave-in conditioner while your hair is still damp to help seal in moisture and protect your hair from dryness. If you plan to heat style your hair, look for an option that provides heat protection, such as the Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Spray. Otherwise, squeeze out any excess moisture and let your hair air-dry naturally.
Next Up: 15 Tips for the Most Moisturized Scalp Ever
If your dry hair is in need of some TLC, use our salon locator to book an appointment with a pro near you.
Header photo credits (left to right): @pureology, @matrix
