Our 17 Best Shampoos For Dry Hair In 2021

Whether you’re feeling the effects of heat damage or seasonal temperature changes, dry hair seems to plague pretty much everyone at one point no matter their environment or hair texture. The good news? Quenching dry strands is easy when you’re equipped with quality hair care products—and it all starts with the first step of your routine. 

Searching for the best shampoo for dry hair? Keep scrolling for 17 of our top formulas. We’re also outlining some of the key signs that you’ve got dry hair (it’s not always obvious!) and discussing reasons why it’s important to use the right shampoo for your hair type and concerns. 

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How To Tell If You Have Dry Hair

There are a few key characteristics to look for when trying to determine if your hair is dried out. The most obvious is a feeling of actual dryness, where the hair has a “straw-like” or crunchy feel to it. If you’re dealing with chronic dry hair, then you might also experience visible breakage and split ends.

Another way to tell if you have dry hair is to consider your scalp. People with dry hair often have an itchy or flaky scalp. The scalp itself can be dry, or it might actually be very oily since it’s trying to compensate for lack of moisture. This can quickly turn into a bad cycle where people over-wash their hair and scalp. The real solution is incorporating one of the best shampoos for dry, damaged hair into your regimen and only wash as necessary.

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Why It’s Important To Select The Right Shampoo When You Have Dry Hair

The longer your hair remains dry, the more at-risk it is for damage. Often, dry hair occurs because of the climate, drying hair care formulations, chemical processing, or excessive heat styling. Some are also more prone to dryness based on their hair texture and genetics, and the above can exacerbate the issue.

Using the best shampoo for dry hair you can find is important because it helps nourish damaged, dull tresses. The result is shinier, healthier hair that’s resistant to breakage, split ends, and frizz. 

Our Best Shampoos For Dry Hair To Buy Now

Searching for some moisturizing shampoos to quench your dry hair? Below are our top recommendations for all hair types.  

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Pureology Hydrate Shampoo 

This shampoo is perfect for anyone with medium to thick dry hair that's also been color-treated. It intensely moisturizes your strands while the brand's AntiFade Complex makes sure your hair color remains vibrant.

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Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo

Dry hair doesn’t just feel like it needs nourishment. If you’re dealing with parched locks, chances are good you’re also experiencing extra frizz, split ends, and lack of shine. Biolage Hydrasource Shampoo is one of the best shampoos for dry, frizzy hair. It helps optimize moisture balance to create healthier looking hair. 

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Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Shampoo

Even with top-of-the-line hair care, typically healthy hair can go through a bit of a dry spell. If you’re looking for a hydro-nourishing formula (wrapped in some seriously luxurious packing), you’ll love the Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Hydro-Nourishing Shampoo for dry hair. 

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Mizani Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo

Formulated with moisture-rich cupuaçu butter, argan oil, and honey, Mizani’s Moisture Fusion Moisture Rich Shampoo is one of the best shampoos for dry curly hair. In addition to moisturizing, it's a very gentle formulation that helps detangle and balance protein. It’s perfect for anyone with textured, curly, or wavy hair.

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Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo

If you’ve been going overboard on the hairspray and leave-in conditioner, your strands may feel extra dry from product buildup. Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Cleansing Oil Shampoo is formulated with neroli essential oil to moisturize your dry hair and scalp while removing product buildup and impurities. 

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Redken All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo

Revive dry, brittle strands with Redken’s All Soft Argan-Oil Enriched Shampoo. The argan oil-enriched formula promotes softness for dry, brittle hair and leaves your locks soft, manageable, and shiny.

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Redken All Soft Mega Moisturizing Shampoo

If your locks are supremely parched, the Redken All Soft Mega Moisturizing Shampoo can be a game-changer for you. This nourishing formula softens and adds hydration to very dry, coarse hair. 

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Mizani Scalp Care Shampoo

Those battling dandruff and dryness should look no further than this shampoo. It tackles both issues via a nourishing and moisturizing formulation that also includes 1 percent pyrithione zinc to help control scalp flaking, scaling and itching. While you're waiting for this moisturizing shampoo to work its magic, you’ll find some soothing relief via peppermint oil and cucumber extract.

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Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Shampoo

Bleaching can damage your hair, causing dryness, stiffness, and lack of shine. This reparative shampoo is formulated specifically to help revive bleached strands by strengthening and nourishing for more softness and shine.

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Pureology Hydrate Sheer Shampoo

People with fine hair that’s dry and color-treated should reach for this shampoo from Pureology. It also contains the brand's AntiFade Complex to protect color, but has been formulated specifically to help boost moisture, softness, and shine for fine hair types.

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Matrix Total Results Moisture Me Rich Shampoo

Get the lightweight hydration of your dreams with this moisture-boosting shampoo from Matrix. It's formulated with glycerin to deliver long-lasting softness and radiance while locking in moisture.

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Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin 2 Shampoo

Specifically formulated for dry, sensitized hair, this moisture-boosting shampoo delivers nourishing and protective antioxidants to your strands while replenishing hair fibers. The result is hair that feels touchably soft and looks gloriously shiny. 

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L'Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Resveratrol Color Radiance Moisturizing Shampoo

Help your salon color shine while nourishing your locks with L'Oréal Professionnel’s Vitamino Resveratrol Color Radiance Moisturizing Shampoo. Enriched with antioxidant resveratrol, this shampoo hydrates while helping maintain and enhance color vibrancy. 

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Redken Extreme Strengthening Shampoo

If you're dealing with ultra-dry hair that's got quite a bit of damage, you need to call in the big ones. Redken's Extreme Shampoo cleanses while strengthening via its RCT complex that repairs damaged hair and split ends. 

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L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Instant Resurfacing Hydrating Shampoo

Here’s another one of the best shampoos for dry damaged hair that’s experiencing brittleness and breakage. This luxurious powerhouse formula gently cleans hair while restructuring damage every time you use it.

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Shu Uemura Art Of Hair Muroto Volume Shampoo 

Bogged down by flat, dry hair?? A dollop of this moisture rich shampoo from Shu Uemura will help save the day while delivering shiny, brilliant locks. It encourages the roots of fine hair to rise up to create more body while rebalancing natural oils and strengthening to prevent damage.

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Kérastase Elixir Ultime Le Bain Shampoo

Say goodbye to dull hair with this single-step shampoo from Kerastase. It's formulated with four nourishing oils—including marula and camellia—to deliver instant softness and smoothness and a silky, lightweight finish.

Searching for more hair products? Shop the best salon-quality products at Hair.com.