The Best Shampoo for Dry Hair, From a $4 Drugstore Favorite to a $51 French Classic

Hands up if you have fond memories of using Herbal Essences as a teen. Well, this drugstore classic is back and better than ever with the same addictively fragrant formulas we know and love. This particular shampoo smells of coconut, vanilla and tropical flowers that make us feel like we’re on a faraway island (and not in our small showers). Coconut milk is the star ingredient in the formula and it’s what makes our hair softer, shinier and easier to style altogether whenever we use this.

Total PureWow100 Score: 97/100

Who doesn’t want to indulge in a hydrating hairbath from time to time? This rich cream wash is packed with essential oils like sage and tamanu to balance your scalp, while emollients like avocado oil and shea butter smooth the cuticle of parched strands. The clean formula is supremely hydrating, yet lightweight, and gets rid of grease without stripping your hair dry.

Total PureWow100 Score: 96/100

“This shampoo is a game changer if you have fine hair,” writes a reviewer on Sephora. “I've struggled to find products that give my hair more body, and this is it! I can't rave about it enough,” she adds. The lightweight formula uses moringa seed oil to smooth frizz and moisturize dry strands without weighing them down. Add in sunflower seed extract for some natural UV protection and quinoa protein to strengthen weakened ends, and you’ve got yourself one fine shampoo for fine-haired folks.

Total PureWow100 Score: 95/100

Another drugstore favorite, this fragrant formula does everything you want from a shampoo at a very affordable price. It lathers generously and makes your hair feel noticeably softer after every use. And, as mentioned up top, the scent is truly delightful. (So much so that this editor’s generally aloof partner commented on how good it smelled. “It’s really nice. Might be one of my favorites,” were his exact words, which is high praise coming from someone who rarely notices these things).

Total PureWow100 Score: 98/100

Created by a motley crew of biotech scientists and top hairstylists, this pioneering haircare brand was a disruptor in the space when it first launched in 2005. Introducing the “Healthy Hair Molecule,” this patented ingredient is the secret sauce in the shampoo. The molecule basically acts as an invisible shield over your strands to protect it against dirt, oil and—get this—humidity, so your hair stays cleaner, softer and smoother between washes. The science is impressive, but it’s the way it “gives you that fresh cut feel” and “brings hair back from the dead” that makes it a winner for many fans. The crisp citrus scent also earned high marks.

Total PureWow100 Score: 97/100

If you have the type of hair that’s so brittle a strong gust of wind would make it feather apart like the fluff on a dandelion, you might want to try some Olaplex. This reparative shampoo re-links broken bonds in hair caused by common stressors like heat styling and repeat highlights. One reviewer shared, “My hair no longer breaks off at the ends whenever I comb or brush through it,” while another exclaimed it makes her hair “feel like hair again, not hay.”

Total PureWow100 Score: 93/100

Gentle enough to use daily if you please, this hydrating shampoo is loaded with algae extracts, panthenol and biotin to keep strands soft and flexible (which is crucial for preventing breakage). With no stripping sulfates or slick silicones that coat your strands, it’s a favorite within the curly hair community. “I have kinky curly hair that can be dry. I found my hair detangled easily after using this,” said one user.

Total PureWow100 Score: 95/100

A familiar fixture in salons for many years, this cult favorite shampoo does exactly what it says on the label: it hydrates. One of the early adopters of the whole “sulfate-free” craze that has since become a standard for many shampoos, this creamy formula uses jojoba, green tea and sage to strengthen and nourish dry, color-treated hair. Those with finer hair that tends to fall flat may want to skip this one as it is richer than some of the others on the list. As one reviewer explains, “My hair is thick and wavy and this product adds just the right amount of moisture to my hair, it rinses clean, and I don't feel like I have any buildup when I add additional styling products.”

Total PureWow100 Score: 98/100

Admittedly, this shampoo is an indulgence, but it’s one of few formulas that tame our puffy, dry hair. The ultra-creamy texture feels similar to a conditioner and leaves your hair feeling soft and light like you just had a blowout. Plus, the sweet, enveloping scent makes our strands (and shower) smell incredible. Still on the fence? Consider one fan’s approach: “Yes, it’s expensive but I usually only wash my hair once or twice a week so for me it is worth the splurge.”

Total PureWow100 Score: 96/100