Snapped, parched ends are not the one, which is why all dry-haired girls will know that a shampoo for dry hair – that’s specifically formulated for nourishing our strands – can make a world of difference.
That’s not to say we shouldn’t look for a little extra softening action elsewhere in our haircare routine. Masks, as we know, can cocoon our strands and introduce our hair to some much-needed additional moisture. Ditto conditioners. But, it’s important to look at your entire haircare line-up to spot extra opportunities to pump hair with more hydration, as well as to identify products that may be doing more harm than good.
Best shampoo for dry hair at a glance:
- Best overall: ARKIVE The All Day Everyday Shampoo, £12, Boots
- The runner-up: Pureology’s Hydrate Shampoo, £19.04, Look Fantastic
- Best affordable: Charles Worthington Moisture Seal Nourishing Shampoo, £7.99, Boots
- Best for split ends: Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £28, John Lewis
- Best for shine: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Shampoo, £26.50, LookFantastic
To get cracking, start with your shampoo. Our guide to the best shampoos for every hair type can help you to narrow down what might work best for you, but there are a few things to bear in mind. For instance, clarifying shampoos are brilliant at detoxifying and deep-cleaning scalps, but they have a tendency to dry hair out. Likewise, dandruff shampoos are often antibacterial and exfoliating, which may be necessary if you’re experiencing lots of flakiness, but they can feel stripping on already dry strands, so it’s a good idea to alternate with a more gentle shampoo. If you already err on the dry side, it’s best to limit how often you use both of these.
Adam Reed, Founder ARKIVE and Adam Reed Salon told GLAMOUR: “Moisture really is key both if it’s naturally dry hair or hair that’s dry through over processing. Most people need a more nourishing than heavy moisturiser. Even if your hair is over dry, really heavy moisturiser can be too much. Prevention really is key. Use a lighter conditioner frequently to prevent your hair from becoming dry – I always recommend using masks, oil and your regular conditioner.”
Reed adds: “I do split dry hair into naturally dry and then also processed hair that has become dry. It really is all about finding the hydrating products that work for you and then also you should be preventing your hair from becoming dry. You need to find the balance with your hair between nourishing but also taking care of your other hair needs. If you have fine hair, you’ll need to find products that will nourish but not weigh down the hair.”