The 13 Best Shampoos for All Types of Damaged Hair
Say goodbye to brittle strands and split ends.
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Unless you're a golden child and take perfect care of your hair all the time, you’re bound to face a bit of damage here and there. Whether you’re straightening your strands with a hot tool or routinely applying chemicals, such as bleach and hair dye, you’ve probably experienced split ends, breakage, dryness, and even hair loss. We're not here to call you out, we’re here to arm you with the right products and tools to set you (and your hair) up for success. After all, that’s why the best shampoos for damaged hair exist.
According to Aaron Grenia, co-founder of IGK Hair Care, there are a few things to consider when researching shampoo for damaged hair. “Look for nourishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid, vegetable proteins, as well as bond-building technology to provide intense hydration, repair, and strengthen,” says Grenia. In addition to these ingredients, you should also consider products that are made with glycerin, a water-absorbing compound widely used in moisturizing products. “This ingredient is ideal for all types of hair because it doesn’t leave the hair feeling weighed down or greasy, says Dr. Iris Rubin, dermatologist and founder of SEEN Skin & Hair Car.
Our picks for the best shampoos for damaged hair in 2023
Best Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo for Damaged Hair
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After perusing our personal collections and consulting experts, we found the 13 best shampoos for damaged hair that will rejuvenate your strands, one wash at a time.
Pros
- Extremely hydrating
Cons
- Some users note that it’s overpriced
I have naturally curly hair, so my strands are often dry and sometimes even brittle. I’ve dealt with breakage, split ends, frizziness, you name it. Whenever I feel my strands reaching the point of no return, I cleanse my curls with Bioalge’s Strength Recovery shampoo, a vegan blend infused with squalane that instantly brings my hair back to life.
Key Ingredient: Vegan squalane
Size: 33.8 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon review says: “This recovery system by Biolage is amazing! I have been looking everywhere and trying all different kinds of shampoos and conditioners, but these are by far the best! My hair feels so soft and healthy since I started using them. Definitely worth it!”
Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Pros
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- The consistency is runny
“It’s best to go with a sulfate-free shampoo if you have dry, damaged or color-treated hair, as sulfates can strip the hair and scalp of their natural oils, as well as contribute to color fading,” says Dr. Rubin.
One of our favorite sulfate-free shampoos is Briogeo’s Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture shampoo, which works to heal damaged hair and is formulated to prevent future damage.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, biotin, soybean oil
Size: 16 fl. oz.
Ulta star rating: 4.4/5
An Ulta review says: “I am shocked by how well this shampoo cleanses but doesn't strip my hair. It effectively moisturizes my frizzy, stressed out locks and at a good price!”
It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin
Pros
- Contains strengthening properties
Cons
- Not suitable for those sensitive to keratin
When my hair needs an extra boost of strength, I like to reach for It’s a 10 Miracle Shampoo, specifically because it contains a nourishing blend of keratin protein. My mom recommended it to me a few years ago, and I honestly didn’t believe the hype until I started incorporating it into my daily routine. My hair strands are visibly smoother, and I’ve experienced less breakage overall. As the name indicates, this product is truly a ten out of ten!
Key Ingredients: Keratin amino acids
Size: 33.8 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.7/5
An Amazon review says: “I love this line! I have switched to other products and methods on and off for a few years but I always come back to It's a 10! I had a situation where my hair was getting very dry and weak so I bought this line to help my hair. It has become stronger and softer! Now I am more confident my hair will be successful with growing longer.”
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Pros
- Innovative formula nourishes hair
Cons
- Pricey
Olaplex is a leading brand in the haircare industry, particularly because of its patented Bond Building Technology, which repairs and nourishes damaged hair. If you’re struggling with severe damage, specifically from heat tools or bleaching, you’ll thank us for this recommendation.
Key Ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.6/5
An Amazon review says: “This shampoo is amazing!! It's super thick and luxurious to use. A little bit goes a long way and it feels like a lovely, hydrating, conditioning mask. I can feel it healing my years of box die damage lol.”
IGK PAY DAY Instant Repair Shampoo
Pros
- Repairs and prevents breakage
Cons
- Not for those who prefer unscented shampoo
“IGK’s Pay Day Instant Repair Shampoo is formulated with Biomimetic Bond Building technology and vegan silk extract to instantly repair and revive dry, damaged hair,” says Grenia. This shampoo is also a great solution if you’re dealing with breakage because it works to reseal damaged hair. Incorporate this shampoo into your hair care routine, and say bid adieu to split ends!
Key Ingredient: Vegan silk extract
Size: 33.8 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4/5
An Amazon review says: “Love that this product focuses on hair repair while also making my hair smell deliciously clean, thank you for such an amazing product!”
Eva NYC H2-Whoa! Hydrating Shampoo
Pros
- Instantly hydrates dry hair
Cons
- The dispenser is a bit difficult to open initially
A few weeks ago, I tried Eva NYC’s H2-Whoa! Hydrating Shampoo and I was beyond impressed. The fusion of hyaluronic acid and violet rice water gave my hair an extra boost of hydration, and when I finished cleansing my strands, I noticed that they were much softer. I would suggest using this product in conjunction with Eva NYC’s conditioner.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic acid, violet rice water
Size: 8.8 fl. oz.
Ulta star rating: 4.7/5
An Ulta review says: “H2-Woah Hydration Shampoo exceeded my expectations! Its rich formula left my hair feeling incredibly soft and nourished. The refreshing scent is invigorating, and I noticed a significant improvement in my hair's moisture levels after just a few uses.”
Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Shampoo for Thinning Hair
Pros
- Regrows hair
Cons
- Some reviewers note the consistency is too thick
Damage from chemicals and heat can often lead to hair thinning, which is extremely unpleasant. Consider using Vegamour’s GRO Revitalizing shampoo to stop thinning in its tracks. Packed with vegan B-silk™ protein, this shampoo works to regrow smooth strands over time. You’ll start to see a difference within the first 90 days of using this product.
Key Ingredient: Vegan B-silk™ protein
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.3/5
A Sephora review says: “I am in love with Vegamour GRO Revitalizing shampoo and conditioner duo! Works great for my dry hair and sensitive scalp. I love the way my hair looks after I use it — soft, hydrated and bright! I would highly recommend this product to my friends and family!”
ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
Pros
- Repairs damage at a deep level
Cons
- Expensive
At first glance, you might think a shampoo costing over $50 is a bit too pricey, but let us convince you that Oribe’s Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo is worth the hype. While some shampoos hydrate hair on a surface level, Oribe’s ingredients penetrate the hair at the root. Plus, this miracle product helps balance the scalp by delivering various nutrients.
Key Ingredients: Cypress and argan extract, plant collagen, caffeine
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon review says: “There simply is no better shampoo on the market. It's expensive, sure, but worth every single penny in my opinion.”
Virtue Hydrating Recovery Shampoo for Dry, Damaged & Colored Hair
Pros
- Good for color treated hair
Cons
- Some reviewers note a strong fragrance
Dealing with color-related damage? This shampoo by Virtue encourages healthy, rejuvenated hair despite years of damage. Even better, plant-based protein strengthens color-treated hair instead of stripping it.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed quinoa, baobab seed oil, grapefruit extract, vitamin C
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora review says: “This shampoo has saved my hair after years of damaging it. I love pairing this with Kerastase Nutritive Ultra Hydrating Hair Mask— works wonders for thick damaged hair!”
Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Shampoo
Pros
- Great for curly hair
Cons
- Not recommended for naturally oily hair
Maui’s Heal & Hydrate shampoo was specifically crafted with curly girls in mind. The refreshing shea butter and aloe mixture rapidly delivers hydration to parched strands.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, aloe
Size: 13 fl. oz.
Amazon star rating: 4.5/5
An Amazon review says: “I've tried everything from high end to value brands and this by far has proven to do what it says. Makes my hair feel hydrated.”
Kérastase Resistance Strengthening Shampoo
Pros
- Adds shine to hair
Cons
- Contains sulfates
Add a bit of shine to your damaged locks by cleansing your hair with Kérastase’s Resistance Strengthening shampoo. As the name suggests, this shampoo builds up resistance against any external threats and fortifies your strands using ceramides, amino acids, and protein to deliver moisture and shine.
Key Ingredients: pro-keratine complex, ceramides. resurrection plant sap
Size: 8.5 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora review says: “My hair has NEVER been so soft, smooth, and shiny!!! I highly recommend this line.”
BondiBoost Rapid Repair Strengthening Shampoo
Pros
- Repairs split ends
Cons
- Contains fragrance
There are many ways to manage split ends, from using hydrating hair masks to nourishing hair oils and moisturizing deep conditioning treatments. How about starting with the first step in your hair care routine? BondiBoost’s Rapid Repair shampoo has been clinically proven to improve split ends after one use. The nourishing formula increases elasticity and malleability.
Key Ingredients: Aloe and squalane
Size: 16.9 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.5/5
A Sephora review says: “After using the product for two weeks i’ve seen a major difference!! It has been breaking less and feels so soft my hair!! Definitely a must try!”
Living Proof Restore Shampoo
Pros
- Good for all hair types
Cons
- Users with oily scalp note that the consistency is heavy
No matter where you land on the hair spectrum, Living Proof’s Restore shampoo can treat any and every woe threatening your hair's health. The Best part is that it’s formulated without sulfates SLS & SLES, so you won’t have to worry about that terrible dry feeling that often comes with using sulfate-based cleansers.
Key Ingredients: Proprietary amino cleansing complex, glutamic acid-based emollient
Size: 8 fl. oz.
Sephora star rating: 4.6/5
A Sephora review says: “I have used Living Proof products since they first came on the market. The Restore line is my go-to for regular haircare and maintenance. The shampoo is a great first step in the process. It cleans without stripping your hair and preps it for the next step, which is usually the conditioner.”
What shampoo ingredients should you avoid if your hair is damaged?
Grenia tells ELLE.com that you should always avoid any ingredients that can cause dryness. “Sulfates serve to give shampoos a bubbly lather, but they end up removing too much necessary oil from your scalp and hair and can be the culprit to dryness,” says Grenia. He also recommends staying away from sodium chloride, a form of salt commonly found in shampoo formulas. “It’s known to contribute to dryness, so always check out the ingredients in your shampoo and look for lightweight but hydrating products for healthy-looking hair,” he adds.
How should you take care of damaged hair?
Cleansing is essential, but you shouldn’t wash your hair too frequently, as this can cause excessive dryness. “Don’t wash your hair daily and try to go as long as you can between washes to give hair a break and allow the natural oils to produce,” says Grenia.
When you wash your hair, remember that it’s essential to rehydrate damaged hair directly after using shampoo with a conditioning treatment. “You can treat your hair with a restorative deep-conditioning treatment once a week,” says Dr. Rubin, who recommends SEEN’s Deeper Conditioner.
As for preemptive measures, try discovering the root of the problem. “I would advise avoiding too much heat styling when possible,” Dr. Rubin adds. However, if you absolutely must use a heat tool, then use products that will protect your hair strands from the heat. “Before you reach for a blow dryer, a flat iron, or a curling iron, be sure to apply a styling product with heat protection,” says Dr. Rubin. She also shares that using products that protect the hair from UV rays and pollution can optimize the look, feel, and health of damaged hair.
Meet The Experts
Aaron Grenia is the co-founder of IGK Hair Care.
Dr. Iris Rubin is a dermatologist and founder of SEEN Skin & Hair Care.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, Lauren Tappan spoke with hair experts about the best shampoos for damaged hair. She also tested a number of these products and scoured reviews for the top-rated products on the market.
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