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These Are The Best Shampoos For Rescuing Damaged Hair
Keep brittle locks at bay.

If shampoos for dry hair work hard to restore nourishment and those for greasy hair guarantee a fresher, extra-clean feel, those with damaged locks have the more complex task of not only cleansing away grease and oil, but also repairing strands affected by heat, colour, bleach, and everything else in between. Thankfully, there are plenty of excellent options that tick all the boxes.
Shampoos for damaged hair: The ELLE top five
- Best for all hair types: Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo, £30
- Best for bleached hair: Olaplex No4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, £28
- Best for processed curls: Redken Acidic Bonding Curls Shampoo, £25.70
- Best for grease-prone hair: K18 Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo, £39
- Best for fine hair: Larry King Good life Shampoo, £18
What does damaged hair look like?
'It usually feels dry and brittle to touch, and you would notice a lack of natural shine,' shares Christophe Potin, Aveda's artistic director and educator. Damage can be caused by a myriad of things - from regular use of hairdryers and straighteners without a heat protector to bleach, poor quality hair dyes and UV rays. City pollutants and sea water can wreck havoc on fragile strands, too.
What to look for in a shampoo for damaged hair
Formulas that promise to strengthen and rehydrate your hair from the inside out are best, according to Potin. Plant proteins are excellent at fortifying weakened strands, but he also recommends gratissima oil, which is found in avocados to repair damage, alongside omega 3, omega 6 and quinoa protein.' Your shampoo should also contain lightweight hydrators such as glycerin to maintain softness. 'Low quality shampoos will strip the hair and leave it looking dull and brassy. Also, avoid shampoos that have an artificial colour or an overly strong, artificial scent,' suggests Potin. Ahead, the best shampoos for damaged hair to try now.
The best shampoos for damaged hair
Medina Azaldin is the beauty editor of ELLE and Harper's Bazaar UK, working across print and digital features. She has more than seven years journalism experience and has previously written for Red and Good Hoousekeeping. When she's not demystifying the latest skincare ingredient, sniffing out the next big perfume trend or uncovering the science behind wellness practices, you'll most likely find her in Hatchards Piccadilly or watching a crime series with her cats. Oh, and she's a competitive cheerleader, too.


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