15 Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair in 2024 to Strengthen and Moisturize, Tested & Reviewed
Don’t even think about washing without one.
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I hate to be the one to tell you this, but if you highlight your hair at home, get it dyed at the salon, blow-dry it regularly, love to create waves and curls with hot rollers or a curling iron, or even just detangle it too aggressively, your hair is most likely somewhat damaged—yes, really. And unless you're planning to chop all your hair off and start fresh, the easiest way to address damaged hair is to look for the right products with the right ingredients. The best place to start?A shampoo for damaged hair.
According to hairstylists Bridget Kinney, Kimberly Cannon, and Sierra Kener, repairing shampoo is one of the most important tools in your arsenal. "It's important to use a shampoo to help add moisture and strengthen damaged hair," says Kinning. How to start? By looking for products that add protein. Because you're constantly adding potential damage—"styling, the sun, improper brushing, hairstyles, and ingredients in products," says Kener—you may need a damage-repairing shampoo more often than you think. To help you find the right one for your hair type and texture, I've personally tested and reviewed the 15 best shampoos for damaged hair that'll take your frayed, straw-like hair and give it epic softness and shine below.
Our top picks for the best shampoos for damaged hair in 2024:
Now, keep reading for the full breakdown of the best shampoos for damaged hair, according to my own testing and product reviewers, along with tips from hairstylists on how to choose the best shampoo and what to look for before you buy one.
Pros
- Buildable lather
Cons
- Can make hair feel brittle if overused
There's a reason why every colorist and hairstylist loves this shampoo from Olaplex for super-damaged hair: It uses a patented molecule to rebuild broken hair bonds (an inevitable side effect of bleaching and chemical treatments) to give you stronger hair that retains more moisture. It's the closest thing to a second chance for your hair
- Key ingredients: Bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate* (*patented formula that may help strengthen hair and reduce moisture loss.)
- Size: 3.3 oz., 8.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This shampoo is worth every penny. After I use it my hair is literally luminous for days. It's one of the few products that truly improves the quality of your hair."
Pros
- Helps maintain hair color and vibrancy
Cons
- Contains alcohol, which can dry out curls
It's no secret that coloring your hair—whether you DIY it with box dye at home or get it done at the salon—can lead to major breakage and dullness. Enter this strengthening and damage-repairing shampoo that's designed specifically for color-treated, very dry hair. The gentle, sulfate-free formula protects your color while amping up your hair health, thanks to the gentle cleansers, hydrating humectants, and hair-strengthening ingredients (hi, panthenol, and glycerin).
- Key ingredients: Panthenol, glycerin, essential oils, marula oil
- Size: 1.7 oz., 9 oz., 33.8 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I have tried every high-end shampoo and conditioner and I have to say THIS IS IT. The ingredients are great and it smells really good. As someone who used to have dry, over-processed hair, this shampoo changed everything for me."
Pros
- Great for dry, itchy, scalps
Cons
- Some testers say the directions are vague
Scalp rinses and shampoos both get the job done; they just work in different ways. Typically, shampoos remove build-up thanks to a lather, whereas this rinse is gentler and uses ingredients to hydrate your hair while removing build-up. Because of its gentler nature, this product is great for those with damage. My favorite ingredient is the ginseng root extract, which is actually being researched as an ingredient with potential for hair growth and preventing hair loss.
- Key ingredients: Ginseng root extract,
- Size: 10 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I use it about once per week. It smells great, provides a nice tingle from the menthol, and removes the buildup on my scalp. My hair is less oily, especially in the back. My hair is very thick and long and I have to shampoo twice then use this product, and then my hair feels great, light, and no buildup remains. I will use this product for life."
Pros
- Contains moisturizing baobab seed oil and hydrating aloe vera
Cons
- Contains essential oils that some reviewers found irritating
This ultra-gentle but super-duper moisturizing shampoo for curly hair uses mild surfactants to help clean and reduce buildup on your hair and scalp, as well as hydrating aloe vera and moisturizing baobab seed oil to keep your hair from feeling dried-out and looking dull. Cosmo's Beauty Editor-at-Large Julee Wilson with 4b/4c curls gave this formula a 2023 Holy Grail Award, noting it keeps her “curls clean, moisturized, and happy.”
- Key ingredients: Aloe vera, baobab seed oil
- Size: 10 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: “This is the best shampoo I’ve ever used in my life. It feels clean, but like I used a conditioner because I can run my fingers through it. Love it!”
Pros
- Deep-cleans your strands and scalp without causing dryness or irritation on sensitive scalps
Cons
- Formulated to be used with the K18 mask for best results, so it's best to buy both products, which can be pricey
NGL, I was hesitant to use this clarifying shampoo on my dry, color-treated hair, but I'm so glad I did. Not only does it remove product buildup and excess oil from my scalp, but it really makes my hair feel stronger too. It's infused with K18's patented peptide molecule to repair broken bonds and protect your hair's outer cuticle—and for better efficacy, the formula also contains activated charcoal, salicylic acid, and a polymer to prevent the hair from being stripped. For best results, use it before the K18 Leave-In Mask.
- Key ingredients: K18 peptide, activated charcoal, salicylic acid
- Size: 8.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "A new staple in my routine!! This shampoo makes my hair softer, more manageable, bouncier, and overall healthier looking. I also love how it minimizes frizz-free—a must for me as I live in a hot climate."
Pros
- Uses keratin proteins to increase elasticity
Cons
- May take a bit of time to see improvement
Need a shampoo for thinning hair or hair loss? Try this one by Virtue. It delicately cleanses your hair and scalp while wrapping each strand in a "moisture shield" to make it look thicker and feel healthier too. Also great: The formula contains signal peptides to create an optimal environment for hair growth, keratin proteins to increase your hair's elasticity too, and sodium hyaluronate which plumps your hair strands and makes them look fuller.
- Key ingredients: Keratin proteins, sodium hyaluronate, peptides
- Size: 8 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This is my holy grail shampoo. I tried many shampoos for thinning hair due to going through menopause, but none work as well as this one."
Pros
- Sensitive scalps will tolerate this gentle formula better than other options
Cons
- May be too rich for fine hair types
Damaged hair is synonymous with dry hair, which is why this mild shampoo from Fable & Mane is loaded with a combo of hydrating, moisturizing, and repairing ingredients, like aloe vera, coconut oil, and gotu kola—which is known for its ability to support healthy keratin in the hair.
- Key ingredients: Gotu kola, aloe vera, coconut oil
- Size: 8.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This shampoo is SO good for thick dry hair!! I live in the desert so I need all the hydration I can get for my hair. It smells like a tropical getaway and is so luxurious too—I highly recommend it!"
Pros
- Both keratin- and color-safe
Cons
- May not be a great option for those with oily roots
The combo of coconut water and squalane in this ultra-hydrating shampoo is basically like a big glass of water for your dry, thirsty hair. The formula also features polyglutamic acid which retains a significant amount of moisture, and *may* be even more hydrating than its sister ingredient, hyaluronic acid.
- Key ingredients: Coconut water, squalane, polyglutamic acid
- Size: 9.3 oz., 33.8 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This product has helped my hair tremendously! I've colored my hair for years so I have some damage, but this shampoo has provided my hair with much-needed moisture and shine."
Pros
- Made with certified-organic ingredients
Cons
- Contains essential oils that may be irritating for sensitive scalps
Wanna make your hair super shiny and strong? This shampoo from Mielle will be your BFF. It's made with gentle cleansers and a bunch of organic, plant-derived ingredients (like coconut oil and chamomile flower) to moisturize and soften your hair. Need another excuse to buy this bb? It also includes rosemary oil which was proven in a study to be similar in efficacy to minoxidil (i.e., the active ingredient in Rogaine clinically proven to promote hair growth) and even more effective than it in reducing scalp itching and irritation. *Drops mic, adds to cart*
- Key ingredients: Biotin, coconut oil, chamomile flower, rosemary oil
- Size: 12 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I love that this shampoo really makes my hair feel clean but does not leave it feeling dry and tangled like other ones I've tried. My scalp feels nice and clean after I use it and my hair really looks super shiny too."
Pros
- Excellent at smoothing and softening hair
Cons
- Some testers said the texture can be messy/watery
Idk about you, but my damaged hair is extremely prone to frizz and flyaways. To help smooth everything out, I've been washing with this honey-infused shampoo from Gisou. Not only is it great for repairing damage (looking at you, split ends), but it also adds back moisture and increases your hair's elasticity to make it feel soft and look healthier overall.
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, honey
- Size: 2.5 oz., 11.1 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I'm a fan of all Gisou products, including this shampoo. The scent is absolutely delicious—subtly sweet and fresh."
Pros
- Super moisturizing formula is ideal for dry, straw-like hair
Cons
- Price is high for the amount of product in the bottle
Got dry, damaged hair that's also super thick? Wash with this moisturizing shampoo from R+Co and I promise you'll be impressed with its soft, silky results. It uses vitamin B5, prickly pear extract, and vegetable proteins to up your hair's moisture levels so it looks smooth and therefore healthy.
- Key ingredients: Vitamin B5, prickly pear extract, vegetable proteins
- Size: 8.5 oz., 33.8 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I’m a fan for life. My hair was dry, damaged, and breaking off and this shampoo really helped moisturize it. I use it with the matching conditioner and my hair has never looked better."
Pros
- Made with purple pigments to neutralize brassiness in blondes
Cons
- If you use too much, too often, it can temporarily dye your light hair purple
If you've ever bleached your hair, you know that going blonde comes with some seriously damaging side effects. The best fix: this purple-tinted shampoo that gently cleanses, deeply hydrates with hyaluronic acid, and brightens up your color by neutralizing unwanted brassiness.
- Key ingredients: Hyaluronic acid
- Size: 8.5 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This is my favorite product from Oribe. It really gets the orange tones out of my blonde hair and makes my hair feel super soft and silky. It's pricey but def worth it IMO."
Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Pros
- Made with proteins to help mend breakage
Cons
- Some testers said that they don't love the thin texture of the shampoo
Shout out to all the people who have chemically treated their hair (i.e., keratin treatments, relaxers, etc.), you're going to want to incorporate a strengthening shampoo like this one from Briogeo into your wash day routine. Keratin amino acids help strengthen your hair, and avocado oil and shea butter then work to hit it with some moisture, resulting in smooth, healthier-looking hair,
- Key ingredients: Keratin amino acids, shea butter, avocado oil
- Size: 8 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This is an amazing shampoo; not only does it make my hair feel nice and fresh, but I've also noticed a major difference in how bouncy and smooth my curls are too."
Pros
- Made with all-natural, plant-based ingredients
Cons
- On the pricey side for a shampoo
First, this all-natural shampoo is free from sulfates (aka color-stripping surfactants that fade your dye job). Second, it contains a ton of good-for-your-hair ingredients, like protective antioxidants, strengthening quinoa protein, hydrating aloe vera, and moisturizing rahua oil. Not to mention, this is a clean beauty brand that works with Indigenous tribes in the rainforest to harness its star ingredient, rahua oil—pretty cool amiright?
- Key ingredients: Rahua oil, quinoa protein, aloe vera
- Size: 9.3 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "This is one of the best non-toxic shampoos I've tried," notes one reviewer. "My hair is naturally frizzy and prone to breakage but switching to this shampoo has made such a big difference."
Pros
- Sulfate-free formula
Cons
- Will not be moisturizing enough for thicker or coarser hair
Typical moisturizing shampoos for dry hair are filled with heavy ingredients that leave fine hair looking greasy and flat (womp womp). But this shampoo for fine hair uses only the lightest of oils, like moringa seed and sunflower seed, to make hair look shinier and feel softer without weighing it down.
- Key ingredients: Moringa seed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Size: 2.3 oz., 12 oz., 32 oz.
Glowing Customer Review: "I have ultra fine hair and this is one of the only shampoos I've tried that doesn’t weigh it down. It cleans gently and the smell is delicate and fresh."
How do I fix extremely damaged hair?
In order to fix extremely damaged hair, you need to determine if your hair is damaged in the first place. New York-based colorist Kimberly Cannon explains, "The quickest way to check if hair is damaged is by doing an elasticity test. On wet hair, gently stretch a strand—it should bounce back to its natural texture. If your hair does not or only partially bounces back, this is an indication of damage."
Once you have this info, determining how much damage your hair has sustained will help you know what combo of products is right for you. As far as shampoo is concerned, "If your hair has low elasticity (barely bounces back) you should be using a repairing shampoo every wash until your hair starts to retain moisture. If it partially bounces back I would recommend every other to every third shampoo," says Cannon. Other products like hair serum, hair oil, and deep conditioners can also help.
What is the best shampoo for damaged hair?
The best shampoos for damaged hair contain ingredients like keratin, biotin, amino acids, and peptides to help repair broken hair bonds and mend breakage (though, sorry, nothing can magically fix split ends except for a trim). And because dry, brittle hair is more susceptible to breakage, a good shampoo for damaged hair should also contain hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid and glycerin along with moisturizing oils and butters, like jojoba oil, argan oil, and shea butter.
How to choose a shampoo for damaged hair:
Skip the sulfates.
Opt for a sulfate-free shampoo. Sulfates (you'll see them as sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate on an ingredient list) are a type of harsh surfactant that can strip your hair of its natural oils, which leads to dryness and breakage. They're also notorious for dulling your hair and causing premature color fading, so avoid them in your shampoo when you can.
Keep your hair type in mind.
Damage can happen to all hair types and textures, from fine and straight to thick and coily, so be sure to choose a shampoo that's labeled as "strengthening" or "repairing" and also suited for your hair type. As a general rule of thumb, creamy, moisturizing shampoos will be better for thicker hair types or natural hair, and clear, lightweight shampoos will be better for finer, thinner hair textures.
Meet the experts:
- Bridget Kinney is a senior stylist and colorist at the Patrice Vinci salon in Boston, MA.
- Kimberly Cannon is a colorist and educator at the Mark Ryan salon in New York, NY, and Philadelphia, PA.
- Sierra Kener is a celebrity hairstylist at Nine Zero One Salon in West Hollywood, CA.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
Siena Gagliano is an associate editor at Cosmopolitan who writes beauty and has four years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news, including the best shampoos for thinning hair and chlorine-removal shampoos. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to shampoos for damaged hair. She regularly tests and analyzes shampoos for damaged hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top stylists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.
Lauren Balsamo is the deputy beauty director at Cosmopolitan with nine years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best detanglers to the best blue shampoos for brunettes. Her shampoo for damaged hair picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from experts.
Lauren Balsamo is the beauty director at Cosmopolitan where she writes, edits, and produces all types of beauty content—from product reviews to personal essays and trend reports. She has covered beauty for more than a decade at Cosmopolitan. Follow her on Instagram.
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