Let’s face it – most of us have some degree of hair damage. Heat styling, color treatments, even environmental factors can leave our strands feeling dry, brittle, and prone to breakage—but before you resign yourself to a life of split ends and frizz, know that the best shampoos for damaged hair can make a world of difference!
“It’s important to use a shampoo to help add moisture and strengthen damaged hair,” explains senior stylist and colorist Bridget Kinney. And she would know! I’ve rounded up 15 of the best shampoos for damaged hair, based on my own testing, countless reviews, and expert insights. Get ready for softer, smoother, and healthier-looking hair.
Our Top Picks: Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair in 2024
- Best Overall Shampoo for Damaged Hair: OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
- Best Shampoo for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Nanoworks Gold Hydrating Shampoo
- Best Scalp Rinse for Damaged Hair: NatureLab Perfect Clean Scalp Balancing Sake Rinse
How Do You Know If Your Hair is Damaged?
New York-based colorist Kimberly Cannon shares a simple test: “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.”
What to Look for in a Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Look for shampoos with these powerhouse ingredients:
- Keratin, Biotin, Amino Acids, Peptides: Help repair and strengthen hair fibers.
- Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerin: Attract and retain moisture.
- Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil, Shea Butter: Provide deep hydration and nourishment.
Pro Tip: “Skip the sulfates,” advises celebrity hairstylist Sierra Kener. “Sulfates (sodium lauryl sulfate and sodium laureth sulfate) are harsh surfactants that can strip hair of its natural oils, leading to dryness and breakage.”
1. Best Overall Shampoo for Damaged Hair
OLAPLEX No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
This cult-favorite shampoo uses a patented molecule to repair broken bonds in the hair shaft – the kind of damage that happens from bleaching and chemical treatments. It’s like a reset button for your hair!
Key Ingredients: Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate (bond-building molecule)
2. Best Shampoo for Damaged, Color-Treated Hair
Pureology Nanoworks Gold Hydrating Shampoo
Coloring your hair can leave it feeling extra parched. This sulfate-free shampoo is designed to gently cleanse and hydrate color-treated hair, protecting your hue while keeping it healthy.
Key Ingredients: Panthenol, Glycerin, Essential Oils, Marula Oil
3. Best Scalp Rinse for Damaged Hair
NatureLab Perfect Clean Scalp Balancing Sake Rinse
This unique rinse uses gentle ingredients to remove buildup while hydrating the scalp and hair. It’s a great option if traditional shampoos tend to be too harsh.
Key Ingredients: Ginseng Root Extract
4. Best Shampoo for Damaged, Coarse Curls
Sienna Naturals HAPI Shampoo
Formulated with hydrating aloe vera and nourishing baobab seed oil, this gentle shampoo cleanses and conditions coarse curls without stripping away moisture.
Key Ingredients: Aloe Vera, Baobab Seed Oil
5. Best Clarifying Shampoo for Damaged Hair
K18 Peptide Prep Detox Shampoo
This clarifying shampoo removes product buildup and impurities without over-drying. It also preps your hair for optimal results from the K18 Leave-In Mask.
Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide, Activated Charcoal, Salicylic Acid
6. Best Shampoo for Damaged, Thinning Hair
Virtue Flourish Shampoo for Thinning Hair
This shampoo promotes a healthy scalp environment for hair growth while strengthening and adding volume to thinning strands.
Key Ingredients: Keratin Proteins, Sodium Hyaluronate, Peptides
7. Best Gentle Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hydrating Shampoo
This mild shampoo relies on gotu kola, aloe vera, and coconut oil to hydrate and repair dry, damaged hair.
Key Ingredients: Gotu Kola, Aloe Vera, Coconut Oil
8. Best Hydrating Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Shampoo
Quench your hair’s thirst with this ultra-hydrating shampoo featuring coconut water, squalane, and polyglutamic acid.
Key Ingredients: Coconut Water, Squalane, Polyglutamic Acid
9. Best Organic Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo
This organic shampoo blends coconut oil, chamomile flower, and rosemary oil – an ingredient shown to promote hair growth – to cleanse, strengthen, and soothe the scalp.
Key Ingredients: Biotin, Coconut Oil, Chamomile Flower, Rosemary Oil
10. Best Shampoo for Damaged, Frizz-Prone Hair
Gisou Honey Infused Hair Wash
Honey and argan oil team up in this shampoo to smooth frizz, repair damage, and enhance shine.
Key Ingredients: Argan Oil, Honey
11. Best Shampoo for Thick, Damaged Hair
R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo
This moisturizing shampoo combines vitamin B5, prickly pear extract, and vegetable proteins to hydrate and smooth thick, dry hair.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin B5, Prickly Pear Extract, Vegetable Proteins
12. Best Shampoo for Damaged Blonde Hair
Oribe Bright Blonde Shampoo
Neutralize brassiness and keep your blonde bright with this purple-tinted shampoo that also hydrates with hyaluronic acid.
Key Ingredients: Hyaluronic Acid
13. Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo
Specially formulated for chemically-treated hair, this shampoo uses keratin amino acids, avocado oil, and shea butter to strengthen and hydrate curls.
Key Ingredients: Keratin Amino Acids, Shea Butter, Avocado Oil
14. Best All-Natural Shampoo for Damaged Hair
Rahua Hydration Shampoo
This sulfate-free, plant-based shampoo harnesses the power of rahua oil, quinoa protein, and aloe vera to hydrate, strengthen, and protect.
Key Ingredients: Rahua Oil, Quinoa Protein, Aloe Vera
15. Best Shampoo for Damaged, Fine Hair
Verb Ghost Shampoo
This lightweight, sulfate-free shampoo uses moringa seed and sunflower seed oils to gently cleanse, soften, and add shine without weighing down fine hair.
Key Ingredients: Moringa Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil
Ready to restore your hair to its former glory? Tell me about your biggest hair concerns in the comments!
