15 Shampoos That Repair Dry, Brittle, and Damaged Hair

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Damaged hair comes in many forms: rough texture, breakage, a lack of shine and luster, split ends, dryness, and lack of elasticity, explains Johnny Wright, a celebrity hairstylist and OurX expert. "Damaged hair is also prone to knots and tangles." Typically, damaged strands are a result of heat styling or chemical treatments, like hair dye, bleach, relaxers, or straightening treatments. The best way to counteract the damage is to invest in a reparative haircare routine, and that starts with a good shampoo. "Shampoo can help repair damaged hair in two ways," says Cassandra Olivia, a celebrity hairstylist and colorist. "It removes dirt, oil, and impurities from the hair to ensure hair is clean so the ingredients can effectively penetrate the strands and its active ingredients will nourish and moisturize the hair follicle and scalp to ensure new, healthy growth." Keep reading to learn what to keep an eye out for when shopping for a new shampoo.

What to look for in shampoos for damaged hair

Anything moisturizing

"It's best to keep an eye out for moisturizing ingredients, like argan oil, shea butter, aloe vera, or coconut oil," recommends Wright. These help add moisture and hydration to thirsty strands.

Strengthening ingredients

You can combat the look and feel of brittle hair and breakage with strengthening ingredients, like amino acids and proteins, explains Wright. "Shampoos with bonding agents and bond-repairing technology can also help repair damaged hair," says Miguel Luis Rios, a hairstylist at Rita Hazan.

Sulfate-free formulas

To be clear, sulfates aren't inherently "bad" ingredients, but they can be drying because they offer a very deep clean. If you have damaged hair (which is typically dry), sulfates can further draw out moisture and cause more damage, says Olivia. Therefore, sulfate-free formulas may work better for you. Now that you know what to look for, shop shampoos for damaged hair, ahead.

Biotin & Collagen Extra Volume Extra Strength Shampoo

Olivia likes using this formula on textured hair types because it gives it a volumizing boost. "It’s a gentle formula that effectively cleans and strengthens hair without stripping it of essential natural oils," she adds. Its formula contains vitamins and proteins to help plump and add fullness to flat strands.

Hydration Shampoo

Whether you have 2A waves or 4C coils, this formula adds major hydration so that curls look defined and less frizzy. It's great for cleansing the scalp and hair strands but it doesn't leave hair feeling depleted of moisture, thanks to aloe leaf juice, coconut, and jojoba oils.

Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

Combat dryness with this ultra-hydrating, sulfate-free shampoo that contains panthenol to improve moisture retention, algae extract rich in minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, and vitamins to nourish, and B vitamins to add body and shine. It's also great for reducing the look of frizz and safe to use on color-treated hair.

Ultimate Repair Shampoo

Those with fine hair will appreciate the lightweight feel of this formula. It provides a deep clean thanks to alpha hydroxy acids, so it removes all impurities without stripping the hair. Omega-9 helps strengthen and rebuild the hair from the inside and out. All hair types can reap the benefits of this shampoo.

All Day Everyday Shampoo

While you can use this formula on all hair types, those with menopausal hair (typically drier, thinner, and finer) will find it especially helpful because you can use it daily without stripping or weighing the hair down. It contains baobab protein to repair and moisturize so your hair looks fuller, healthy, and hydrated.

Hydrate Shampoo

Color-treated hair and dryness typically go hand in hand. Luckily, this formula provides hydration, preserves hair color, increases shine, and gives it a soft and smooth feel. It also contains sunflower seed extract, a UV filter, and vitamin E to protect against environmental factors, such as pollution and sun exposure, that strip color.

No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Olaplex's patented bond-building technology does wonders for split ends, breakage, and overall damaged hair. This hydrating formula nourishes and softens hair while repairing broken bonds and strengthening. One reviewer describes the formula as transformative and states, "I used to have hair that broke very easily, but now it’s long and healthy and luxurious."

Repair Restorative Shampoo

One of Rios's go-to's is this shampoo made for "severely dry, damaged hair." So, if your hair looks brittle, feels like straw, or breaks very easily, you'll love this formula that features a dual-repair technology to help boost elasticity and resilience. It's also safe for color-treated hair.

Peptide Prep pH Maintenance Shampoo

This gentle formula is a pH-optimized shampoo, meaning it prevents the hair cuticle from swelling to combat frizz and maintain health and shine. It also contains plant-derived surfactants so it offers an effective cleanse that isn't stripping, and a proprietary peptide that helps reduce protein loss, so hair remains strong and healthy. It's also color-safe, vegan, and gluten-free.

Green Apple & Aloe Shampoo

Rich with vitamins, minerals, fiber, silk protein, and antioxidants, this formula fortifies curls so that they appear more defined, nourished, and healthy. The affordable price point also makes it loved by many reviewers, including one who says, "it leaves my hair so soft!"

Guava Shampoo

If breakage and split ends are your top concern, consider this option. It contains reparative guava, soothing aloe vera, and plant-derived guar gum to strengthen, protect, and boost shine. It also protects hair color from fading. The sulfate-free formula is vegan, gluten-free, cruelty-free, and comes in recyclable packaging.

Gold Lust Repair Restore Shampoo

Brittle hair tends to be very fragile, prone to breakage, and dull. So while it might be a splurge, this formula is great because it helps reverse brittleness by nourishing, clarifying, fortifying, and smoothing strands. It contains biotin and amino acids to strengthen while argan and maracuja oils add moisture and shine.

Repair Bond Plus Rescuplex Daily Hair Shampoo

The budget-friendly price point is only part of this formula's allure. It rebuilds and repairs damaged hair bonds, which give our hair fibers shape and flexibility. It also contains rice bran, rosemary oil, and vitamin C to improve elasticity and shine. One reviewer with bleached damaged hair says this formula "brought my hair back" to life.

Nutrient Cleanse Complex

"This is my go-to hydrating shampoo because it provides a high dose of moisture, balances the scalp, and preps hair for longer-lasting styling," says Wright. It's great for curly textures that are notoriously dry and for eco-conscious beauty lovers because it comes in refillable packaging to help reduce unnecessary waste.

CBD Instant Damage Correction Shampoo

Olivia recommends this formula, which is made with a proprietary plant-based CBD corrective complex "that works to reduce damage and noticeably strengthen each strand for less breakage," she says. It also conditions strands to prevent breakage and protects against color fading so your hair remains bright and beautiful.

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