The 15 Best Shampoos and Conditioners to Give Dry Hair New Life, Editor-Tested
November 19, 2024
Madison Barber, InStyle.com
Suffering from dry, scraggly strands is nothing short of frustrating, and while sometimes it feels like the best remedy is to simply throw your hair in a slicked-back bun and call it a day, we know that’s not the best long-term solution. And we're going to start right at step one: Shampoo. According to Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist and founder of Andrew Fitzsimons Haircare, dry hair can happen for many reasons, like washing your hair too often, using shampoos with harsh or drying ingredients (common culprits are sulfates, parabens, and alcohol), or even just the climate. "Dry hair refers to your hair lacking moisture and can result in frizz, split ends, and a dull look," he says.
"Some hair types and textures lose moisture more easily than others," he explains, meaning that they'll need to load up on the heavy moisturizing ingredients more often. But worry not—we tested 21 popular shampoos and conditioners to see if our brittle strands looked more conditioned, stronger, and all-around healthier, plus thoroughly cleansed with feel-good formulas on our scalps. After 504 hours of testing, we found duos that not only met but exceeded our expectations.