21 best shampoos for dry hair starting from £2, tested on 800 people

Score: 94/100

Beating the pricier shampoos in our line-up, this 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner claims to moisturise ends without weighing tresses down.

All testers found it left hair feeling smoother and more nourished, and said lengths looked less dry and damaged. Our panel also noted that it didn’t cause any irritation to the scalp, or leave any unpleasant residue behind.

Score: 92/100

This vegan-friendly formula claims to repair damaged ends from the hair cuticle and leave lengths frizz-free. The majority of our panel agreed, with almost all of them saying hair felt less dry and damaged by the end of the trial.

Testers also reported a boost in hydration and said hair was left feeling feather-soft.

Score: 92/100

With the help of Kew Royal Botanical Gardens, Herbal Essences has formulated this 94% natural-origin shampoo with a blend of aloe vera and hemp to help reduce frizz and smooth hair.

More than half our panel said hair appeared less frizzy after use, while most said it felt more hydrated and their dry or damaged ends were reduced or eradicated by the end of the test, too.

Score: 91/100

If years of hair colouring have taken their toll, try this softening shampoo. It aims to cleanse even the most desert-dry, colour-treated hair using a blend of hydrating argan oil.

Overall, almost all of testers agreed that hair felt hydrated and healthier after the trial, with most noticing significantly less noticeable damage.

Score: 90/100

Addicted to using your heated hair tools? This Tresemmé shampoo claims to strengthen hair from seven types of damage, including bleach and heat, after just one use.

Our testers found it did provide ends with some much-needed hydration, with many saying hair looked smoother and softer. One tester found they had to wash their hair more regularly than normal, but the majority felt it left scalps feeling clean and healthy.

Score: 90/100

Those blessed with curls are usually prone to dryness, as it's more difficult for oils produced at the scalp to reach the ends, so it’s important to find a shampoo that specifically targets the problem.

This shampoo is suitable for all curl types, from 2A to 4C, and detangles and hydrates strands. Almost all of our testers felt hair appeared less damaged after use, with most saying it felt hydrated and almost all noticing softer ends. Some felt it lacked lather, but this is down to it being sulphate-free.

Score: 88/100

If your hair is prone to dryness, there’s a high chance you’ll have experienced a flakey scalp at some point, too. Enter Head & Shoulders, a brand known for giving long-lasting protection against dandruff, without leaving ends looking dull and dry.

And our panel agreed, saying it didn’t leave any dreaded product build-up behind on scalps and hair looked moisturised after use.

Score: 88/100

The goal of this vegan formula is to remove any dirt and grime without stripping moisture from thinning or fine ends.

The majority of our testers said it effectively cleaned the scalp and hair to leave it feeling replenished, and most noticed less frizz by the end of the trial. The majority also reported less dry or damaged ends, too.

Score: 88/100

The majority of our testers felt this protein-packed shampoo made a visible difference to the hydration of their hair, with almost all loving how well it lathered and cleansed their scalps.

Score: 87/100

Fine, dry hair is normally a one-way street to frequent breakages, but OUAI's shampoo aims to fortify strands and add some weightless body back to limp hair.

The majority of our testers found it left their strands stronger and softer, with everyone happy with how cleansed their scalps felt. Hair was easier to comb after washing too, with a few seeing some welcomed bounce.

Score: 87/100

If you need a haircare hero to save dry ends, but want something that's soft on the scalp, this sulphate-free shampoo could be the one.

Though sulphate-free products get a bad rep for not providing that satisfying foam we've come to expect in our showers, this formulation achieves the best of both worlds. Testers noted that it foamed surprisingly well and left them with little need to condition afterwards, so it truly wears the cape in the sulphate-free category.

Score: 86/100

Famous for its coconut water, Vita Coco has created its own range of haircare, with the aim of delivering the same hydrating results to dried-out strands.

The sustainably sourced coconuts did the trick, leaving most of our panel with more hydrated, smoother, shinier hair. Scalps felt less itchy, while it performed extremely well for smoothing in our lab test.

Score: 85/100

Developed by celebrity hairstylist and “headcare” expert Adam Reed, this luxe-looking, affordable line has caused a stir on the high street. But do our lab tests support the lip service?

In short — yes. It seems Reed's 30 year archive of haircare wisdom translates into efficacious, frazzle-busting formulations. This one seriously impressed our experts, as it proved to be “very effective” at smoothing hair and hydrating split ends. Testers told us that although it took a while to lather up, the results were worth it when it did.

Score: 84/100

Having an itchy, irritated scalp is not only uncomfortable but also a red flag for hair health. This scalp-sensitive number sets out to soothe troublesome roots and lock in moisture with 97% natural ingredients — namely sunflower seed and sweet almond extracts — so hair grows healthier and stronger.

Testers thought the shampoo helped reduce the dryness of their scalps, which is a crucial step towards encouraging sleek, shiny locks.

Score: 84/100

Hyaluronic acid has taken over the skincare world in recent years, but can the buzz-worthy ingredient have the same hydrating effects on your hair? L'Oreal thinks so.

The formula claims to keep hair moisturised for up to 72 hours, while also providing some plumpness to limp locks. Most testers said their hair looked shinier and more hydrated after use, with many seeing fewer split ends and fizziness.

All were left with cleaner-feeling hair, with added softness and smoothness, too.

Score: 84/100

Nothing soothes skin quite like some freshly squeezed aloe vera. This formula aims to give the same calming sensation to sensitive scalps.

It made almost all our testers' scalps feel less itchy and dry, with no one seeing any redness or irritation on their skin or scalp. Everyone saw an improvement in dandruff too, while the majority were pleased with how hydrated and soft it left their hair.

Score: 83/100

If you're looking for a primer for perfectly styled strands, the search is over. This aloe vera and vitamin C-enriched formula was a great performer in our lab test when it came to smoothing hair, and left our curly haired testers with with more definition and less frizz.

Hair also looked smooth for longer, leaving strands easier to style for our panel. Testers noticed long-lasting freshness, without any itchiness, too.

Score: 83/100

Enriched with hydrating coconut milk, this shampoo is designed to nourish and strengthen ends, leaving them shinier and with less frizz.

Nearly all testers agreed that it left scalps feeling soft and refreshed, with most saying hair appeared shinier after washing. Overall, testers thought their tresses looked less damaged and dry after use, too.

Score: 82/100

Formulated to deeply cleanse without stripping or irritating skin, this one came out on top when it came to refreshing colour. Everyone saw a more vibrant shade, with most saying hair felt hydrated and smoother and looked shinier.

It provided a great clean too, with the majority seeing frizz-free, softer heads of hair. It was so impressive, almost everyone said they'd continue to use it in the future.

Score: 82/100

This ginger-infused shampoo looks to soothe troublesome roots by gently loosening dead skin, so hair grows healthier and stronger.

Our testers found it left the scalp feeling cleansed, with almost everyone saying it didn’t leave any residue behind, while most said hair felt smoother and more moisturised after use, too.