The Best Shampoos for Dry Damaged Hair with Split Ends

No one wants dry split ends that make their hair look and feel damaged. When we have healthy hair that looks good, we also feel good, we gain more confidence, and it makes self-care more enjoyable. 

If your hair has split ends it looks frizzy and dull, as the ends of your hair go in different directions and therefore do not lie flat against one another. Split ends occur where the hair is dry and fragile and the strands break apart. 

For the most part, getting a haircut or a trim is the most effective way to get your hair back to being healthy, but sometimes this isn’t an option or your hair continues to be damaged. When this occurs, the best way to heal your hair is to use a good-quality shampoo for dry damaged hair.

What we look for when reviewing shampoo

The most important aspect that we look for in a shampoo that repairs damage is that it actually repairs damaged hair. The best shampoos for dry damaged hair with split ends have hydrating elements and are made with natural ingredients to the exclusion of harsh chemicals. 

We also look at how versatile the product is. If a product is designed for all hair types and is easy to use, then it gets a tick from us. 

Another aspect we look into is the smell of the shampoo—when a shampoo smells amazing, it transforms the mundane task of washing our hair into something that we enjoy. 

1. Blu Atlas Shampoo

Made with natural ingredients, Blu Atlas is our number-one choice by far for your hair care needs. By hydrating each and every hair strand as well as your scalp, Blu Atlas restores your hair from the roots up.

This moisturizing shampoo’s essential ingredients were handpicked to give you the best results possible. Let’s start with jojoba oil, which provides your scalp with essential fatty acids and antioxidants, encourages hair development, and is rich in Vitamins A, E, and D. Then there’s aloe vera, which is the ultimate moisturizer because it holds water in its leaves and is rich in antioxidants. 

The next component will leave your hair feeling silky and soft. Among its many health advantages, saw palmetto contains anti-inflammatory characteristics, which benefit the scalp. The final ingredient in this incredible mix is vegan biotin, which moisturizes and revitalizes hair.

To get the maximum benefit out of this product, it is recommended that a small amount be lathered, massaged, and then rinsed. If you enjoy this product as much as us, Blu Atlas conditioner is the perfect match.

Main benefits:

• Natural ingredients
• Moisturizing
• Hydrating
• Anti–inflammatory

2. Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo

This damage cure shampoo helps transform damaged hair into silky, smooth strands. Created with quinoa protein, this product can add moisture, benefiting dry hair. With the added bonus of being cruelty-free, there’s a lot to love about this shampoo.

Main benefits:

• Cruelty-free
• Recyclable bottle
• Moisture locking

3. L’oreal Paris Sulfate Free Repair & Defend Shampoo

If you love to color your hair but are worried about the damage it is doing to you, then you need this product. Designed with Goji, this shampoo repairs and defends your hair from the ingredients contained in dyes.

But that’s not all. This shampoo ensures that the color is protected from harsh elements including UV rays, water, and heat, which will prevent the color from fading quickly, so that it lasts longer.

Main benefits:

• Protects color
• Made with goji
• Sulfate-free

4. TRESemme Repair and Protect 7

People are often misled about what can damage your hair, and most believe our hair only gets damaged when we bleach or color it. But what people don’t often know is that every time you brush, braid, curl, straighten, or blow dry your hair, damage is occurring.

This is why Tresemme has formulated a shampoo that protects and repairs damage caused by simple things too. The essential ingredient that Tresemme relies on is biotin, which tackles the issue from the inside while also making your hair look flawless on the outside.

Main benefits: 

• Protects against seven types of damage
• Contains biotin
• Hydrating

5. NEXXUS Keraphix Keratin Shampoo for Damaged Hair

In a sleek and stylish bottle, Nexxus has come up with a formula that works to rejuvenate and revitalize your hair using a blend of black rice and keratin protein. This shampoo will transform your damaged hair into healthy and glossy hair that you would be proud to show off. 

We love everything about this shampoo and hope that you will too!

Main benefits:

• Sleek look
• Contains black rice
• Leaves hair glossy

6. Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo

Are you sick and tired of constantly having to keep your hair in a bun to cover up all those split ends? Well, now you don’t have to! With Dove’s Intensive Repair Shampoo, you will be able to let your hair down and enjoy the freeing sensation. 

Not only does this shampoo repair the damage caused by heat or color, but it acts to prevent 98% of the damage caused by daily routines.

Main benefits:

• Prevents damage
• Repairs split ends
• Long-lasting

7. Love Beauty and Planet Sulfate-free Vegan Biotin & Sun-kissed Mandarin Shampoo

This shampoo is our favorite from Love Beauty and Planet’s line of shampoos for dry and damaged hair. The smell of mandarin leaves your senses tingly, and it also contains vegan biotin, which supports and heals existing strands. 

This shampoo hydrates, strengthens, adds visual fullness, and leaves hair soft and lustrous, all while providing a deep cleanse.

Main benefits:

• Strengthens hair
• Versatile
• Deep cleanse

8. R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing B5 Shampoo

Ultra hydration is hard to come by, so when you find it, you don’t let it go. R+CO has a wide range of repair shampoos, but you can never go wrong with one that specializes in hydrating your hair. 

R+Co’s shampoo contains high-quality ingredients, with the primary ingredient being pro Vitamin B5, which intensely hydrates hair by going deep within each strand. It also produces a natural gloss that covers the hair.

Main benefits:

• Hydrating
• High-quality ingredients
• Contains Vitamin B5

9. BHS Damage Repair Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

No one wants to admit that they struggle with dandruff, but it happens even to the best of us. Whether it is due to our environment or appears when we least expect it, it is an easy fix with the right shampoo. 

BHS has created a shampoo that prevents breakage, heals and moisturizes your scalp, and repairs dry hair.

Main benefits:

• Prevents damage 
• Anti-dandruff 
• Moisturizes

10. Shea Moisture Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Shampoo

Are you struggling to control frizzy hair? Shea Moisture has created a shampoo that controls frizz through a gentle, hydrating formula. Made with Papaya and Neroli and elderflower, the ingredients are natural and give off their natural incredible scent. 

As an added bonus, this shampoo suits all hair types, so it is perfect if you share shampoo.

Main benefits:

• Natural ingredients
• Amazing scent
• Gentle on hair

11. Olapex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Versatile but effective, you can never go wrong with Olaplex. Free from paraben, phthalates, phosphate, and sulfate, this shampoo does not use harsh chemicals that would usually cause more damage than good. 

Opalex’s No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo is also vegan and cruelty-free. With every wash, this shampoo repairs damage, making your hair healthy and soft, just the way you always wanted it.

Main benefits:

• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• No harsh chemicals

12. Bumble and Bumble Bond-Building Repair Shampoo

Classy, sparkly, and bold, the color of this shampoo makes it one of our top picks. But that’s not the only reason why we love this shampoo. 

Bumble and Bumble have formulated the perfect blend of ingredients to suit all your hair care needs. The honey bond-building complex makes your hair strong by repairing damage and enhancing elasticity. 

Additionally, this shampoo is super hydrating and nourishing.

Main benefits:

• Repairing
• Refreshing
• Hydrating

13. Matrix Instacure Anti-Breakage Shampoo

Pretty in pink! Who doesn’t love a bright and colorful bottle? This shampoo prevents and heals split ends by combating dry and fragile hair. 

Blended with liquid proteins, this anti-breakage shampoo reduces frizz and hydrates your hair from the top down.

Main benefits:

• Preventative
• Reduces frizz 
• Contains liquid proteins

14. Redken Extreme Bleach Recovery Shampoo

Bleaching weakens and breaks the bonds that hold your hair together, which increases the risk of strands splitting and snapping. And even though we know how badly bleach can damage our hair, sometimes we can’t help ourselves from changing our look and dying our hair. 

So, if your hair has been bleached or will be bleached in the future, this shampoo is a must. Known for its cosmetic benefits, the primary ingredient in Redken’s extreme bleach recovery is cica, which encourages healthy hair growth.

Main benefits:

• Contains cica
• Promotes hair growth
• Bleach recovery

15. Kerastase Paris Bain Force Architecte Shampoo

Containing pro-keratin complex, ceramides, and resurrection plant sap, this shampoo makes your hair soft and silky by locking in moisture and encouraging hair growth. The bottle is environmentally friendly, as it is made with 95% recycled plastic. 

To get the most out of this shampoo, lather a small amount throughout wet hair and wash out, making sure that each strand is fully rinsed.

Main benefits:

• Environmentally friendly
• Hair growth
• Leaves your hair feeling incredibly soft

16. Aveeno’s Strength & Length Plant Protein Shampoo

Aveeno’s newest shampoo features colloidal oatmeal extract that contains moisturizing and reparative properties that heal your scalp and hair. The extract will replenish and calm your scalp if it is dry and flaky. 

It also acts as a split end and dandruff preventative to ensure that your hair continues to grow healthy. This product also does not contain any dyes, parabens, phthalates, or sulfates.

Main benefits:

• Gentle on the scalp
• Contains no dyes
• Replenishes

17. Garnier Fructis Nutri-Repair 3 Shampoo

Known for using fruits to form the basis of their shampoos and conditioners, Garnier’s Fructis Nutri-Repair Shampoo uses olive oil, avocado oil extract, and shea butter to leave your hair feeling smooth. 

This product is cruelty-free and works to replenish dry and dull hair. For best results, Garnier recommends rinsing and repeating to ensure that your hair is thoroughly clean. 

Main benefits:

• Cruelty-free
• Great scent
• Hydrating

18. Virtue Recovery Shampoo

Just as the name suggests, Virtue Recovery Shampoo helps your hair recover from damaged, dry split ends. By removing built-up oil and dirt this shampoo first cleanses your hair before restoring moisture to your locks by adding human keratin protein. 

Plus, this shampoo smells amazing as the combination of earthy, citrusy, and fresh tones stays with you even after it is rinsed away.

Main benefits:

• Moisturizing
• Smells incredible
• Restores

19. Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo

If you want top results, look no further, this shampoo can repair up to 97% of damage. By investing in keravis, a plant-based protein, Pureology aids in healing and restoration by fortifying strands and guarding against damage. 

This shampoo also offers a fruity and floral fragrance that entices your senses.

Main benefits:

• Damage repairing
• Fruity aroma
• Contains keravis

20. Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo

Available in an easy-to-use pump bottle, Moroccanoil has carefully chosen the finest ingredients featuring argan oil, lavender extract, rosemary extract, chamomile extract, jojoba extract, cocamide mea (derived from coconut oil), and keratin. These ingredients replenish damaged hair adding moisture and strengthening split ends. 

After a few uses, you will notice a difference in your hair and your confidence.

Main benefits:

• Strengthens
• Moisturizes
• Natural ingredients

21. Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Shampoo

Davines has many great shampoos available, so if you can’t decide which Davines shampoo is right for you, consider this nourishing shampoo, which hydrates, nourishes, and leaves your hair shining. With a luscious, creamy texture, you will feel the difference after using it. 

Containing antioxidants and natural active ingredients, this shampoo is not harsh on your hair or scalp.

Main benefits:

• Antioxidants
• Natural ingredients
• Hydrating

22. Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Shampoo

With the addition of Vitamin E, ceramides, and nourishing argan oil, this shampoo for dry damaged hair is designed to restore damaged hair fibers from the roots to the ends, giving it a strong and silky finish. 

It is also safe for colored hair, as it keeps your hair healthy and preserves its color. We adore this shampoo as it does exactly what it’s supposed to.

Main benefits:

• Contains Vitamin E
• Color preserving
• Strengthening

23. Verb Ghost Shampoo

With a timeless clean look, Verb’s Ghost Shampoo is a blend of moringa oil, sunflower seed extract, and aloe vera. This shampoo does it all—protecting color, detangling hair, and cleansing fine hair without adding weight. 

The solution also enhances shine and tames frizz. It is suitable for fine hair or those who wash their hair daily.

Main benefits:

• Color protecting
• Detangles
• Enhances shine

24. Kevin.Murphy Repair-Me Wash

With a little assistance from Repair-Me Wash, revive overworked hair and put an end to brittle, unhealthy, frizzy hair.

With this restoring therapy shampoo, which is loaded with potent proteins and amino acids, get ready to rejuvenate and revive worn-out locks. It will gently wash away impurities and soothe breakage while aiding in strengthening the hair from the scalp down.

Main benefit:

• Revives dull hair
• Strengthens hair
• Contains amino acids

25. Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo

If you’re looking for something that looks and feels luxurious, Oribe Gold Lust Repair and Restore Shampoo may be what you need. Infused with watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flowers, this shampoo prevents damage by strengthening and nourishing. 

The luxuriousness does not stop once you are out of the shower as the scent lingers.

Main benefits:

• Luxurious look
• Restores hair
• Nourishes

26. Dae Monsoon Moisture Milk Shampoo

This lightweight shampoo comes in a range of different sizes, perfect for traveling, just yourself or your family. This shampoo has a point of difference from the rest with its thin milky texture, which makes it easy to apply. 

Enjoy the earthy scent, while the shampoo cleanses and removes built up dirt and oil before working on repairing split ends.

Main benefits:

• Earthy scent
• Cleanses
• Versatile

27. Christophe Robin Regenerating Shampoo with Prickly Pear Oil

Numerous beneficial substances with moisturizing, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties can be found in prickly pear oil, which makes it the perfect base ingredient for a shampoo. The oil soothes irritated and itchy scalps. 

Further, this shampoo will repair split ends, leaving it with a sleek, healthy look. It can also be used on all hair types, so it’s great as an all-rounder.

Main benefits:

• Contains prickly pear oil
• Calms the scalp
• Works on all hair types

28. Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Shampoo

Alterna’s shampoo bottle is sleek and stylish, plus it looks great in every bathroom. Formulated with Alterna’s signature and exclusive Seasilk, the shampoo brings life back into your hair making it look younger and healthier. 

Packed with omega 3, the shampoo is gentle on your scalp while still cleansing away dirt and oils.

Main benefits:

• Stylish look
• Contains seasilk
• Healthy hair

29. Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo

If you are struggling to control split ends but cannot find a shampoo that works to repair damage and still keeps your curls in tact, then this one’s for you. 

Made with organic ingredients and kosher glycerine, Adwao Beauty’s unique baomint formula will detangle hair and boost shine.

Main benefits:

• Suits curly hair
• Organic ingredients
• Boosts shine

30. Chi Keratin Reconstructing Shampoo

Last but certainly not least, by replenishing natural keratin levels and fortifying and protecting the cuticle, CHI Keratin Shampoo gently washes and transforms damaged hair. This aids in the prevention of further damage. 

After just a few washes, you will notice the shine returning to your hair and your split ends becoming more healthy-looking.

Main benefits:

• Prevents damage
• Nourishing
• Hydrating

Types of split ends

There are six common types of split ends—who knew there were so many? Here they are:

The traditional split: The type that most people are familiar with, it occurs when the strand splits into two down the center.

The Y-split: Sometimes referred to as the deep split, it occurs when the hair breaks apart, but it is uneven.

The taper split: Caused by the hair thinning at the end, which can be due to harsh chemicals as the layers in the strands have broken away.

The feather split: Occurs where there is more than one split in the strand, and it resembles a feather or a tree. The cuticles split this way as the hair becomes weakened in more than one area.

The incomplete split: This happens occasionally when your hair splits at the bottom but is still joined at the end. This occurs when a certain area of your hair is weakened.

The knot: More common in those with curly hair, it occurs when the hair becomes tangled, and often it will break when brushing your hair.

What causes split ends?

Heat

Using heated styling tools on hair has become an essential for most of us. Whether you are using hair straighteners or curling irons, these tools dry out your hair causing frizziness and the cuticles to break down. However, it’s not just straighteners and curlers that we have to look out for—blow dryers can also be damaging to your hair.

Color treatments

Most of us have dyed our hair at least once or have always wanted to, but there are some downsides to it. Whether you bleach, dye, or temporarily color your hair, color treatments use harsh chemicals such as bleach. These can strip your hair of its natural oils and take away the moisture that your strands need.

Daily washing

Washing your hair is extremely important as it cleanses away grease and dirt. Yet overwashing your hair can remove essential oils and moisture. We recommend washing your hair every two to three days.

Over brushing

We are definitely not against brushing your hair, but the more you brush your hair, the more your hair can break away. So minimizing brushing (within reason) will help prevent split ends.

Hair ties

Tying your hair up is an everyday task for most of us, but too tight hair ties can weaken your hair as the hair tie places pressure on the strands. While we do not expect you to stop tying up your hair, there are alternatives that may help, such as using scrunchies or hair clips. We also recommend that you sleep with your hair down to give your hair a break and relieve pressure.

How to best prevent split ends

Have regular trims

Trimming your hair regularly will prevent split ends from occurring. This will allow the oils that your hair naturally produces to nourish all of your hair rather than targeting the dry split ends. It is recommended that you trim your hair every six to eight weeks.

Limiting heat

Using heat isn’t the only way to style your hair; it may be the quickest, but because it damages your hair, it is not the most effective way. Instead, opt for heat-less options such as curling your hair by braiding it the night before. 

Another easy way to limit heat is by using your blow dryer on the cold setting. While this may still cause damage, it is definitely better than heat. Heat protection products are also a good idea to limit the damage. Apply these products prior to using heat on your hair.

Towel drying hair

Drying our hair with a towel is something we’ve all done since we were kids, without being aware of the damage it can cause. This is because the cotton towels absorb all the moisture, leaving your hair with very little. If you don’t want to change your routine, a microfiber towel is better suited for drying your hair without eliminating moisture.

Use color treatments less often

You don’t have to stop coloring your hair completely, but choosing a shampoo that is designed to keep color from fading will limit the number of times you color your hair.

Brush your hair less

Brushing your hair less will prevent unnecessary split ends. If your hair gets tangled often, you could opt for a detangling spray or a leave-in conditioner. It is also recommended to use a comb rather than a brush when your hair is wet.

Condition your hair

Many people do not realize the importance that conditioner can have on your hair. While shampoo cleanses away dirt, grime, and oil buildup, it also strips the moisture from our hair, which is why we need a moisturizing based shampoo. 

But that’s not where your hair routine should stop. Conditioner is essential as it locks in moisture, ensuring that your hair stays hydrated for longer. If you are after additional hydration, hair treatment oils or masks are a good option.