At some point, most people have had to deal with damaged hair for one reason or another. I’ve had to act fast in several instances when excessive hair dryness led to split ends. Not only that: my hair was so brittle that a little brushing left a lot of hair strands on the brush. I was advised to look for the best shampoo for dry damaged hair with split ends in a bid to “revive” my tresses.
The thing is, when you’re dealing with dry and damaged hair, you probably scramble to moisturize it.
You might have already come up with an endless list of deep conditioners, protein treatments, and even DIY oil masks to help repair your hair.
And while all those things are good, you’re missing one specific step – shampoo.
Aside from treating your hair with moisturizing products and oils, you also have to think about the type of shampoo you use to treat your hair, especially when those pesky split ends are involved.
In this post, I’ll be showing you the 11 best shampoos for dry and damaged hair with split ends.
Table of Contents
Best Shampoo For Dry, Damaged Hair With Split Ends
| Product | Image | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Olaplex Bond Maintenance Shampoo |   | . Relinks broken bonds . Ideal for many hair types . Eliminates frizz |
| Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Shampoo |   | . Strengthens damaged locks . Gentle for daily use . Color-safe shampoo |
| Virtue Recovery Shampoo |   | . Deposits keratin into hair . Vegan formula . Doesn’t have sulfates |
| Oribe Repair & Restore Shampoo |   | . Strengthens weak strands . Protects against UV damage . Used as a detangler |
| Verb Ghost Shampoo |   | . Strengthens the hair . Color-safe . Soothes the scalp |
| Living Proof Restore Shampoo |   | . Removes all build-up . Repairs damaged cuticles . Safe for chemically-treated hair |
| Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo |   | . Weightless formulation . Restores hair’s elasticity . Replenishes moisture |
| Pai-Shau Replenishing Hair Cleanser |   | . Helps strengthen hair . Hydrates hair . Works well on sensitive scalps |
| Davines Nounou Shampoo |   | . Moisturizes dry hair . Protects against more damage . Doesn’t leave build-up |
| Pureology Moisturizing Shampoo |   | . Color-safe . Repairs damaged cuticles . Stimulates hair follicles |
| SEVEN Kente Bond Shampoo |   | . Boosts moisture retention . Strengthens the hair . Leaves no residue |
Causes Of Hair Damage And Dryness Resulting In Split Ends
The best place to start when trying to understand split ends is by defining them.
Split ends occur when the ends of your hair strands become frayed.
This is usually common among people with long hair.
When the hair cuticle gets damaged, it exposes the inner part of the hair shaft – the cortex.
The result of split ends is very brittle hair that gets extremely tangled.
Any time you try to untangle it without addressing the root cause of the problem, it only makes things worse.
Soon the cuticle stops protecting your hair, exposing it to further damage and more abrasive split ends.
Split ends lead to stunted hair growth, which is not a good thing especially if you’re a length chaser.
The causes of split ends range from environmental issues to our hair practices.
Let’s look at some of these causes:
Hair Dryness
Hair dryness goes hand-in-hand with split ends.
When you discover you have damaged tips, then check how dry your hair is.
Hair dryness and split ends share root causes that are important to note.
What is your hair moisturizing routine?
If you have low or high porosity hair, do you follow the LOC and LCO methods of moisturizing your hair?
Well-hydrated hair keeps brittleness at bay and prevents split ends from developing.
Chemical Treatments
Chemical treatments such as relaxers, color, and bleach can damage and dry out the hair leading to brittleness and split ends.
Sure, lightening and coloring your hair from time to time is fun.
But if you do it too often, you could end up hurting your hair.
Bleach and dye are usually made with harsh ingredients like ammonia and peroxide.
These chemicals rip your hair cuticles open, making them weak and prone to breakage and split ends.
They also get incredibly dry.
And more often than not, hydrating them again will be a difficult task.
And it’s not just limited to bleaching and coloring.
Other chemical services at the salon like perms and relaxers can also over-process your hair, leading to brittle locks with split ends.
Heat Damage
One of the most common reasons why someone might find their hair damaged and dehydrated is the frequent use of heat stylers.
High temperatures “fry” the hair and remove moisture from the hair, leaving it fragile and prone to breakage.
Frequent use of hot tools such as flat irons, blow dryers, and curling wands (especially without the use of heat protectants) can cause damage to the hair shaft.
Once the damage has occurred, split ends are inevitable at this point.
I’ve previously written about my heat damage ordeal after the improper use of heat-styling appliances.
UV Rays
UV rays can be harmful to all hair types, especially with excessive exposure.
For one, UV rays affect the natural pigment of the hair.
Moreover, they damage colored hair, therefore, causing fading.
Apart from this, the ultraviolet rays damage the hair’s protein and keratin bonds.
Related Post: Is Keratin Treatment Good For Hair Loss?
You then start to notice excessive dryness on your hair and multiple split ends.
Wearing a hat or using hair products with UV protection can prevent all these.
Genetic Conditions
Split ends and hair breakage can be due to genetic disorders such as trichorrhexis nodosa and tricothiodystrophy.
Trichorrhexis nodosa is a congenital and acquired hair problem in which thickened or weak nodes along the hair shaft cause your hair to break off easily.
Split ends, thinning hair, and hair tips that look white are some of the symptoms of trichorrhexis nodosa.
Tricothiodystrophy is an inherited condition that is characterized by sulfur-deficient brittle hair and can cause an increased number of split ends.
Poor Nutrition
Poor nutrition can contribute to unhealthy hair with split ends, especially if you don’t have enough intake of protein, minerals, and vitamins.
Minerals such as zinc and iron are key to ensuring healthy hair growth.
Lack of zinc, for instance, can result in decreased hair growth.
Washing Hair Excessively
Most people might not know this, but washing your hair excessively can also lead to dry hair with split ends.
Sulfates and soaps can strip the hair of the natural sebum that keeps it hydrated.
So, when you shampoo every single day, your hair might become ridiculously dry, leading to split ends later on.
Best Shampoo For Dry, Damaged Hair With Split Ends
Once you start noticing that your hair is really dry, has split ends, and is basically damaged, there are various measures you can take.
The first course of action should be hydrating and repairing the hair to stop further damage and the development of split ends.
A good moisturizing shampoo and one with strengthening properties should be enough to kickstart the rescue mission.
Here are some of the best ones for your current struggle:
Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
When it comes to repairing broken hair bonds after one chemical service too many, Olaplex is always at the top of the list.
The brand is known as a miracle label for damaged hair, and this shampoo lives up to that reputation.
The shampoo works to relink the broken bonds in your hair to repair them as you wash them.
It’s perfect when your hair is severely damaged from too much styling.
The formula is proven to reduce breakage, and consequently, split ends.
When you use it often, you see changes in your hair’s strength and continuous protection.
Additionally, it helps tame frizz and flyaways that can be a nightmare to deal with.
This shampoo is 100% vegan and cruelty-free.
To top it all off, it doesn’t have toxic chemicals that can harm your hair more, like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, and phosphates.
You can use it if you have straight, wavy, curly, coiled, and tightly coiled hair.
For the best results, start by treating the hair with Olaplex No. 3, and follow that with this bonding shampoo on wet hair.
Rinse it off and complete the wash with Olaplex No. 5 Maintenance Conditioner.
Pros
- Relinks broken bonds to repair them
- Doesn’t contain sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
- Vegan and cruelty-free
- Strengthens the weak strands
- Ideal for many types of hairs
- Gets rid of frizz and flyaways
- Helps repair split ends
Paul Mitchell Awapuhi Wild Ginger Shampoo
On the hunt for an ethically sourced, organic shampoo?
This one might be the shampoo for you.
It’s made with Awapuhi extracts (harvested from sustainable farms run by Paul Mitchell) to hydrate and add shine to the hair, making it look and feel healthy again.
The shampoo is also designed with KeraTriplex – a keratin protein technology that fortifies your damaged strands to make them full, smooth, and strong again.
The formula doesn’t contain harsh ingredients like parabens and sulfates, so it’s perfect for colored or chemically processed hair.
Use it on brittle and dry hair that is damaged either by chemicals or other factors.
The formulation is gentle that you can opt to use it daily for the best results.
It leaves your hair with a fresh ginger tea fragrance that is refreshing and appealing.
Pros
- Awapuhi extracts hydrate and add shine to hair
- Keratin proteins strengthen brittle, damaged locks
- Ingredients are sustainably farmed and harvested
- Gentle enough for daily use
- Has a unique ginger tea scent
- Repairs split ends
- Mild formulation that’s ideal for daily use
- Color-safe shampoo
Cons
- The fragrance is not appealing to some users
Virtue Recovery Shampoo
This award-winning shampoo from Virtue does everything a shampoo should for dry, damaged hair with split ends.
It’s effective at cleansing the hair, but is also designed to fortify and moisturize it deeply.
Using Virtue’s Alpha Keratin 60ku, this vegan shampoo deposits keratin and hydrolyzed quinoa into the cracks of your damaged hair.
This strengthens and thickens it up so it’s ready to take on the world again.
The sulfate- and paraben-free formula also has rich baobab seed oil to moisturize the hair intensely – a must for dry strands. It’s also gluten-free.
With grapefruit extracts, it also adds a glossy, healthy shine to your mane.
For best results, use the shampoo on wet hair by lathering it on your palms first.
Massage thoroughly then rinse.
You can use it often to help repair your hair.
Pros
- Gently washes away build-up in hair
- Designed to deposit keratin into hair strands for extra strength
- Contains baobab seed oil for smoothness and moisture
- Grapefruit extracts add an immense shine to the hair
- Vegan formula
- Doesn’t have parabens, gluten, and sulfates
- Leaves hair feeling soft and looking shiny
Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
This shampoo by Oribe does it all – it hydrates dry hair, restores, and repairs brittle strands, and protects the hair from oxidative stress.
It’s infused with fine, exotic oils like cypress and maracuja to nourish dry hair deeply.
It also has argan oil, which is known to add luster and shine to dull, exhausted hair.
Oribe’s bio-restorative complex – which includes collagen, biotin, caffeine, and other hair-loving ingredients – helps strengthen every strand of hair that is fragile from damage.
It is also formulated with watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss extracts.
These help protect the strands from pollutants in the environment that can damage them further.
The cleanser also contains bromelain which helps not only to exfoliate, but also to balance the scalp’s pH levels.
Once you start using the shampoo, the hair becomes less tangled and softens up.
You can now easily comb it without excessive breakage as it gets healthier with each wash.
The shampoo penetrates each damaged cuticle to mend it and restore the hair’s protective lining.
The repair starts inside the hair shaft and then outside, sealing the crack completely.
Pros
- Quality ingredients to help repair damage
- Replenishes moisture in the hair
- Softens and smoothens the hair
- A little goes a long way
- Can be used to detangle
- Protects the hair from UV damage
- The bio-restorative complex helps strengthen weak strands
- Protects hair from oxidative stress
Cons
- Doesn’t fully moisturize some hair types
Verb Ghost Shampoo
If you have fine, low-density hair that is easily weighed down, you need a shampoo like this one.
It’s formulated to be hydrating without the greasiness that usually comes with nourishing products.
So, you replenish your damaged hair with the hydration it needs without weighing it down.
It’s formulated with moringa seed oil and is moisturizing but still fast-absorbing.
Another essential ingredient in it is sunflower seed oil that protects the hair from UV penetration, therefore protecting its color.
It also has aloe vera to soothe your scalp and reduce any flaking if you have issues with dandruff.
Lastly, you have quinoa which is a protein that works to strengthen the hair while helping it to grow.
This shampoo is awesome at smoothening frizz.
That means it works great for smoothing and concealing split ends too.
With every wash, expect your hair to start getting more manageable as it heals from the damage.
Also, it gets softer, shiny, and smoother in the process.
The formulation is gentle enough to use on a daily basis.
Pros
- Restores moisture, therefore, easing dryness
- Moisturizes the hair without making it greasy
- Helps guard against UV damage
- Works to repair damage
- Strengthens the hair
- It’s color-safe
- Free from sulfates, silicone, and paraben
- Aloe helps soothe the scalp and reduce flaking
- Smoothens frizz and flyways
Cons
- Might not be moisturizing enough for thick, curly hair
Living Proof Restore Shampoo
As with all Living Proof products, this shampoo is made with their patented Healthy Hair Molecule which helps strengthen the hair and protect it from oxidative stress.
The shampoo in particular reduces breakage by 70% in as fast as just one wash, thanks to the amino acids in the formula.
It’s also infused with marine algae and other nourishing ingredients that protect the hair from environmental pollutants that might harm it even more.
This shampoo is excellent for those with damaged hair because it doesn’t have irritating or drying ingredients like sulfates, silicones, parabens, and formaldehyde.
It works best on excessively dry hair with split ends by mending all the cracks on the cuticles.
Every time you use it, the hair heals more and gets stronger.
The formulation is gentle enough to use multiple days a week.
Also, it cleans the hair by removing all the buildup and doesn’t leave any residue.
Likewise, it’s a weightless shampoo that doesn’t pile on more buildup on the hair.
After rinsing it off, the result is refreshed and clean hair.
Pros
- Removes all buildup from the hair
- Repairs damaged cuticles
- Not tested on animals
- Safe to use on colored hair
- Can be used on chemically treated hair
- Reduces breakage by 70% in one wash
- Marine algae protect hair from environmental pollutants
- Lathers up nicely
- Doesn’t have sulfates and silicones
Cons
- Doesn’t fully moisturize some hair types
Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo
This shampoo from Moroccanoil is chock-full of nourishing oils to restore and rejuvenate your damaged tresses.
First on the list is argan oil, the brand’s signature oil.
Argan oil is terrific for moisturizing hair without weighing it down.
It also adds a gorgeous shine to your mane.
This shampoo also has other natural extracts in the formula, including avocado oil, jojoba extract, lavender, marticaria, rosemary, and more.
It even has keratin proteins that help repair damaged strands and split ends.
Together, all these ingredients boost elasticity and bounce in the hair.
Excessive styling using heat and chemicals leads to severe damage to the hair.
This shampoo is the perfect solution when seeking a way to reverse the harm.
It starts by gently cleansing each strand, providing the best setting for repair.
The hair undergoes “revival”, and vital moisture is infused to offer relief from excessive dryness.
With each use, your hair gets more robust, softer, and smoother.
You can safely use this cleanser on color-treated hair without fear of fading.
The shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones that are known to contribute to fading and dryness.
For best results, start by wetting your hair then lather a good amount on it.
After gently scrubbing to eliminate all buildup, rinse the hair.
Pros
- A weightless formulation that doesn’t lead to build-up
- Restores the hair’s elasticity
- Replenishes moisture in the hair
- Free of silicone, sulfates, and parabens
- Repairs damaged cuticles
- Color-safe formulation
- Keratin proteins make damaged hair resilient
Cons
- Can dry out some hair types if you don’t use conditioner after
Pai-Shau Replenishing Hair Cleanser
This shampoo by Pai-Shau puts botanical extracts and teas at the forefront to help hydrate and strengthen your hair again.
It’s filled to the brim with amino acids, vitamins, and minerals to make your hair more fortified, so it’s perfect for damaged locks.
The brand has a Signature Tea Complex to help replenish dry hair with moisture.
The shampoo also contains shea butter to help condition and smoothen the hair, making it feel super soft to the touch.
It also leaves a fresh, herbal scent behind with notes of neroli, ylang-ylang, and musk.
This shampoo repairs split ends therefore helping your hair regain its strength and shine.
You can also use this shampoo as a detangler and you can easily comb your hair after removing all knots and tangles that can lead to breakage.
For the best results, wet the hair first and then apply a generous amount of shampoo to your locks. Scrub gently.
When done, rinse it off and use a moisturizing conditioner.
Pros
- Amino acids, vitamins, and minerals strengthen hair
- Works as a detangler to help removes knots
- A special blend of tea extracts hydrates the hair
- Shea butter helps leave the hair feeling soft and smooth
- Works well on sensitive scalps
- Creates a luxuriously sudsy lather
Cons
- Has a strong scent that lingers after rinsing
Davines Nounou Shampoo
The Davines Nounou Shampoo is a fan favorite due to its creamy and rich formula.
It was designed specifically for those with bleached, relaxed, and permed hair that needs extra moisture to repair the weak strands.
Related Post: How To Fix Bleached Hair Breakage
Unsurprisingly, it’s excellent at smoothing down the hair and preventing split ends and breakage.
One key ingredient in it is chestnut milk which not only conditions the hair but replenishes moisture in all the strands.
The shampoo is also infused with extracts from the Fiaschetto tomato.
This type of tomato is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C, which help protect the hair from pollutants in the environment that might dry out and damage it more.
This shampoo works to bring the luster back to your hair while repairing each damaged strand.
Despite its creamy texture, the shampoo doesn’t result in build-up or leave any residue.
This product is free of salt, silicone, sulfates, and parabens.
Pros
- The rich and creamy formula moisturizes dry hair
- Adds noticeable shine to dull hair
- Tomato extract protects hair from more damage
- Smoothens hair to prevent split ends
- Designed for bleached and processed hair
- Free of salt, parabens, sulfates, and silicone
- Doesn’t leave buildup or residue
Cons
- Can dry out colored hair
Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Shampoo
This rich and creamy formula by Pureology is terrific for both intensely moisturizing and strengthening your locks.
It’s infused with jojoba oil to hydrate the hair and add a beautiful shine to it.
Meanwhile, multi-weight proteins help strengthen and fortify your weak hair bonds.
It also has a few ingredients to help with scalp care.
Green tea and sage extracts stimulate the hair follicles, promoting a healthy scalp and hair growth.
This vegan shampoo has a refreshingly calming lavender, patchouli, and bergamot scent.
Other essential ingredients you can expect are coconut oil, olive oil, camelina blend, and fennel seed extract which all work together to nourish your hair.
It’s a great way to unwind in the shower after a long day when you want to relax your senses.
This shampoo is ideal for use on medium to thick hair types for the best results.
Additionally, the formulation is safe to use on color-treated hair without the worry of fading.
Pros
- Best for protecting color-treated hair
- Gluten-free formulation
- Repairs damaged cuticles
- Free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens
- Jojoba oil moisturizes the hair as you cleanse
- Multi-weight proteins strengthen hair
- Green tea and sage stimulate hair follicles
- Lavender and bergamot scent is relaxing
- Best for medium to thick hair
Cons
- Can be too heavy for fine hair
SEVEN Kente Bond Shampoo
If you want to repair your damaged hair and stop split ends in their tracks, your main goal is to use strengthening products to fortify the bonds of your hair again.
This shampoo by SEVEN does exactly that.
It’s formulated with pro-vitamin B5 and silk amino acids among other hair-strengthening ingredients to make your hair resilient again.
It also has guar gum, which is known to boost moisture retention in brittle, dry hair by sealing the cuticles.
This shampoo cleanses the hair gently yet thoroughly.
It doesn’t contain harsh chemicals, such as alcohol, parabens, and SLS.
You’ll begin to notice your hair getting better after using it for some time.
The shampoo comes in a three-step system that works to reduce brittleness in your hair by 60%.
For the best results, wet your hair and apply a healthy amount of shampoo.
Lather it up, and then rinse it with clean water.
Pros
- Cleanses hair gently
- Guar boosts moisture retention
- Pro vitamin B5 and amino acids strengthen the hair
- Free of sulfates, alcohol, and parabens
- Lightweight shampoo leaving no residue
Cons
- Can leave the hair feeling dry if you don’t follow up with conditioner
Conclusion
Split ends need to be trimmed constantly to promote healthy hair growth.
However, to deal with hair dryness and damage, you need to look for products that can hydrate and repair the tresses.
If you’ve been looking for the best shampoo for dry damaged hair with split ends, I hope this review helps to begin reclaiming your once-healthy and lustrous hair.
The shampoos included in this review contain the best combination of ingredients to alleviate dryness and mend cracks in the cuticles. They also leave your hair feeling soft and in a manageable state.
Most are mild formulations that you can use multiple times a week for the best results.
A good number of them are safe to use on color-treated hair.
There’s a lot you must do to repair damaged hair and make it healthy and hydrated again.
You have to invest in ultra-nourishing hair repair products, cut down on heat-styling and bleach, and even consider the big chop to get rid of those split ends.
But at the end of the day, hair repair starts with the simplest steps, like choosing the right, gentle, hydrating shampoos for washing your damaged locks.