The Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Dry Hair

Does your hair feel drier than usual? There might be a few reasons why. First, as the temperature turn cool, it's normal for hair to become more brittle (just like what happens to your skin). The same can be true if you live in a hot climate—in fact, hair and skin are affected the most by extreme environments on either side of the spectrum. Beyond environmental factors, another common culprit of dry, lackluster hair are the products you actually use to care for it—your shampoo and conditioner might actually be parching your strands. With this in mind, it's critical to understand which ingredients best benefit dry hair. And while shea butter, aloe vera, oat milk, and glycerin are well-known hydrators, some moisturizing ingredients aren't as obvious.

According to celebrity hairstylist Cheryl Marks, the best ingredients to look for in shampoos and conditioners for dry hair are all oil based: think argan oil, coconut oil, and hemp oil. Where argan is antioxidant-rich and helps repair and ward off breakage, split ends, and frizz, vitamin- and mineral-rich coconut adds next-level shine and softness. As for hemp? Thanks to its fatty acid-heavy composition, Marks says the ingredient locks moisture into each strand and restores elasticity—which means less breakage and more hydration.

But those aren't the only ingredients to put on your radar. According to celebrity hairstylist and R+Co Collective member Ashley Streicher, prickly pear, moringa oil, vitamin B5, and acai fruit oil also work wonders for brittle hair when formulated into cleansers and conditioners. Where prickly pear is chock-full of vitamin E (a natural conditioner), moringa oil is ultra-hydrating and delivers moisture straight to the scalp to replenish and prevent dryness at the root. Then there's acai: Streicher adores this ingredient for its ability to heal, hydrate, balance, and restore dull hair. "It also provides excellent protection against environmental aggressors, while also strengthening the hair so that it can grow to be strong," she explains.

Now that you're up to speed on the ingredients to know about, give your current shower products' ingredient lists a scan. If they don't boast hydrating formulas, consider the following shampoos and conditioners, which work wonders on dry, brittle hair whatever the season.