Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair

Wouldn't you agree that you do a lot to your hair? Wash, dry, spray, style, color, cut, etc. All of this can create damaged hair. Luckily, finding the best shampoo for your damaged hair is super easy. We have our list of best shampoos for damaged hair based on what type of hair damage you are experiencing.

The At-Home Hair Damage Test!

An important note on hair breakage... If you are experiencing lots of hair breakage, you can diagnose what kind of help your hair needs by wetting a strand and trying to stretch it.

• If your hair does not stretch at all, and breaks easily, then you need moisture.
• If your hair stretches and then breaks, your hair needs protein.

Although your hair is not technically alive, its structure and health can easily be disturbed. When you manipulate your hair, either via styling, chemical processing, or dyes – it will become damaged over time. Damaged hair is frizzy, generally dry, and breaks easily. If you think your hair is in need of some TLC, it’s important to use nourishing products that directly repair, and revitalize. One of the most important products in your hair care routine is the cleansing component: shampoo. When it comes to finding the best shampoo for damaged hair, first diagnose your issue, then find a shampoo that directly combats the problem! Luckily, we’ve done the research for you. So, here are our candidates for the best shampoo for damaged hair!  

OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo

for protein-lacking hair If you are in need of strength and shine, OGX’s Anti-Breakage Shampoo is chock-full of keratin proteins. Keratin is a fantastic protein for combatting hair damage. Its small particles are easily absorbed into the core of your strands; repairing them from the inside-out. The other active ingredient in this reparative shampoo is argan oil (one of our favorite oils for hair), which also provides some protein and plenty of moisture that won’t weigh your hair down.  

Aussie Moist Shampoo

for thirsty hair Nobody likes poofy, frizzy hair. If your hair is in dire need of moisture, then Aussie’s Moist Shampoo is your miracle watering hole in the dry, hot desert. This shampoo’s active ingredient is Australian aloe. Aloe vera is a fantastic moisturizer that is lightweight and dense with water. This shampoo will clean your hair gently, without stripping it of its natural oils. When you’re nursing damaged hair back to life, it’s important to use gentle cleansing ingredients such as aloe.  

SheaMoisture’s Strengthen & Restore Shampoo

for chemically processed, heat styled, bleached and dyed hair If you have manipulated your hair via chemical straightening, heat styling, or bleaches/dyes, your hair may have an increased porosity. Each strand of your hair has a protective layer called a cuticle. When that cuticle is raised, your hair will dry and frizz more easily than hair that is less porous. Luckily, SheaMoisture's Strengthen & Restore Shampoo is here to restore and repair your damaged hair. Jamaican Castor Oil has been championed as a hair loss and breakage miracle cure, whilst the apple cider vinegar restores the pH balance of your hair; gently cleansing your scalp of oil and product build up. Shea butter is a much needed heavy, moisture boost for high-porosity hair, and will combat frizz and dryness. This shampoo combats a diverse array of hair problems; making it a top contender for first place on our list for the best shampoo for damaged hair!  

ABBA Detox Shampoo

for mushy, or over moisturized hair Sometimes, your hair can have too much of a good thing. Mushy frizz is the result of over moisturizing your hair. This can easily happen to those with fine, low-porosity hair. If your hair is easily weighed down by butters, creams, and oils, and feels mushy to touch even though it still looks unkempt and poofy, then a purifying (or clarifying) shampoo is for you. This shampoo is a natural rescue for hair that has is bogged down with moisture, oil and product build up, or impurities (hair tends to absorb pollutants in the air, and water, very easily). ABBA’s Detox Shampoo combines baking soda with molasses – together, these ingredients thoroughly cleanse your hair, and scalp, properly removing all dirt and oils. As this shampoo is clarifying, it may leave your hair dry and squeaky. It’s important to follow up with a nourishing conditioner. However, if your hair damage was moisture related, make sure to use a lightweight conditioner!  

Suave Professionals Split End Rescue Shampoo

for split ends Are you struggling with a split end nightmare? For those of you growing out your hair, split ends may be your main issue. It’s important to combat split ends directly, as whilst the ends of your hair may be damaged, the rest of your hair could be perfectly under control. For that reason, we recommend using a shampoo specifically designed to repair split ends. That’s where Suave Professionals Split Ends Rescue shampoo comes in! Salon proven, and promising up to 70% split end reduction, this shampoo provides targeted, lightweight moisture to your ends, whilst gently cleansing the rest of your hair, and scalp.  

DevaCurl Low-Poo Delight Cleanser

for over-styled hair Do you love to manipulate your hair? We get it. It’s fun to play with our 'dos and style them into all sorts of creative masterpieces. However, this can take a toll on our hair’s overall health. Hair that is heavily styled and manipulated may break easily, or stretch into unwanted shapes and kinks. If you don’t want to give up your beloved hair styles, then go for a conditioning low-poo: a shampoo that gently cleanses without any purifying ingredients that may strip your hair of much needed moisture. DevaCurl’s Low-Poo Delight Cleanser is for wavy, and curly heads, and produces a light lather that cleanses your scalp of oils and impurities, in a gentle manner that also calms and moisturizes. Hair that is well moisturized will be stronger in the face of styling and will break less easily. Of course, we recommend for those with very damaged hair that they go easy on the tight updos and painful bobby pin scaffolding. Also, try gentle hair tie alternatives, such as fabric or phone cord ties.  

Get Your Best Shampoo for Damaged Hair

Whether your hair’s had ‘too much’, or has received too little, most of us have battled with the effects of damaged hair. Frizz, flyaways, dryness, or oily mush isn’t a hair death sentence. These problems can be easily rectified with restorative products that combat the issues directly. Of course, hair takes time to regain its health, so make sure to make reparative hair care a part of your weekly routine. When it comes to the best shampoo for damaged hair, we hope our list has given you hope for your hair’s future! If you have question or comment for the team at Get Good Head, please feel free to contact us. Thanks!