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Hair

The 16 Best Shampoos for Split Ends

 

TLC for your strands.

Having split ends essentially means the individual strands of your hair are cracked or otherwise weakened at the tip. Whether it's caused by years of daily flat-ironing, frequent chemical treatments, bleaching, or overbrushing, it can make your hair more prone to breakage and harder to grow out.1 That said, the right shampoo might help remedy the issue—or at least make your hair look healthier.

"While split ends can't be repaired permanently, there are some ingredients that can help temporarily repair and smooth them," says UK-based trichologist Kate Holden. "These include highly moisturizing ingredients, such as coconut oil, shea butter, and glycerin." She explains that formulas containing proteins and silicone can also be effective, though they might not work for every hair type.

With these expert tips in mind, we rounded up the best shampoos for split ends below.

 

MEET THE EXPERT

Kate Holden, AIT, is a trichologist based in Manchester, United Kingdom. She offers expert consultations, diagnoses, therapeutic recommendations, and treatments for various scalp and hair conditions.

Dr. Shari Sperling is a BosleyMD Certified trichologist, Gretchen Friese, and board-certified dermatologist.

Kevin Hughes is a celebrity hairstylist and Moroccan Oil's Global Artistic Director.

Clariss Rubenstein is a celebrity hairstylist.
 

Shelly Aguirre is a hairstylist from Maxine Salon.

 

Best Overall: Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizing
• Strengthening
• Trichologist-recommended

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

Holden recommends Aveda Damage Remedy in the battle against split ends. This reparative shampoo is chock full of hair-loving ingredients, like conditioning glycerin, lubricating squalane, strengthening quinoa protein, and silicone to smooth and protect. It also contains a few moisturizing plant oils, including coconut, olive, and sunflower, plus a blend of gentle, earth-derived cleansers.

The price is undoubtedly steep. But when it comes to improving the look of brittle hair, sealing split ends, and preventing further damage, you'll be glad to have this trichologist-approved 'poo in your arsenal.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Coconut | Size: 8.5 oz. or 33.8 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Budget: L'Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Pump bottle
• Contains protein and silicone

What We Don’t Like

• Not very moisturizing

On a budget? L'Oreal makes a great fortifying shampoo, and it'll only run you a few bucks. The protein-rich formula works to gently cleanse and strengthen, while silicone delivers silkier, smoother hair.

Hair Type: Damaged | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Floral, creamy | Size: 12.6 oz. or 28 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Drugstore: Aussie Total Miracle Shampoo

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Pump bottle
• Moisturizing

What We Don’t Like

• Potentially too heavy for fine hair

This drugstore standby calls on a blend of natural oils to deliver much-needed moisture to damaged hair, while silicone protects and smooths split ends.¹ We also appreciate the generously sized, affordable pump bottle.

Hair Type: Damaged, dry | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 26.2 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

 

Best Splurge: Philip B. White Truffle Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizing
• Contains protein and silicone
• Leaves hair silky

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

Yes, this is a wild amount to spend on shampoo, but if you can swing it, you won't be disappointed. The exceptionally luxurious formula moisturizes with truffle oil and nourishes with soy protein, while silicone seals and softens and vitamin B5 promotes healthy growth.2

Hair Type: Thick, coarse, chemically treated, damaged, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Herbal | Size: 7.4 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Repairative: Kérastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Strengthening Shampoo

What We Like

• Contains protein
• Strengthening
• Expert-recommended

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

"Kerastase Bain Force Architecte is a great shampoo to help repair damage," says hairstylist Shelly Aguirre of Maxine Salon, explaining that the formula is particularly beneficial for overprocessed hair. "It has a balance of protein and amino acids that restores the hair instantly."

Hair Type: Damaged | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8.5 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: No

 

Best Preventative: Bumble and Bumble Bond-Building Repair Shampoo

What We Like

• Repairs broken bonds
• Improves elasticity
• Smells amazing

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive
• Contains PEGs

According to Holden, split end prevention is mostly about cutting back on the heat and chemical treatments. However, using this fortifying shampoo from Bumble and Bumble is a great way to supplement your efforts. In addition to mending damage, the bond-building complex promises to improve your hair's elasticity to keep breakage at bay.

Hair Type: Damaged, dry, chemically treated | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Citrus, floral | Size: 8.5 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Fortifying: Eva NYC Clean It Up Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizing
• Strengthening
• Improves elasticity

What We Don’t Like

• Potentially too heavy for fine hair

Eva NYC's Clean It Up Shampoo is a game-changer for damaged hair. It contains a medley of moisturizing plant oils like olive, avocado, and argan oil, plus a heaping dose of protein to strengthen and improve your hair's elasticity.

Hair Type: Dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh | Size: 16.9 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best With Keratin: Mon Shampoing Gentle Shampoo with Keratin

What We Like

• Strengthening
• Hydrating
• Smooths brittle hair

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

This gentle shampoo leans on keratin, hair's favorite protein, to smooth and strengthen bleached, chemically straightened, or otherwise over-processed hair. It also contains glycerin, which Holden recommends for hydrating parched hair.3

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8.5 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Bond-Building: Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

What We Like

• Repairative
• Strengthening
• Helps prevent breakage

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive
• Contains PEGs

From the brand that spearheaded the bond-building haircare bandwagon, Olaplex's No.4 Shampoo calls on patented technology to mend broken hair and help prevent more split ends from forming.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Citrus | Size: 8.5 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Moisturizing: Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

What We Like

• Luxurious formula
• Strengthening
• Trichologist-approved ingredients

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive
• Potentially too heavy for fine hair

This luxuriously rich shampoo contains Holden's recommended moisturizing ingredients. We're talking glycerin, shea butter, and coconut oil (among a medley of other earth-derived oils), plus biotin to condition and strengthen weakened hair fibers.

Hair Type: Damaged, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Floral | Size: 16 oz. | Byrdie Clean: Yes | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Natural Hair: Pattern Hydration Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizing
• Award-winning formula
• Trichologist-approved ingredients

What We Don’t Like

• Potentially too heavy for fine hair
• Contains PEGs

Pattern Hydration Shampoo was created with coily, curly, and tight textures in mind. Containing coconut oil, shea butter, glycerin, protein, and silicone, the award-winning formula checks all of Holden's ingredient boxes.

Hair Type: Textured, curly, dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Jasmine, bergamot, sandalwood | Size: 9.8 oz. or 25 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Curly Hair: Vernon François Curl Shampoo

What We Like

• Moisturizing
• Adds shine
• Trichologist-approved ingredients

What We Don’t Like

• Contains PEGs

This super-nourishing hair wash is full of moisturizing ingredients curly hair craves. From shea butter and glycerin to jojoba and olive oil, it helps condition and protects, then leaves shinier, silkier hair in its wake.

Hair Type: Curly, dry | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Fresh, herbal | Size: 8.4 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Color-Treated Hair: L'ange Lather Keratin Protein Shampoo

What We Like

• Improves elasticity
• Smooths brittle hair
• Promotes healthy growth

What We Don’t Like

• Contains PEGs

If you're working with color-treated hair, L'ange is your new best friend. This shampoo is formulated with keratin and silicone to smooth, strengthen, and boost elasticity, plus vitamin B5 for healthy growth.

Hair Type: Color-treated, dry, damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh | Size: 8 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Lather: Monat Damage Repair Bond Support Shampoo

What We Like

• Strengthening
• Nice lather
• Leaves hair soft

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive
• Contains PEGs

"I love Monat Damage Repair Bond Support Shampoo for split ends," celebrity hairstylist Clariss Rubenstein. It contains glycerin, plant proteins, and coconut oil to replenish brittle hair and leave it silky-soft.

Hair Type: Damaged | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Citrus, woody | Size: 8 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Scent: Amika The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo

What We Like

• Repairs broken bonds
• Smooths brittle hair
• Noticeable results

What We Don’t Like

• Contains PEGs

Amika developed a bond-repairing complex to help mend breakage and seal split ends. You'll see a noticeable improvement in your hair's overall health, and if the scent is a priority, the vanilla-citrus aroma definitely won't disappoint.

Hair Type: Damaged, color-treated, chemically treated | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Vanilla, citrus | Size: 8 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best K-Beauty: La'dor Keratin LPP Shampoo

What We Like

• Budget-friendly
• Strengthening
• Trichologist-approved ingredients

What We Don’t Like

• Small amount
• Contains PEGs

This Korean shampoo is a great option too. In addition to keratin, the gentle yet effective formula contains hydrolyzed silk, plant oils, and glycerin to strengthen, hydrate, and nourish weak hair back to health.

Hair Type: Damaged | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Fresh | Size: 5 oz. | Byrdie Clean: No | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

Our top pick is Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo, a trichologist-recommended shampoo that simultaneously conditions, strengthens, smooths, and protects. For something a bit more affordable, go with L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Repairing Shampoo, a fortifying hair wash that leaves you with silky-soft, healthy-looking hair.

What to Look For in Shampoo for Split Ends

Oils

If your hair is stripped of its natural oils, you may experience split ends. Seek products with oils that can strengthen and repair the hair, such as argan oil, which helps to feed vitamins and nutrients into hair. "With its high content of antioxidants, essential fatty acids, and vitamin E, the benefits of argan oil naturally help to increase hair's elasticity and consistently restore shine to dull, lifeless hair," says Kevin Hughes celebrity hairstylist. Prickly pear oil is another strong option, as it's a natural ingredient known for its powerful reparative and regenerative abilities.4

Vitamins

Vitamins are a second key player in the journey to fixing damaged split ends. They can help repair, soften, restore, and strengthen the hair. Vitamin E, for example, has been shown to increase blood supply to the scalp, increases moisture to the skin and helps those with dry, flaky scalps, and reduce cell damage according to Dr. Shari Sperling.

Hydrators

Keeping your hair hydrated is an important step in preventing or mending split ends. To avoid, seek shampoos and products with hydrating properties and ingredients, such as the amino acids found in Kente Bond Shampoo or the hydrolyzed elastin in Philip Kingsley's shampoo shared above.

FAQ

What causes split ends?

The causes of split ends and breakage vary. Hot tools, damaging products, and of course, coloring your hair can all lead to issues. Another less-obvious factor comes in the form of environmental conditions, including the weather.5

Do split ends stop hair growth?

Yes and no. They do not stop hair growth at the root. However, they cause breakage at the hair ends, and as a result, the hair will often not appear to grow in length.

Does drinking water impact hair growth?

Unsurprisingly, drinking water impacts hair growth positively. Minerals such as zinc, iron, and calcium that are essential in maintaining hair health are all found in water.6 Add it to the long list of reasons that water is key.