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The 6 Best Shampoos for Damaged Hair That Refresh and Repair, Tested by Byrdie

 

Take your hair back from the brink.

Breakage from heat styling, bleach, and other harsh processes are some of the more common causes of damaged hair1. (Unsure if yours is in the danger zone? Here are seven signs it is.) Depending on your hair care concerns, revamping your routine with reparative products may help address damage and prevent future distress.

With this in mind, we spent weeks testing the best damage-repairing shampoos, evaluating how well they improved strength, elasticity, and hydration. We then coupled expert recommendations with our findings to compile this list of hair-renewing winners.

BEST OVERALL

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Damage Shield pH Protective Shampoo

What We Like

• Helps reduce breakage
• Leaves hair super soft
• pH-optimized formula

What to Consider

• Some reviewers experienced tangle trouble post wash

Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide, glycerin | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

K18’s Damage Shield Shampoo was a clear winner in this category, as its pH-balanced formula is designed to minimize damage during washing and prevent future breakage at the same time. Thanks to plant-based surfactants and a patented peptide complex, this shampoo delivers a high-foaming cleanse that removes dirt, debris, and oil—minus any icky buildup afterward. We also love that the clean formula stops the hair cuticle from swelling during washing, which helps reduce frizz while keeping your color vibrant. Plus, it has a citrusy scent we find to be quite nice.

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Caitlyn Martyn, former associate editor with 2B hair: “I love that this shampoo complements my all-time fav product, the K18 Molecular Repair Mask. I also like that it lathers nicely (so you only need a little), washes out clean, and is loaded with scientifically-tested ingredients to strengthen hair bonds and improve elasticity, which is a must if you have fine, breakage-prone hair like myself. After a few washes, I even noticed less breakage in the shower—major!”

BEST SPLURGE

Oribe Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo

What We Like

• Contains biotin
• Repairing
• Nice scent

What to Consider

• Some reviewers note it could be more hydrating

Key Ingredients: Bio-restorative complex, Mediterranean cypress extract | Size: 2.5, 8.5, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Pro hairstylist Shelly Aguirre appreciates that Oribe's blend of argan oil, biotin, and other state-of-the-art ingredients helps heal hair and leaves it smelling amazing. "After using Gold Lust, the shine alone will turn you into a fan," she says. "The price tag is higher, but you will find it is definitely worth it."

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Alyssa Kaplan, editor with 1 B/C hair: “My hair is really damaged from using heat tools (picture: breakage and split ends), so I love that this shampoo is super soft and creamy. It also lathers beautifully. Unlike other moisturizing shampoos, it doesn’t leave a residue and cleanses my hair without stripping my scalp.”

BEST FOR DRY, BRITTLE HAIR

Eva NYC Ritual Strength Shampoo

What We Like

• Cuts down on frizz
• Foams up nicely
• Silky, color-safe formula

What to Consider

• Packaging could benefit from a pump dispenser

Key Ingredients: Red algae, bond technology | Size: 10 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

This miracle worker shampoo is formulated with science-backed technology that helps build weak bonds and nourishes barely-hanging-on-hair with nutrient-rich red algae. Split ends aren't as noticeable post-use, and it tackles product buildup like a champ, leaving it clean with less damage to boot. Despite being sulfate-free, it also has a luxurious, sudsy lather that makes the entire shower experience more enjoyable. And it doesn't have a distinct fragrance, which is great for sensitive scalps.

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Amanda Rosenthal, writer with 1B hair: “We put our hair through a lot—heat styling, environmental stressors, chemical treatments, and more. This strengthening shampoo will nurse your hair back to health. It’s packed with red algae, giving it a silky, smooth appearance, and has bond technology to repair weak bonds. If there were protein powder for your hair, it would be in this bottle.”

BEST STRENGTHENING

Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo

What We Like

• Strengthening formula repairs breakage
• 100% vegan
• Prevents color fading

What to Consider

• Reviewers note it has a smell that could be off-putting to some

Key Ingredients: Arginine, astaxanthin | Size: 1.7, 9, 33.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

A strategic haircare routine filled with the right products can help reduce breakage and keep your hair healthy after hot tools or coloring services, especially when you have a quality shampoo to ensure your strands stay stronger, longer. Your best bet is Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo if you have weak, color-treated, or fragile hair that is prone to split ends. The rich-lather formula acts as a protein smoothie for limp hair, channeling the strength of an ancient redwood tree to fortify and repair breakage.

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Ally Hirschlag, associate editorial director with 2C/3A hair: “I’ve been coloring my hair since I was 13, so I’ve run the gamut of color-preserving shampoos. Red is the most unstable permanent color and tends to fade unpredictably, but I’ve noticed my color looking brighter while using this shampoo. It’s delightfully thick and genuinely preserves color all while making hair feel and look healthier with regular use.”

BEST BOND-BUILDING

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

What We Like

• Patented bond-building technology
• Ideal for split ends
• A little goes a long way

What to Consider

• Could be more hydrating

Key Ingredients: Glycerin, coconut oil-derived surfactants | Size: 3.3, 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’re not on the bond-building bandwagon yet, let us introduce you to the brand that started it all. Olaplex’s patented technology works to repair broken hair on a molecular level while protecting your hair from further damage. That means fewer split ends and shinier, softer, stronger hair. In fact, we experienced those benefits after our very first wash using the formula. If you’re on a journey to grow out your hair and breakage stands in your way, we highly suggest working this shampoo into your routine.

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Loren, tester with 1B hair: “Using this was like hitting a reset button on my hair—as if I had never touched my hair with dye or hot tools in the first place.”

BEST FOR THINNING HAIR

Nécessaire Rosemary Shampoo

What We Like

• Contains ceramides and proteins that counteract thinning
• Addictive rosemary scent
• Silicone-free

What to Consider

• Some reviewers noticed an itchy scalp

Key Ingredients: Rosemary oil, plant proteins | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Necessaire is known for its spa-like scents for bath and body products, but its Rosemary Shampoo is one of the best-smelling in our beauty book. Picture aromatherapy in a steamy shower, and this is what you’re getting with their formula that has delicate fragrance notes of mandarin, jasmine, and cedar, in addition to Pure Rosemary Oil. Beyond that, we love how it gets super sudsy despite being sulfate- and silicone-free. It contains five ceramides to restore the scalp barrier and five proteins to counteract thinning and prevent breakage.

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Lauren Pardee, senior editor with 1B/2A hair: “This shampoo feels super luxe without breaking the bank—the scent provides a spa-like experience while strengthening and thickening the hair with its gentle, clean formula. It’s one of the only shampoos I continually rebuy.”

What to Look for When Buying Shampoos for Damaged Hair

Strengthening Ingredients: Aguirre says a good restorative formula contains proteins and humectants. “If the hair is damaged from too much color or heat, you will want to add protein to build up the strength of the shaft,” she tells Byrdie. “Amino acids are key ingredients that will lend to repair.” 
Moisturizing Ingredients: Damaged hair often feels very dry, so it’s important to look for a shampoo that has moisturizing and smoothing properties. Some of the best ingredients to look for in a shampoo for damaged hair include hydrating oils such as coconut, jojoba, and olive. They’ll help keep hair feeling soft and looking shiny.
Color-Safe Formula: We also recommend looking for a color-safe formula. This—and our other dos and don’ts of caring for dyed hair—will help keep your damaged hair looking vibrant.

How We Tested Shampoos for Damaged Hair

When recommending beauty products, we prioritize testing each in real life to give you the most honest and detailed feedback. For this story, editors with different hair types and concerns evaluated each product over at least a month (some have used these products for years!). 

Testing Period: Four weeks, at least
Methodology: Shampoos with damaged hair were tested at home in our showers on various hair types, hair concerns, and damage levels.
Factors Considered: Ingredients, packaging, intended purpose, ability to work with other products, and overall performance.

FAQ

How can you tell if your hair is damaged?

Hair damage can present differently for everyone, but some red flags to look out for include split ends, breakage, dryness, or dullness. A licensed hairstylist or trichologist can evaluate your hair to determine its current state and offer personalized restoration advice.

How often should you shampoo damaged hair?

Salon owner and stylist John Pulitano says that individuals with dry, damaged, or processed hair should limit shampooing to a maximum of twice per week. He explains that exceeding this frequency can irritate the scalp and disrupt its natural oil balance. Pulitano emphasizes that the choice of shampoo is equally important as the frequency of use, recommending products that contain nourishing and reparative ingredients, such as keratin protein.

Meet Our Experts

Team Byrdie worked with the following experts to ensure the best picks:

• Shelly Aguirre is a professional stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago, Illinois. With 12 years of experience teaching haircare classes at salons and tradeshows, she is one of the most sought-after stylists and educators in the industry.
• John Pulitano is a stylist, co-owner, and creative director of Headcase Hair, a salon in Sydney, Australia.

Why Trust Byrdie

Kelli Acciardo is a seasoned beauty editor turned writer and product tester for Byrdie, who has personally tried many of these hair-revitalizing shampoos in an effort to quench her dry, color-treated locks. She swears by Oribe and Olaplex’s luxe, clinically-proven formulas, although Pureology’s Strength Cure Shampoo has also been a game-changer for her mane.