Even if you make your best efforts to stay away (or let's be real, cut back), from using heat tools, chemical treatments, or color, there are so many ways we put our hair through the wringer that aren't as obvious; from brushing too harshly or friction from a scratchy towel, to the literal air pollution outside and flat-out neglect from an unavoidably busy schedule.

Maybe you're not able to pinpoint where frizz, split-ends, or breakage are coming from, but when dealing with those issues, the most important piece of the puzzle is just finding a solution. Thankfully, there are a lot of answers to the question, "How do I fix my damaged hair?" But one of the easiest, most affordable, and time-saving options is to find the right reparative shampoo for you.

With so many options, though, where do you even start? To save you some time and effort, we researched the best shampoos for every type of damage and every hair type, evaluating them based on their formulas and ingredients. Our favorite is the Olaplex No.4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo because it repairs hair from the inside out, prevents frizz, and works on all hair types.

Here are the best shampoos for damaged hair.

Best Overall

Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love What We Don't Love

You've probably heard of this miracle product by the popular brand Olaplex. But if you haven't, Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance is a multi-step system that works to both prevent breakage and repair broken bonds in the hair strands on a molecular level. It truly brings hair back from the brink and leaves it smooth, manageable, and healthy. The ultra-moisturizing formula also protects hair from common woes like split ends and frizz. It promises to strengthen all hair types and it works especially well on color-treated hair. Note: overusing it may cause the hair to shed with time, so it is best to use only a dime sized amount if shampooing daily or to alternate days if your hair is on the thin side.

Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Value

Pantene Pro-V Moisture Renewal Shampoo

Amazon

What We Don't Love What We Don't Love

Will the idea of getting high-quality, results-driven beauty products at affordable prices ever get old? No! And for damaged hair, there are few better options to reach for than this moisture renewal shampoo from Pantene's Pro-V line. It uses a potent blend of nutrients and antioxidants to keep hair strong against any damage — past, present and future — and replenishes visibly lifeless hair from root to tip.

Size: 25.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: No

Best Splurge

Kérastase Nutritive Shampoo

Sephora

What We Love What We Don't Love

When your hair needs salon quality attention, but you don't have the time, turn to Kérastase's Nutritive Shampoo. This shampoo's nourishing formula is packed with repairing and replenishing irisome complex and benjoin resin technologies. It works to balance and protect dry, brittle strands, to smooth and soften, and, when used on a regular basis, it'll drastically improve day-to-day manageability and make tangles less frequent. And who doesn't want all of that? If you want to really take your hair's moisture and shine up a notch, try pairing it with the Nutritive Conditioner for Severely Dry Hair.

Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: No

Best for Color-Treated Hair

Pureology Hydrate Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love What We Don't Love

This 100 percent vegan shampoo gently cleanses and moisturizes color-treated hair without stripping or drying — a common hair woe for anyone who has had a dye job or two (or three). Free of sulfates, it features a highly concentrated formula infused with jojoba, green tea, and sage to strengthen, repair, and protect hair against breakage. Maybe most importantly for those with colored hair, it'll protect the color vibrancy and keep hair soft, so you don't have to worry so much about "straw-like" strands.

Size: 1.7 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Split Ends

Redken All Soft Mega Shampoo

Walmart

What We Love What We Don't Love

It's all in the name with this option from Redken. The All Soft Mega Shampoo is formulated with a nourishing, unique punch of cactus extract to hydrate and add shine, aloe vera to strengthen and condition, and sacha inchi oil to help retain moisture, which leaves the hair feeling softer and more manageable. The formula also features Redken's innovative Root Core Tip protein complex, a blend of three proteins designed to zone in on and treat damaged hair where it needs it most, zipping up split-ends for full, healthy strands. It's a multi-benefit shampoo without a doubt, not only softening each individual strand and adding hydration to dry, coarse hair, but also stimulating the scalp and keeping frizz down to a minimum. What more could you want?

Size: 10.1 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: No

Best for Relaxed Hair

Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

This coconut-derived shampoo is popular for a reason: It's packed with all of the right anti-breakage heroes, like monoi oil and vitamin E, to satisfy the most delicate, fragile hair. On top of having zero sulfates, hibiscus extract works to detangle raveled tresses while coconut surfactant gives every strand a deep, deep cleanse. Together, these ingredients heal damaged hair by stopping protein loss, resulting in almost no hair breakage; and with its hydrating and soothing properties, it helps the hair become even stronger after repair. For anyone with relaxed hair — for whom brittle, breakage-prone hair is a major concern — this shampoo is a must-have.

Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Fine Hair

Virtue Labs Recovery Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

This gentle formula is full of restorative gems, including the first-of-its-kind Alpha Keratin 60ku, which binds directly to areas of damage and fills them in, working like a high-powered treatment product. Baobab seed oil acts as an emollient, while grapefruit extract, loaded with vitamin C and antioxidants, helps revitalize the scalp and return hair to its full vibrancy and shine. On a day-to-day basis, it'll gently dissolve build-up from routine cream, oil, and spray usage, while healing and strengthening the hair. Not to mention, the chic, colorful bottle is a no-brainer for aesthetically pleasing shelf content.

Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Thick Hair

R+Co Atlantis Moisturizing Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

Thicker strands need a lot of moisture — and we mean a lot — on a daily basis. But when damage comes into the picture, that moisture level needs to be doubled. With this vitamin B5-enriched formula from R+Co, thick, coarse, and extremely dry hair is blanketed in an intense wave of hydration that penetrates deeply into the shaft. The glycerin gives it an extra kick of moisture, which helps prevent future dryness down the line. As if it couldn't get any better, the shampoo uses prickly pear stem and nettle extracts to ensure that your scalp is balanced, nourished and, of course, hydrated. The duo also tames frizz and makes your hair stronger.

Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Curly Hair

Briogeo Super Moisture Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

• It has a strong smell.

Notorious in the curl community, Briogeo's Don't Despair, Repair! line is a fan favorite for distressed hair, whether it's suffering from excess frizz and dryness, or damage from color or breakage. This shampoo in particular is known to work wonders, formulated to merge the cleansing action of a traditional shampoo with the re-setting power of a hair mask — an ideal hybrid. Formulated with ultra-hydrating ingredients like algae extract and rose oil, this foamy shampoo brings the moisture while removing dirt, buildup, and oil from the hair without stripping color or weighing it down. It is also naturally derived, free of harsh ingredients (like sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens and artificial dyes), and has a subtle, calming scent.

Size: 16 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Volumizing

Sachajuan Moisturizing Shampoo

Net a Porter

What We Love What We Don't Love

• It does not add shine.

Damaged strands will drink up the hydrating and nourishing goodness that is Sachajuan's Moisturizing Shampoo. Designed with chemically-treated hair in mind, this shampoo bulks up your follicles using a hair-healthy dose of carrageenan extract, which does everything from boosting moisture and fortifying hair fibers to soothing the scalp. This restorative ingredient, plus the brand's Ocean Silk Technology, leaves hair healthier, stronger, silky-smooth and, most importantly, volumized.

Size: 8.4 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: No

Best Silicone-Free

Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

In this formula, Nexxus uses its own protein research called Proteomics — a healing system for severely damaged hair, packed with Keratin protein and black rice, that gently cleanses and penetrates each hair fiber to heal visible signs of lifelessness and dryness. Since it's free of silicones, which are known to give hair an artificial sheen, the product won't weigh down your tresses with damaging buildup that prevents you from absorbing nutrients and moisture. Instead, it will promote silky, shiny smoothness in a healthy way.

Size: 33.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: No

Best Sulfate-Free

Davine's DEDE Shampoo

Amazon

What We Love What We Don't Love

Known for its no-frills, organic batch formulas, this soft, light, and foamy gel shampoo from Davines is designed to gently cleanse hair for a softer, lighter, and shinier look and feel. The entire brand range is free of sulfates, and this pick is no different, opting instead for unique ingredients like red celery extract sourced from Italy and mineral salts that work to keep hair balanced and clean.

Size: 8.45 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best with Keratin

Keranique Scalp Stimulating Shampoo

Ulta

What We Love What We Don't Love

• It can dry out the ends.

If you're asking yourself: What is keratin and do I need it in my life? Allow us to fill you in. Keratin is a protein found naturally in hair strands that gives hair its structure — which is why it is so often associated with strengthening. It's perfect for frail, thinning, and fine hair, especially in this scalp-stimulating option from Keranique. It works to gently remove dirt, excess oils, and pollutants from the hair and scalp, all while repairing damage and adding volume. More than just keratin, though, this formula includes ginseng root extract to further prevent breakage, an advanced amino acid keratin complex that restores each individual cuticle fiber, and refreshing peppermint oil that promotes scalp circulation, preventing hair loss.

Size: 8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Type 4 Curls

PATTERN Tracee Ellis Ross Hydration Shampoo

Sephora

What We Love What We Don't Love

Thanks to hydrating ingredients like aloe vera, honey, and coconut oil, this moisturizing shampoo from Pattern helps wash away dirt and build-up from your scalp while ensuring that your curls get the hydration and nutrients they need. Keeping this breakage-prone hair texture in mind, the formula also excludes damage-causing agents like sulfates so you can lather up without any hesitation. Plus, it has a flowery-citrus scent with hints of jasmine, bergamot, and sandalwood.

Size: 9.8 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best Customizable

Prose Shampoo and Conditioner

Prose

What We Love What We Don't Love

Prose invites everyone to create a customized shampoo formula based on their unique hair needs. The personalized hair care brand makes your hair profile with its consultation questionnaire, which compiles information about your hair care needs, goals, lifestyle and routine, and uses your responses to craft your customized shampoo. Prose also prioritizes using science-backed and good-for-you ingredients, so just sit back and let its in-house chemists do the work for you.

Size: 8.5 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

Best for Dry, Itchy Scalps

Adwoa Beauty Baomint Moisturizing Shampoo

Sephora

What We Love What We Don't Love

This shampoo from Adwoa Beauty kicks scalp dryness and itchiness to the curb with its innovative formula, which mimics your scalp's natural oils to prevent stripping. It also features a blend of aloe vera, wintergreen, spearmint, and peppermint to gently exfoliate away dead skin cells, reduce flakes and nourish your stressed-out scalp back to balance. Baobab oil is another all-star ingredient that helps improve your hair's softness and elasticity so you can enjoy less frizz, breakage, and split ends over time as well.

Size: 14 fl oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes

What to Keep in Mind

Ingredients

When shopping for a damage-reversing shampoo, pay close attention to the ingredients. Protein-rich formulas that contain fortifying ingredients like keratin, biotin, and vitamin B5 will help strengthen brittle strands from root to tip, which is important for preventing breakage and getting your hair back on a healthy path. Since damaged hair is often dry, you may also want a shampoo that packs a moisturizing punch with hydrating ingredients such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, and olive oil. These are great for boosting shine and softness as well, which frizzy hair types will drink up.

Color-Safe Formula

If you regularly color your hair, don't choose a formula that contains damaging ingredients like sulfates, silicones, phthalates, or parabens because these chemicals are known to strip away at your color.

Hair Type

No matter what damage you may be dealing with, it is still important to buy a shampoo that is formulated for your specific hair type. If you have fine or oily hair, you'll want a shampoo that gently repairs hair, but isn't too strong or heavy. For curly or textured hair, make sure your shampoo has your luscious locks in mind.

Your Questions, Answered

How do I know if my hair is damaged?

You certainly do not need to be a hair expert or a professional to spot the signs of damage. Matt Swinney, Global Creative Director of RUSK Hair Care, explains that there are many telltale signs of damaged hair. "Damaged hair is often dull and lacking shine. It will look and feel fragile, often have breakage, and the hair will be more porous and difficult to blow dry," he says. Be on the lookout for these irregularities and if you spot any, you'll know it's time to get to work on repairing your locks.

Why is my hair damaged?

There are many causes of hair damage and sometimes, damage is just inevitable. However, you should definitely try to minimize your risk of damage as much as possible to keep your hair healthy. "The major causes of damage to hair are over processing with bleach, excessive heat styling, over texturizing while cutting and an overuse of keratin based products," Swinney says.

How often should you shampoo damaged hair?

While you may be tempted to shampoo more often in an attempt to save your hair, over-washing can actually cause more hair damage and irritate the scalp, which is probably already pretty dry. According to Swinney, it is best to shampoo damaged hair a maximum of two to three times a week. He also notes that the frequency of your shampoo will depend on the "type of damage you have and the product you are using." Always look at your specific product's recommendation for frequency and if you are unsure what type of damage your hair may be suffering from, try consulting with your hairstylist.

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