Taking it a step too far with bleaching or your styling tools? Or are your strands just naturally dry? Either way, if your hair requires some extra TLC, start by using a shampoo for dry or damaged hair. These shampoos are packed with moisturizing and/or reparative ingredients to help reverse damage and get your hair back on a healthy path. To make your cruelty-free life a little easier, read on to find the best cruelty-free shampoos for dry and damaged hair.
Dry vs. Damaged Hair
But first, the difference between dry and damaged hair. Because all though they share many of the same symptoms (frizz, split ends, dullness), they actually should be treated differently, starting with the shampoo you use.
Dry Hair
Dry hair is hair that lacks natural oils. It can be caused by a variety factors, such as heat styling tools and hot shower water, or you may just have dry hair naturally. Dry hair often goes hand in hand with a coarse hair texture. This is why – in general – curly hair is dryer than straight hair.
If you have dry hair you need moisture. Oils are great for adding moisture to dry hair. Look for a shampoo with ingredients like argan, jojoba and coconut oil.
Damaged Hair
Hair gets damaged by external factors, be it styling tools, bleaching, coloring or chemical treatments. Damaged hair tangles and breaks easily and generally has split ends.
If you have a damaged hair problem, you need a repairing shampoo. Since it’s protein that hair is primarily made off, it is protein you need to achieve healthy hair once again. Reach for shampoos that contain ingredients like biotin, keratin, amino acids and vitamin B5.
Since damaged hair is often dry too, you’ll want your shampoo to have some moisturizing ingredients as well.
The Best Cruelty-Free Shampoos For Dry and Damaged Hair
Ahead, the 11 best cruelty-free shampoos for dry and damaged hair – and their accompanying conditioners.
Vegan
In the beauty industry, ‘cruelty-free’ refers to animal testing. If you are in the market for a cruelty-free and vegan shampoo for dry and damaged hair, you have 8 options to choose from.
Index
- Best for Bleached Blondes: Olaplex – No 4. Bond Maintenance Shampoo VEGAN
- Best for Dry Hair: Moroccanoil – Hydrating Shampoo
- Best Cruelty-Free + Vegan Shampoo for Damaged Hair: Amika – The Kure Repair Shampoo VEGAN
- On a Budget: SheaMoisture – Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
- Best for Thick/Coarse Hair: Joico – Moisture Recovery Moisturizing Shampoo
- For Fine Hair: Verb – Ghost Shampoo VEGAN
- Best Scented: Aveda – Dry Remedy VEGAN
- All Hair Types in Need of Repair: Virtue – Recovery Shampoo VEGAN
- Best for Colored Hair: Pureology – Hydrate Shampoo VEGAN
- Best for Thick Hair: Briogeo – Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo VEGAN
- Non-Greasy: Living Proof – Restore Shampoo VEGAN
The 11 Best Cruelty-Free Shampoos For Dry and Damaged Hair
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Price Guide
$ = 10 usd and under
$$ = 20 usd and under
$$$ = 30 usd and under
$$$$ = 40 usd and under
1/11
Best for Bleached Blondes:
Olaplex – No 4. Bond Maintenance Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
If your bleached lengths have seen better days, reach for this hairdresser’s go-to shampoo.
Olaplex’s patented bond-building technology works to repair hair on a molecular level to undo the damage, leading to stronger and smoother hair with each use.
Al though every dyed blonde knows about Olaplex, it’s not only for the bleached. The highly nourishing formula strengthens and moisturizes all hair types in need of repair.
Pair with Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: damage and dry hair | Scent: mild citrus | Key Ingredient: bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, gluten, mineral oil, gluten, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, Olaplex is a 100% vegan brand, which means none of their products contain animal ingredients | Packaging: plastic
2/11
Best Cruelty-Free Shampoo for Dry Hair:
Moroccanoil – Hydrating Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
Thirsty strands? Reach for Moroccanoil Hydration shampoo.
Infused with argan oil it quenches dehydrated lengths, leaving you with softer, and more shiny hair.
It suds up nicely so a tiny amount goes a long way.
Plus, your hair will be smelling divine all day long.
Pair with Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: dryness | Key Ingredient: argan oil | Scent: sweet musky | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: no | Packaging: plastic
3/11
Best Cruelty-Free + Vegan Shampoo For Damaged Hair:
Amika – The Kure Repair Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$
The Kure gives your hair a thorough cleanse without stripping it of all of its oils. At the same time Amika’s own bond-repairing complex made with vegan proteins restores damaged hair and leaves each strand stronger than before.
The color-safe formula rinses out easily and doesn’t leave any residue.
Pair with Amika The Kure Bond Repair Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: all including color-treated | Hair Concern: damage, dryness | Scent: sweet perfumy | Key Ingredients: bond-repairing complex, vegan proteins, sea buckthorn berry | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oil, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, meaning it doesn’t contain animal (by)products, however Amika is not a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: recyclable plastic
4/11
For Curly and Coily Hair:
SheaMoisture – Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $
Shea butter and mafura oil are just a few of the ingredients to drench dry hair with intense moisture. There’s also honey to protect your strands and restore natural shine. This formula is made with curly and coily hair in mind, so it imparts plenty of moisture.
Best part? You won’t break the bank here.
Pair with SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: curly and coily | Hair Concern: dryness | Scent: vanilla honey | Key Ingredients: shea butter, baobab, mafura oil | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, mineral oil | Silicone-Free: yes | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: no | Packaging: plastic
RELATED: The Best Cruelty-Free Shampoos for Curly Hair
5/11
Best for Thick/Coarse Hair:
Joico – Moisture Recovery Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$
This highly moisturizing shampoo is probably too much for finer hair (read: weighs hair down), but is a great pick for thick/coarse hair types.
The sudser delivers a powerful dose of hydration thanks to ingredients such as jojoba oil, rosehip oil and sea kelp.
The floral musky scent is just another bonus.
For best results, pair it with Joico Moisture Recovery Conditioner.
Hair Type: thick and coarse hair | Hair Concern: dryness | Scent: floral musky | Key Ingredients: sea kelp, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, keratin | Cruelty-Free: yes | Vegan: no | Packaging: plastic
6/11
Best Moisturizing Shampoo All-Round:
Verb – Ghost Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$
This jojoba and moringa oil packed shampoo cleanses gently while adding moisture with a formula that’s lightweight enough for fine hair.
It received a lot of raving reviews for doing wonders at leaving hair soft, manageable and frizz-free.
The grapefruit-oatmeal fragrance is yet another thing to love.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: dryness, damage | Scent: grapefruit oatmeal | Key Ingredients: jojoba oil, moringa seed oil, quinoa protein | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, mineral oil, alcohol, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes, Verb is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, however not all of Verb’s products are vegan | Packaging: recyclable plastic
7/11
Best Scented:
Aveda – Dry Remedy
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
Dry Remedy features buriti oil that works to restore moisture to dry brittle hair, while cleansing it gently. Expect less frizz and generally healthier-looking lengths. The scent with notes of ylang-ylang and lavender make for an aromatherapeutic shower moment.
The creamy formula is sulfate and silicone-free, making it a great pick for all hair types, curls included.
Pair with Aveda Dry Remedy Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: dryness | Scent: like a spa | Key Ingredients: buriti oil, olive oil, pomegranate | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, silicones, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: yes | Cruelty-Free: yes, Aveda is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. They however are owned by Estée Lauder, a company that is not cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, Aveda is a vegan brand | Packaging: post-consumer recycled plastic
8/11
Best Damage-Repair Shampoo All-Round:
Virtue Labs – Recovery Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$$
Not only does this shampoo heal damaged hair, it also restores lost moisture and adds shine. How? First off, it’s formulated with alpha keratin, a protein that is identical to the protein found in our hair. Then there’s baobab seed oil, quinoa and grapefruit extract (to name a few); all powerful ingredients to bring back life into brittle strands. Best part? Where many keratin-powered shampoos are too heavy for fine hair, this shampoo is still lightweight enough for even the thinnest of hairs.
For best results pair with Virtue Labs Recovery Conditioner.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: damage, frizz, dullness | Scent: woodsy coconut | Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku®, hydrolyzed quinoa, baobab seed oil | Free of: paraben, sulfates sls and sles, gluten, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes, Virtue Labs is a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, Virtue Labs is a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: plastic
9/11
Best for Color-Treated Hair:
Pureology – Hydrate Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
If your colored strands turned to straws, try Pureology’s bestselling Hydrate shampoo. The shampoo’s extremely moisturizing formula has a creamy foam that gently cleanses and nourishes hair without stripping away any color.
This shampoo is best for medium to thick hair types.
For fine hair we recommend Pureology Pure Volume Shampoo instead.
For best results pair with Pureology Hydrate Conditioner.
Hair Type: medium to thick hair, color-treated | Hair Concern: damage, dryness, color fading | Scent: patchouli minty | Key Ingredients: vegan proteins, rose extract | Free of: sulfates sls and sles, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: no | Cruelty-Free: yes, Pureology is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. They however are owned by L’oréal, a company that is not cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, Pureology is a 100% vegan brand | Packaging: 95% post-consumer recycled plastic
RELATED: The Best Cruelty-Free Shampoos for Color-Treated Hair
10/11
Best for Thick Hair:
Briogeo – Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$$
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! is an ultra-moisturizing shampoo that cleanses while conditioning distressed hair.
The combination of hydrating + repairing ingredients such as shea butter, biotin and rose oil reduce frizz and improve hair’s softness and overall health.
Added bonus for the foamy shampoo being 95% naturally derived and free of harsh ingredients including sulfates, silicones and paraben.
For best results pair with Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning mask.
Hair Type: thick hair | Hair Concern: damage, dryness | Scent: subtle citrus | Key Ingredients: shea butter, coconut oil, biotin, rose oil | Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: yes | Cruelty-Free: yes, Briogeo is a Leaping Bunny-certified cruelty-free brand | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product as almost the entire line of the brand | Packaging: recyclable plastic (partly PCR)
11/11
Non-Greasy:
Living Proof – Restore Shampoo
Shop at AMAZON | $$$
Repairing shampoos can be tricky for fine hair, as they can leave a film on your hair and leave it greasy. If this sounds too familiar, reach for Living Proof’s Restore Shampoo.
The shampoo’s formula contains amino acids and other healthy hair ingredients to reverse damage while thoroughly cleanses without leaving any residue.
Yes, it’s expensive for shampoo, but you only need the tiniest bit of this creamy formula, meaning one bottle will last you ages.
Pair with Living Proof Restore Conditioner for even better results.
Hair Type: all | Hair Concern: damage | Scent: light citrus | Key Ingredients: patented healthy hair molecule (OFPMA)| Free of: paraben, phthalates, sulfates, silicones, animal (by)products | Silicone-Free: yes | Cruelty-Free: yes, Living proof is a PETA-certified cruelty-free brand. They however are owned by Unilever, a company that is not cruelty-free | Vegan: yes, this is a vegan product, but Living Proof is not a vegan brand as they also offer non-vegan products | Packaging: recyclable plastic
Other Tips To Restore Healthy Hair:
- Wash your hair with lukewarm water instead of steaming hot water which can dry out hair
- Avoid known damaging and drying ingredients such as sulfates sls and sles and paraben
- Always finish with conditioner
- After rinsing the conditioner, finish with a cool rinse to close the hair cuticles that opened from washing your hair
- Use a hair mask every once a week
- Reduce your use of heat tools on your hair where possible
- Use a detangling brush in place of a regular one to reduce breakage
Do I Have Dry or Damage Hair?
If you don’t know if your hair is dry or damaged, you can do this easy elasticity test.
Pluck a strand of wet hair from your head and gently pull the strand at both ends. If the hair doesn’t or hardly stretch before it breaks then you know your hair is damaged. When your hair stretches but it doesn’t return to its original length your hair is dry. You have healthy hair when it stretches by about one third before returning to its original length.
What Is The Difference Between Vegan And Cruelty-Free?
Cruelty-free means a product and its ingredients haven’t been tested on animals. Vegan means a product doesn’t contain animal-derived ingredients. A product can be cruelty-free and not vegan as well a product can be vegan and not cruelty-free.
