Best shampoo for dry curly hair

Why it works

Sulfate-free and gentle cleansing

Shampoos clean with surfactants. Strong anionic types such as lauryl sulfates remove oil very well but can over-clean, leaving hair rough, dull and frizzier, which matters most for dry, curly or chemically treated hair. Milder amphoteric and nonionic cleansers remove less oil, and dermatology reviews suggest mild, neutral pH shampoos for dyed or permed hair. The evidence is mainly mechanism and expert opinion: one review notes there are no published analyses of how well sulfate-free shampoos perform. Dermatologists also advise applying shampoo to the scalp rather than the lengths and conditioning after washing. People with very oily scalps may still do better with a stronger cleanser.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin (humectants)

Humectants are moisturizer ingredients that draw water into the outer layer of skin and hold it there. Glycerin is regarded as the most effective humectant for hydrating the skin surface. Hyaluronic acid, a molecule the skin also makes naturally, is another humectant that dermatologists list for dry skin. Used on their own, humectants can pull water out of the skin into dry air and may even increase water loss, which is why well-made moisturizers pair them with occlusive ingredients that seal water in. They work best applied to damp skin after bathing.