These Affordable Drugstore Shampoos and Conditioners Work Wonders on Dry Hair

We updated this article in March 2023 to ensure all picks tested and vetted by the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab were in stock, available and reflected accurate pricing.

Choosing the best shampoo and matching hydrating conditioner that combats dryness comes with its trials and tribulations, namely cycling through options that may dry out your hair even more. In fact, more than 1,400 GH survey respondents said they look for a shampoo that moisturizes and hydrates above all else.

Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test shampoos for all hair types and needs from the best shampoos for gray and oily hair to custom shampoos and shampoo bars. To find the best shampoos for dry hair, our experts evaluated formulas in the Lab and with consumer testers to determine the ones that actually work to hydrate parched strands. After sifting through more than 5,000 data points, these are the best-tested shampoos for dry hair, developed alongside conditioners that are meant to get you the best moisturization and hydration possible. No doubt, there's one below that addresses any of your pressing needs, including drugstore and salon-grade shampoos for colored hair, itchy scalps and beyond.

Our top picks:

Keep in mind that dry hair is often rooted in "chemical damage from permanent coloring or relaxants, mechanical damage from grooming or heat damage from hot tools like curling wands and hair straighteners," all of which can affect the structure of your hair fibers, says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab chemist Danusia Wnek. Your hormones, age and ethnicity can also be factors. You can read more about how we evaluate shampoos for dry hair in our Lab and consumer tests — as well as shopping tips — at the end of this guide.