5 hydrating shampoos that soothe and moisturise dry scalps

Suspicious that overzealous shampoo formulas have stripped your scalp of natural oils, leaving you with a dry, uncomfortable and even itchy feeling? This scenario is more common than you might think, and thankfully, it's also easily remedied.

As important as it is to cleanse and purify the scalp and hair of impurities and product build-up, that doesn't mean you should be using a shampoo that washes away everything.

Finding a shampoo that purifies and helps to retain the natural oils on your scalp (which help to protect the integrity of the scalp's microbiome and the hair follicle), and imparts a soothing swathe of hydrating ingredients to enhance shine, softness and manageability is a must.

From the supermarket to luxury beauty retailers, there's a shampoo for your dry scalp sitting on a shelf out there. Here are BEAUTYcrew's favourites in the category...

2024's Top 3 Best Shampoos For Dry Scalp

1. Olaplex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo, $42.12, Look Fantastic
2. Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo, $33.20, Adore Beauty
3. Redken All Soft Shampoo, $27.95, Kogan

Olaplex No 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo
from $42.12 at Look Fantastic

We can't talk about replenishing and revitalising the scalp and hair without mentioning Olaplex. The brand's shampoo boasts a gentle and hydrating formula that's all about nourishing and repairing the hair and scalp for healthy and happy strands.

Key features:

Gentle colour-safe and sulphate-free formula
Hydrates, nourishes and repairs
Reduces breakage, frizz and split ends
Detangles and smooths hair
Enhances softness and shine
pH balanced
Free from parabens, phosphates, and phthalates 

Available at:

• $42.12 from Look Fantastic
• $42.12 from RY
• $43.20 from Adore Beauty

Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo
from $33.20 at Adore Beauty

Utilising a nourishing and moisturising blend of argan oil, red algae, and vitamins A and E, this hydrating shampoo targets dehydrated and dry hair at the root, improving the condition and health of the hair and scalp in turn. 

Key features:

Enriched with argan oil, red algae, and vitamins A and E
Hydrates dehydrated and dry scalps and strands
Safe to use on coloured hair
Gentle enough for daily use
Sulphate, phosphate and paraben-free

Available at:

• $33.20 from Adore Beauty
• $41.50 from Look Fantastic
• $41.50 from Oz Hair & Beauty

Redken All Soft Shampoo
from $27.95 at Kogan

Dealing with a dry scalp and brittle, frizzy lengths? This next-level moisturising shampoo is infused with a protein complex that's the perfect weapon to have in your arsenal to target dryness at the roots, tips and at the core of the hair.

Key features:

Enriched with argan oil and RCT protein complex
Softens, nourishes and moisturises dry hair from root to tip
Enhances shine, manageability and softness
Targets brittle hair and frizz

Available at:

• $27.95 from Kogan
• $32.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $34.40 from Adore Beauty

OGX Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo
from $21.99 at Chemist Warehouse

Prefer to shop your shampoo at the supermarket? This budget-friendly buy uses frizz-smoothing coconut oil to nourish and replenish moisture for shiny, soft and lustrous strands. 

Key features:

Paraben-free
Uses sulphate-free surfactants
Infused with coconut oil, tiare flower extract and vanilla bean extract
Helps to smooth frizz and flyaways
Enhances shine, softness and lustre
Repairs damage

Available at:

• $21.99 from Chemist Warehouse
• $25 from Priceline
• $25 from Woolworths

Kérastase Nutritive Satin Shampoo for Dry Hair
from $45.60 at Adore Beauty

Infused with anti-dryness polymers, plant-based proteins, niacinamide and glycerin, this restorative pick from Kerastase provides dry hair with all the nutrients it needs to remain strong and healthy, without weighing it down. 

Key features:

Contains anti-dryness polymers, plant-based proteins, niacinamide and glycerin
Lightweight formula
Nutrient-dense shampoo replenishes and reinforces hair and scalp health
Deeply cleanses and moisturises
Creamy gel texture

Available at:

• $45.60 from Adore Beauty
• $57 from Oz Hair & Beauty

How can I hydrate my dry scalp and hair?

Although there are many hair masks and oils that will help to replenish moisture in your hair ritual, a hydrating shampoo is the best place to start. Moisturising shampoo formulas won't strip the hair of moisture and natural oils, helping to keep the hair looking and feeling healthy, and promoting a balanced scalp. 

Main image credit: @jastookes

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