11 Best shampoos for breakage

If you’re experiencing hair breakage or damage, it’s time to add some restorative hair care into your life. Healthy hair, as many say, starts at the scalp. So a moisturizing hair mask or protein treatment can make a difference, but everyday progress begins with a quality shampoo. We’ve highlighted 11 of the best shampoos for breakage below to add strength and shine back to over-styled, stressed strands.

But first, how do you know if you need a shampoo for damaged hair?

Signs Your Hair Is Damaged

Many factors can cause hair damage. Everything from hot tools (like blow dryers and curling irons) to bleach and color treatments to tight hairstyles contribute to hair breakage and damage. But sometimes, it’s not that obvious what classifies as damaged hair or not. Below, we’re sharing some of the top signs of hair damage.

Split Ends

If you have long hair, you’re probably familiar with split ends, which occur when the tips of your hair fray or physically split apart into two or more sections. You’ll usually see them at the ends of strands, but they can travel up the hair shaft. Getting regular haircuts and using hydrating, breakage-preventative products are the best ways to prevent this type of hair damage.

Hair Loss and Thinning

Perhaps one of the most traumatizing signs of hair damage is excessive hair loss or shedding. The average person sheds anywhere from 50 to 100 strands a day; anything over 150 strands is considered excessive hair loss. If you have weakened or damaged hair (which could be caused by a lack of protein), then you might lose more hair than normal when you wash, brush, or go about your daily routines.

Breakage

Breakage differs from hair loss in that you aren’t losing the entire strand. Rather, the hair lacks elasticity and is prone to breaking off wherever vulnerable. Breakage is common in those who use frequent heat styling or harsh coloring treatments like bleach.

You can test your hair’s elasticity by gently pulling on a single strand. If the strand remains strong with some bounce and stretch, then it’s healthy. Damaged, unhealthy hair doesn’t have the ability to stretch and will break off under pressure.

Frizziness

Some flyaways and frizz are normal, but excessive frizziness might be a sign your hair is damaged. Frizz often indicates that your hair is dehydrated, while having a lot of flyaways (short strands broken off by the root) might be a sign of breakage.

Dryness and Dullness

This common sign of hair damage is pretty straightforward. Dryness, dullness, or brittleness occurs when your hair is in desperate need of moisture. Dullness can also signify that your hair is heat damaged, indicating that the hair cuticles aren’t as shiny as they should be.

Rough, Coarse Texture

If you run your hands through your hair and are met with a rough, coarse texture, this could mean your hair is damaged. This won’t be true for all hair types, as some people have naturally coarser locks. But if your hair texture has shifted from smooth to rough, that’s when you should take notice.

Too Many Tangles

Thought tangly hair was normal? It can actually be a sign of damaged, breakage-prone hair. Here’s why: Our hair cuticles look sort of like the shingles on a roof. When hair is healthy, the outer layer of the hair shaft lies flat with the others. When hair is dry and damaged, those “shingles” are much more likely to be raised, making it easier for strands to tangle and form knots.

What Is the Best Shampoo for Breakage?

The top shampoos for treating hair breakage and repairing damaged strands boast a curated cocktail of hydrating, strengthening, protective, and moisturizing ingredients. Ready to find out the best shampoos for damaged hair? Keep scrolling.

Now for the 11 best shampoos for breakage.

1. Blu Atlas Shampoo

When you have damaged hair, you’ll want to prioritize gentle yet effective formulations. Our best shampoo for breakage is one made for all hair types and textures with damaged hair, meaning anyone can enjoy healthier strands after just one use. This anti-breakage shampoo is none other than the Shampoo by Blu Atlas.

99% of the ingredients found within the Shampoo come from natural origins—we’re talking plants, fruits, minerals, and all things grown from the earth, so you can feel confident that the shampoo won’t cause more hair damage or breakage. We’re on the mend here. More specifically, the formula is vegan, cruelty free, and free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and synthetic fragrances.

Formulated with fortifying hair ingredients like saw palmetto, vegan biotin, and aloe vera, this anti-breakage shampoo makes strands stronger and more resistant over time. It also includes hydrolyzed jojoba protein, one of the best ingredients for repairing damaged hair. Mild coconut surfactants ensure you get a clean wash every time by flushing away dirt, oil, and grime without stripping your hair of its protective oils. Pair it with the Blu Atlas Conditioner for a healthy hair dream team.

Price: $25 | Size: 8 oz | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Vegan Biotin, Aloe Vera, Saw Palmetto, Jojoba Protein, Coconut-Derived Surfactants

2. Kérastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte Strengthening Shampoo

As one of the top-rated shampoos for hair damage and breakage, there’s little this shampoo can’t do. It utilizes a Pro-Keratine Complex, which is essentially a potent blend of amino acids and proteins that rebuild and strengthen damaged hair fibers, including split ends. Ceramides restore lost moisture, so brittle hair has shine, strength, and elasticity. Resurrection plant sap brings dull, damaged hair back to life by boosting hydration and smoothing frizz.

Users swear by this luxury shampoo, saying it helps make hair more manageable and less prone to breakage. It even smells high-end. Hair salon at home, anyone? Plus, the formula is extra concentrated, so a little goes a long way.

Price: $35 | Size: 8.5 ounces | Clean: No | Sulfate-Free: No | Key Ingredients: Ceramides, Amino Acids, Resurrection Plant Sap, Salicylic Acid

3. JVN Undamage Strengthening Shampoo

Coming in hot from JVN’s Undamage Collection is their Strengthening Shampoo. Bottled is everything you want in a clean, everyday shampoo: gentle cleansers, a rich lather, and a fortifying formula that caters to dry, damaged, delicate hair. Partly what makes this shampoo so incredible is its use of sugarcane-derived hemisqualane.

This patented, award-winning ingredient instantly improves hair health by moisturizing without weighing hair down, reducing damage, preventing future breakage, and enhancing hair shine and smoothness in a way only silicones have in the past. But that’s not all. The reparative formula also includes ceramides to seal split ends and jojoba esters to fill in cracks and increase hair strength.

A subtle yet vibrant scent of bergamot, summer fruits, amber, and warm woods ensures your hair won’t just look good—it will smell good too. Considering you get 10 fluid ounces of product, the price tag is really reasonable.

Price: $21 | Size: 10 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Hemisqualane, Ceramides, Jojoba Esters, Aloe Vera, Coconut-Derived Surfactants

4. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo

For a mane that’s extremely damaged, there’s the No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo. This beloved Olaplex product helps you get your softest, shiniest, healthiest hair with a patented bond-repairing technology that goes deep within the hair follicle to strengthen strands on a molecular level. The result: more manageable hair that’s protected from everyday stresses.

There are hydrators like glycerin, panthenol, and sodium hyaluronate that keep the hair shaft hydrated and flexible. Hydrolyzed vegetable protein conditions and reinforces hair, while botanical extracts from sources like banana, rosemary, and pomegranate support healthy hair. In addition to being color safe and sulfate free, the formula is pH balanced and won’t strip your scalp or strands of necessary oils.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best shampoos for breakage. However, we only recommend this for users with severely damaged strands since using it on healthy hair can cause protein overload, leaving hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage.

Price: $30 | Size: 8.5 ounces | Clean: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Patented Bond Builder, Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein, Glycerin, Panthenol

5. Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo

Stressed-out strands will love the Don’t Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Shampoo by Briogeo. Its ultra-hydrating formulation works on replenishing lost moisture, something damaged hair desperately needs, while still giving a thorough clean. It does so with ingredients like shea butter, rosehip oil, and panthenol that boost elasticity and moisture retention. The added biotin supplies body to the hair shaft and volumizes limp strands.

Nutrient-dense algae extract is also part of the party, providing the reparative vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants damaged hair needs to thrive. This product is also formulated with 95% naturally derived ingredients, leaving harsh sulfates, parabens, and phthalates behind. This is a must-try for those struggling with dryness and frizz. The price might seem steep, but it is the biggest bottle on our list.

Price: $39 | Size: 16 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Biotin, Algae Extract, Panthenol, Rosehip Oil, Shea Butter

6. Virtue Recovery Shampoo

Powered by Alpha Keratin 60ku, the Virtue Recovery Shampoo helps strengthen and reconstruct broken, damaged hair. This first-of-its-kind shampoo puts pure human keratin protein (the primary protein in our hair, skin, and nails) right into the hair strands, binding directly to damaged areas and rebuilding where it counts.

The rich, peach-colored liquid creates a luxurious lather, cleaning the hair and scalp by dissolving daily buildup and whisking away dirt and excess oil. It also features hydrolyzed quinoa, a complete plant-based protein that is amazing for enhancing shine, color, and moisture retention. Baobab seed oil deeply hydrates, and grapefruit extract—high in vitamin C—gives dull hair its shine back. This is a brilliant option for those struggling with hair loss and thinning, but it’s also worth checking out if you regularly style with heat and chemicals.

The scent is clean, fresh, and full of wood, citrus, and coconut notes. (If you’re not a fan of coconut, the smell might not be for you.)

Price: $40 | Size: 8 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Grapefruit Extract, Baobab Seed Oil, Keratin

7. Fekkai Super Strength+ Hair Strengthening Shampoo

Brittle hair? It’s time to super strength it with Fekkai’s Hair Strengthening Shampoo. First, this sulfate-free shampoo uses a scientifically proven PowerBond complex (which goes deep into the hair fibers to repair broken bonds) to mend 56% of split ends and create 3x stronger hair after just one use. Second, it utilizes some of nature’s finest oils and vitamins to smooth strands and prevent splitting.

Coconut oil fights frizziness,vitamin-rich jojoba oil prevents future breakage, and rapeseed oil zips up split ends. Super Strength+ also includes vitamins B5 and E, a strengthening duo that soothes the scalp and seals in moisture. The formula lathers really nicely without stripping your hair of necessary moisture, resulting in a more manageable mane.

Price: $28 | Size: 8.5 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Coconut-Derived Surfactants, Rapeseed Oil, Coconut Oil, Vitamin B5, Jojoba Oil

8. Pureology Strength Cure Shampoo

This shampoo is a bestseller for a reason: It cleans, strengthens, and softens breakage-prone hair with an impressive blend of natural ingredients and innovative technology. The formula strengthens hair from the inside out with plant-based protein Keravis, while potent antioxidant Astaxanthin helps heal past, present, and future damage. Salicylic acid removes flakes and supports a clean scalp. And camelina oil, a scalp-friendly seed oil with 10x more fatty acid content than other oils, promotes hair growth.

Thin, thick, straight, wavy, coily, or curly—it doesn’t matter what hair type you have. This strengthening shampoo works on all hair types and textures. It’s a great pick for bleached or color-treated hair since it’s infused with a patented antioxidant protection complex that fights off damaging environmental stressors for a vibrant, long-lasting color payoff.

Price: $36 | Size: 9 ounces | Clean: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Keravis, Antioxidants, Astaxanthin, Camelina Oil, Salicylic Acid

9. Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Sulfate Free Shampoo

The Monoi Repairing Sulfate-Free Shampoo cleanses with ultra-gentle coconut-derived surfactants that keep fragile, damaged hair in mind. Monoi oil, the potent star of the show here, is derived from a centuries-old recipe that infuses Tahitian gardenia petals in pure coconut oil to blossom new benefits. The oil is similar to coconut oil in that it moisturizes, controls frizz, and strengthens dry, damaged hair.

For the scalp, monoi oil has other benefits: it combats flaking, itching, dryness, and inflammation. This shampoo for dry, damaged hair also includes hibiscus extract, which helps detangle strands, so you’re less prone to breakage when brushing. While this shampoo is formulated for all hair types, it’s especially great for those with coils, curls, or relaxed styles.

Price: $21 | Size: 8.5 ounces | Clean: No | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Monoi Oil, Coconut-Derived Surfactants, Coconut Oil, Vitamin E, Hibiscus Extract

10. Amika The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo

If we’re being real here, there is no magic cure for damaged hair; it takes a lot of time and commitment to grow back strong, shiny strands. That said, Amika’s The Kure Bond Repair Shampoo for damaged hair is bound to set you on the right track. It’s one of the best shampoos for breakage because the formula doesn’t just focus on repairing current damage but also prevents future damage with its innovative bond cure technology.

The technology targets the bonds where most hair damage happens, strengthening and repairing those broken-down strands. It promises to promote 7x more repair, 55% less breakage, and 2x stronger hair after just one use, thanks to an abundance of vegan proteins and plant butters rich in amino acids that boast keratin-like benefits. The Kure is formulated for all hair types but is especially great for high porosity hair and strands suffering from too many heat and chemical treatments.

Price: $24 | Size: 9.2 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Amino Acids, Sea Buckthorn Oil, Shea Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Borage Seed Oil

11. Aveda Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo

Aveda has a long-held and well-earned spot amongst the best haircare brands, and the bestselling Botanical Repair Strengthening Shampoo cements that ranking even more. This silicone- and sulfate-free shampoo gently cleanses the scalp and strands to remove excess oil, product buildup, pollution, and other grime that damages hair.

Plant-based powerhouses such as avocado oil, Sacha Inchi seed oil, and green tea seed oil nourish strands from root to tip with beneficial antioxidants, vitamin E, and omega fatty acids, so hair grows back stronger. They also have a conditioning, softening effect that boosts the hair’s natural shine. The words “repair” and “strengthening” are in its name, so if you’re trying to get your hair healthy and strong again, add this one to your lineup.

Price: $36 | Size: 6.7 ounces | Clean: Yes | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Key Ingredients: Coconut-Derived Surfactants, Avocado Oil, Green Tea Seed Oil, Propanediol, Sacha Inchi Seed Oil

What to Look for in a Shampoo for Dry, Damaged Hair

Quality Ingredients

Ingredients are what make up the entirety of your shampoo, so if you’re shopping for a shampoo for dry, damaged hair, be sure to choose formulas made from high-quality ingredients. Look for moisturizing emollients like plant oils and butters (we love jojoba oil, squalane, coconut oil, and shea butter) that condition and soften strands. Damaged hair greatly benefits from protein-rich ingredients.

If a shampoo features a patented bond-repairing complex? Amazing. If not, strengthening ingredients like biotin, vitamin B5, and keratin also do the job, repairing the hair strand and preventing breakage.

In addition to the ingredients your shampoo has, scope out what the formula doesn’t have. Damaged hair is ultra-delicate, so the ingredients you put on your head should be too. Skip formulas with harsh sulfates, silicones, parabens, and phthalates, which cause more damage.

Sulfate Free

If you have damaged, breakage-prone hair, seek out sulfate-free shampoos. Sulfates such as sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sulfate, and ammonium lauryl sulfate are commonly used in shampoos because they’re effective at washing away dirt, oil, and buildup. But they’re almost too effective.

These surfactants can be too harsh for hair that’s dry, brittle, damaged, or prone to breakage. They can even be too stripping for curly, textured hair. So if hair damage is a concern of yours, find a sulfate-free option. Most of the shampoos on our list are formulated without aggressive sulfates and are just as effective at cleansing.

Hair Type

A shampoo might tick off all your boxes: quality ingredients, high-tech formula, good price point, etc. But if it doesn’t work for your hair type, you’ll never reap the results it promises. With that said, it’s essential to know your hair type and texture when shopping for any hair care product, especially shampoo.

If you have thick, curly, texturized hair, you want a shampoo that is moisturizing enough for your strands. For finer hair types, you may be more prone to oil, so go for a lightweight clarifying shampoo that won’t weigh your hair down.

Protection

To help repair current breakage and prevent future damage, look for shampoos with protective qualities. This could be antioxidants or a patented complex that protects strands from environmental triggers like pollution, UV damage, free radicals, and wind.

Color-Safe Formula

If you have color-treated hair, this needs to be a requirement in your shampoo. Color-safe formulas are those that don’t have any harsh chemicals (like sulfates or alcohols) that cause your hair to fade faster. Some color-safe formulas will also contain moisturizing and protective elements that keep your color intact for longer.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best shampoo for breakage?

The best shampoo for hair breakage is the Shampoo by Blu Atlas. Derived from 99% natural origins, this vegan shampoo gently cleanses and restores dry, brittle hair with hydrating, strengthening ingredients that nourish root to tip.

How often should you shampoo damaged hair?

How often you need to shampoo differs from person to person, depending on hair type, texture, and activity levels. For thinner, more oily hair types, washing every three days or so with a gentle, anti-breakage shampoo can help remove buildup and replenish moisture. Thick, coarse, dry hair types can wash every five days or more with a mild shampoo since this gives ample time for your natural oils to moisturize scalp and strands. Using different hair products can also change how often you need to shampoo, but avoid over-washing, which cause more damage.

Why is my hair damaged?

Unfortunately, there isn’t an easy answer to this question. Hair damage can come from many different factors, including some that aren’t easy to control, like roaming around a pollution-filled city or living in a dry, cold climate. Other common factors contributing to hair damage and breakage include excessive heat styling, hard water, over-washing, over-processing with bleach, and using hair products with too much protein and keratin.

Can damaged hair be repaired?

Yes and no. Our hair, unlike our skin, is not a living tissue and cannot regenerate and fix damage itself. A lot of times, once hair damage is done, it’s done. But not forever! Some milder types of hair damage can be mended with quality products and a great routine, though it may take some time (hair transformations rarely happen overnight).

For other forms of damage like extreme breakage or split ends, often the best course of action is to get regular trims and wait for the hair to grow back. That’s why it’s also important to take actionable steps toward better hair health, like using a great shampoo and minimizing damage-causing activities, so that you can prevent future damage.

How do I care for damaged hair?

Damaged hair is fragile, so keep that in mind whenever you are brushing, washing, or styling. Some tips for caring for damaged hair include washing hair with a gentle cleanser in lukewarm water, using a reparative conditioner or hair mask, using heat protectant whenever styling, and drying wet hair in a microfiber towel. It’s also important to note that our hair is most delicate when wet, so never use a hairbrush on damp hair. If you need to, use a wide tooth comb to gently detangle.

How long does it take to repair damaged hair?

High-quality shampoos and hair treatments can repair some of the damage in one or a few uses and are incredibly beneficial for speeding up progress. But depending on how severe the hair damage is, real progress can take anywhere from six months to a year.