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Hydrating cleansers for wash day.

There’s nothing a dry scalp can’t ruin. Perhaps, you have flakes falling onto your shoulders that leave friends saying, “Is it snowing outside?” Or maybe your scalp is so dry and irritated that the slightest bit of sun exposure can leave your head burning and in need of protection. Whatever the case, a hydrated scalp is a healthy scalp, and good thing there are some ultra-moisturizing shampoos on the market that can come to your aid.

When it comes to a dry scalp, a number of factors can cause added irritation, so it’s important to stay hydrated and make sure you are caring for your strands. Opting for a hydrating shampoo that helps get down to the bottom of the irritation is a great place to start. For the ultimate moisture boost, scroll on and check out 13 of the best hydrating shampoos that you can add to your cart right now.

Nolé takes plastic out of the situation entirely with their planet-friendly shampoo and conditioner bars, all packed with batana oil which promotes hair growth. Their sensitive skin set is developed for…well, sensitive skin. Packed with baobab and coconut oil, this fragrance-free shampoo bar will leave your scalp feeling clean and hydrated, without any sort of sulfate stripping.

Packed with argan oil and hemp oil, this cleanser will leave your scalp feeling hydrated and your strands looking shiny. Pair with the Design.Me Gloss.Me Hair Conditioner for the ultimate moisture boost.

Oribe’s Serene Scalp Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is formulated with salicylic acid to balance the scalp and prevent future flaking. While the shampoo is gentle and soothing, it still lathers up well for a luxurious hair washing experience.

Formulated for curl types 3A to 4C, this milky wash has a light consistency meant to gently cleanse and hydrate strands. Argan oil, aloe vera juice, and lemon tea tree oil all work to moisturize and balance the scalp. Reviewers note it combats dry scalp and flakiness.

This African black soap shampoo clarifies the scalp so you feel clean and fresh, while vitamin B5 and natural oils work to hydrate and soothe. Black cumin and peppermint work to soothe scalp irritation, while tea tree oil removes buildup. Reviewers note the peppermint provides a tingly sensation, kind of like a spa treatment at home.

After just one use, the Ceremonia Papaya Scalp Scrub will become one of your holy grail products. Once a week, instead of your normal shampoo, opt for this hydrating scrub to remove all of the buildup, while providing a bit of nourishment. Plus, it smells insanely yummy. Try washing with Ceremonia’s Scalp Massager for the ultimate scalp refresh.

If your scalp just doesn’t know what to do with itself, sometimes it’s dry, sometimes it’s oily, then this balancing shampoo is the one for you. It is formualated to cleanse and hydrate at the same time to reset your scalp’s pH and leave your strands shiny. It’s especially great for those who dye their hair blonde or experience excessive product build up.

Give your strands the gift of moisture with the color-safe JVN Nurture Hydrating Shampoo. Squalane and hemi-squalane help to nourish the hair and promote stronger strands in the future, while aloe leaf juice will calm any scalp irritation.

Keep things simple with Crown Affair’s The Ritual Shampoo. Formulated with a coconut surfactant system, this shampoo gently cleanses the scalp without causing dryness or stripping the hair of shine. Tsubaki seed oil packs a punch of hydration to revive lifeless strands.

This ultra-hydrating cleanser from R+Co Bleu is packed with ingredients like maracuja and argan oil to not only hydrate and nourish your hair but also to repair damage and minimize the appearance of split ends. After using this shampoo once, hair feels softer and appears less frizzy.

If your dry scalp is accompanied by itching and flaking, it may be time to opt for an anti-dandruff shampoo. This one from First Aid Beauty uses pyrithione zinc to stop dandruff in its tracks. It is also packed with calendula and vitamin E to leave your strands shiny and your scalp hydrated.

A hydrated scalp is a happy scalp! While this shampoo will cleanse your scalp and strands, it won’t leave your hair feeling stripped or dry. Reviewers note it is ultra-hydrating, perfect for waves and curls.

For a moisture boost, lather the Briogeo Super Moisture Shampoo into your hair, focusing on the scalp to remove build-up while added hydration. Plus, this shampoo is perfect for maintaining curls and waves.

Dr. Ife Rodney, Board Certified Dermatologist

Dr. Cheri Frey, Board Certified Dermatologist

Diana Cohen, Founder of Crown Affair

A dry scalp “is caused by a loss of the natural oils that moisturize the scalp. This can occur for a myriad of reasons,” explains Dr. Rodney. She says factors may include a change in your environment (maybe the weather), stress, aging, over-washing, contact dermatitis (a reaction to a product), or a skin condition like eczema or psoriasis. Cohen notes the scalp is often dryer during the winter, so opting for hydrating, nourishing products during the colder months is always a good idea.

Dr. Frey explains a dry scalp is often attributed to seborrheic dermatitis, aka our worst enemy: dandruff. Dandruff is basically caused by a yeast called malassezia that occurs on the scalp and eats up the healthy oils, leaving you with a dry scalp and lots of flakes.

Dr. Rodney says there are some precautions we can take to ensure our scalps stay hydrated and healthy. She recommends drinking lots of water, managing your stress levels, avoiding harsh hair products, using a humidifier to add some moisture back into your environment, and if irritation persists or something seems abnormal, see a dermatologist.

Cohen recommends opting for something gentle and avoiding harsh sulfates which strip your hair of oils and shine. “Most shampoos in this country use a detergent-based surfactant system like sulfates or PEGs,” she says. “This type of cleansing system is what you see in 90s shampoo commercials—excessive lather and that squeaky clean feel. I know it can make you feel super clean, but it’s over-stripping your scalp of all the good, healthy oils in the process. I recommend a naturally-derived surfactant system for cleansing.”

Dr. Frey recommends looking for a shampoo with zinc pyrithione, which helps to stop dandruff in its tracks and remove excess flaking. Dr. Rodney likes formulas with salicylic acid, which “promotes cell turnover, reducing flaking and redness.” Salicylic acid and other exfoliants like glycolic acid can help to remove buildup on the scalp so you can start fresh. Rodney also recommends avocado oil, argan oil, aloe vera, pantothenic acid, and oatmeal to provide a boost of hydration.

“It’s important to keep the scalp hydrated and nourished—like a garden, you want to take care of the soil to keep the environment thriving,” says Cohen. She recommends opting for a hyaluronic acid scalp serum for added moisture and trying out peppermint or tea tree oil for a dry, itchy scalp. Simply apply the oil to your scalp like a spot treatment to help with irritation.