Best 16 Shampoos For Damaged Curly Hair Of 2024: For Maximum Effectiveness

Medically reviewed by Dr. Amy Revene M.B.B.S.
Written by Our Editorial Team
Last updated

Curly hair, with its unique texture and structure, requires specialized care, particularly when it's damaged. As we step into 2024, the haircare industry has evolved, bringing forth an array of shampoos designed specifically for damaged curly hair. 

These products not only promise to cleanse but also deeply nourish, repair, and rejuvenate those beautiful curls. In this blog post, we're excited to delve into the best 16 shampoos for damaged curly hair of 2024. 

Each one has been carefully selected for its effectiveness, ingredient quality, and ability to cater to the unique needs of curly hair. 

From luxurious, salon-grade formulas to eco-friendly and sustainable options, our list is curated to help you find the perfect match for your hair's needs. 

Let's embark on this journey to discover the ideal shampoo that will bring your curls back to life with vigor and shine!

What causes damage to curly hair?

Damage to curly hair is often caused by factors such as excessive heat styling, chemical treatments (like coloring and relaxing), harsh hair care products, environmental stressors (like UV rays and pollution), and mechanical stress from tight hairstyles or rough handling. 

Additionally, curly hair is naturally more prone to dryness due to its structure, making it more susceptible to damage. Regular hydration and gentle care are crucial for maintaining the health of curly hair.

16 best shampoos for damaged curly hair

Here are the 16 best shampoos for damaged curly hair in 2024, each offering unique benefits to revive, nourish, and enhance your curls.

1. Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo

best shampoo for damaged curly hair

Scandinavian Biolabs' Hair Strength Shampoo stands out for its nature-inspired formulation, crafted to enhance the strength and vitality of your hair. 

This shampoo is designed to tackle excessive sebum production, promoting a balanced and healthy scalp. Its key focus is on strengthening hair, which it achieves through a carefully selected blend of ingredients. 

Each active ingredient in this shampoo has undergone a rigorous scientific review to ensure its effectiveness. 

The result is a product that not only cleanses but also fortifies your hair, leaving it feeling fresh and vibrant. Its dermatologically-tested formula, made in Denmark, boasts a refreshing eucalyptus aroma that elevates the washing experience.

Hair Strength Shampoo | For Women
Hair Strength Shampoo | For Women
Aims to cleanse gently while helping to reduce excess oil and balance scalp

2. Pattern Beauty Bounce Back Pre-Shampoo

Pattern Beauty Bounce Back Pre-Shampoo

Pattern Beauty's Bounce Back Pre-Shampoo offers an innovative approach to protecting your curls before you even start washing. 

This pre-poo treatment combines nourishing butters and oils to lock in moisture, combating the dryness typically caused by shampooing. 

It's also enriched with proteins to strengthen your hair over time. Apply it to dry hair, focusing on the roots and ends, and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes before rinsing with cool water and proceeding with your regular shampoo routine. 

This product is a game-changer for keeping your curls hydrated and healthy.

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3. Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo

Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo

The Curl Talk Bond Building Shampoo from Not Your Mother's is a must-have for those with color-treated or chemically processed curls. Its amino acid-rich formula works to repair broken bonds in the hair, restoring strength and resilience. 

What sets it apart is its silicone-free composition, relying instead on avocado oil to tame flyaways without weighing down your curls. Incorporate it into your monthly hair care regimen to see a significant improvement in texture and health.

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4. Function of Beauty Pro Bond Repair Custom Shampoo 

Function of Beauty Pro Bond Repair Custom Shampoo

Function of Beauty brings a customizable experience with its Pro Bond Repair Custom Shampoo. The base formula, packed with amino acids, helps reinforce hair structure. 

You can then tailor the shampoo with additives that cater to your specific needs, such as enhancing curl definition or adding shine. 

Key ingredients include alanine, panthenol, and sodium PCA, ensuring a sulfate-free, nourishing wash every time.

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5. Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo

Design Essentials Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo

For those with looser curls that easily get weighed down, Design Essentials' Natural Almond & Avocado Shampoo is an excellent choice. 

It effectively removes product build up using gentle, sulfate-free surfactants. 

The inclusion of almond and avocado oils ensures your curls remain hydrated and bouncy, free from the heaviness of residues.

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6. Sienna Naturals HAPI Shampoo

Sienna Naturals HAPI Shampoo

Colored curls require extra care, and Sienna Naturals' HAPI Shampoo delivers just that. Its gentle formula cleanses the scalp and hair while preserving moisture. 

Ingredients like aloe vera and baobab seed oil help maintain vibrant color and prevent dullness, making it an ideal choice for those with dyed curls.

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7. Twist Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo

Twist Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo

Twist's Hit Reset Light Clarifying Shampoo understands the occasional need for a deeper clean. Formulated with sulfates to tackle silicone and wax buildup, it ensures your curls stay light and voluminous. 

But fear not—it's also infused with jojoba oil and aloe vera to offset any potential dryness, making it a balanced choice for a monthly deep cleanse.

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8. The Doux Bee-Girl Ladies’ First Shampoo

The Doux Bee-Girl Ladies’ First Shampoo

For those with very dry and brittle curls, The Doux's Bee-Girl Ladies’ First Shampoo is a dream. Packed with hydrating ingredients like honey and hyaluronic acid, plus silk amino acids for strength, this shampoo delivers intense moisture and repair. 

It's potent, so a once or twice-a-week application is sufficient, followed by a deep conditioner to maximize benefits.

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9. Ouidad Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo

Ouidad Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo

Ouidad's Climate Control Defrizzing Shampoo is a boon for curls battling humidity. Its anti-frizz nano-technology, enriched with silk protein, acts as a barrier against humidity, helping to maintain your hair's natural moisture. 

The formula also includes a blend of shea butter, murumuru butter, and ceramides, ensuring the hair cuticle remains smooth and frizz-free. 

This shampoo is an excellent choice for those seeking to keep their curls defined and free from frizz, regardless of the weather conditions. 

The result is beautifully smooth curls that are resistant to the challenges of humidity.

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10. Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo

Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo

Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Shampoo stands out as an affordable yet effective solution for curly hair. 

Despite its budget-friendly price, it offers the benefits of high-end products, being sulfate-free, silicone-free, and paraben-free. 

Its nourishing formula contains coconut, macadamia, and jojoba oils, along with proteins and B vitamins, ensuring your curls remain healthy and well-maintained. 

This shampoo is perfect for those looking for a cost-effective option without compromising on quality, delivering healthy, nourished curls every wash.

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11. L'Oréal Paris Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo

best shampoo for damaged curly hair

L'Oréal Paris's Evercurl HydraCharge Shampoo is specially designed for curly hair, free from sulfates, harsh salts, and surfactants. 

It includes coconut oil for essential hydration, ensuring that the formula remains light and doesn't weigh down your hair. 

This shampoo not only enhances shine and smooths flyaways but also offers remarkable curl definition for up to 48 hours when used with its corresponding conditioner and treatment.

 Ideal for those seeking long-lasting, defined curls without the harshness of traditional ingredients.

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12. Leonor Greyl Paris Shampooing Reviviscence

Leonor Greyl Paris Shampooing Reviviscence

Leonor Greyl's Shampooing Reviviscence is a luxurious choice for revitalizing curly hair. This premium shampoo focuses on repairing and restructuring hair from within, enhancing strength and manageability. 

It utilizes natural ingredients like amaranth extract and sea lavender, known for their hydrating properties. 

This shampoo is perfect for those willing to invest in a high-quality product that delivers deep nourishment and revitalization to curly hair.

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13. Pantene PRO-V Curl Perfection Shampoo

Pantene PRO-V Curl Perfection Shampoo

Pantene's PRO-V Curl Perfection Shampoo is a great value-for-money option, offering a large, 530-mL bottle. 

Infused with a delightful scent of wild berries, fresh florals, and creamy vanilla, this nutrient-rich shampoo transforms dry, frizzy curls into hydrated, defined ones. 

It’s an excellent choice for those who prefer a combination of effective care and an upscale sensory experience for their curls.

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14. Noughty Haircare Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo

Noughty Haircare Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo

For those with fine hair, Noughty Haircare's Wave Hello Curl Defining Shampoo is a must-try. This silicone-free shampoo is made with sea kelp, chlorella extract, and avocado oil, providing intense nourishment without heaviness. 

Its vegan formula, rich in vitamins and antioxidants, enhances suppleness, smoothness, and shine, making it ideal for achieving bouncier, shinier curls without weighing them down.

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15. SheaMoisture Papaya and Neroli Frizz Control Shampoo

SheaMoisture Papaya and Neroli Frizz Control Shampoo

SheaMoisture's Papaya and Neroli Frizz Control Shampoo is a superb choice for managing frizzy curls. 

Combining papaya, neroli, elderflower, and shea butter, it gently cleanses while providing effective frizz control. 

Suitable for dry or weakened curls, this moisturizing yet lightweight shampoo is also color-safe and sulfate-free, offering a holistic solution for smooth, well-defined curls.

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16. Holy Curls Shampoo

Holy Curls Shampoo

Holy Curls Shampoo is a celebration of plant-based, natural ingredients tailored for curly hair. Its gentle cleansing action respects the natural integrity of curls without stripping away essential moisture. 

The formula is enriched with baobab seed oil, renowned for its high omega fatty acid content, which deeply nourishes the hair. 

Cupuaçu butter is another star ingredient, known for its ability to smooth the hair and lock in moisture, ensuring your curls stay hydrated and glossy. Aloe vera leaf juice adds a shine-enhancing touch. 

Beyond its hair benefits, this shampoo is also a sensory delight, thanks to its spa-like scent composed of sweet orange, bergamot, and ginger essential oils. 

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What to look for in a shampoo for damaged curly hair

When selecting a shampoo for damaged curly hair, it's crucial to choose a product that not only cleanses but also nourishes and repairs your delicate curls. 

Look for shampoos that provide deep hydration, enhance curl definition, and strengthen hair structure. 

Key features to consider include:

  • Hydrating ingredients: Curly hair tends to be drier, so ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and argan oil are essential for moisture.
  • Protein-enriched: Ingredients like keratin or silk protein can help repair and strengthen damaged hair strands.
  • Sulfate-free: Sulfates can strip natural oils from hair, so opt for sulfate-free shampoos to keep curls moisturized.
  • Paraben-free and silicone-free: These ingredients can build up on hair, weighing down curls and potentially causing more damage.
  • Gentle cleansers: Look for shampoos with mild surfactants to clean without stripping hair of its natural oils.
  • Natural oils and butters: These ingredients help to deeply nourish and protect the hair.
  • Anti-frizz properties: For curly hair, anti-frizz ingredients help in keeping curls defined and smooth.
  • pH-Balanced: A balanced pH level helps maintain the hair's natural integrity and moisture balance.
  • No harsh chemicals: Avoid shampoos with harsh chemicals that can exacerbate hair damage.
  • Specific for curly hair: Choose a formula specifically designed for curly hair types to ensure the needs of your curls are met.

A better approach for your overall hair health

hair growth serum

The Bio-Pilixin Serum offers an advanced solution for improving hair health and promoting growth. 

Utilizing stem cell technology, it includes plant growth factors that nourish hair follicles and stimulate scalp blood flow, essential for healthy hair. 

This serum's effectiveness is grounded in carefully selected, 100% vegan ingredients, validated by scientific research and third-party quality evaluations. 

Key components include Capilia Longa for reducing hair loss, Niacinamide for strengthening hair by boosting keratin production, and Vanillyl Butyl Ether for improving scalp circulation. 

This holistic, nature-inspired approach makes the Bio-Pilixin Serum a top choice for those seeking to enhance hair growth and strength.

Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum | For Women
Bio-Pilixin® Activation Serum | For Women
Drug-free & clinically tested

Conclusion

For those navigating the complex world of hair care for damaged curly hair, this carefully curated list of the top 16 shampoos of 2024 offers a beacon of hope. 

Each product, especially highlighted by the Scandinavian Biolabs Hair Strength Shampoo, is chosen for its gentle yet effective approach, free from harsh chemicals and rich in nourishing ingredients. 

Complementing these shampoos, the Bio-Pilixin Serum by Scandinavian Biolabs stands out for its innovative use of plant-based technologies, providing an all-encompassing regimen for healthier, more vibrant curls. 

Together, they represent the pinnacle of holistic hair care, embodying the best that 2024 has to offer for rejuvenating damaged curls.

FAQs

How can I treat my dry, damaged curly hair?

Use deep conditioners regularly, wrap hair in a microfiber towel after washing, apply leave-in treatments, use nourishing styling products, always use heat protection, try slow drying, and consider protective hairstyles.

Can damaged curly hair regain its curls?

Severely damaged hair cannot fully restore its original curl pattern until new growth occurs. Improving the health of existing hair is possible with proper care.

What are the signs of damaged curly hair?

Look for split ends, increased frizz, breakage, loss of curl definition, and a rough, dry texture.

References:

  1. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/280914267_Understanding_breakage_in_curly_hair 

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Dr Amy Revene M.B.B.S. graduated from the University of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates. She is currently working as a General Physician at New Hope Medical Center. Amy has a passion for research and offers her expertise and opinions to help people in their quest to lead healthy, happy lives.