Hydration Mastery: Best Cleansers for Dry Skin & Scalp

Does your scalp feel like it’s throwing a tantrum, whether it’s dry, tight, or itchy? Chances are, your cleanser or shampoo is part of the problem. The “skinification” of hair care has happened for a reason – our scalp needs just as much love as our skin.

Finding the right shampoo for dry scalp comes down to formulas that cleanse gently, support your skin barrier and leave your hair feeling fresh, not stripped. We’ve shortlisted our cult faves that have earned their title for a reason: they deliver hydration while being ultra gentle on the skin. 

Let’s find your perfect match!

Sneak Peek

• Your scalp is skin too, and hydration starts with a cleanser that’s as gentle as it is effective.
• Philip Kingsley’s Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo is a derm-approved staple for sensitive scalps and post-colour dryness.
• Davines Calming Shampoo is a must-have for reactive scalps needing a gentle, soothing reset.
• Kérastase Bain Vital Dermo-Calm gives you that luxe lather and lightweight feel with extra hydration.
• Aveda Scalp Solutions Balancing Shampoo is your go-to if you’re stuck with the oily roots and dry ends.
• NAK’s Ultimate Cleanse detoxes without drying, while keeping moisture locked in.

1. Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo

Best for: Sensitive scalps that flake with harsh formulas.

Created by trichologists (aka scalp scientists), this shampoo for dry skin is a classic for good reason. Just like its name, the Philip Kingsley Flaky Itchy Scalp Shampoo clears flakiness and oil buildup, helping with itchiness without the typical crunch of other dandruff shampoos.

Its star ingredients include Lauryl Betaine, which cleanses without redness or irritation, and anti-microbial Piroctone Olamine for soothing properties. Plus, it’s colour-safe, perfect for those managing dryness after dye jobs or bleaching.

With a fresh apple fragrance, it’s gentle enough for daily use and pairs well with curly hair products and nourishing masks.

2. Davines Natural Tech Calming Shampoo

Best for: Stressed-out scalps in need of serious TLC.

If your scalp is red, irritated, or reactive, this one’s for you. Davines’ Natural Tech Calming Shampoo is all about comfort, with phytoceuticals extracted from blueberries that soothe sensitivity. Rich in polyphenols and sugars with a very high anti-inflammatory power, it’ll help restore calm to your strands and skin.

This is the best shampoo for dry skin when your scalp’s barrier is compromised (from weather, overwashing, or an overload of product). It’s also lightweight, free of parabens and sulphates, and layers beautifully with thick hair products.

3. Kérastase Spécifique Bain Vital Dermo-Calm

Best for: A luxurious clean that doesn’t strip or sting.

Kérastase is known for its high-performance haircare, and the Specifique Bain Vital Dermo-Calm delivers. A gentle but effective cleanse designed for sensitive scalps, it’s packed with cooling agents, botanical extracts, and is hypoallergenic. Featuring a silky texture that lathers exquisitely without drying out the skin, it gives hair a light, airy and effortless feel.

The essential ingredients that make this cleanser one you’ll keep reaching for include:

• Calophyllum Inophyllum Seed Oil, or Tamanu Oil, to calm scalp irritation with anti-inflammatory properties.
• Piroctone Olamine for keeping dandruff at bay with anti-fungal and anti-bacterial benefits.
• Glycerin, an excellent humectant to help your hair lock in moisture.
• Menthol to cool gently and stimulate the scalp to promote blood flow to hair follicles.

What makes it the best shampoo for dry scalp if you love sleek styling? It works flawlessly with frizzy hair products, smoothing creams, and even heat tools like curling wands, making it a staple for the ultimate low-maintenance routine.

4. Aveda Scalp Solutions Balancing Shampoo

Best for: Rebalancing oil and hydration levels in dry-but-fluctuating skin.

Oily roots and dry ends? Flaky scalp but greasy by day two? Aveda’s Scalp Solutions Balancing Shampoo is your next holy grail. Made for all hair types, textures and scalp types, it removes excess oil, impurities and pollution, ideal for everyday shampooing. B Corp-certified and Leaping Bunny Approved, it’s 96% naturally derived and vegan, formulated to bring your scalp’s oil levels back into harmony while hydrating where it counts.

This one earns bonus points for versatility too! Pair it with lightweight curl cream or restorative masks for a well-rounded, scalp-friendly ritual.

5. NAK Signature Ultimate Cleanse Shampoo

Best for: A refresh to bring your strands back to life without the product overload.

Think of this as a dream in a bottle – all the goodness your strands need with every wash.

While it’s technically a deep cleanser, the NAK Ultimate Cleanse doesn’t dry out your scalp like most clarifying shampoos. It’s infused with NAK’s Signature Peptides and Ectoin Barrier Booster to repair, strengthen and nurture your scalp microbiome for healthier hair from root to tip. 

The formula’s natural vegan complex (a blend of coconut oil, aloe vera, hydrolysed rice protein and pear extract) nourishes and hydrates hair and skin. From moisture retention to soothing and strengthening, every drop is liquid gold.

Rinse & Repeat with Our Favourite Shampoos for Dry Scalps

Choosing a shampoo for dry scalp or skin that works for you doesn’t have to be complicated, at least not with BeautyWorks. Whether you’re dealing with flaky flare-ups, post-colour sensitivity, or a scalp that needs rebalancing, we’ve got the cleanser that makes your hair troubles a thing of the past.

Shop our fave picks today or schedule a consultation for personalised recommendations. We’re all about beauty that feels as good as it looks!