(Beauty)

12 New Winter Shampoos That Won’t Leave Your Hair Feeling Dry

by Taylor Lane
Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images For IMG

Take a moment to review your haircare collection. Does it bring you joy, or is something missing? This time of the year typically brings neglected and almost forgotten hair, save for a quick wash and condition in the shower after spending the day hiding under a beanie. If your haircare collection hasn't yet received its seasonal swap, it might be time to upgrade to a new winter shampoo.

“Some of the best ways to tell when it’s time to switch to a winter shampoo is if your hair or scalp is feeling really dry, which sometimes happens from the cold and dry conditions — or if your hair usually has some volume and is now falling flat with no humidity in the air,” says Anthony Campbell, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Gwyneth Paltrow, Natalie Portman, and Reese Witherspoon.

Knowing when to start using a winter shampoo is half the battle, but ingredients also come into the picture when treating your hair. "Salicylic acid helps to eliminate dandruff flakes and alleviate itchiness by exfoliating the scalp," says Kylee Heath, a celebrity hairstylist who works with Nicole Kidman and Kristen Stewart. And shampoos with oil infused also provide provide great moisture and shine, according to Campbell.

Photo by Rosdiana Ciaravolo/Getty Images

Thick, curly, and textured hair will also demonstrate signs that it needs more from your typical shampoo in the winter too. "Most hair types with texture will always have an added challenge in the winter time. These types will have more dry ends, and will not behave — they will also have additional frizz," says Mona Baltazar, a hairstylist known for helping her clients love their curls.

Some proper techniques for washing your hair in the winter (and year 'round) is to start by wetting your hair and then applying shampoo. Bring it to a thick lather, and then rinse. Then apply conditioner and leave the conditioner on until the end of your shower, Campbell explains. Rinsing is of optimal importance — the extra time that the conditioner is on will absorb into the hair and give it more moisture and shine. To further protect your hair while it's cold, make sure your hair is at least 80 percent dry before walking out into the cold, Baltazar suggests.

Ahead, see the 12 of the best shampoo selections to keep you hair alive this winter.