6 Best Shampoos for Frizzy Hair 2026, Vetted by Pro Hairstylists

Frequently asked questions

According to the hairstylists we spoke with, frizzy hair can be triggered by a few factors: excessive dryness, open hair cuticles, and high porosity (meaning the hair has difficulty retaining moisture), combined with humidity. “Too much humidity causes the hair shaft to swell by absorbing moisture, and weaker areas (like at the ends ) react more if the hair is dry, damaged, or curly,” says Miguel Luis, hairstylist at Rita Hazan Salon in NYC. When moisture is absorbed unevenly, this leads to frizz. “The hair cuticle (the outermost layer) lifts, making it look rough instead of smooth.”

It’s also key to pay attention to your routine. “Overwashing your hair (no more than every other day) and using too much heat (daily and even weekly) on your hair can lead to frizziness and flyaways,” says Luis.

According to Sean Michael, owner of Salon Beau in Andover, Massachusetts, frizz isn’t always a sign of damage; instead, it usually means your hair is dehydrated. Things that we associate with damaged hair can cause this dehydration, including frequent heat styling, color treatments, or lack of moisture (i.e., not using a hydrating shampoo, conditioner, leave-in, or oils).

When shopping for an anti-frizz shampoo, hydrating ingredients (such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, or plant butters) are the number one priority. Cavalcante recommends amino acids (e.g., lactic acid), as they will help seal the cuticle. Luis also says to look for hydrating oils, like argan oil, shea butter, and coconut oil.

While conditioners, leave-in conditioners, or hair masks can often tame flyaways quite well, using the wrong shampoo can actually lead to more frizz because it can strip your hair of too much moisture. That’s why anti-frizz shampoos are an important step in the quest for softer, smoother hair, especially if you deal with frizz in the midlengths to the top of your hair shaft.

According to celebrity hairstylist Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, your hair can get frizzier as the years pass. “As we age, our hair tends to lose moisture and elasticity, which makes it more porous, and more porous hair frizzes faster. That’s why consistent hydration and gentle care become even more important over time,” she says. Thinning hair can result in frizzy hair, too, which is why incorporating a hair-growth product into your hair care routine can also be beneficial.

You might also experience more frizz if you’re going through menopause. “Menopause can absolutely cause a shift in hair texture due to changing hormones, and the best way to permanently fix it would be to opt for an in-salon keratin treatment or smoothing treatment,” says Paul Perez, a Los Angeles-based hairstylist. Frizz-busting shampoos can help in the meantime, though.

In addition to incorporating a frizz-defying shampoo into your hair care routine, there are other products you can also use to mitigate frizz. “Start with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, and always follow with a leave-in or smoothing cream—I like Fenty Hair the Water Boi Reparative Leave-In Detangling Conditioner Spray for lightweight slip,” says Taylor. Next, use a microfiber towel to blot your hair dry (instead of rubbing it). Sealing the hair with a heat protectant, hair oil, or hair serum will also make a huge difference, she says.

We tested shampoos for frizzy hair by ingredients, application method, and how effective they were at taming our flyaways. We zoomed in on the following criteria: