Top 5 Haircare Tips to Combat Seasonal Dryness
Just like you adjust your skincare routine for colder months, the same can also be helpful for your hair care. The colder months tend to bring dry air, indoor heating, and harsh weather—all of which strip your hair of its natural moisture. This can ultimately leave hair looking brittle, dull, and prone to breakage. Fortunately, there are a number of steps you can take to combat this.
Keep reading for my top five tips to combat seasonal hair dryness.
1. Add a Weekly Conditioning Hair Mask to Your Routine
You probably have heard me mention that a good conditioning mask is an essential of mine year-round. With that, I find it to be an absolute necessity in Winter. Colder weather takes a toll on hair by stripping its natural moisture. Conditioning hair masks are a crucial step in reversing this damage and preventing future issues. Unlike regular conditioners, hair masks are formulated with a higher concentration of deeply hydrating ingredients designed to penetrate the hair shaft and repair damage at a molecular level.
Pro Tip: Products with argan oil, peptides, and ceramides not only strengthen the outer cuticle of the hair but also improve elasticity and shine. Masks containing these ingredients can make a noticeable difference in how your hair feels and behaves, especially during the driest months
Here are a few of my favorite hair masks:
How to Use It:
After shampooing, apply the mask generously to damp hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends.
Let it sit for 10–15 minutes to allow the active ingredients to work their magic.
Rinse thoroughly
2. Choose Your Hair Tools Wisely
I should emphasize that this is a tip that should always be considered! I’ve said it before and I will say it again, my hair has never been healthier than when I started using my Dyson consistently. You’ve probably been told air drying is the safest option for your hair. However, air drying for extended periods can actually damage the inner structure of the hair, known as the cell membrane complex (CMC). Tools like the Dyson are designed to dry hair quickly while minimizing heat damage, which is essential when the cold air and indoor heating already put stress on your hair.
I go into this more in my blog on air drying vs. hot tools, but just to sum it up here, controlled heat tools, when paired with a heat protectant, can actually be gentler on your hair.
How to Use Heat Responsibly (I have a whole tutorial on this, but here are the main takeaways):
Apply a heat protectant (like Color Wow Dream Coat) evenly to damp hair
Keep your tool on a low-medium heat setting and maintain a distance of about 15 cm from your hair when possible.
For curling or straightening, work in small sections and avoid going over the same strand multiple times.
3. Incorporate Hair Oils
When your hair loses moisture, oils are a literal saving grace. They not only seal in hydration but also protect hair from winter's drying effects. I swear by pre-shower oils, like Briogeo’s oil. They provide a deeper hydration by penetrating the hair shaft to reduce protein loss. You can also use them on no-wash days, by applying to your ends. I love that this can combat dryness, but also keeps your hair looking fresh and protects strands from surfactants in shampoos.
Here are a few of my recent favorites:
How to Use Oils:
Pre-shampoo: Apply oil to your hair ends. Let it sit for a minimum of 20–30 minutes before washing.
4. Prioritize Scalp Care
I am loving all the attention scalp care is getting, and it’s for good reason! It can be so easy to focus on the hair strands while forgetting that the scalp is the foundation of strong hair. During winter, the dry air and frequent use of heated indoor spaces can lead to flakiness, itchiness, and even dandruff. Due to this, give your scalp a little extra TLC this time of year!
A few of my top suggestions are using a scalp scrub or detox shampoo once a week to remove buildup. I also love to incorporate a scalp massage tool!
Pro Tip: Pay attention to seasonal changes in your scalp health. A dry or flaky scalp in winter may require different care than an oily scalp in summer. Still many people confuse dry scalp with actual product buildup. If you use regular products in your hair or are an infrequent washer, a scalp detox routine is key.
5. Adjust Your Wash Routine
One of the biggest shifts I made when starting my haircare journey was adjusting my hair wash schedule. Overwashing or underwashing can be a leading culprits behind dry hair. In winter, when your scalp produces less oil, it’s especially important to space out your washes properly to preserve your hair’s natural moisture- but it’s important to understand that this looks different for everyone. On the other hand, if you're not washing your hair enough this time of year, you can end up with dandruff or an itchy scalp.
It’s not a one size fits all situation, so explore different cadences for washing your hair. Find the rhythm that makes the most sense for your hair and scalp! ALSO! If you are looking to build your haircare routine, my full haircare guide is HERE!
I know how frustrating seasonal dryness can be, but I have honestly noticed such a difference when I incorporate these tips! Have any blog topic requests? I will try to cover it in a blog post or in a solo q&a podcast episode.
**Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links and may contain products gifted in PR. This means that I may earn a small commission when you purchase via these links at no additional cost to you (thank you! It helps me keep things up and running)… As always I ONLY recommend products, goods and services that I stand behind and personally love and use.
