Learn how to keep your hair hydrated and healthy-looking
AUTHENTIC JOURNAL
Hair, like skin, needs continuous moisture. Without it, hair can appear dull and lifeless, whereas hydrated strands look beautifully radiant. Moisture-deprived hair is also more prone to breakage, its lack of elasticity creates a fragile texture that’s prone to split ends and snapping. Thankfully, dry hair is a common and often easily remedied hair concern. But before we share some tips on how to care for dry hair, it’s first important to understand the cause of the dryness. That way, you can make an informed decision about how best to indulge your thirsty strands in the hydrating hair care they need.
Many things can cause dry hair, with some of the most common causes including:
Just like skin, hair is also stressed by seasonal changes. Summer and Winter are challenging times for hair, as both hot and cold weather can strip moisture, resulting in dryness. In the winter months, the dry air makes it harder for hair to retain moisture. In the summer, UV rays damage the hair’s outer layer. Both extremes lead to the same outcome—dry, dull and brittle hair.
Unfortunately, simply the air around us can cause dry hair. Air pollution can create build-up on the hair’s surface, damaging the cuticle and contributing to weakness and dryness. In a similar way, the high mineral level in hard water can also accumulate on the hair, which is an additional cause of dryness.
It’s no secret that heated hairstyling tools aren’t good for your hair. Exposing hair to the extreme heat of styling tools damages the hair cuticle, which in turn causes dryness. Damaged hair struggles to retain the moisture necessary to keep your hair’s elasticity and strength intact.
If you choose the wrong hair care to treat your dry hair, you may do more harm than good. Products with harsh ingredients, or simply the wrong ingredients for your hair type, can dry out the hair. Even if the products are suitable, simply washing your hair too often can also cause dry locks.
As we age and experience the hormonal changes that accompany it, our hair’s texture can change too. For example, if the scalp starts producing less sebum, previously normal or oily hair can become dry, requiring a change in approach to your hair care.
Once you identify the cause of your dry hair, it’s time to select a hair care routine to impart much-needed moisture back into your strands. Choosing the right shampoo and conditioner for dry hair is essential. Too stripping, and you’ll end up exaggerating the dryness. Too rich, and you risk limp, lank locks.
When searching for shampoo for dry hair, look for words such as ‘hydrating’ and ‘moisturising’ as these tend to be used on products designed specifically to target dryness. Consider your hair type too, as the needs of fine and coarse dry hair will vary. Finer textures should seek lightweight hydration, with a shampoo and conditioner designed to add moisture without overburdening. Coarser or textured hair types will likely prefer more potent formulations, words such as ‘intense’ and ‘rich’ are good ones to look for. Swapping conditioner for an intensely caring hair mask can also provide an indulgent dose of additional hydration for very dry or textured hair types.
One ingredient that may be best for dry hair types to avoid is sulphates. Sulphates, often displayed on ingredients lists as Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS) and Sodium Laureth Sulphate (SLES), are cleansing agents found in traditional shampoos. Opting for sulphate-free shampoo is a wise choice for dry hair types. The gentler formulas are less stripping, helping hair to retain natural moisture and oils, for authentic shine and suppleness.
Did you know?
Our Hydrate Cleanser for dry hair uses Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate as a substitute for sulphates, cleansing the hair while providing a rich, caring foam.
As dry strands are more vulnerable, it’s important to keep them as protected as possible. A leave-in product with protective benefits is a perfect choice, offering additional care along with environmental protection. Choose a product with inbuilt UV protection for hair, like our Glow Spray Serum, to help combat damage from the sun’s rays, while providing pollution protection to minimise the buildup of pollutants on the hair fibre.
Our Hydrate range contains a carefully selected blend of mango and basil extracts, creating the perfect hydrating formula to regenerate and revitalise dry hair.