How to Care for Dry Hair

Last Updated: September 16, 2021 References

In order to care for your dry hair, you will need to make some adjustments to your hair routine. Opt for shampoos and conditioners that contain moisturizing ingredients like olive oil and argan oil. Treat your hair with hair masks and leave-in conditioners regularly. Additionally, reduce your use of heat styling tools and chemical treatments. Finally, boost the moisture in your hair by increasing your intake of foods that are rich in omega-3s and vitamin B3 and B5.

Method 1

Method 1 of 4:

Washing Your Hair

1
Choose moisturizing shampoos and conditioners. Use shampoos and conditioners that contain natural oils, like olive and argan oil, glycerin, sorbitol, and shea butter. Shampoos and conditioners that contain keratin or plant-based moisturizers, like phytobalm, are super hydrating as well.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- In general, try to avoid products that contain mineral oil, petrolatum, sulfates, silicone, and alcohol such as stearyl, cetyl, and cetearyl alcohol. These substances can exacerbate dryness.
2
Avoid washing your hair daily. If you wash your hair daily, gradually reduce the frequency with which you wash your hair. Start by washing your hair every other day for a month. After a month, reduce the washing to every three days. You should observe a noticeable difference in the texture of your hair after two to three months.^{[2]
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- Washing your hair every day strips it of its natural oils.
- Use dry shampoo to touch up your hair in between washes.
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3
Use a quarter-sized amount of shampoo. If you have long or thick hair (or both), then double the amount. Try to avoid using too much shampoo since this can further dry out your scalp and hair. Additionally, when shampooing, focus on the roots of your hair near your scalp.^{[3]
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- If you are using a drugstore shampoo, you may want to use more than a quarter-size, as the shampoo may be diluted.
4
Condition your hair daily. Even if it is not time to wash your hair with shampoo, you should wet your hair and apply conditioner daily. Focusing on the middle of your hair and the ends, apply the conditioner. Leave the conditioner in for five to ten minutes, then rinse.^{[4]
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- You can spray a leave-in conditioner on your hair instead of conditioning it in the shower if you want.
- Use a deep conditioning treatment once every seven to ten days.
- You do not need to apply too much conditioner to the roots since the natural oils produced by your body will moisturize them.
5
Rinse your hair with cold water. Do this after shampooing and conditioning. The cold water will close the hair follicles, enabling your hair to trap in the moisture.^{[5]
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- Additionally, if you have color treated hair, rinsing with cold water will help preserve the color, reducing the amount of touch-ups needed to maintain your look.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Treating Your Hair

1
Make an avocado hair mask. Mash one avocado until it is a thick paste. Add in one egg white, one tablespoon (15 ml) of olive oil (or coconut oil), and one tablespoon of yogurt. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined. Cover your entire hair with the mask. Let the mask set for 30 minutes. Rinse and wash your hair as you normally would.^{[6]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Apply this mask once or twice a week.
- While the mask is setting, you can cover your hair with a disposable shower cap.
2
Try an egg treatment. Beat one egg if you have short hair (two eggs if you have long hair) in a bowl. Add in one to two tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) of lemon juice and one tablespoon (15 ml) of olive or almond oil. Mix the ingredients together until they are well-combined. Apply the mask by gently massaging it into your scalp and hair. Make sure your entire hair is covered with the mask. Let the mask set for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse and wash your hair with cool or cold water.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- Apply this mask once every two to four weeks for the best results.
- If you rinse with warm or hot water, the egg may cook in your hair.
3
Buy a store-bought hair mask. This is a great option if you do not have time to make your own mask. There are many hair masks available on the market today. Look for ones that target dry hair specifically. These will contain moisturizing elements like keratin, argan oil, and other nourishing oils.^{[8]
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- You can find hair masks at your local beauty supply store or pharmacy, as well as online.
4
Use leave-in conditioner. Leave-in conditioners will help moisturize your hair throughout the day. Choose a leave-in conditioner that contains natural oils like argan oil or keratin. Also look for products that contain panthenol; panthenol is used to retain moisture and curb frizz.^{[9]
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- Try to avoid any products that contain silicone.
- If you have fine hair, look for products that contain dimethicone. Dimethicone will moisturize your fine hair without leaving it feeling greasy.

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Styling Your Hair

1
Reduce your use of heat styling tools. Instead of styling your hair every day with flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers, try limiting it two to three times a week or important days only. When using these tools, use a lower heat setting and prep your hair with a heat protectant product beforehand.^{[10]
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- Make sure your hair is completely dry before using heat styling tools. Styling your hair while it is still damp can lead to damaged, dry hair.
- Rollers are a great substitute for curling irons since they do not cause as much damage to your hair.
2
Reduce or avoid using hair styling products with drying ingredients. Many hair mousses, gels, and finishing sprays contain alcohol, which can dry out your hair. Try to find products that don't include alcohol. If this is too difficult, reduce how often you use these products in your hair.^{[11]
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- Watch out especially for isopropyl alcohol, propanol, propyl alcohol, and SD alcohol 40.
3
Space out chemical treatments. Permanent hair color, relaxers, and perms can all damage your hair if they are done too frequently. Therefore, space out touch-ups and treatments as long as you can. Also, use shampoo products that help the color last longer to reduce your frequency of touch-ups.^{[12]
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- Keeping your hair treatments within two or three shades of your natural color will help you reduce the amount of touch-ups needed to maintain your look.
4
Trim your hair. Trimming dead ends is a great way to reduce dryness and improve the overall look of your hair. Trim your hair every six to eight weeks, especially if you use heat styling tools frequently.^{[13]
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5
Wear a hat. During the winter and summer months, protect your dry hair from the elements by wearing hats. You can also cover your hair with scarves or another accessory to protect your locks from the cold and heat.^{[14]
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- During the summer, choose hair products that can protect your hair from UV rays.

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Maintaining a Healthy Diet

1
Drink plenty of water. Water helps hydrate and replenish your dry hair. Therefore, make sure you are getting an adequate amount of water each day. Carry a water bottle with you or keep one handy in the car to ensure you are drinking enough water each day.^{[15]
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Expert Source

Courtney Foster
Professional Hair Stylist
Expert Interview. 9 December 2019.}
- On average, women should be drinking 9 cups (2.2 liters) and men should be drinking 13 cups (3 liters) of water per day.^{[16]
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2
Eat omega-3 rich foods. Foods rich in omega-3s contain essential fatty acids that will help keep your scalp and hair moisturized. Therefore, up your intake of omega-3 rich foods like salmon, tuna, mackerel, sardines, herring, oysters, walnuts, flax seeds, spinach, brussel sprouts, and pastured eggs.^{[17]
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3
Increase your intake of vitamin B5 and B3. Vitamin B3 (niacin) and B5 (pantothenic acid) help promote healthy hair growth, which is essential when caring for dry hair. Foods rich in vitamin B5 are avocados, eggs, mushrooms, cauliflower, corn, strawberries, sweet potatoes, sunflower seeds, and oily fish. Meat products like chicken, veal, beef, and pork are also rich in vitamin B5.^{[18]
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- Foods rich in vitamin B3 are tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon, lamb, beef, sardines, peanuts, shrimp, and brown rice.
- Alternatively, take a 150 mg B3 supplement and a 300 mg B5 supplement daily.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do you moisturize naturally dry hair?

Courtney Foster
Licensed Cosmetologist
Courtney Foster is a Licensed Cosmetologist, Certified Hair Loss Practitioner, and Cosmetology Educator based out of New York City. Courtney runs Courtney Foster Beauty, LLC and her work has been featured on The Wendy Williams Show, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Late Show with David Letterman, and in East/West Magazine. She received her Cosmetology License from the State of New York after training at the Empire Beauty School - Manhattan.

Courtney Foster

Licensed Cosmetologist

Expert Answer

For naturally dry hair, it's important to look at what you're doing healthwise that may be drying your scalp out. A simple way to start is to just drink more water, since hydrating your body is going to hydrate your scalp. In terms of treating your scalp, you can use rosemary oil or black seed oil to moisturize your hair periodically. Swap your shampoo and conditioner out for moisturizing versions. Also, deep condition your hair at least 2-3 times a month to ensure that your hair is getting enough moisture.
Question

I have extremely dry hair. What should I do?

Ashley Adams
Professional Hair Stylist
Ashley Adams is a Licensed Cosmetologist and Hair Stylist in Illinois. She completed her Cosmetology education at John Amico School of Hair Design in 2016.

Ashley Adams

Professional Hair Stylist

Expert Answer

I would suggest trying any of the mask techniques that are above.
Question

How often should I shampoo?

Community Answer

You should shower every two days. If you must shower every day, shampoo every other time you shower.