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It’s a well-known fact that cold weather wreaks havoc with your complexion, but did you know that it also causes hair damage? If you’ve ever struggled to brush your hair post-wash because it resembles straw or it looks dull and lacklustre however you’ve tried to style it on a morning, you’ll understand our pain. Sigh.
The solution? You need to learn how to keep hair hydrated and healthy this winter and beyond. (Your wish is our command!)
Why Does Hair Get Dehydrated?
We spoke to wellness expert Deborah Mitchell from Heaven Skincare to get her tips on how to care for your hair in cold weather.
Deborah explains: “You may notice that your hair looks more flat than fabulous right now. This is because as temperatures drop so do moisture levels, which means the air at this time of the year is much drier than in the summer.
This dries out your hair, leaving it feeling brittle and looking dehydrated. Because of this, you might also suffer split ends and hair loss.”
How can we fix this so that our locks feel healthy and look shiny again? Apparently, we need to adapt our current hair routines for cold weather.
How to Keep Hair Hydrated: 7 Expert Tips
Alongside including products in your daily beauty routine that protect and rehydrate, there are some other things you can do to boost the condition of your hair and get that bounce back.
1. Use a Moisturising Shampoo and Conditioner
The first step in understanding how to keep hair hydrated is to look at your current haircare routine. Some ingredients that are commonly used in hair products can actually dry your hair out.
A moisturising shampoo and conditioner combo can remedy this, working together to restore and revitalise your hair’s natural beauty. And who says that this combo has to break the bank?
We’re loving Garnier’s Nourishing Blends Banana Shampoo, Banana Conditioner and 3-in-1 Hair Mask (*) that actively nourish all hair types, whether you’re rocking thick curls or have straighter, thinner tresses.
This range is filled with natural ingredients to moisturise your hair while being free from sulphates and silicones, which are two ingredients that can dehydrate your hair. Unless you want dull and tangled locks, it’s best to avoid them in your routine, especially if you have dry or damaged hair.
2. Invest in a Hair Repairing Oil
Every time you wash your hair, use a towel to eliminate excess dampness. Then apply a repairing oil through the ends to lock in hydration.
You can even leave a repairing oil on overnight for an indulgent treat while you sleep. Just remember to give yourself enough time to wash it out in the morning!
Look for a product that contains keratin, in particular, as this is a key protein that actively repairs damaged hair. Given that your hair is made up of 95% keratin, it can help to strengthen and moisturise your hair too, which is important for keeping your hair in top condition.
We’re fans of Moroccanoil’s Original Hair Treatment (*) because it doesn’t just infuse the hair with hydration. It also has a frizz-defying formula which will keep your mane looking sleek for days. Not to mention, it smells amazing, which is a must for us when it comes to haircare products.
3. Take Omega-3 Supplements
When it comes to how to keep your hair hydrated, it isn’t just about what you put on your hair. It’s about what you put in your body too. A healthy, balanced diet is absolutely essential when it comes to healthy, hydrated hair.
If you take supplements that are rich in omega-3, it won’t be long before you notice a difference in both your skin and hair’s hydration levels. Simply put, omega-3 naturally puts the good fatty acids back into your body. It regulates oil production to ultimately boost the moisture in your hair.
Omega-3 also has other health benefits that go beyond your hair and scalp. It’s great for helping with hair growth and strength, as well as nourishing your hair follicles.
The good news is that you usually only need to take one supplement per day for it to have a significant effect. Alternatively, the other way to get your omega-3 boost is to include lots of oily fish in your diet.
4. Stay Hydrated
One of the best ways to keep your hair, scalp and skin hydrated is to drink plenty of water throughout the day. This helps to prevent a dry, itchy scalp and dandruff — both of which can contribute to (and be caused by) dry hair. It can even keep split ends and brittle hair at bay.
Other benefits of getting enough water include:
- Keeping your body healthy, hydrated and balanced
- Improving brain function
- Increasing energy levels
- Aiding with weight loss
- Helping you to sleep better
Six to eight glasses of water are recommended per day, but this can come from your food and other healthy drinks too.
5. Turn Down The Heat
Newsflash: heat can be super damaging for your hair and dry it out, causing dullness. This goes for all types of heat, including straighteners, blow dryers and heat stylers.
To combat this, try to use a heat protecting spray before you apply any kind of heat to your hair, such as the Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield Thermal Protection Mist (*). In addition, keep up with your hair masks and treatments whenever you plan to style your tresses with heat.
6. Apply a Hair Mask at Least Once a Week
Just like a repairing oil, a hair mask has intense hydrating properties. However, unlike a repairing oil, you can apply a hair mask to the roots which nourishes them and prevents them from weakening.
Ideally, you should use a mask once or twice per week to give your hair a deep conditioning treatment. If you have thin hair, you can also buy certain versions that will add much-needed volume to your mane.
Lots of people swear by the entire Olaplex range (*) for rejuvenation and to promote healthy hair growth. Their highly concentrated reparative 4-in-1 mask (*) adds shine, body and intense moisture.
Whichever variety you decide to go for, if you use a hair mask just once per week, you’ll soon start to see a positive change. Often, sticking with a consistent routine is one of the best ways to see those all-important hydration results.
7. Drink Green Tea
Still wondering how to keep your hair hydrated? If you’ve tried all of the above and are still struggling with flat, lacklustre hair, start drinking green tea.
Having regular cups of green tea can be super beneficial for your body because of the ingredients you’re consuming. Green tea is rich in:
- Vitamin C — This helps to keep your body hydrated by encouraging you to drink more water during the day, which is essential for a healthy body, mind and hair.
- Antioxidants Like Vitamin E — These are found in certain types of green tea. They help to protect hair from damage and improve the health of both your scalp and your ends.
- Polyphenols — There’s a whole host of studies that link this ingredient to sleek, shiny and voluminous locks.
(We’ll put the kettle on.)
How to Keep Hair Hydrated Moving Forwards
Dry hair can be difficult to manage in the cold months. Not to mention, it looks dull and lacklustre, which isn’t ideal when you have a full social calendar. Right?
That’s why it’s important to incorporate as many of these tips into your weekly hair routine as possible — and not just for the winter. If you stick to them consistently, you will have a hydrated, soft and shiny mane all year round. (Happy dance!)
Katie Davies is the Yorkshire-based freelance writer who founded Trendy Tourist. Since 2017, she has written for over 100 companies on a range of subjects, from fashion to marketing. When she’s not producing content, you can find her shopping, exploring a new place or sitting somewhere having a cup of builder’s tea.
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