You run your fingers through your hair, expecting silky strands, but instead, you're met with dry, brittle hair. If this is your reality, it's a sign you need to learn how to hydrate dry hair. This common hair concern, which can affect people of any age, hair type, or length, can be pretty frustrating. But the good news is, while dry hair can be caused by a variety of factors—including environmental stressors, overstyling, and excessive washing—understanding how to moisturize hair that’s lost its luster is pretty simple.
Keep reading to discover potential causes of parched locks (so you can finally answer the question, “Why is my hair so dry?”) and learn more about dry hair treatments. Plus, we’re sharing easy tweaks you can make to your routine to help nourish your hair. Happy rehydrating!
Why Your Hair May Feel Dry
Dry hair can be the result of a number of elements, some beyond your control and others you can easily change. Living in a particularly arid environment, having mineral-dense hard water, or even some medications can all lead to brittle hair. The hairstyle, product, and routine choices you make can also be some of the biggest influences on your hair’s healthy feel and appearance. Making the wrong choices can strip your hair of much-needed moisture, leaving it feeling dry.
If you’re unsure why your hair is dry, here’s a quick cheat sheet on common dry hair causes:
- Environmental factors: Prolonged exposure to sun, wind, or dry climates can dehydrate hair.
- Harsh weather changes: Cold, windy winters and hot, humid summers can sap moisture from your mane.
- Aging: As you age, your scalp produces less sebum, which can lead to drier hair over time.
- Hard water: Water with high mineral content can create a residue on the hair, making it difficult for moisture to penetrate.
- Medications: The side effects of some medications may include dry hair. Ask your doctor about any concerns you may have.
- Lack of regular haircare: Infrequent conditioning or skipping treatments can result in dry, brittle hair.
- Excessive heat styling: Frequent use of hot tools like flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers can strip moisture from the hair.
- Chemical treatments: Hair coloring, bleaching, perms, and relaxers can damage the hair cuticle, making it harder for your hair to retain moisture.
- Overwashing: Washing your hair too often may strip your strands of the natural oils that keep them moisturized.
How to Moisturize Hair
Getting rich, luscious hair that feels properly nourished is entirely possible with the right products and routines. The following 13 dry hair tips will teach you how to keep hair moisturized easily and effectively.
1. Use moisturizing shampoo
The best shampoo for dry hair is one that gently cleanses, nourishes, and adds shine without removing natural oils. Biolage Professional Hydra Source Shampoo for Dry Hair takes inspiration from the aloe plant, which famously retains moisture to increase softness and manageability for frizzy, dull strands. This shampoo gives you up to 15 times more moisture than typical shampoos after a single application. A rich shampoo like this will make styling easier and help cut down in-shower conditioning time dramatically. For best results, complete your routine with the corresponding Hydra Source Conditioning Balm for Dry Hair.
But remember, even the way you shampoo can affect your dry hair. Therefore, use a little less shampoo than normal to avoid buildup and be sure to focus your efforts on cleansing your scalp where excess product is most concentrated.
2. Try a hair mask
Every little step counts to improve hair quality, which is why adding an intensive hair mask to your wash day lineup is a great idea. The Mizani Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask restores essential hydration and features rich cupuaçu butter, argan oil, and honey. Apply this conditioning mask to damp hair in sections and cover with a thermal plastic cap for up to 20 minutes. Rinse and then towel dry or gently heat style as you please.
We also love the Pureology Hydrate Superfood Treatment for Dry Hair. This nutrient-infused mask, which is ideal for all hair types, helps boost shine while intensely moisturizing dry locks. Plus, it offers color protection thanks to the inclusion of the brand’s patented Antifade Complex®.
3. Rinse with cool water
Much like your skin, using excessively hot water on your hair can strip your mane of natural oils. Washing hair in warm water and then rinsing out shampoo and conditioner in cool water to close your hair cuticle is how to keep hair moisturized, according to pros. Making this easy adjustment will lock in conditioning and add shine. It can be especially helpful if you have hair that is both dry and color-treated.
4. Apply hair serum
If you feel like your hair regimen is starting to remind you of your elaborate skincare routine, that’s no surprise. The “skinification” of hair trend means there is now a slew of innovative formulas designed to target specific results. Hair serums are the perfect example. Applying a hair serum is an optional (albeit very helpful) method of coating the outer layer of each strand to seal in moisture and enhance shine. A serum can also help smooth your hair, a benefit those with coarse and frizzy hair will find particularly useful.
Like face serums, there are many different types of hair serums. For dry hair, we recommend Kérastase 8H Magic Night Hair Serum. This overnight serum with plant-based proteins provides over eight hours of nourishment, so you can wake to soft, supple-feeling hair. It’s a leave-in formula, so you can apply it to dry or damp hair at night, and there’s no need to rinse out in the a.m.
5. Use heat protectant
When you have dry hair, breakage is likely to follow—especially if heat tools are part of your routine. Using a heat protectant can help guard your hair against damage. Try Mizani’s Thermastrength Heat Protecting Serum, a cream-based option that controls frizz for a smooth, shiny finish.
6. Add leave-in conditioner
Parched hair is difficult to style, whether you’re going for natural curls or a sleek blowout. A leave-in conditioner can help hydrate hair and make it more manageable, so you can pull off your favorite hairstyles. Mizani 25 Benefit Miracle Milk Leave In Conditioner has a lightweight formula that repairs and detangles hair. Curls, waves, and coils can all benefit from this buy, which is formulated with coconut oil and helps boost softness and shine. (For more moisturizing advice specific to curly hair, keep scrolling—we’ve dedicated a whole section to the topic further down.)
Pro tip: Applying a leave-in starting on your ends and working your way up to your roots is one of our favorite tips when it comes to how to hydrate dry brittle hair efficiently. Just make sure to pick a lightweight option, like the Mizani leave-in, to avoid weighing down roots.
7. Spread out hair services
Overprocessing hair is one of the most common ways people remove much-needed moisture. Though we advise you to make regular salon visits to maintain your color or refresh your cut, adding a little more time between color, perm, or relaxer touch-ups can be a good idea.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, it’s best to allow eight to 10 weeks (or longer) between professional hair treatments, especially during the winter when hair can get particularly brittle. In the same vein, you may want to get just one service at a time. For example, leave getting a perm and coloring your hair for separate appointments.
Of course, it’s worth keeping in mind that everyone’s hair is different. So, if you aren’t sure whether your hair can handle multiple services in one day or how soon you can head back to the salon, ask your stylist. They can help you find the right solution for your hair.
8. Incorporate hair oils
When we’re asked how to fix dry hair, one of our first answers is always the same: hair oil. As you know, when hair products and lifestyle choices strip moisture from your strands, it can lead to dryness. But using an oil can help lock in moisture.
We love the Matrix Food for Soft Hair Oil, which is infused with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid. It boosts your locks with seven times more moisture for up to 72 hours. And there’s no need to fret about weighing down your ‘do because this silky formula is buildable, meaning you can layer on more product if needed. Simply apply a few drops after your shampoo and conditioner (and even a mask if you’re in the mood).
9. Try co-washing
If you haven’t found the right clarifying shampoo or if you tend to wash your hair frequently, consider co-washing the next time you lather up. First embraced by the natural hair community to support dehydrated curls, co-washing has become even more popular as of late.
Here’s how it works: Skip the shampoo step and, instead, focus on “washing” with only conditioner. While some proponents of this technique use regular conditioner, for both cleansing and moisturizing benefits, we recommend seeking out an actual cleansing conditioner. Matrix A Curl Can Dream Co Wash is a great option that nourishes dry hair.
10. Limit heat styling
This may go without saying, but we’re going to say it anyway: Heat styling with powerful blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons can take a serious toll on your mane. Using a heat protectant, as we discussed above, can help shield your strands, but you may want to consider limiting heat styling altogether. Take a break from your hot tools and practice some air-dried hairstyles—maybe you’ll find a new favorite look.
11. Switch to a silk pillow
Silk pillowcases feel indulgent and luxurious, but that isn’t the only reason they’ve become so popular. They have real hair benefits, too. Some fabrics can soak up the moisture in your hair, but silky options don’t retain moisture in the same way. When you sleep on silk, your hair can better hold onto its moisture. Plus, the smooth fabric helps limit friction, which can otherwise contribute to frizz and breakage.
12. Minimize bleach damage
Dramatic hair color changes that involve bleaching can damage your hair. Slowly transitioning your hair color over time is helpful, but even if you have a gradual hair transformation, it can be difficult to keep dryness at bay. After bleaching, use products specifically for color-treated and bleached hair. One Hair.com favorite is Redken’s Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream, which deeply nourishes ultra-sensitive, bleached strands. The formula, which stars cica, is designed to reduce the appearance of split ends and promote overall healthy-looking, strong hair.
Editor’s note: This guide wouldn’t be complete without a deeper dive into how to fix dry, bleached hair. You can find the scoop on caring for bleach-damaged strands below.
13. Nourish your scalp
Your scalp needs moisture, too. Incorporate a pre-shampoo oil into your routine to care for your hair and scalp simultaneously. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Essence Absolue Pre-Shampoo & Nourishing Treatment Scalp Oil is exactly the kind of soothing formula we’re talking about. Crafted with a blend of natural camelia, jojoba, argan, and avocado oils, this oil hydrates dry scalps and gives hair a soft and shiny finish from root to tip.
How to Moisturize Curly Hair
Our tips above are relevant for parched curls, but we know learning how to keep curly hair moisturized can be more complicated than it is for other hair types. Ringlets, coils, and tight curls take a bit more effort to keep hydrated, even if you know how to moisturize curly hair naturally. Curl patterns ranging from tight to loose are all prone to dryness and damage due to the twists and turns of the follicles, making it harder for natural oil from the scalp to travel down your strands. Curly hair is more porous than naturally straight hair, so retaining moisture also doesn’t come as easily. But all is not lost.
While you can blame limp curls and unwanted frizz on dryness, you certainly don’t have to accept it. Building an arsenal of rich, layerable products to refine and nourish curls is the key to curly hair success. Shu Uemura Art of Hair Urban Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner are a great place to start. Made with moringa oil and red algae, this nutrient-dense duo intensely moisturizes, purifies, and protects hair against dryness and potential pollutants.
To restore bounce and preserve the pattern of your curl, make sure a hair mask for curly hair is a part of your routine. Hair masks for this type, like Matrix A Curl Can Dream Rich Mask, can strengthen strands and infuse them with moisture for defined, frizz-free curls.
How to Moisturize Bleached Hair
Bleaching or chemically altering your locks is a big commitment, especially if you want to avoid damage. Major hair transformations can leave your hair parched, weak, and vulnerable to breakage, so knowing how to moisturize hair after bleaching should be top of mind. If you have bleach damaged hair, it will start to feel coarse, rough in texture, and almost crunchy when air dried. This is the result of the hair becoming more porous after bleaching.
To add more moisture into the equation and improve the overall look and feel of your strands, reinforce weakened bonds with nourishing shampoos and conditioners like Matrix Unbreak My Blonde Shampoo and Conditioner. This sulfate-free formula revives all hair types after chemical damage to leave your hair feeling softer and stronger.
Incorporating bond-repairing solutions into your day-to-day regimen is also smart. A leave-in conditioner with a concentrated formula like Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Leave In Conditioner For Damaged Hair can help strengthen stressed hair after just one use. Formulated with citric acid and Redken’s Bonding Care Complex with color-fade protection, this leave-in is ideal for color-treated hair that needs extra love.
A restorative hair mask can help bring on smoother hair that has longer-lasting softness and shine. Try Shu Uemura Art of Hair Ultimate Reset Extreme Repair Hair Mask, which targets dry hair that’s been through it with frequent bleaching or chemical treatments. The intensive repairing treatment with rice extract promotes stronger strands. Just massage it through wet hair from the middle to the ends of your tresses, wait five to 10 minutes, and rinse. See? Dry hair doesn’t have to be your fate after all.
Next Up: Bleach Damaged Hair: The Complete Care and Repair Guide
Interested in customized in-salon treatments for damaged hair? Use our salon locator to book an appointment with a stylist near you.
Header photo credits (left to right): @matrix, @colorbyjen, @pureology