All hair products aren’t created equal. This is especially problematic for those with excessively dry hair.
Once you can separate the good guys — ingredients that soften and nourish dry hair — from the bad, ones that make dry hair brittle and frizzy, you’ll be one step closer to hair you love
Good for Dry Hair
Low pH.
To help dry hair, look for shampoos, conditioners, gels, mousses, and hair treatments that promote low pH balance on their labels. They’ll help keep moisture locked in. Also look for products that say, “intense moisture,” “anti-aging,” or “thermal protection.”
Oil.
Hair products with nourishing oils are good for rehydrating. Avocado oil, argan oil, and olive oil are all good for moisturizing dry, brittle hair. You can find these as stand-alone treatments as well as in many styling gels and hair creams and lotions.
Detanglers.
Any detangling, moisture-infused product that can be sprayed on the hair, from the roots to the ends, is good. Make it a routine to use one. That will get the product on all the hairs and help protect it from heating tools and the outside atmosphere.
Moisturizing conditioners.
Choose a deep conditioner with humectants, emollients, or conditioning agents, which help retain moisture:
- Glycerin
- Glyceryl stearate
- Propylene glycol
- Sodium lactate
- Sodium PCA
Some alcohols.
Fatty alcohols also known as “oily” condition your locks. Here’s a tip: say yes, to the alcohols that start with “c” and “s.”
- Cetearyl alcohol
- Cetyl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol
Bad for Dry Hair
Fragrances. The more fragrant the shampoo, conditioner, or hair spray smells, the worse it probably is for your dry hair. Although you might miss the scent, remind yourself that a fresh and clean smell is better for your hair in the long run.
Some alcohols. Alcohol is a bit shiftier; some are good for dry hair and others aren’t. The alcohols often found in finishing sprays can dry out hair. If you already have dry hair, say no to ones that include “prop” in their name.
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Propanol
- Propyl alcohol
- SD alcohol 40
Luxury Hair Care
Deep-conditioning treatments are essential for anyone who has dry hair. Go to your salon for one each month and during the other weeks to give yourself the treatment at home. You can increase home deep-conditioning treatments to twice a week if your hair feels brittle.
