How To Moisturize Your Hair: A Definitive Guide

Frequent styling of your tresses through blow-drying, chemical use, and heat styling can increase the need for moisture for the hair. These procedures help you get an instant makeover, but they tend to dry your hair, lead to hair breakage or split ends, and damage it. So, how can you put your locks back to health?

Keeping your hair moisturized can do the trick for you. However, it has to be done in the right way to avoid further damage to your hair. This article takes you through the causes of dry hair, the best ways to moisturize it, and some home remedies to keep it healthy. Scroll down!

The Causes Of Dry Hair

There are several reasons for dry hair. If your scalp does not produce sufficient sebum, your hair may become dry. With age, sebum production starts to decrease. This condition leads to dry, brittle hair that lacks moisture.

Other factors that can lead to dry hair include:

• Excess Use Of Styling Tools: The heat from the styling tools like hot rollers, curlers, flat irons, and blow dryers strips the natural moisture of your hair and makes it dry. Dyeing and chemical treatments also often contribute to dry hair.
• Frequent Shampooing: Shampooing frequently can make your hair dry. The harsh chemicals in the shampoo can damage your hair and cause frizz. Also, not using a conditioner after shampooing can make your hair look dry, dull, and lifeless.
• Harsh Environmental Conditions: Exposing your hair to the wind, sun, chlorine, and harsh climatic conditions can make it dull and dry.
• Bad Brushing: Metal hair brushes with uneven bristles can make your hair dry and lead to breakage.
• Bleaching: Using bleach on hair may lead to dryness, resulting in brittle, dehydrated strands. The harsh chemicals used in the process can strip the hair of its natural moisture, leaving it parched and prone to damage. As a result, it’s essential to consider the long-term effects of frequent bleaching on your hair’s health and explore ways to maintain its vitality and strength.

Check out these simple yet effective ways to learn how to moisturize dry hair and get back your soft and lush locks.

Best Ways To Moisturize Your Hair

1. Use A Moisturizing Shampoo And Conditioner

Use hydrating shampoos and deep conditioners best suited for your hair type. You can also opt for leave-in conditioners or hair moisturizers that add extra moisture to your hair. These products can replenish the lost moisture of your dry hair and help nourish it.

2. Switch To Cold Water Rinse

Rinsing your hair with hot water can strip its natural moisture and oil. This makes your hair dry, frizzy, and brittle. Cold water seals the hair moisture and scalp pores, preventing the entry of dirt and impurities.

3. Add A Serum To Your Daily Hair Care Routine

Hair serums help coat your hair with moisture and protect it from damage caused by curling rods, flat irons, and blow dryers. Serums reduce frizz and make your hair shiny and smooth. Apply serum to damp hair after shampooing and conditioning. You can also use it as a finishing touch on dry, styled strands to add instant shine.

4. Use A Dry Shampoo

Shampooing daily can make the hair dry. Instead of washing your hair regularly, use dry shampoos between washes to refresh your hair and prevent oil buildup on your scalp. Apply a dry shampoo when your strands feel oily and the ends need moisture.

5. Limit The Use Of Hot Styling Tools

Heat styling tools can dry your hair out. If you cannot avoid them altogether, use them on the lowest/coolest setting and apply a heat protectant to prevent your hair from getting fried. Use heat-free styling products like setting sprays, hair mousses, and gels to prevent damage and keep your hair hydrated.

6. Use A Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Weekly hair mask treatments are an excellent measure to preserve your overall hair health. A hair mask with nourishing ingredients, such as honey and egg yolk, can moisturize dry locks, add shine, and soften the hair. It is one of the best hair moisturizers you can prepare at home. This treatment repairs damaged hair and conditions the hair fibers at a deep level. You can also follow up with hair oil or serum for added hydration and smoothness.

7. Apply Nourishing Hair Oils

Dry and brittle hair is prone to static as it lacks moisture. Coconut, almond, argan, and olive oils can help moisturize your dull strands. Apply a few drops of any of these oils to the dry ends of your hair and brush gently. For an extra boost, consider incorporating avocado oil and grapeseed oil into your hair care routine. Avocado oil is rich in monosaturated fats and may nourish your hair strands. On the other hand, grapeseed oil works as an excellent sealant and may help reduce frizz and split ends. You can also massage these oils onto the length of your locks to smoothen them and tame frizz.

You can also get regular trims, use microfiber towels, and follow a nutritious diet to retain your hair’s natural moisture.

Now that you have got an idea of how to moisturize hair, scroll down for a few homemade remedies to keep it hydrated.

DIY Remedies For Managing Dry Hair

1. Coconut Oil

The moisturizing properties of coconut oil prevent protein loss from the hair (1). This keeps your hair soft, hydrated, and supple.

Doro Cubillo, a YouTube vlogger, left coconut oil in her hair for 24 hours and shared the results in her vlog. She said, “My hair is shining like a diamond, it is extremely soft. It looks and it feels silky (i).

You Will Need

• Virgin coconut oil (as required)

Directions

1. Massage your hair and scalp gently with virgin coconut oil for a couple of minutes.
2. Leave it on for an hour.
3. Rinse your hair with a mild shampoo. Follow up with a conditioner.
4. Do this 1-2 times a week.

2. Banana And Olive Oil

Studies show that banana is used in hair conditioners, and olive oil has emollient properties that help moisturize the hair (2), (3). These ingredients may work together to nourish and soften your hair.

You Will Need

• 1 ripe banana
• 1-2 tablespoons of virgin olive oil

Directions

1. Blend the ripe banana and the virgin olive oil.
2. Apply this paste to wet hair and scalp.
3. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing.
4. Do this once a week.

3. Pumpkin Seed Oil And Honey

Honey is an excellent moisturizer and used in the formulation of hair conditioners (4). Pumpkin seed oil can help prevent hair fall (5).

You Will Need

• 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seed oil
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil

Directions

1. Mix the pumpkin seed and coconut oils with the honey.
2. Apply this mixture to wet hair.
3. Leave it on for 15-20 minutes before rinsing with a mild cleanser.
4. Follow up with a conditioner.
5. Do this 1-2 times a week for best results.

4. Shea Butter

Shea butter exhibits excellent emollient properties that can treat dry and damaged hair (6).

You Will Need

• 1-2 tablespoons of shea butter

Directions

1. Warm the shea butter and massage your scalp and hair gently with it.
2. Leave it on for 30-60 minutes.
3. Rinse your hair with a mild cleanser and follow up with a conditioner.
4. Do this 1-2 times per week.

Quick Tip

In its raw state, shea butter has a pungent, nutty aroma that many people may not find appealing. However, you can mix in any fragrant essential oil to neutralize the smell.

5. Aloe Vera And Lavender

Aloe vera has photoprotective effects that can help prevent hair damage caused by the harsh sun rays (7). Lavender oil can help promote hair growth while leaving your hair smelling pleasant all day long (8).

You Will Need

• ¼ cup of aloe vera gel
• 1 cup of water
• 2-3 drops of lavender oil

Directions

1. Blend the aloe gel and the water.
2. Add the lavender oil to this blend and mix well.
3. Transfer this mixture to a spray bottle.
4. Spray it onto your hair and scalp.
5. Repeat this daily or as required.

6. Raw Egg And Olive Oil

Olive oil contains oleuropein that promotes hair growth (9). Eggs are rich in fats and proteins that nourish and moisturize the hair and make it smooth and silky.

You Will Need

• 1 raw egg
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Directions

1. Blend the egg and the olive oil.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and scalp.
3. Cover your head with a towel and wait for 30-60 minutes.
4. Rinse your hair with a mild cleanser and follow up with a conditioner.
5. Do this once a week.

Quick Tip

Avoid using hot water while washing this mask out of your hair as it can cook the egg and make it difficult to remove as well as get rid of the egg smell.

Infographic: Best DIY Remedies To Moisturize Dry Hair

Have you been pushing your hair through the stress of chemical and heat treatments? While these may make you look chic, you also need to pamper your hair to keep it healthy. Moisture is the key to good hair health. Use these simple DIY methods to improve your hair moisture and keep it hydrated.

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Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

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Frequently Asked Questions

How can I hydrate my hair overnight?

These are some great ways to hydrate your hair overnight:
• Brush your hair thoroughly before going to bed to loosen it up, stimulate your scalp, and aid in the distribution of natural hair oils.
• Use a hydrating hair serum or moisturizing hair oil before bed to give your hair and strands more strength to combat frizz.
• To prevent frizzy and unkempt hair, use an overnight mask and wrap your hair.
• Use a silk pillowcase to prevent your frizz, friction, dryness, and moisture loss.

Which is better: coconut oil or olive oil for hair?

Coconut oil and olive oil are both beneficial for the hair. These oils have similar nourishing qualities for the hair, and which one you use depends on your hair type and issues. However, olive oil penetrates the hair strands better than coconut oil.

Does a moisturizer strengthen hair?

Moisturizers help lock moisture into the hair strands and prevent dry, brittle, and weak hair. Following a healthy diet and using regular hair masks for nourishment can also help strengthen hair.

Should I use a hair moisturizer daily?

It depends on your hair texture and type. Those with oily hair can use a hair moisturizer once a week. But, if you have dry hair, you should use it daily. Those with 1A to 2B hair types might not need to use it regularly. However thicker hair types like 3A-4C may need it daily.

Can I over-moisturize my hair?

Yes, it is possible to over-moisturize your hair when you use too much product. Keeping your hair type and texture in mind, avoid using too many moisturizing products all at once. It can make your hair very greasy and lie flat. It also can cause moisture overload that may lead to unmanageable hair.

Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

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Learn how to properly moisturize dry natural hair step by step with this easy-to-follow video. Get your hair looking and feeling healthy in no time.

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Precious RutlinLicensed Cosmetologist

     

Precious Rutlin is a licensed cosmetologist, board-certified trichologist, complementary alternative health practitioner, and holistic health educator with 9 years of experience. She aims to bridge the gap between Western medicine and businesses that want to incorporate a mind, body, spirit approach to their organization’s culture. When she is not teaching for Dr. Kari Williams (creator of Goddess Locs and celebrity...more

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