Heads up all you dry hair aficionados! Do you struggle with your wintertime mane that feels like someone has sprinkled desert-like sand on it? Or nothing seems to work when repairing those brittle, dull locks. You’re not alone in this battle against parched strands – and there is a solution at hand. From incorporating everyday household items to reviving traditional beauty remedies, rehydrating and restoring the health of even the most rebellious tresses no longer have to become a daunting feat…
Ingredients to help fight dry, brittle hair
If your hair is dry, brittle, or damaged due to age, environmental factors, or styling products and tools, you need a little extra help to repair it. Here are some out-of-the-ordinary ingredients that can help get your hair back in shape:
Avocado – This antioxidant-rich fruit contains essential fatty acids and vitamins that help nourish and hydrate your hair. It also helps repair damage by forming a protective seal over the cuticle of each strand.- Coconut Milk contains proteins that help strengthen weakened strands while adding moisture to dryness through its natural oils. The lauric acid found in coconut milk has antimicrobial properties that protect against bacteria, fungi, and parasites.
- Honey – Honey is high in antioxidants and helps wear down the buildup of dirt and oil on your scalp. In addition, its humectant (or moisture-binding) qualities help to hydrate and repair dryness in your hair strands.
- Yogurt – The calcium, protein, vitamins B6 and B12, magnesium, and zinc found in yogurt are all beneficial for healthy hair growth. Plus, the lactic acid content can help restore moisture to dry strands while protecting against free radical damage caused by UV radiation from the sun or styling tools such as blow dryers or flat irons.
- Olive Oil – This nourishing oil is a great remedy for dry hair as it helps restore the natural oils and proteins in the scalp. The vitamin E content helps to protect your hair from further damage, while its fatty acids help to moisturize each strand.
Using any of these ingredients will help you repair dry, brittle hair. Try making a DIY mask with one or more of them for the best results!
Terrible products for dry hair – avoid these at all costs!
- Low-quality shampoos and conditioners: Low-quality shampoos and conditioners can strip the natural oils from your hair, causing it to become drier over time. Not only that, but they may also contain harsh chemicals that could further damage dry hair.
- Hair dyes with strong chemical ingredients: Chemical-laden hair dyes will damage the protein structure of your hair, leaving it brittle and prone to breakage. The harsh chemicals can also strip away any moisture in your hair.
- Hot styling tools without heat protectants: Using hot styling tools without a heat protectant can lead to extreme dryness in the strands of your hair. Furthermore, using these tools regularly can cause permanent damage.
- Alcohol-based styling products: Alcohol is a drying agent, which means that using alcohol-based styling products will dry out your hair and weaken the strands and make them prone to breakage.
- Harsh chemical treatments (e.g., perms, relaxers): Chemical treatments such as perms or relaxers contain ingredients designed to alter your hair’s texture. These chemicals can be extremely damaging for those with dry hair, leading to further dehydration and breakage. Avoid these if you have dry hair!
- Excessive brushing: Over-brushing your hair can leave it looking limp and lifeless due to all of the natural oils being stripped from the strands. Excessive brushing can also cause hair breakage, which will leave your hair looking even drier.
- Low-quality serums and treatments: Low-quality serums and treatments may contain ingredients that are not beneficial for dry hair and could worsen it. The best thing to do is to read the labels carefully and opt for products specifically designed for dry hair.
With these seven terrible products in mind, it’s important to remember that you should always choose quality when caring for your dry hair. Avoid any of the above products at all costs in order to keep your hair looking healthy and nourished!