Daily Care

Why Your Hair Needs Extra Moisture in Winter

By Upasana KakatiNov 18, 2024 8 mins read

Hair Dryness In Winters - Science Behind It

Signs Your Hair Needs Moisture

Winter Haircare Routine - How to Moisturize Your Dry Strands?

FAQs

Reference

The transition from fall to winter calls for many changes, from swapping light clothes to heavy jackets and vouching for winter-approved skincare. However, considering a change in the haircare routine for winter is equally crucial to keeping hair healthy. Not using the appropriate products might trigger the harsh cold to shed hair faster than you could fathom. Low moisture in the winter winds shows no mercy, especially when you refuse to adopt a winter haircare regimen.

According to Adam Reed, Percy & Reed, Co-Founder - "The main factor is temperature difference - winter's chill and dry central heating are massively dehydrating." Year-long exposure to sun, styling, and use of various products opens the cuticles. As the winter air is drier and devoid of humidity, it tends to suck moisture from hair. Without a replenished haircare routine, hair is prone to frizz, dryness, and shedding. The blog sheds light on everything you need to know about hair moisture in winter and how to keep dryness away.

Hair Dryness In Winters - Science Behind It

Yes, winter hair loss is actual and impacts the overall hair growth cycle. A few scientific studies suggest that seasonal changes trigger hair loss. However, apart from shedding, there is no denying that the cold air causes dryness and increases frizz. Dry air lacking moisture and low humidity is the leading cause of dry hair during winter. Harsh air sucks out moisture from hair that causes dryness, brittle, and frizzy hair. As a result, your hair is prone to breakage.

However, you are not alone if your hair feels dry during winter! As the nip in the air takes charge and the first burst of chilly winds rolls in, it is time to switch your winter haircare routine. Stocking on the right products and following a proper haircare routine is the first step to winning the battle against winter dryness.

Here are some of the reasons for dry hair during winter:

Dip in temperature - One of the prominent causes of dry hair in winter is cold weather. The drop in humidity sucks moisture from hair, eventually leading to dryness and dehydration of strands.
Indoor heating - Most workplaces and homes have heating systems to keep indoors warm. This further dries the scalp and strands due to blow out of dry air.
Hot showers — Pouring cold water on the head during winter takes every ounce of energy. However, using hot water to wash hair strips it of natural oil, leaving strands dry.
Excessive use of styling tools — The heat from styling tools, accompanied by dry winter air, depletes strands of moisture.
Lack of sunlight — Yes, exposure to direct or no sunlight is detrimental to hair growth. Less exposure to sunlight during winter reduces Vitamin-D production and hence might cause dryness.
Less sebum production — The sebaceous glands in the scalp produce sebum, a natural oil that keeps hair moisturized. However, reduced sebum production causes dryness and low hair moisture in winter.

Signs Your Hair Needs Moisture

Parched skin and dry hair - it's most likely the most prominent sign that winter has enveloped your surroundings. Here are some tell-tale signs your hair needs more moisture, and you may need to opt for a winter-approved routine.

Coarse and rough texture — If your hair feels dry and has a rough texture, it is one of the primary signs that it lacks moisture. When it feels straw-like and is challenging to style, know that strands need hydration and intense moisturization.
Frizz and flyaways — Dry hair is frizzy due to a lack of natural oil. Lack of moisture increases static, which causes flyaways. If your hair appears frizzy with flyaways, it is due to dryness.
Increased tangles — Frizz, dryness, and lack of moisture cause more tangles, making hair prone to breakage.
Split ends — If you notice split ends, consider them one of the signs of dry hair lacking moisture. Drying the hair shaft leads to brittle hair, which in turn results in split ends.
Lack of elasticity — Another factor absent in dry hair is elasticity. If hair strands snap easily and have a limited stretch, they lack elasticity and are prone to breakage.
Difficulty styling — Dry hair is difficult to style due to its texture and manageability issues. If you find it challenging to manage and style hair during winter, it perhaps indicates a lack of nourishment and hydration.

Winter Haircare Routine - How to Moisturize Your Dry Strands?

If your hair feels relatable to the above symptoms, the cold is likely taking a toll on your strands. Switching to a winter haircare routine is the first step to keeping your hair bountifully moisturized and battling dryness. While it might initially feel challenging, we have the best tips to help you winterize your haircare routine.

Ways_to_moisturize_dry_hair|Why Your Hair Needs Extra Moisture in Winter

Switch to moisturizing products

Switching your usual shampoo and conditioner is a cue if your hair feels dry. Call for a moisturizing shampoo that doesn't strip off natural oil and hydrates hair in the cold months. Also, make sure that you use a sulfate and paraben-free gentle shampoo and conditioner set that repairs damage. To intensely moisturize your hair and keep winter woes away, we recommend using Hi-Vibes Vegan Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner. Also, static electricity builds up, causing hair to appear frizzy, so it needs an extra dose of nourishment. You can use products like Moehair Leave-In Conditioner to tame flyaways, lock hydration, and improve manageability.

Stock up on deep-conditioning hair mask

Winter haircare means stocking shelves with products with a thicker formulation and working on restoring dryness. A moisturizing deep hair mask helps improve elasticity and deliver nutrients to the strands. Most hair benefits from weekly deep conditioning, which repairs the cuticles and strengthens hair. Using a hair mask coats the strands and protects the hair from cold, dry winter winds. Try Moehair Luxx Deep Conditioning Mask and rejuvenate your hair with its innovative Fermentoil Oil Complex formulation.

Look for the right ingredients

As crucial as switching to the right haircare products is, opting for the right ingredients is equally important. A winter haircare routine means looking for ingredients that undo damage and repair hair.

Aloe Vera — This botanical ingredient is rich in water, minerals, enzymes, and vitamins, which help hydrate hair. Its rich water content retains moisture and acts as a natural hydrator.
Argan Oil — Enriched with omega fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, argan oil helps nourish and moisturize hair. Look for products with argan oil to keep your hair moisturized during the winter.
Hyaluronic Acid — One of the best humectants, hyaluronic acid retains moisture and helps hydrate hair strands.
Glycerin — This natural humectant attracts moisture and keeps hair hydrated. Choose products with glycerin during winter to prevent strands from drying.
Shea Butter — Its rich and moisturizing benefits help lock moisture for hours and soften coarse, brittle hair. It seals the outer strands and prevents hair from drying out in winter.

Choosing products with thicker formulations is recommended, especially if you have dry hair during winter. In addition to the above ingredients, products infused with castor oil, coconut oil, almond oil, etc., help deeply nourish strands.

Limit hair styling

Yes, we all have been guilty of styling our hair with hot tools, which does no good to dry hair. Let the dreading winter pass for a while before incessantly using heat styling. With low moisture in the air and indoor heating, hair is already prone to dryness and damage that is only enhanced by using styling tools. However, before styling hair, always spray it with heat protectant spray to prevent damage. We recommend using Moehair Heat Protectant Spray before heat styling.

Make oil massage a weekly ritual

Hot oil massage is one of the best ways to keep your hair smooth and moisturized and prevent it from drying. Massaging the scalp with hot oil takes care of your scalp, stimulates blood flow, and enhances natural oil production. Mix castor, almond, and coconut oil and warm it up before application. Dab cotton, gently apply to the scalp, and massage for proper oil absorption. This nourishes the cuticles and strands and keeps the hair from drying and damaging.

Be gentle on your hair

Besides using the right products, being gentle on your hair is equally crucial. Always wash hair with cold or lukewarm water, as hot water strips natural oil and further dry hair. Instead of washing your hair frequently, you can sometimes also use dry shampoo. Also, protect your hair with hats during dry winter, significantly reducing static. Opt for a silk or satin pillowcase, which prevents generating extra static and curbs frizz. Eat well, consume lots of leafy greens, veggies, and nuts, and stay hydrated by drinking fluids in plenty.

Winter months are harsh, and it's challenging to thrive under changing weather conditions. With dryness taking over our hair, switching to a more moisture-enriching winter haircare routine keeps our hair hydrated and prevents it from drying. Just a little care and using the right products help shield strands from dry winter winds. Maintaining a healthy diet, limiting heat exposure, deep conditioning treatments, and oil massages go a long way toward adding hair moisture in winter.

FAQs

Q1. Why does hair become dry during winter?

Winter air is dry and devoid of moisture, along with low humidity that leads to hair dryness and frizz during winters. Low moisture in the air tends to suck moisture off the strands, which causes dry scalp, frizziness, and coarse hair strands.

Q2. What are some essential winter haircare products?

Some critical winter haircare products include leave-in conditioner, moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, deep conditioning hair mask, hair oils, and deep conditioning night treatment.

Q3. How does hot oil massage help with winter haircare?

Hot oil massage nourishes the scalp and prevents drying of the scalp and hair. Massaging the scalp with hot oil stimulates follicles, boosts growth, and reduces hair dryness by distributing oil.

Q4. How to protect hair during winter while styling?

Always use a heat protectant spray like Moehair Thermal Shield Spray before using hot styling tools like a flat iron or curler.