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Once the fall and winter seasons roll around, my hair becomes completely different: I’m talking frizz, flyaways, flaky scalp, and static, to name a few. Over the years, I’ve learned that as important as it is to consider seasonally switching out your skincare (like using a lightweight gel moisturizer when it’s hotter out, for example), it’s also important to make a few swaps to keep your hair healthy and feeling its best.
Experts in This Article
San Francisco-based hairstylist
board-certified dermatologic surgeon at Shafer Clinic Fifth Avenue in New York City
LA-Based Celebrity Hairstylist
Of course, everyone’s hair has different needs, but according to experts, switching out your go-to shampoos and conditioners for moisture-packed alternatives and adding hair oils, leave-in treatments, and scalp serums into your routine can be largely beneficial (especially as seasons switch). Here, we spoke with Dimitris Giannetos, an LA-based celebrity hairstylist, Brendnetta Ashley, a San Francisco-based hairstylist, and Dendy Engelman, a board-certified dermatologist, for their tips on keeping your hair and scalp ultra-hydrated for the new season.
How to transition your haircare routine for fall
According to the experts, there are a few swaps you’ll want to make in your haircare routine once the seasons change. “I recommend incorporating products that will hydrate the hair and scalp and lock in moisture,” says Dr. Engelman. This means (if you aren’t already) adding a hair oil, conditioning mask, bond-building treatment, and/or scalp serum into your routine.
Giannetos also says that getting a routine haircut when the weather gets cold is highly recommended, in addition to adding more moisturizing products. “It’s important to get routine trims during the colder months because this will reduce the appearance of breakage and split ends,” he says.
What happens to your hair in the fall and winter?
“As cooler weather approaches, the humidity in the air leaves and becomes more dry,” says Ashley. This, in turn, draws moisture out of the hair and scalp. “As a result, our hair tends to be more brittle and prone to breakage, and the scalp may become dry, itchy, and flaky,” Dr. Engelman notes. This lack of moisture can cause hair to lose its shine, luster, and strength, making it appear dull and feel dry. “The winter air can also affect your ends, especially if you haven’t recently had a trim, making them more feel and appear more frayed,” says Giannetos. This can lead to hair with more flyaways, knots, and increased static, hence why experts double down on scheduling that seasonal trim if you haven’t already.
So, how should I tweak my haircare routine in the fall?
You can address the effects of the changing season on your hair and scalp by relying on moisturizing products like hair oils, styling creams, leave-ins, and scalp serums. “While you shouldn’t overload your hair with products, using a little extra leave-in conditioner will can smooth the hair and make it feel softer,” says Giannetos.
Moisture shampoo and conditioner
To start, the experts recommend adding hydrating products to your haircare and scalp routine with a moisture shampoo and conditioner, like the Oribe Shampoo for Moisture & Control ($50) and the Oribe Conditioner for Moisture & Control ($52), which both use botanical extracts and amino acids to smooth damaged cuticles. If your hair is more prone to dandruff in the winter, Giannetos says to incorporate a dandruff shampoo with salicylic acid, like the OUAI Anti-Dandruff Shampoo ($38), to help reduce flakes.
Apply a scalp serum or treatment
Scalp serums are also great for adding moisture to dry scalp and soothing itchiness and flakes. We love the Act + Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum ($86), which has aloe vera, bamboo extract, and hyaluronic acid to soothe itchiness and irritation.
You can also opt for a scalp exfoliator like Kristin Ess Hair Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub ($13) or treatment like The Rootist Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Treatment with AHA + Apple Cider Vinegar ($32) once or twice a week to reduce itchiness and flakes. “The health of the scalp has a major influence on hair’s health and growth, so protecting it is an important step in making sure that your hair looks and feels good,” says Ashley.
For straight and wavy hair
Next, depending on your hair type, you’ll want to opt for a leave-in treatment or a lightweight hair oil. Straight and wavy hair will benefit most from a lightly moisturizing leave-in treatment like the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Leave-In Conditioner ($29) or the Verb Ghost Oil ($20). The experts note to proceed with caution, though, if you have very fine or thin strands. “If you have fine hair, oils and thicker masks may feel too heavy for you,” says Dr. Engelman. Ashley loves the Schwarzkopf OSiS Upload Volume Cream ($22) for this reason: “It’s a lightweight moisturizing cream that will hydrate and volumize,” she says. If static and flyaways are your concern, we love the Dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream with Taming Wand ($18) because it comes with a spoolie brush applicator so that you can use to brush the formula over stray hairs to meld them into place.
For curly and coily hair
“Using a deep conditioner or oil in the fall and winter season is highly effective for curly hair, as it needs that extra moisture due to the drier air,” says Giannetos. We love Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil ($24), which has kakadu plum oil (a great source of vitamin C) and safflower oil, which is rich in fatty acids, so it gives thicker hair a nice coat of shine that isn’t greasy. Adding a treatment mask to your routine can also help give curly hair an extra boost of hydration and shine. We love the Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating and Defining Mask ($39), which has rice extract plus a blend of avocado, castor, and chia seed oils, which all work together to seal open cuticles and enhance curl definition with just a few minutes in the shower.
If you also typically style your hair in a wash-and-go or any style fresh out of the shower, Ashley also says to make sure your hair is completely dried before stepping outside. “Going out in cold, dry air with wet hair can also take the moisture out of it,” she notes, which can also cause breakage. This means after your wash routine, apply your moisturizing leave-in sprays and creams, seal in moisture with oil when it’s still wet, then fully dry it before heading out.
For all hair types
Regardless of hair type, Dr. Engelman says you can benefit from adding a bonding treatment to your routine if damage repair and stronger hair are your goals.“Bonding treatments can also help strengthen hair and repair damage to prevent breakage,” says Dr. Engelman. Bonding repair products work to rebuild any broken bonds in the hair shafts and come in a variety of formats, such as oils or masks, like the Redken Bonding Leave-In Conditioner ($33), or the Living Proof Triple Bond Complex Leave-In Treatment and Hair Mask ($45).
“I also recommend using satin or silk pillowcases or scarves to reduce friction on the hair during sleep to help minimize breakage and flyaways,” Dr. Engelman says. We recommend the Yanibest Satin Silk Bonnet ($14), which has an adjustable band to secure the bonnet so it doesn’t slip off in your sleep. Slip Silk Pillowcase ($89) is also a solid option for sleep, made of mulberry silk to help reduce friction and flyaways when you’re resting.
Final takeaway
While a change in seasons doesn’t mean a complete overhaul of your haircare routine, a few small tweaks to keep your hair and scalp moisturized can make a huge difference. Depending on your hair type, you’ll want to incorporate moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, leave-in conditioners, hair masks, and hair oils to seal in shine. If you usually style your hair in wash-and-gos, you’ll also want to make sure your hair is completely dried before you head outdoors to avoid breakage and split ends. Oh, and if you haven’t already scheduled your fall trim (or haircut), now’s a good time to shed off summer’s old ends so you can usher in new energy and a refreshed look.
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