Winter Hair Care: How to Avoid Dry Hair Disasters

As the weather cools, your hair feels it…

As the weather cools and heaters click on, your hair gets caught between cold, dry air outside and warm, dry air inside. The result? Moisture literally disappears into thin air. Hair becomes more brittle, colour fades faster, curls get frizzier, and scalps can feel tight, itchy, or flaky.

I’ll be honest—every winter, my scalp turns into a bit of a snow globe. The dryness, the flaking, the constant itch... it’s not cute. I know that keeping hydrated is one of my biggest issues. Who craves icy water in winter? And I can only allow myself so many coffees 😆! So my biggest hair goal this winter is to stay on top of my water intake. Fingers crossed I won't have to remove black from my wardrobe AGAIN this year.

Before we're engulfed by the cold, there are a few small changes you can make now that will have a huge difference later. Think of it like layering up before you head out—it’s easier to stay warm than it is to thaw out. The same goes for your hair. By prepping early with extra hydration, gentle care, and the right products, you’ll be one step ahead of all those winter bad hair days.

TL;DR – Winter Hair Care Tips in a Nutshell

• Cold air = dry hair + dry scalp

• Curly, coloured, fine, and dry hair types need extra TLC

• Use products with Shea Butter, Keratin, Glycerin, and Vitamin E

• Weekly treatments, protective styling, and a healthy scalp = winter hair win

• Don’t forget hydration—from the inside out!

Understanding the Effects of Cold Weather on Hair

Welcome to the perfect storm: dry outdoor air, blasting indoor heaters, and steamy hot showers. When winter rolls around, your hair can take a real beating. The freezing air outside and the toasty, heated air inside both share one thing in common – they’re bone dry. With barely any moisture to be found, your hair ends up losing hydration fast. And when that happens? Say hello to dryness, frizz, breakage, and even dandruff. It’s kind of like when your skin gets all dry and flaky in the colder months, but this time, it’s your hair waving the white flag. 

Common winter hair woes:

• Moisture loss and brittle strands

• Frizz, flyaways, and static

• Faded colour and dullness

• Scalp sensitivity, flaking, and itchiness

Your hair type and texture can make you even more vulnerable. So let’s explore who gets hit hardest—and what to do about it.

Dry Hair Remedies by Hair Type

Curly Hair in Winter

Problem: Frizz, dryness, lack of curl definition
Winter hair care tip: Curly hair thrives on moisture—protect and seal it in with ultra-hydrating products

Coloured or Chemically Treated Hair in Winter

Problem: Dullness, brittleness, colour fade
Dry hair remedy: Strengthen strands and lock in colour with reparative ingredients

Dry or Damaged Hair in Winter

Problem: Split ends, rough texture, breakage
Winter hair care tip: Go big on moisture and nourishment

Fine or Thinning Hair in Winter

6 Winter Hair Care Tips for 2025

No 1. Use a Deep Conditioning Mask Weekly - Hydrate and protect your strands from the inside out. Think of this as your cosy winter coat—for your hair. For extra deep conditioning, use a shower cap and a satin-lined bonnet for 20 to 30 minutes with the mask.

No 2. Protect Your Hair from the Cold - Wear silk-lined beanies or wrap your hair before going out. It helps reduce friction and static while sealing in moisture. We all love a good beanie, but when your hair rubs against rough fabric it causes the cuticle—the outer protective layer of each strand—to lift or crack. This leads to split ends, frizz, breakage, and dullness. They can also cause static which makes hair unmanageable and weak. In dry winter air, your hair loses moisture and builds up an electric charge. That’s why you get that flyaway, clinging to your face look. Static is a sign that your hair is dry and more prone to snapping when brushed or styled, plus knotting and tangling. If your hair is already dry, coloured, or fragile, friction and static compound the problem. They strip away what little moisture remains and create more vulnerable points along the hair shaft.

No 3. Turn Down the Heat (Literally) - It’s tempting to crank up the hot water when it’s chilly outside—but hot showers can strip your scalp and hair of essential oils, leading to dryness, brittleness, and irritation. The same goes for styling tools like straighteners, curling wands, and hair dryers. In winter, hair is already more vulnerable due to the dry air. Overexposure to heat weakens the protein structure of your hair, increasing split ends and making strands more porous. This means your colour fades faster, and your hair loses moisture more quickly. Here's what you can do:

• Wash with lukewarm water (not hot)
• Use a heat protectant spray before styling
• Let hair air-dry partially before blow-drying
• Choose tools with adjustable temperature settings. Also consider switching to ionic or ceramic tools that distribute heat more evenly and reduce frizz.
  
  

No 4. Space Out Your Wash Days - Over-washing is one of the most common culprits of winter hair damage. When you shampoo too often—especially with sulphates—you strip your scalp of its natural oils, disrupting its balance and drying out the lengths of your hair. Your scalp compensates by producing more oil, creating a frustrating cycle of greasy roots and dry ends. If you’re dealing with a flaky or itchy scalp, reducing how often you wash can help restore balance. Try adjusting your wash schedule with these tips:

• Wash 2–3 times per week depending on your hair type
• Use a sulphate-free shampoo to cleanse gently
• Try using a no-lather cleanser like EverEscents Organic Lemon and Sandalwood Cleanser
  

No 5. Focus on Scalp Care (Your Hair’s Foundation) - When talking about how to take care of hair in winter, we often forget where hair health begins—the scalp. Dry air and indoor heating can lead to a tight, flaky, or itchy scalp, especially if you have curly or fine hair. A healthy scalp promotes stronger, faster-growing hair. If the scalp is unbalanced, follicles can get clogged, leading to hair shedding, dullness, or even dandruff. Here are some winter scalp care tips:

• Exfoliate with a scalp scrub or treatment to remove buildup.
  
• Hydrate with lightweight scalp serums
• Massage your scalp to boost circulation and stimulate growth
• Use ingredients like Menthol, Tea Tree Oil, and Rosemary Oil
  
  

No 6. Hydrate From Within - One of the most overlooked winter hair care tips? Drink more water. Seriously. Just like your skin, your hair and scalp need internal hydration to stay healthy. Your body prioritises hydration for vital organs first. If you're not drinking enough, your hair will be one of the first places to show signs—like dryness, brittleness, and breakage. Try these tips to increase your water intake this winter:

• Add warm lemon water or herbal tea if cold water isn't appealing
• Include hydrating foods like cucumber, berries, and leafy greens
• Boost your intake of Omega-3 fatty acids and Vitamin C to support collagen and shine
• Set hydration reminders on your phone

How can HCSS help? I'm glad you asked!

If you're in search for a new shampoo and conditioner, use the product filter option called Key Ingredients and select one of the above ingredients for our hair type. 

Final Thoughts: How to Take Care of Hair in Winter

Winter hair care doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. A few thoughtful changes—like switching to hydrating formulas, weekly treatments, and gentle scalp care—go a long way in preventing breakage, frizz, and that dreaded winter static.

Need help picking the right products for your hair type? Reach out to our customer service who can help you pick the right products for you this winter!