How to switch your hair care routine to a fall one for all hair types

Once the fall and winter seasons arrive, my hair complete other: I’m talking about frizz, loose hair, flaky scalpand static, to name a few. Over the years, I’ve learned that as important as it is to switch up your skin care seasonally (like using a lightweight gel moisturizer when it’s warmer), it’s also important to switch up a few things to keep your hair healthy. to keep healthy. and feel your best.

Of course, everyone’s hair has different needs, but experts say swapping out your favorite shampoos and conditioners for moisture-rich alternatives and adding hair oilsLeave-in treatments and scalp serums in your routine can be largely helpful (especially as the seasons change). This is where we talked Dimitris Giannetosan LA-based celebrity hairstylist, Brendetta Ashley, a hairstylist from San Francisco, And Dendy Engelmana board-certified dermatologist, for their tips on keeping your hair and scalp ultra-hydrated for the new season.

How to transition your hair care routine to fall

According to the experts, there are a few changes you’ll want to make to your hair care routine once the seasons change. “I recommend including products that hydrate and lock in moisture to the hair and scalp,” says Dr. Engelman. This means (if you’re not already doing so) adding a hair oil, conditioning mask, bonding treatment, and/or scalp serum to your routine.

Giannetos also says it’s wise to make routine haircuts when the weather turns cold very recommended, in addition to adding more moisturizing products. “It’s important to trim routinely during the colder months as this will reduce the chance of breakage and split ends,” he says.

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What happens to your hair in autumn and winter?

“As cooler weather approaches, humidity dissipates and becomes drier,” says Ashley. ThisIn turn, it draws moisture from the hair and scalp. “As a result, our hair tends to be more brittle and prone to breakage, and the scalp can become dry, itchy and flaky,” notes Dr. Engelman op. This lack of moisture can cause hair to lose its luster, shine and strength, leaving it looking dull and feeling dry. “The winter air can also affect your ends, especially if you haven’t had a trim recently, making them feel swollen and look more frayed,” says Giannetos. This can lead to hair with more loose hairs, knots and more static electricity. That’s why experts are doubling down on planning your seasonal haircut, if you haven’t already.

So, how should I adjust my hair care routine in the fall?

You can tackle the effects of the changing season on your hair and scalp by relying on moisturizing products such as 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 can make hair smoother and softer to the touch,” says Giannetos.

Moisture shampoo and conditioner

To start, the experts recommend adding moisturizing products to your hair care and scalp routine with a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner, like the Oribe Shampoo for moisture and control ($50) and the Oribe Conditioner for moisture and control ($52), both of which use botanical extracts and amino acids to smooth damaged cuticles. If your hair is more prone to dandruff in the winter, Giannetos says to use a dandruff shampoo with salicylic acid, such as 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 itching and flaking. We love the Act + Acre Cold Processed Stem Cell Scalp Serum ($86), which contains aloe vera, bamboo extract, and hyaluronic acid to soothe itching and irritation.

You can also opt for a scalp exfoliator such as Kristin Ess Hair Instant Exfoliating Scalp Scrub ($13) or treatment as shown The Rootist Pre-Shampoo Clarifying Scalp Treatment with AHA + Apple Cider Vinegar ($32) once or twice a week to reduce itching and flaking. “Scalp health has a major impact on hair health and growth, so protecting it is an important step in keeping your hair looking and feeling its best,” says Ashley.

For straight and wavy hair

Then, depending on your hair type, you can 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). However, the experts point out that you should be careful if you have very fine or thin locks. “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 moisturizer that hydrates and volumizes,” she says. If static electricity 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 coil brush applicator so you can brush the formula over stray hairs to melt them into place.

For curly and tortuous her

“Using a deep conditioner or oil in the fall and winter seasons is very effective for curly hair, as it needs extra moisture due to the drier air,” says Giannetos. We love Bread Beauty Supply Hair Oil ($24), which contains kakadu plum oil (a great source of vitamin C) and safflower oil, which is rich in fatty acids, giving thicker hair a nice layer 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 Moisturizing and defining mask ($39), which contains rice extract plus a blend of avocado, castor, and chia seed oils, all of which work together to seal open cuticles and improve curl definition with just a few minutes in the shower.

If you also usually style your hair in a wash-and-go or another straight-out-of-the-shower style, Ashley also says to make sure your hair is completely dried before heading out. “Going outside in cold, dry air with wet hair can also strip the moisture out of it,” she notes, which can also cause breakage. This means applying your moisturizing leave-in sprays and creams after your washing routine, locking in moisture with oil while still wet, Than dry it completely before heading out.

For all hair types

Regardless of hair type, Dr. Engelman says you may 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 are available in a variety of formats, such as oils or masks, such as 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 minimize breakage and loose hairs,” says Dr. Engelman. We recommend the Yanibest satin silk bonnet ($14), which has an adjustable strap to secure the hood so it doesn’t slip while you sleep. Slip silk pillowcase ($89) is also a solid option for sleeping, made from mulberry silk to reduce friction and flyaways you are rest.

Last takeaway

Although a change of seasons doesn’t mean there will be one completely overhauling your hair care routine, a few small adjustments to keep your hair and scalp moisturized can make a big difference. Depending on your hair type, you can use moisturizing shampoos and conditioners, leave-in conditioners, hair masks and hair oils to maintain shine. If you usually style your hair in wash-and-gos, you also want to make sure your hair is complete dried before going outside to prevent breakage and split ends. Oh, and If you haven’t yet planned your fall haircut (or style), now is a great time to shed the old summer edges so you can usher in new energy and a refreshed look.