As someone who deals with dry hair (and skin!) year-round, the ice-cold, hyper-dry winter air just seems to make everything worse. I'm already stocked up on body butters, peptide face creams, and face oils, and now my goal is to make sure my hair product rotation is strong and complete for when the weather drops drastically, a moment we're all bracing for. Of course, for the sake of splurging on only the best of the best products and recommending only products that will truly benefit your routines, we had to tap experts—for both shopping inspiration and insight about dry hair, in the winter and beyond.
"Winter can be really tough on your hair. Between the cold air outside and the dry heat indoors, hair tends to lose moisture much faster, leaving it feeling dry, brittle, and more prone to breakage and static," hairstylist Chad Cook says. Because of this, winter hair care is all about maintaining moisture—and, if your hair is dry year-round, this should be your hair care ethos. "Having the heat on indoors pulls moisture out of the air, adding to the dryness. This can cause the hair to become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage and leave your scalp dry, itchy, and flaky," hairstylist Gina Rivera adds. "During this time of year, we tend to wear more hats and beanies to keep warm; however, the friction can cause more static electricity than normal."
It's important to keep this in mind, though: not all dry hair simply needs hydration. "Dry hair can result from many factors, like moisture loss, depleted lipids, cuticle damage, or everyday wear and tear from styling or daily activities," hairstylist Dana Rollo says. "Understanding what’s causing our hair to feel dry is just as important as choosing the right products to combat it."
Ahead, the best products for dry hair, according to experts.
Meet The Experts:
Dana Rollo is a hairstylist and haircare educator. She also works in education and sales at haircare brand ACTIIV.
Jared Reynolds is a biochemist, molecular biologist, scalp expert, and the founder of haircare brands Zenagen and ACTIIV.
Weaven Steven is a hairstylist and weave expert, known for creating sculptural hair designs.
Gina Rivera is a hair artist and the founder of Phenix Salon Suites.
Chad Cook is a hairstylist, educator, and the founder of Chad Cook Hair Salon.
Dorian White is a trichologist and haircare science instructor. Her goal is to educate everyday people on scalp health.
Best Tool For Dry Hair: Tangle Teezer The Wide Tooth Dual Sided Comb
Best Mask For Dry Hair: Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Best Leave-In Cream For Dry Hair: Mizani 25 Miracle Leave-In Cream
Best Towel For Dry Hair: Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel
Best Shampoo & Conditioner For Dry Hair: Privé Moisture Rich Shampoo & Conditioner›
ACTIIV IntegrityRX Repaiir Bio-Enrich Hair Mask
For those dealing with dry, brittle hair or even heat damage or split ends, Dana Rollo, Hairstylist & Haircare Educator at ACTIIV, suggests looking beyond traditional ingredients. "Healthy hair depends on a balance of moisture, lipids, and a smooth, well-conditioned cuticle. Many masks contain proteins or silicones, and while they can help the feel of the hair, they may not provide exactly what I’m looking for in a deep conditioning and restorative mask," Rollo says. "Sometimes it’s many of these problems at once. I love that I don’t have to worry about user error, or using it too often, as it contains no protein or silicones. What makes it so special is its Bio-Repaiir Complex that helps replenish missing moisture and lipids, mends split-ends, protects from wet brushing breakage, all while working to reduce frizz, flyaways and static."
Quince 100% Mulberry Silk Pillowcase
What if we told you that you can improve your hair health in your sleep? This is your sign to upgrade your pillowcases, for the sake of maintaining both healthy hair and skin. "One of my favorite recommendations for dry or fragile hair has nothing to do with what you put on it. It’s what your hair comes into contact with every night. A silk pillowcase can help reduce friction between your hair and your sleeping surface, which can cause wear and tear over time," Rollo says. "When the cuticle is already compromised, repeated mechanical friction can contribute to tangling, roughness, and breakage, not to mention styles not lasting as long."
Rollo recommends high-quality, 100% mulberry silk pillowcases to minimize unnecessary breakage.
Tangle Teezer The Wide Tooth Dual Sided Comb
Sometimes the biggest improvement you can make to dry hair isn’t adding another treatment, but changing how you handle it when it’s wet or dry. "Dry, chemically treated, or compromised hair tends to have more roughness between each individual hair strand, which can make detangling challenging. I recommend a wide-tooth comb or a flexible detangling brush, paired with a conditioning product that provides plenty of slip for detangling," Rollo says. "When brushing through hair that has a tendency to tangle, start at the ends and gradually work up toward the roots, rather than trying to pull out knots and tangles from the top down."
Act+Acre Microfiber Hair Towel
How you dry your hair might be impacting its overall health. It might be worth considering purchasing a towel designed specifically for hair. "An easy change someone can make for dry hair is to switch out their regular bath towel for a microfiber towel or even a soft cotton T-shirt. It's something people overlook, but the way you dry your hair can have a significant impact on its condition, Jared Reynold, molecular biologist, scalp expert, and founder of Zenagen and ACTIIV, says. "Hair is more vulnerable to mechanical damage when it's wet, and aggressively rubbing it with a traditional terry cloth towel creates unnecessary friction along the cuticle. Over time, that can contribute to breakage, frizz, and a rougher texture. A smoother material, combined with gently squeezing out excess water rather than rubbing, helps minimize that friction."
Viva Naturals Organic Fractionated Coconut Oil
Sometimes, the best beauty treatments require a bit of DIY—but these hacks tend to be cost-efficient. "One of my favorite recommendations for dry hair is actually something you can make at home. I recommend mixing equal parts coconut oil and jojoba oil and applying it to the mid-lengths and ends of the hair before shampooing," Reynolds says. "I like this combination because the two oils work differently. Coconut oil has the ability to penetrate the hair shaft and help reduce protein loss, which is especially beneficial for dry or damaged hair." Jojoba oil works more on the surface, helping lubricate the cuticle, improve softness, and reduce frizz. Combining the two gives you the benefits of both without relying solely on a heavier oil like coconut oil. It's a simple way to help protect the hair and improve manageability." Jared Reynolds, Molecular Biologist, Scalp Expert, and Founder of Zenagen and ACTIIV
Majestic Pure USDA Organic Jojoba Oil
Reynolds suggests combining the coconut oil with an equal amount of jojoba oil. "Jojoba oil works more on the surface, helping lubricate the cuticle, improve softness, and reduce frizz," he says. "Combining the two gives you the benefits of both without relying solely on a heavier oil like coconut oil. It's a simple way to help protect the hair and improve manageability."
Zenagen ZENERGY Thickening + Volumizing Shampoo
According to Reynolds, dry hair doesn't mean that you have to sacrifice a thorough, deeply cleansing wash—and debunking this misconception was kept in mind while developing Zenagen products. "We designed Zenergy to deliver a deep, clarifying-level cleanse without unnecessarily stripping the hair. Its Microfoam Technology uses four surfactant systems to remove oil and buildup while remaining gentle enough for daily use. It’s also formulated within a pH range of 5.5–6.5 to support a balanced cleansing experience," he says. "Another important part of the formulation is the use of CO2-extracted botanicals, including saw palmetto, green tea, and red clover. These ingredients contain naturally occurring bioactive and antioxidant compounds, and they were selected as part of our approach to supporting overall hair and scalp health."
Mizani 25 Miracle Leave-In Cream
Curly and coily hair are more prone to dryness and breakage, but that doesn't mean all hope is lost. There are products, including this leave-in cream, that can keep curls nourished even in the coldest months. "This cream is great for both natural and relaxed hair. It helps keep curls and coils soft, smooth, and moisturized while maintaining a healthy moisture balance," hairstylist and weave expert Weaven Steven says. "For relaxed hair, it also provides protection against heat styling, helping to keep hair looking and feeling healthy, soft, and manageable."
Biolage Hydra Source Daily Leave-In Tonic for Dry Hair
For more lightweight hydration, consider a leave-in tonic. "This is a lightweight, excellent moisturizing treatment that helps hydrate and refresh the hair without weighing it down. It can be used on both straight and naturally curly hair," Steven says. "It's also especially beneficial for gray hair, which can sometimes have a naturally dry or coarse texture. This leave-in treatment helps restore moisture, leaving hair feeling softer, smoother, and more manageable."
Redken All Soft Trio
Good, moisturized hair starts with your shampoo and conditioner routine—so, pay close attention to the ingredients in the products you reach for weekly. "Redken's All Soft Shampoo and Conditioner is infused with argan oil, which is known for its intense moisture and hydration," hairstylist Gina Rivera says. "It softens the cuticle, making it easier to comb through and manage without weighing the hair down."
Moroccanoil Intense Hydrating Mask
Dry hair might require a few extra steps, including sitting with a hydrating mask after your wash routine. " This is a great mask to combat winter dryness frizz and static!" Rivera says. "It's rich in vitamin B and Argan oil, so it's extremely hydrating. The behentrimonium chloride helps with static electricity."
Color Wow Extra Strength Dream Coat
After shampooing, conditioning, and towel-drying your hair, divide your hair into sections and spray a liberal amount of this product throughout. The result? The glossy, frizz-free hair of our dreams. "This is great for winter dryness, controls static electricity, and is great for extremely dry curly/coily hair for intense moisture, especially during the winter months," Rivera says.
Privé Moisture Rich Shampoo & Conditioner
For an alternative shampoo and conditioner combo that you should consider picking up before winter strikes, this duo will help combat hair dehydration. "This is where I would start for anyone struggling with dry winter hair. Healthy-looking hair starts with the right foundation, and I love this combination because it helps replenish moisture, soften the hair, and improve manageability," hairstylist Chad Cook says. "When hair is properly hydrated, it naturally looks shinier, feels smoother, and becomes much easier to style. This is especially important during winter when hair tends to feel more dehydrated."
Privé Prep and Protect Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner
We are personally huge fans of products that serve multiple purposes. This helps with detangling, smooths frizz, and protects from heat—something to be mindful of, especially in the winter. "This is one of my go-to products behind the chair. I always emphasize the importance of protecting your hair before styling, especially during winter when it’s already more susceptible to dryness and breakage," Wood says. I love that it makes the hair more manageable without leaving it feeling heavy. It’s an easy addition to your everyday routine that can make a noticeable difference."
Monat Advanced Hydrating Conditioner
In the winter, you might have to double up on hydration—consider a super hydrating conditioner, as well as a deep conditioner. "My go-to recommendation for clients experiencing dry hair in winter is a combination of a hydrating conditioner and a weekly or biweekly deep conditioning treatment," trichologist and haircare science instructor Dorian White says.
BondiBoost Miracle Hair Mask
White suggests combining a hydrating conditioner with this deep conditioning hair mask. After washing and conditioning, apply this to your hair weekly or bi-weekly. "A deep conditioning treatment provides an additional nourishing and moisturizing boost when your hair needs it," White says.
Monat Balance Restore Leave-In Conditioner
This winter, consider tripling up on your conditioning routine with a leave-in conditioner, a step that you should remember year-round. "Another important tip is not to skip your leave-in conditioner! If you typically use one only on damp hair on wash days, consider applying a small amount to the ends of your (dry) hair every night before bed," White says. "Think of it like lotion for your hair: just as your skin may need extra care during winter, your hair may benefit from additional conditioning, too! For those looking for a lightweight option, the Monat Restore Leave-in Conditioner is worth considering."