Home remedies for dry hair: 10 ways to moisturize your hair naturally

Do you want to get rid of dry hair, lacking lustre? The environment, over-styling and a lack of sufficient hydration can cause dry hair. All these factors make it a common issue among people. The fact that dry hair looks shabby, dishevelled, and dull is only one aspect of the problem. Over time, it can cause split ends, brittleness, and breakage. All of this is bad for our hair’s health and growth. So what can you do? Well, the remedy is quite simple: moisturise your hair on a daily basis. Some simple and effective home remedies can help nourish your locks and restore the natural shine of your mane.

What are the causes of dry hair?

Dry hair can be caused by a variety of factors, including:

1. Environmental factors

Environmental factors can play a significant role in causing dry hair. Exposure to harsh weather conditions, such as cold, dry air in winter or hot, sunny weather in summer, can strip your hair of its natural moisture. “Cold air can reduce the amount of moisture in the atmosphere, leading to dry skin and hair. Similarly, hot weather can cause excessive evaporation of moisture from your hair, leaving it feeling parched and brittle,” says dermatologist Dr Priti Karde Shringarpure.

2. Over-washing hair

While regular shampooing is necessary to remove dirt, oil, and product buildup from your hair, over-washing can actually contribute to dryness, found a study published in the Skin Appendage Disorders. Your scalp produces natural oils that help to moisturise your hair, and excessive washing can strip these oils away. When your hair is deprived of these natural oils, it can become dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. This is particularly true for those with naturally dry hair, as their scalps may already produce less oil.

3. Heat styling

Excessive use of heat styling tools, such as hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons, can significantly contribute to dry hair, as found in a study published in the Annals Dermatology. When you apply heat to your hair, it can damage the hair cuticle, the outermost layer of the hair shaft. This damage can lead to moisture loss, leaving your hair feeling dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. Additionally, repeated heat styling can weaken the hair’s structure, making it more susceptible to split ends and other signs of damage.

3. Lack of moisture

Just like your skin, your hair requires adequate hydration to stay healthy. “When you do not drink enough water or do not use hydrating hair products, your hair can become dry and brittle. Water helps to replenish your body’s fluids, including those in your hair follicles. When your body is dehydrated, your hair may also suffer from a lack of moisture,” explains the expert.

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Home remedies for dry hair: 5 ways to moisture your locks

Here are some easy and effective ways to moisturise your hair to prevent dry hair. Try out these simple home remedies for dry hair, as suggested by the expert.

1. Avocado hair mask

Avocados contain a variety of beneficial fats, including oleic acid, which is known for its moisturising properties, as found in a study published in the Molecules. When applied to your hair, natural oils in avocado can permeate the shaft, offering deep hydration and nourishment.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 egg yolk

Method:

• Mash the avocado in a bowl.
• Add the honey and egg yolk, and mix well.
• Apply the mask to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

2. Coconut oil and honey hair mask

Coconut oil and honey are both natural ingredients with moisturising properties that can benefit your hair. It is an effective home remedy for dry hair. Coconut oil is rich in fatty acids that penetrate the hair shaft, providing deep hydration and nourishment, as found in a study published in the International Journal of Molecular Science. Honey is a humectant, meaning it attracts and retains moisture.

Ingredients:

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey

Method:

• Combine the coconut oil and honey in a bowl.
• Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

3. Aloe vera and olive oil hair mask

Aloe vera and olive oil are both natural components that have good moisturising benefits for your hair. Aloe vera gel includes enzymes and amino acids that can penetrate the hair shaft, providing intense hydration and nourishment, as found in a study published in the Indian Journal of Dermatology. Olive oil contains fatty acids, which aid to seal in moisture and protect your hair from damage.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of aloe vera gel
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil

Method:

• Combine the aloe vera gel and olive oil in a bowl.
• Apply the mixture to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

4. Banana and yoghurt hair mask

Bananas and yoghurt have nutrients that might enhance your hair. Bananas include potassium and magnesium, which can help strengthen and moisturise your hair. Yoghurt contains protein and lactic acid, which helps increase hair elasticity and minimise frizz, as per a study published in the Plos One.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe banana
• 1/4 cup of plain yoghurt

Method:

• Mash the banana in a bowl.
• Add the yoghurt and mix well.
• Apply the mask to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

5. Egg and yoghurt hair mask

Eggs and yoghurt both contain nutrients that might enhance your hair. Eggs provide protein and biotin, which are required for healthy hair development and strength, as found in a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology. Yoghurt contains lactic acid, which helps to increase hair elasticity and minimise frizz.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup of yoghurt

Method:

• Beat the egg in a bowl.
• Add the yoghurt and mix well.
• Apply the mask to damp hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

6. Apple cider vinegar rinse

While apple cider vinegar itself does not directly moisturise your hair, it plays an important role in maintaining healthy hair by balancing your scalp’s pH. “A balanced pH helps to ensure that your scalp’s natural oils are distributed evenly, preventing dryness and promoting a healthier scalp environment,” says the expert.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup of water

Method:

• Combine the apple cider vinegar and water in a bowl.
• After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour the mixture over your hair.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.

7. Coconut milk rinse

Coconut milk is a natural ingredient packed with nutrients that can benefit your hair. It contains fatty acids, vitamins, and minerals that can help to hydrate, nourish, and strengthen your hair, as found in a study published in the Innovative Food Processing Technologies.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of coconut milk

Method:

• After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour the coconut milk over your hair.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.

8. Olive oil hot oil treatment

Olive oil is a natural ingredient rich in fatty acids, as found in a study published in Nutrients, that can penetrate the hair shaft, providing deep hydration and nourishment. When used as a hot oil treatment, the warmth helps to open the hair cuticles, allowing the olive oil to penetrate more deeply into the hair strands.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of olive oil

Method:

• Warm the olive oil slightly.
• Apply the warm oil to your hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

9. Shea butter hair mask

Shea butter is a natural moisturiser that is rich in fatty acids and vitamins, as found in a study published in the Trans Fats Replacement Solutions. When applied to your hair, shea butter can penetrate the hair shaft, providing deep hydration and nourishment.

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup of shea butter

Method:

• Melt the shea butter slightly.
• Apply the melted shea butter to your hair, focusing on the ends.
• Cover your hair with a shower cap and leave for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

10. Honey and lemon juice rinse

Honey is a humectant, which means it draws and holds moisture. Lemon juice contains natural cleaning characteristics that can help eliminate buildup and regulate the pH of the scalp, explains the expert.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 tablespoon of lemon juice
• 1 cup of water

Method:

• Combine the honey, lemon juice, and water in a bowl.
• After shampooing and conditioning your hair, pour the mixture over your hair.
• Let it sit for 1-2 minutes before rinsing thoroughly with cold water.

Side effects of these home remedies

While these home remedies for dry hair contain natural ingredients that can help manage dry hair, it is important to be aware of potential side effects:

• Allergic reactions: If you have allergies to any of the ingredients used in the masks, you may experience allergic reactions such as itching, redness, or swelling.
• Protein buildup: Overuse of protein-rich masks, such as those containing eggs or yoghurt, can lead to protein buildup on your hair, making it dry and brittle.
• Scalp irritation: Some ingredients, such as lemon juice or apple cider vinegar, can be irritating to the scalp if used too often or in high concentrations.
• Ineffectiveness: While many DIY hair masks can be beneficial, they may not be as effective as commercial products, especially for those with severe hair damage.