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Why is My Hair So Dry? Dry Hair Causes Explained

Why is My Hair So Dry? Dry Hair Causes Explained

We’re all striving for soft, shiny, luscious locks – but exposure to daily hair stressors can dehydrate hair and stand in the way of a flawless mane.

Now, most people are familiar with the signs of dry hair – which can include dullness, limpness, brittle strands, rough texture, frizz, and split ends.

But what are the causes of dry hair?

To answer the age-old question of ‘why is my hair so dry?’, we’ve curated this comprehensive guide to address all of your dry hair concerns. From causes and fixes to Kérastase’s most nourishing hair products, discover how to revive dry strands below.

Why is my hair extremely dry? 6 common dry hair causes

Highly porous hair fibres struggle to retain moisture, reducing shine and affecting the appearance and texture of hair.

Dryness is especially prevalent in the winter months, but if it’s become a year-round concern, you might want to consider dry hair causes beyond weather.

Read on as we delve into six common causes of dry hair

1. Chemical processing

When it comes to dry hair causes, chemical processing is one of the biggest culprits.

Chemical treatments like bleaching, colouring, perming, or relaxing can all damage the hair’s outermost layer – the cuticle. This causes the cuticle to ‘rough’ up, which makes moisture pass more easily through the hair – and impacts your strands’ ability to stay lubricated.

2. Excessive heat styling

Heat styling tools offer effortless control to create any look – but relying too heavily on these tools can ultimately dry out hair, leaving it dull, brittle, and coarse.

Similarly to chemically damaged hair, heat-damaged hair has a compromised protective shield, resulting in poor moisture retention. Prevention is the most effective way to safeguard your strands from heat damage – which is why heat protectants are integral to any daily hair care practice.

3. Over-washing hair

The quest for consistently clean hair can often lead to over-washing your scalp and strands.

Your scalp’s oils naturally condition your strands, so removing them too often can result in a vicious cycle of dry hair. Three wash days a week is the recommended maximum for most hair types, but we recommend following our guide to how often you should wash your hair based on your needs to establish the right wash schedule.

4. Hair care products that dehydrate strands

If you’ve taken the time to establish a quality hair care routine and you’re still left wondering ‘why is my hair so dry?’, the answer may sit on your hair care shelf.

Even the most luxe products can’t support dryness without targeted ingredients. So, when developing a regimen for dry hair, it’s important to select not only products specifically formulated for nourishment, but ones that also complement your hair type and texture.

5. Dry weather and extreme temperatures

Beyond heat, extreme weather conditions like wind, lack of moisture in the air, and sun exposure are all common dry hair causes.

In colder weather, hotter showers and prolonged exposure to indoor heating can also impact your hair’s natural oils, further dehydrating your scalp and strands.

6. Skipping regular trims at the salon

Even if you have healthy hair, the ends are likely the driest section and the most prone to damage, which can result in a lacklustre appearance.

While your scalp’s natural sebum can act as a conditioning agent for your locks, it can’t always reach the hair farthest from your head. However, you can support softer, stronger, healthier-looking hair with regular trims every eight to 12 weeks.

Hair care routine for dry hair: a step-by-step guide

Identifying your personal dry hair causes is only half the battle; the next step is building a nourishing hair care routine to hydrate hair.

From moisture-boosting shampoos to targeted hair treatments, we’re taking you through our step-by-step hair regimen to bring life back to your dry locks.

1. Bathe with a hydrating shampoo

Well-hydrated hair starts at the scalp – and your choice of shampoo is the foundation of your nourishing hair care practice.

Enriched with a blend of plant-based proteins and hair-loving ingredients such as glycerin and niacinamide, the Nutritive Bain Satin Hydrating Shampoo for Dry Hair is formulated to hydrate and soften hair from root to tip. For extra dry strands, opt for the intensely nourishing Nutritive Bain Satin Riche for Very Dry Hair.

When washing your hair with either shampoo, be sure to use warm – not hot – water to emulsify and rinse it out.

2. Nourish your ends with a conditioner

A conditioner is a fundamental product in your hydrating hair care arsenal, working to smooth the cuticle, increase suppleness, and replenish lost moisture.

Deeply nourishing yet ultra-lightweight, the Nutritive Lait Vital Conditioner for Dry Hair is perfect for fine-to-medium hair to tackle dry hair causes without weighing down strands.

After shampooing, apply the conditioner to your lengths and ends. Leave on for around three minutes, allowing the product to penetrate the hair shaft.

3. Boost moisture with a hair mask

If you have particularly thick hair and you’re still wondering ‘why is my hair dry?’ after conditioning, it might be time to add a hydrating hair mask to your routine.

Dry hair can benefit from a mask with ultra-hydrating ingredients and a rich, creamy formula – such as our Nutritive Masquintense Hair Mask for Dry Hair.

For best results, comb the hair mask through your locks to ensure every strand is coated, then leave it on for three to five minutes before rinsing.

4. Enrich with a scalp treatment

A hydrated, balanced scalp fosters the ideal environment for hair resilience, shine, and vitality.

Enter: the Nutritive Scalp Food Hydrating Scalp Serum. Enriched with key ingredients – such as hyaluronic acid, vitamin E, and other proteins – this potent scalp serum provides an immediate shot of hydration to dry scalps to create the ideal conditions for new growth.

This leave-in serum can be applied to either damp or dry hair as often as once per day. When applying, just be sure to section your hair and massage evenly through your roots.

5. Integrate an oil or serum for your ends

While conditioners for dry hair are an important step in caring for your mane, severely dehydrated locks can benefit from something a little more intense.

To replenish dry locks between washes, evenly disperse Nutritive 8H Magic Night Hair Serum through your hair in the evening. This nutrient-supplementing serum revitalises hair with progressive moisture through the long hours of sleep – revealing radiant, youthful locks when you wake.

6. Protect your strands from heat

Heat protectants work by forming a protective barrier between your strands and heat styling tools – so they are a non-negotiable for managing the causes of dry hair.

Formulated to protect hair from heat up to 230ºC, the Nutritive Nectar Thermique Blow-Dry Cream for Dry Hair is a blow-dry primer cream that imparts essential vitamins to strands, while improving manageability and shine.

The Ultimate Guide to Strengthening Hair & Stopping Hair Breakage

Left unchecked, dry hair causes strands to become more brittle over time – resulting in breakage. Next, explore our guidance on how to strengthen hair and stop breakage.