Last Minute Gifting? Order by 12/16 & Get it in Time For the Holidays. SHOP NOW
FREE US Shipping $50+ Ask an Expert 15% off first App Order Dermstore Rewards Refer a Friend, Get $25
TOP TEN

9 Best Hair Treatments to Remedy Dry, Damaged and Dull Strands

Dealing with dry, dull and unmanageable hair that easily breaks? You’re not alone —especially in winter, when hair-tangling winds, cold, dry air, and even drier indoor heat can wreak havoc on even the most cared-for strands. Lucky for us, the newest breed of hair masks and treatments are not only designed to bring much-needed moisture back to dull and dry strands. They also feed your hair and scalp with much-needed nutrients to repair damage, soften strands, boost hair color and increase shine. But before we dive into the best treatments for your hair, let's get to the root of the problem: what causes dryness and damage, and what can you do to avoid it in the first place?

What Causes Hair to Become Damaged?

As it turns out, there are many components that contribute to hair becoming dry and damaged. One is over-processing the hair with too many chemicals. This happens to those who color or chemically straighten or curl their hair. That’s why Sharon Dorram, master colorist at Sharon Dorram Color at Sally Hershberger Salon, says her main rule of thumb is never to do more than two processes to your hair in the same visit.

Another potential cause? Blow-drying and using hot tools too often. “When your strands heat up too quickly or too much, it zaps the moisture right out, which causes breakage and damage,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons. To prevent this, he recommends avoiding using hot tools as much as possible, and when you do, turn the heat setting down so you’re not frying your hair. Protective sprays, such as Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray can also come in handy when using hot tools to cut down on the damage.

Other potential causes of dry hair that Dorram points out include frequent and over-shampooing, using too many styling products, overexposure to environmental elements and certain medications.

The Best Hair Treatments to Salvage Dry Hair

To remedy dry hair, hairstylists recommend using a good intensive hair treatment that will replenish your hair’s moisture, seal the cuticle to prevent further moisture loss and damage and increase shine and manageability. “There are so many fantastic options now available to really help give hair its shine back, with treatments at every price point.” says Tina Malhotra, hairstylist at L’Appartement Hair Boudoir in New York City. For best results, she recommends using a hair treatment at least once per week.

When shopping for hair treatments that address dryness, it’s important to keep an eye out for key ingredients. Dorram recommends looking for emollient botanical oils, such as baobab seed oil and other natural oils rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which, unlike other oils, absorb completely into the hair without feeling heavy or greasy. Additionally, she likes to add vitamin E, which hydrates and locks in moisture.

To help you get started, here are some of the top-rated and recommended hair treatments that remedy dry, damaged strands.

1. Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair!™ Deep Conditioning Hair Mask 8 oz

This deep conditioning mask restores intense hydration back to otherwise lackluster strands. It contains a transformative blend of ingredients including essential B vitamins that strengthen hair from the inside out, rosehip and argan oils which soften hair and add more shine, along with algae which helps fight hair loss and reduces scalp inflammation. NYC-based master hair colorist Stephanie Brown recommends using this deep conditioner weekly if you have damaged or chemically treated hair.

2. Philip Kingsley Elasticizer (5.07 fl. oz.)

There’s a good reason this pre-shampoo treatment, which was originally created for actress Audrey Hepburn, has passed the test of time: It’s super effective at improving hair’s bounce, shine and manageability, specifically when used on dry, damaged strands. Key ingredients include hydrolyzed elastin, a humectant that boosts hair’s strength; essential fatty acids, which add both moisture and shine; and glycerin, which helps hair retain moisture.

3. VIRTUE Recovery Bundle

3 reviews

$86.00

Formulated with first-of-its-kind Alpha Keratin 60ku®, this shampoo and conditioner duo behave like high-powered treatment products, depositing pure, human keratin protein directly into the hair. They work hard to fill in cracks in the cuticle to heal hair and repair damage from heat, chemicals, and color treatment.

5. Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector (3.3 fl. oz.)

The OG of hair-repairing bond builders, this pre-shampoo treatment reduces breakage and split ends for visibly stronger hair. Formulated with scientifically proven OLAPLEX Bond Building Technology™, it helps repair broken disulfide bonds caused by heat, chemical, and mechanical damage for visibly healthier, stronger hair and reduce breakage and split ends.

6. Slip pure silk pillowcase - King (1 piece)

Upgrading to a silk pillowcase will do wonders for both your hair AND skin. Crafted with 100% mulberry silk, slip's pure silk pillowcase reduces the look of sleep creases and frizzy hair by allowing skin to glide along the pillow while reducing extra pressure and resists pulling of hair cuticles to help preserve style, volume and length of hair.

8. Moroccanoil Dry Scalp Treatment 1.5 oz

Healthy hair starts at the scalp and we love this repairing scalp treatment from Moroccanoil. A pre-shampoo serum, it moisturizes and soothes dry, flaky scalps with salicylic acid, geranium, lavender, Vitamin E, and argan oil formula to gently exfoliate and fight flakiness while leaving the scalp feeling revived and renewed.

9. Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-in Heat Protection Spray 4.2 oz

This lightweight heat protection spray is enriched with vitamins, fatty acids and proteins to help correct damaged hair while also preventing future damage. Formulated with caviar extract, one of nature’s richest sources of omega-3 fatty acids, it restores moisture, elasticity and shine while its bond enforcing technology is specifically engineered to seal hair cuticles that have been damaged by chemical processes or physical stress. It also features Alterna's Age-Control-Complex® to nourish and prevent damage and encourage micro-circulation, and mineral-rich algae extract to nourish, hydrate and strengthen the hair while helping protect hair from free radical damage.
dermstore-editors
dermstore-editors Writer and expert

From the latest hair and makeup trends to the best solutions for your skin issues, we've got all your beauty concerns covered!

Related Posts