No More Bad Hair Days: 10 Ways to Repair Dry Hair Without Having to Leave the House

1. Reach for coconut oil.

If you want to nourish, hydrate, and strengthen your hair, look no further than coconut oil. The kitchen staple is like a tall drink of water for parched strands because it’s a natural emollient that locks in hydration. It seals the hair cuticle and penetrates hair fibers to restore moisture where it needs it the most, and it’s rich in vitamin E. There are so many benefits of coconut oil for your hair including using it as a deep-conditioning hair treatment at home on a weekly basis. Here’s how: Just coat your hair in coconut oil from root to tip, focusing on the ends of your hair. Leave the oil treatment on for 20 minutes, then shampoo and condition as you normally would.

2. Stay away from hot tools.

If your hair feels more dry than usual, overstyling could be the culprit as hot tools can leave your hair damaged and brittle. To strengthen your hair, you should skip out on heat styling when possible and let your hair air dry instead. “Let your hair air dry or gently pull it into a soft braid or loose bun depending on your hair texture,” says Sunnie Brook, celebrity hairstylist and Biolage brand ambassador. If you are going to use a hair dryer, be sure to hold it at least six inches away from your hair shaft to minimize damage. Even if you’ve made a commitment to break up with your blow dryer, you still need to be conscious of how you treat your hair post-shower (and even post-swim!), when your hair follicles are more delicate. “Your hair is the most vulnerable when it is wet so less pulling and brushing is best while it’s wet,” says Brook. Finger comb your hair in the shower while you have a hair mask or conditioner already in your hair to minimize brushing wet hair after.

3. Shower every other day.

Washing your hair removes dirt and product build-up and is necessary for a healthy scalp. But it also strips your strands of natural oils, so excessive shampooing can dry out your hair—especially if you’ve recently highlighted or bleached it. “If you like to shampoo often, it can lead to having dry brittle ends,” says Brook, who says it’s important to “make sure you are conditioning just as often as you are shampooing to ensure the hair cuticle is getting proper care.” If you usually wash your hair on a daily basis, it might be best to wash every other day with a gentle, sulfate-free formula to allow your hair to benefit from your natural oil production. You can also apply oil as a leave-in, pre-shower treatment to protect the ends (but more on that below).

4. Apply argan oil.

It’s no secret that oils can work wonders on dry hair, but there’s a reason why we’re signaling out argan oil: it’s liquid gold for your hair. This natural oil is rich in antioxidants and contains a unique blend of oleic acid, linoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid which soften, moisturize, and condition hair without leaving behind greasy residue. Check out our guide on how to apply argan oil to your hair if you’re ready to reap the benefits of this major multitasker, or opt for a pre-made mask that already contains argan oil, (like this one from our July 2020 Glam Bag Ultimate). A little argan oil can go a long way to smooth split ends and tame flyaways and frizz, and it's easy to use. You can also add a couple of drops to the ends of your hair before you shampoo to ensure you don’t strip away natural oils when you hit the shower.

5. Rinse with cold water.

While you may look forward to relaxing under a hot shower, you might want to switch to cool water for the sake of your hair cuticle. “Cold water helps to seal moisture in the hair while hot water can strip the essential oils left after using a hair mask,” says Brook. In order to seal the hair cuticle and lock in moisture, rinse your hair with cool water instead of warm water before you step out of the shower. This also helps ensure that you don’t strip away the added nourishment from the hair products and DIY hair treatments you incorporated into your routine.

6. Create a yogurt-based hair mask.

Yogurt is high in natural fats and protein, making it perfect for adding shine and moisture to your strands, so be sure to save some for a hair mask next time you buy it. Brook recommends creating a mash by combining full-fat yogurt with ripe avocado and honey. “The monounsaturated fatty acid content in avocado oil is higher than extra virgin olive oil! It is like a superhero for your hair,” says Brook. While yogurt and avocado restores moisture and delivers much-needed fatty acids to your strands, honey acts as a humectant to seal in moisture so your hair holds onto hydration. “To make an avocado and yogurt mask, combine 1 cup of natural yogurt, 1/2 an avocado, 3 teaspoons of honey, and 1 squeeze of lemon,” says Brook. Mix the ingredients together and apply to your hair in sections. “Cover with a shower cap and leave on the hair for 15 minutes.” Follow it up with shampoo and conditioner.

7. Add more healthy fats to your diet.

Our diet has a direct impact on how we look and feel, and our hair is no exception. If your hair is looking lackluster, you might be low on crucial nutrients. Your hair would benefit from incorporating a multivitamin into your daily routine. “Protein, healthy fats, and certain vitamins can greatly improve the health of your hair,” says Brook. For essential fatty acids, Brook recommends loading up on salmon, which is rich in Omega-3s, and will keep your hair soft and shiny. “Almonds (almond butter), avocados, and eggs are great sources of biotin, which help strengthen hair and possibly increase growth,” says Brook.

8. Incorporate egg into your hair care routine.

Because egg yolks are high in fat, they’re packed with moisturizing benefits. You can DIY your own hair mask using eggs and lemon. Brook recommends mixing 2-3 eggs together and adding 2-3 drops of lemon juice to cancel out the pungent egg smell. “Leave the mixture on the hair for about 20 minutes with a shower cap,” says Brook, who also shared her pro tip for minimizing a potential mess in the shower: “Be sure to rinse with COLD water, because hot water will make the eggs clump.” Once you thoroughly rinse out the mixture, wash your hair with your go-to shampoo and conditioner.

9. Condition your hair before you swim.

To protect your hair from chlorine and salt water, reach for a conditioner before you take the plunge—not after. “Your hair is porous like a sponge, and the more damaged it is, the more it soaks up products and water,” says Brook. When you apply a hair mask or leave-in conditioner before you dive in, you’re sealing the hair shaft and protecting it from absorbing harsh pool chemicals and salt. “It acts as a protective barrier,” says Brook, who recommends reaching for the Fiber Strong Deep Treatment pack by Biolage and applying it from mid-shaft to ends. “If you have overly processed hair apply all over. This instantly moisturizes hair, making it stronger with up 70% less breakage,” says Brook.

10. Sleep on silk.

Could you be contributing to breakage without realizing it? If you sleep on cotton sheets, that could be the case. “Cotton can lift the cuticle of very dry hair,” says Brook. Cotton also absorbs moisture from both your skin and hair, making it even more dry than it was before you went to sleep. Since dry hair is more vulnerable and more prone to breakage, try sleeping on silk. “Silk pillowcases cause less friction on the hair shaft which can lead to less breakage,” says Brook. This allows both your skin and hair to absorb natural oils. The best part? You can care for your hair while you sleep—and silk feels sooo luxurious.

If you’re looking for moisturizing home remedies to tame frizzy hair, restore shine, and infuse much-needed hydration, look no further than your kitchen cabinet or fridge. While these alternatives may not be the secret to solving hair loss once and for all, they work to infuse essential fatty acids and strengthen the hair follicle, leaving you with longer, stronger hair that feels as good it looks.

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