6 Ways to Moisturize Dry, Curly Hair in Winter

woman with curly hair
Dec 12 2024,
By: Bianca Lambert
-
4 Min read

Ah, wintertime. The time of year where the temperatures drop, but hot apple cider and limited-time holiday lattes keep us warm while we wait for spring to reemerge and our dry skin to reset. Our skin isn’t the only thing that is affected by the seasonal temperature shifts. Our hair feels it too and we sometimes end up with dry curly hair in winter. Like our skin, we must make sure we care for and sometimes even add new ingredients to help keep our curls and coils looking and feeling their best. Here’s how to moisturize curly hair and keep your hair journey on track this winter.

Table of Contents

    Healthy hair shouldn’t feel brittle or dry, but if yours is starting to feel drier than usual, it could be a sign of damage. From environmental factors to over-styling, there are many reasons your hair might lose its softness. Understanding the causes is the first step in restoring your hair’s natural shine. For environmental factors like winter dryness, here are some tips to keep your hair moisturized during the colder months.

    1. Always sleep in silk or satin

    Ok, yes this sounds bougie. But this is a must-do for any winter curly hair routine. For starters, securing your curls at night with silk or satin means more time between wash days. In addition, silk helps hair retain moisture and the natural oils our scalp produces to prevent waking up to dry curly hair. If donning a scarf isn’t for you, try sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase. You’ll still reap the same benefits of the fabric’s good-for-you properties, like more moisture retention and undisrupted curl definition. 

    So you’ve got your silk pillowcase. Now, get our top tips for how to sleep with curly hair.

    2. Keep up the deep conditioning

    We get it. It’s easy to skip deep conditioning, especially with cold weather, less sunshine, and the busy schedules we all keep. However, we want to stress the importance of deep conditioning with hydrating ingredients like shea oil, avocado oil, and glycerin. Don’t forget to wear a plastic cap or microwavable conditioning cap to trap the heat your scalp lets off, in turn helping the nutrients better penetrate the hair cuticle. Also consider investing in a good leave-in conditioner and nurturing hair oil to seal in moisture for boosted hydration.

    Interested in using hair mask? Learn how to add moisture to dry, curly hair with multimasking.

    3. Add steam

    We mentioned the benefits of adding heat to your routine, but steaming coily hair elevates hair care to the next level. Unlike simply applying heat with a deep conditioner, steaming works by opening the hair cuticle, allowing treatments to penetrate deeper into the hair fibers. This method is particularly essential for low-porosity hair, which tends to have difficulty absorbing moisture. Steaming ensures that nourishing treatments can reach the core of each strand, providing long-lasting hydration and enhancing overall hair health.

    4. Protect your hair

    Protective styling isn’t just for the summertime. It’s just as beneficial during colder months. As always, with protective styling, taking care of your scalp by rinsing away build-up is a must. With box braids or twists, since the temperatures are dropping, wrap your hair in microfiber for 20 minutes and then sit under a hood dryer to reset the hair (and prevent catching a cold).

    5. Be mindful of cold weather accessories

    It’s hat season, and we’re here for the fashion. However, the friction from wool and cotton hats can dry out curly hair in winter. These materials create friction against the hair cuticle, leading to breakage, frizz, and dryness. The constant rubbing can strip away moisture and disrupt the hair’s natural oils, leaving it brittle and fragile. To protect your curls this winter, consider using satin or silk-lined hats, which are much gentler on the hair. Luckily, brands like Grace Eleyae offer silk-lined hats of all varieties, including knit and structured wide-brimmed hats. 

    While you’re waiting for your silk-lined hat to arrive, read our tips for preventing hat hair.

    6. Pre-poo your lengths

    Pre-pooing might make you sigh and say, “Another step?” Again, we get it. But, pre-pooing is actually a step that doesn’t add any time to your wash day if you apply your oil or product of choice overnight. Not to mention, this little step helps prevent hygral fatigue (damage to hair follicles caused by swelling from excessive moisture) while conditioning the hair before you even start your wash day haircare routine. 

    Do you know how often you should actually shampoo? We’ve got the answer in our guide to how frequently you should wash your hair.

    Wrap up

    Keeping your curls moisturized is always key to having healthy, bouncy hair. When cold weather hits and the air is stripped of humidity, winter hair problems can emerge. However, armed with these six tips and the right winter hair products, you’ll be able to transition your hair into the season without missing a beat. 

    Still not sure where to go next? Take our free haircare consultation and let us formulate the perfect routine for your curly locks.

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