Many of us dream of lustrous, healthy hair; however, the reality often looks a tad different. Dryness and damage are often the norm for many people. Though some causes of a brittle, unmanageable mane (think the natural aging process and medical conditions1) are beyond our control, we do have considerable agency over how we care for our hair to enhance a broader wellness ritual.
First, education is key. This guide explains why hair is damaged, which tools to use to style with care, and offers suggestions for finding the best products for dry, damaged hair from Surface Hair to give your locks a nourishing new start and prevent issues down the line.
Here's a snapshot of your hair's anatomy (so you can better understand what went awry). A hair shaft has three layers: the cuticle, or outer layer, which protects the inner layers and gives strands their shine; next is the cortex, home to strength-building keratin protein and pigment-making melanin. Finally, the medulla is the inner core. When your hair begins to break, frizz, and look dull, the outer layer has broken down2.
The environment could be to blame for why your hair feels like straw and looks like it needs moisture. Exposure to dry air, excessive sunlight, saltwater, and chlorine strips natural oils from your locks. Heat styling, applying harsh formulas, and overwashing are also culprits you might not realize are drying and damaging hair1.
Switching to a hair care routine for damaged hair can help keep these issues in check, restoring the strength and sheen of your strands.
Dry, damaged hair needs more care than shampooing and conditioning alone can provide, which is why a pre-shampoo or scalp-prep formula should be part of the conversation. Different formulas tackle specific issues head-on—from repairing the shaft to moisturizing the scalp and hair3.
Pre-shampoo treatments are among the best hair products for dry, damaged hair, thanks to their ability to detangle, cleanse, and clarify (using scrubbing and detoxifying agents) to help remove product buildup4.
Products containing harsh ingredients deserve a prominent place on your no-go list. For instance, traditional shampoos contain sulfates. The chemical gives shampoo its satisfying sudsiness and hair its squeaky-clean feeling, but it also has a stripping effect5.
Make sulfate- and paraben-free cleansing formulas like our Trinity Shampoo part of your damaged hair care routine instead. Its nourishing ingredients include amaranth protein, which addresses dryness and dullness while providing UV protection. Meanwhile, moringa oil delivers antioxidant defense.
Wash in lukewarm water and rinse in cool water to help smooth the cuticle. Otherwise, higher water temperatures can open the cuticle, leaving room for moisture to escape. Following up with a conditioner can also smooth the cuticle6. Our All In Conditioner features moisturizing ingredients, including rice protein that seals the cuticle and hemp seed oil, rich in omegas 3, 6, and 9, for a moisture shield in the heat.
Also, watch out for overwashing your hair. To put less stress on your strands, don't wash daily. Base the frequency on your hair type and needs.
A deep conditioner is one of the best hair care products for dry, damaged hair to incorporate into your weekly routine. Whereas a standard conditioner smooths the outer cuticle to curb frizz and restore shine, a deep conditioner uses higher-concentration ingredients to repair and strengthen the inner layers7, making hair more resilient and less prone to breakage.
Our Bassu Hydrating Masque is infused with sustainably harvested babassu seed oil. This effective emollient penetrates the shaft, while coconut oil soothes the hair and scalp, and safflower oil seals the cuticle to lock in moisture.
Leave-in conditioners provide a moisture boost between regular wash days and deep conditioning. These formulas, like our All In Leave-In Conditioner, also detangle and control frizz, so your hair still looks its best whatever the day has in store.
Leave-in conditioners and serums work hand in hand; the latter keep flyaways at bay and give hair a glossy finish. If you have curly or textured hair, our Curls Serum adds gloss and moisturizes the tight curl pattern with a restorative blend of cocoa butter, babassu seed oil, and the Color Vita-Complex.
After your regular wash routine, gently pat hair dry with a towel and apply a leave-in conditioner to lock in moisture, then layer on serums.
Wet hair is fragile, so air dry whenever possible. Or, at least, make sure your hair isn't sopping wet when you brush or comb it8. If you opt to blow-dry, use the lowest temperature setting. This is the best approach for curling wands, flat irons, and other heat-styling tools, too. Coating your strands with a protectant spray will also provide reliable defense against direct heat.
If you have chemically processed hair, try our Bassu Moisture Bond to bring damaged locks back to life using nourishing babassu and moringa oils. Our Trinity Bond Repair Trinity One Shot is also a leave-in bond repair formula with ingredients that activate when you blow-dry your hair.
Browse the entire Repair Collection to style your strands the way you want, without sacrificing hair health.
The best salon products for dry, damaged hair contain concentrated active ingredients, including natural oils, proteins, and vitamins. Alternatively, drugstore products often feature harsh ingredients that don't do your hair a ton of a good9. Surface Hair offers natural, organic, and vegan hair care products that are free of parabens, sulfates, and other drying, damaging ingredients.
Give dry, damaged hair a fresh start—shop Surface Hair Bassu Moisture today.
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