Dry, brittle hair is something we all wish we could avoid. Frizzy, dull and all over the place, these bad hair days are a common frustration for men and women. Caused by an imbalance of natural oils, brittle and dry hair is caused by many factors like lifestyle choices, and the environment, though the biggest culprit is what you do with your hair.
Learn how to care for brittle hair by understanding what goes inside each hair follicle and the steps you can take to revitalise your hair with natural, plant-based haircare products from OC Naturals. Plus, a few lifestyle tips for a healthier you!
HEALTHY HAIR VS DRY, BRITTLE HAIR
Your hair is made up of three layers–the pith (the innermost layer), the cuticle (a thin, protective outer layer), and the cortex (the main component of the hair). A healthy balance of natural oils on the outside layer of your hair will help protect the layers below while also reflecting light, giving your hair that radiant sheen and lustre. On the other hand, brittle and dry hair occurs when this outside layer breaks down, resulting in dull and unhealthy-looking hair.
Made up almost entirely of keratin, a protein that cannot be dissolved in water, it's one of the main culprits behind dry hair, as the keratin gives hair its waterproof protection.
Another thing to take note of is how well your hair repels water. Keratin cannot be dissolved in water, giving hair waterproofing protection. If your hair is soaking up water like a sponge, this is a tell-tale sign that the outer layer of your hair has failed, resulting in dry, brittle hair. If you notice your hair is rough to the touch and easily broken when pulled or stretched, it's likely you have dry hair that requires a bit of tender, love and care from OC Naturals.
Natural and healthy-looking hair is the goal for everyone, not just the ladies. These differences make choosing the right hair care for your hair type essential to getting the best results.
WHAT CAUSES DRY HAIR?
Many factors, including age, health and lifestyle choices, can cause dry, brittle hair. Below is a list of the most common causes of brittle and dry hair.
Dry Scalp: when natural oil levels in your hair are low, this can also impact the scalp, causing it to peel and shed, resulting in dandruff.
Age: the older we get, the less oil our hair produces, which can result in dry, brittle hair.
Health: severe eating disorders and hormonal problems can cause hair loss.
Diet: Like the above, diets low in hair-supporting nutrients like biotin, vitamin E, vitamin C and iron may result in dry hair symptoms.
Environmental: sun and wind exposure and extreme cold and hot temperatures can result in dry, brittle hair.
Swimming: Chlorinated pool water and exposure to salt water may cause brittle and dry hair.
Heat Styling: high temperatures used in heat styling tools like straighteners, curling irons and even blow dryers may cause dry, brittle hair.
HOW TO CARE FOR BRITTLE HAIR
There are several ways to care for dry, brittle hair, from lifestyle changes you can implement into your everyday life to the best shampoo for dry, brittle hair. To ensure you go from a bad hair day to luscious locks that turn heads, we’ve collated a list of the best hair care tips for brittle and dry hair that you can use to revive your hair’s healthy texture and shine.
REDUCE HAIR WASHING
The first step in caring for brittle and dry hair is to wash your hair less often. Washing your hair every day can actually do more damage than good, as shampoo strips the hair of its natural oils. We recommend washing your hair only once or twice a week with OC Naturals shampoo.
USE HAIR CARE FOR DRY HAIR
To care for brittle hair, make sure you use hair products that are made for dry hair. By choosing hydrating hair care products made with nourishing ingredients. More on that below!
HAIR CARE FOR OILY HAIR
We can’t discuss hair oil without bringing up those that already have oily hair caused by a build-up of excess sebum, a naturally occurring oil that protects the hair follicles. The best haircare routine for oily hair is one that balances these natural oil levels using plant-based, naturally derived haircare products with organic ingredients that work to keep your hair healthy, hydrated and looking its best.
THE BEST SHAMPOO FOR DRY, BRITTLE HAIR
Here at OC Naturals, we’re all about sustainable hair products that enrich and revitalise your hair. We put a considerable emphasis on enriching and revitalising thanks to our suite of hair care products designed to bring your hair back from the brink, no matter how brittle and dry. Let’s go through our natural shampoos and conditioners to help you find the best shampoo for dry, brittle hair.
Normal Balance Shampoo and ConditionerRemember those protective natural oils in your hair? Well, our OC Naturals Normal Balance Shampoo and Conditioner is designed to reset the balance, leaving you with a beautifully silky, soft finish. Thoroughly clean your hair with a natural, plant-based formula enriched with bitter orange extract, avocado oil, ginseng root, wheat protein, aloe vera leaf juice and chamomile extract. This ensemble of ingredients balances the natural oils in your hair for moisturising levels for clean, soft and manageable hair.
Give your hair a nutritious cleanse that reduces split ends and adds supreme moisture and smoothness with our Deep Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner. Enriched with aloe vera leaf juice, wheat protein, ginseng root extract, chamomile flower, cocoa seed butter, argan oil and olive leaf, it’s an all-natural, plant-based formula. Restore moisture to dry, damaged hair, help reduce split ends and leave your hair looking healthier and easier to manage with the Deep Nourish Shampoo and Conditioner duo.
Had enough of unwanted frizz and pesky flyaways? OC Naturals Silk Smooth Shampoo and Conditioner will tame your hair with a natural, plant-based formula featuring certified organic moringa oil and lotus flower extract. Give your hair gentle nourishment that helps tame frizz-prone hair, for that silky smooth feeling.
Have you left your dry, brittle hair situation for too long? Turn back the clock on damaged hair with our OC Naturals Coco Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Boasting an enriched plant-based formula of aloe vera leaf juice, wheat protein, ginseng, and chamomile, we’ve gone a step further with the addition of KeraDyn™, which coats damaged hair fibres to restore healthy hair dynamics.
As for the name, it’s inspired by the organic coconut oil that helps to fortify and nourish the hair and scalp for the ultimate repair of damaged hair.
We can’t forget your scalp. Remove dandruff and fight the symptoms of a dry scalp with our OC Naturals Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Conditioning Shampoo.
Chamomile flower, wheat germ and rosehip oil, pro-vitamin B5, vitamin E and wheat protein are mixed to create the ultimate dandruff-fighting shampoo that enhances shine and revitalises hair. Boosted with pyrithione zinc to help remove dandruff, say goodbye to snowflakes on your shoulders for good!
Discover more ways to treat a dry, itchy scalp from the OC Naturals beauty blog!
HEALTHY HAIR WITH OC NATURALS
The earlier you treat dry, brittle hair, the better your results will be. Combined with a few lifestyle changes and OC Naturals shampoo and conditioners, you’ll be showing off those luscious locks in no time! Celebrate your hair’s unique beauty with OC Naturals. Discover your nearest OC Naturals stockist today.