Why Your Hair Craves Moisture — and How to Keep It Hydrated All Summer Long
May 17, 2022
Similarities between our hair and skin abound, especially when it comes to their respective needs for moisture. Simply put, your hair needs moisture in order to stay healthy. Just like when your skin isn’t hydrated properly, dehydrated hair can become dull and flaky. Dry hair can also feel brittle, look frizzy, and lead to split ends, breakage, or even long-term damage. (Here’s how to spot the difference between dried-out hair and actually damaged hair.)
Another similarity between hair and skin? Best care practices will vary by season. Summer is especially harsh on your strands, thanks to an uptick in moisture-depleting culprits like UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater. But if you treat your hair as carefully as you do your skin — we see you diligently slathering on that SPF! — you’ll roll into fall with the same luxuriously hydrated hair you had at the start of summer.
1. Keep up your healthy hair routine
Summer is a time to chill on pretty much everything except your dedication to healthy haircare. Stick with (or switch to) products that are proven to effectively hydrate your hair, like Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture line for your go-to shampoo, conditioner, and multitasking leave-in cream. These options will cleanse, restore, and hydrate your hair, leaving it feeling soft and silky smooth.
And at least once a week, indulge in a nourishing hair mask for deep hydration and a spa-like experience at home. Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Masque contains Seasilk®, known to help seal in the moisture your hair craves, while caviar extract is commonly used to protect your hair against environmental factors.
2. Prevent tangles from forming
Before heading to the pool or beach, apply Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Priming Leave-In Conditioner as a preventative detangler. This lightweight product is especially beneficial for fine, dry (i.e., tangle-prone) hair and also acts as a barrier to the inevitable humidity. Bonus tip: Toss a wide-tooth comb in your bag in case your hair starts to dry before you head home.
3. Skip the blow-dryer
After swimming, make sure to rinse out the chlorine or saltwater and then let your hair air-dry. Easing up on blow-drying and heat styling for an extended period of time is one of the best (and easiest) things you can do for your hair — it’s like giving your strands their own relaxing summer vacation. Use the time you would’ve spent drying or straightening to indulge in a nourishing self-care moment by adding a Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture Intensive Ceramide Shot to your Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Conditioner or Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Masque.
4. Execute a hat trick
To shield your hair from the sun’s damaging UV rays, wear a cute hat, scarf, or other protective covering whenever you’re outside. While swimming in the pool or ocean, you can wear a swim cap to protect against both sun exposure and chlorine. We hear you: Swim caps probably aren’t the coolest-looking accessory out there — but we think they’re a way better look than irreparably damaged hair.
