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Dry Hair Causes, Treatments & Pro Tips

Dry hair is one of the most common hair complaints for all hair types. Whether it’s dry just at the ends or all over from roots to tips, there’s more than one way to explain its parched state. Let’s take a closer look at the causes of dry hair.

Before you give up and tie it back until your next haircut - discover these hydrating shampoos, conditioners, masks, and treatments for dry hair.
Creation Date:
Update Date: 28 Apr 2026
 

Why Is My Hair So Dry?

 

Dry hair can be a seasonal problem: your hair is affected by the weather – whether that means shifts in temperature or the merciless summer sun. A dry atmosphere can strip the hair of moisture and make it feel even dryer, more brittle, and dull. Dryness can also lead to unwanted frizz, a straw-like consistency or broken hair, making it extra challenging to style.

Kerastase’s egerie – New Nutritive Range

Overwashing with non caring formulas and excessive blow-drying can also contribute to parched hair. Overwashing has a stripping effect on the hair. The repeated expansion and contraction of the hair shaft as it’s soaked and dried, soaked and dried, end up drying it out. In the same way, blow-drying hair on a high heat and speed setting can also lead to dryness and damage, since the hair is at its most fragile when wet.

If you have a dry scalp, you might have dry hair too – particularly if your scalp is not producing enough natural oils to lubricate the hair. An irritated scalp that ends up shedding and peeling can also lead to dry hair.

In addition to external aggressions, internal issues like poor diet, hormonal changes, and aging can also be contributing factors to a dry scalp and dry hair.

Kerastase’s egerie – New Nutritive Range

Overwashing with non caring formulas and excessive blow-drying can also contribute to parched hair. Overwashing has a stripping effect on the hair. The repeated expansion and contraction of the hair shaft as it’s soaked and dried, soaked and dried, end up drying it out. In the same way, blow-drying hair on a high heat and speed setting can also lead to dryness and damage, since the hair is at its most fragile when wet.

If you have a dry scalp, you might have dry hair too – particularly if your scalp is not producing enough natural oils to lubricate the hair. An irritated scalp that ends up shedding and peeling can also lead to dry hair.

In addition to external aggressions, internal issues like poor diet, hormonal changes, and aging can also be contributing factors to a dry scalp and dry hair.


 

How to Prevent Dry Hair

 
Kerastase’s Professional Hairdresser representative, Hovig – results of washing client’s hair with Nutritive product

Before you ever feel your hair becoming dry or frizzy, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure your hair stays hydrated and healthy. Here are our top 5 tips for preventing dry hair:

1. Trim your hair regularly to keep the hair strands healthy and help avoid dry ends and split ends.

2. Avoid washing and drying your hair every day. When you do wash your hair, use hydrating shampoos and apply conditioner or mask after shampooing.

3. Use a micro-fiber towel to dry your hair after your wash. Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel or immediately drying it while it is still wet. This stretches the hair to breaking point.

4. Avoid heat-styling tools and use heat-protectants such as sprays, milks, and serums whenever you do heat style.

5. Deep condition weekly with hair masks and hair oils, or overnight serums, and use leave-in treatments, which can add even more moisture to your hair.

Kerastase’s Professional Hairdresser representative, Hovig – results of washing client’s hair with Nutritive product

Before you ever feel your hair becoming dry or frizzy, there are preventative measures you can take to ensure your hair stays hydrated and healthy. Here are our top 5 tips for preventing dry hair:

1. Trim your hair regularly to keep the hair strands healthy and help avoid dry ends and split ends.

2. Avoid washing and drying your hair every day. When you do wash your hair, use hydrating shampoos and apply conditioner or mask after shampooing.

3. Use a micro-fiber towel to dry your hair after your wash. Avoid rubbing your hair with a towel or immediately drying it while it is still wet. This stretches the hair to breaking point.

4. Avoid heat-styling tools and use heat-protectants such as sprays, milks, and serums whenever you do heat style.

5. Deep condition weekly with hair masks and hair oils, or overnight serums, and use leave-in treatments, which can add even more moisture to your hair.


 

Simple Ways to Treat and Care for Dry Hair

 

Sometimes a simple trim will fix dry hair at the ends, however, if you have dry hair from root to tips, there are a few things you can do to hydrate your dry hair, and even treat and repair that dry hair.

Try washing your hair less often. If you’re not already using one, introduce a conditioner or a deep conditioning mask into your weekly routine to deliver more hydration. You can also deep condition with hair oils, which nourish and moisturize dry hair.

Sometimes a simple trim will fix dry hair at the ends, however, if you have dry hair from root to tips, there are a few things you can do to hydrate your dry hair, and even treat and repair that dry hair.

Try washing your hair less often. If you’re not already using one, introduce a conditioner or a deep conditioning mask into your weekly routine to deliver more hydration. You can also deep condition with hair oils, which nourish and moisturize dry hair.


 

At Home: How to Moisturize Dry Hair

 

We have developed complete dry hair care routines for all types of hair, from dry hair to very dry hair, for thick hair, thin hair, and every hair type in between. Once you’ve identified the factors contributing to your thirsty, dry hair, read on to discover a few of our suggestions for how to nourish and hydrate it. Or, take a look at some of our best products for dry hair and find out how they work to nourish and hydrate parched hair.

 

At the Salon: How to Treat Dry, Very
Dry and Damaged Hair

 

So, you have dry hair – what can you do to get it back to a healthy, manageable state? One of the best ways to treat dry and damaged hair is with a professional hair treatment at your salon. A Kérastase Fusio-Dose salon hair treatment can transform your hair in 5 minutes. With up to 30 unique combinations, the Fusio-Dose combination of concentrate and booster helps you address your primary and secondary hair concerns. For example, if you have dry hair plus frizzy hair, you’ll receive a single customized dose that tackles both hair problems, administered by a trained salon professional.

DISCOVER FUSIO FIND A SALON

 

What Causes Dry Ends?

Kerastase’s Professional Hairdresser representative, Hovig – Doing client’s hair diagnostic.

While dry ends are sometimes just an extension of unhealthy hair at the root, they are generally a sign that nutrition isn’t getting from your roots to your ends. Of course, sometimes you can get dry ends because of over-drying and styling your hair on a high heat setting or speed. Whatever the cause, dry ends require extra moisturizing care, or it lead to even more damage – the dreaded split ends and broken hair.

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How to Treat Dry Ends?

Kerastase’s Professional Hairdresser representative, Hovig – Doing client’s hair diagnostic.

You can fix dry ends – and prevent split ends from forming – with deep conditioning. Apply a hair mask or a hair oil just to the ends of your hair as an added part of your hair care routine. If the situation has already gone too far, discover these ideas on how to get rid of split ends.

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Best Products for Dry Hair and Dry Ends

 

Treat dry hair with our best shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, and serums formulated to deeply nourish and moisturize dry hair.


Best Shampoos for Dry Hair and Dry Ends

 

The Nutritive range includes two hydrating shampoos:

Nutritive Bain Satin by Kérastase is a gentle hydrating shampoo for fine dry hair. Dry hair is gently cleansed and deeply nourished while leaving a lightweight, manageably silky feeling. If you have thick dry hair or extra dry hair, Nutritive Bain Satin Riche is for you. It’s a rich, super-hydrating shampoo that cleanses and restores dry hair.

 

Conditions* and detangles hair while boosting shine by +90%**.
*vs. non conditioning shampoo **vs. unwashed hair

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Detangles and conditions* the hair while adding +77% strength* and boosting shine by +85%**.
*vs. non conditioning shampoo **vs. unwashed hair

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Best Conditioners and Hair Masks for Dry Hair and Ends

 

Our best products for your dry ends include these rinse-out conditioners and hair masks. Fine hair? Try Nutritive Lait Vital, a hydrating conditioner that deeply nourishes dry hair. For fine hair types needing even more hydration, try Masquintense, an ultra-nourishing hair mask that deeply hydrates & strengthens. For thicker hair types, or for hair that’s coarse, we would recommend trying Masquintense Riche. An ultra-nourishing rich hair mask, that deeply hydrates & strengthens very dry hair.

Provides +85% conditioning**, making the hair easy to comb and detangle, as well as +99% strength** and +116% shine*.
*vs. unwashed hair **vs. non conditioning shampoo

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Provides +89% conditioning**, making the hair easy to comb and detangle, as well as +96% stronger hair** and +79% shine*.
*vs. unwashed hair **vs. non conditioning shampoo

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Provides +89% conditioning**, making the hair easy to comb and detangle, as well as +98% stronger hair**, +116% shine* and reduces frizz.
*vs. unwashed hair **vs. non conditioning shampoo

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Best Heat Protectants for Dry Hair

 

Is your hair dry & fine? Try Lotion Thermique Sublimatrice, a light milky heat-protecting leave-in mist. If your hair is thick and dry, discover Nectar Thermique, a beautifying anti-frizz heat-protecting leave-in cream that nourishes the hair to provide more strength and hair manageability.

 

Protects from heat up to 450°F and provides +82% deep conditioning*, making the hair easy to comb and detangle, as well as 98% less breakage*.
*vs. non- conditioning shampoo

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Protects from heat up to 450°F and provides +79% deep conditioning**, making the hair easy to comb and detangle, as well as 85% less frizz** and +97% stronger hair**.
*vs. unwashed hair **vs. non conditioning shampoo

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Best Serums for Dry Scalp and Dry Hair & Ends

 

After shampoo and conditioner (or mask), the best thing you can do to feed your dry hair is to use a serum. Nutri-Supplement Scalp Serum has a powerful hydrating formula to moisturize dry scalp for immediate comfort, leaving the scalp healthy and refreshed. More concerned about the dry ends of your hair? Consider Nutri-Supplement Split Ends Serum. This hydrating split ends serum, powered by a vitamin-in-oil blend, provides 2X less split ends and instant smoothness. As for 8H Magic Night Serum, it’s a magical overnight nourishing leave-in hair serum that provides nourishment for sublime morning hair.

Moisturizes dry scalp for immediate comfort, leaving the scalp healthy and refreshed.
 

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Helps prevent and reduce split ends by providing +99% stronger hair** and +81% shine*.
*vs. unwashed hair ** vs. non conditioning shampoo

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Protects from pillow friction, providing -84% less frizz** and +98% strength**.
*vs. unwashed hair **vs. non conditioning shampoo

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