How to Keep Your Hair Moisturized in the Summer

Summer is the best season to hit the beach, take a deep dive into the pool, and enjoy the sun, but it can also be harsh on your hair due to the humidity, chlorinated water, and heat, making your hair dull, dry, brittle, and frizzy. (1)

Don’t worry! There are ways to keep your hair moisturized and hydrated in the summer while enjoying all the outdoor activities.

One way to lock in the nourishment and moisture in your scalp and hair is by using a hydrating shampoo. (2) Another way is to use a conditioner, (3) a hair mask, or UV protection gear (1) by wearing hats or scarves. 

Read further to learn how to keep your hair hydrated and moisturized with some home treatments during the sunny season. 

Ways to Keep Your Hair Moisturized in the Summer

Keep your hair strong and nourished in the summer in the following ways. 

1. Use a hydrating conditioner and shampoo

Using a conditioner and shampoo designed to protect your hair from dryness and damage is the initial step in your hair care routine. (4)

A lot of shampoos contain ingredients such as perfumes, colors, polishing agents, moisturizers such as fatty acid esters and natural oils, and humectants such as sorbitol and glycerin. (2) These ingredients provide hydration and nourishment to your hair.

Conditioners usually contain oils, silicones, and emollients, also called cationic surfactants, which can be moisturizing or conditioning agents. When these ingredients are combined, the outcome is the replenishment of the hair’s moisture. (3)

Thus, applying a hydrating and moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to your hair keeps them nourished in the summer. 

2. Deep-condition once a week

Pamper your hair once a week with a deep-conditioning mask (such as a banana hair mask). (5) You can also use a deep conditioner, a hair mask meant to be left longer to penetrate the strands deeply. (3) It keeps your hair nourished and hydrated.

3. Protect your hair from the sun

The sun damages your hair by fading its color, breaking down its protein, and stripping its moisture. (6)(7)

You can wear a scarf or a wide-brimmed hat to cover and protect your hair from the sun. Avoid sun exposure in the peak hours (10 am to 2 pm).

You can also use SPF products, such as sprays, leave-in conditioners, and powders, to protect your hair from the harmful UV rays and stop its hair cuticle penetration. Shade also provides sun protection.

All these things will keep your hair nourished and moisturized. (1)

4. Wash your hair after swimming

Taking a dip in the pool or ocean is a great summer activity, but it can expose your hair to salty and chlorinated water. It can make your hair dry and brittle. (8)

Wash your hair with fresh water immediately after leaving the ocean or pool. This removes any minerals or chemicals attached to your hair.

Use a specially formulated swimmers’ shampoo to pull chlorine from your hair. Then, use a deep conditioner to revive the moisture. (1)

5. Spritz and seal throughout the day

Spraying water or water mixed with aloe vera juice (9) or argan oil (10) can keep your hair moisturized, nourished, and refreshed and prevent hair dryness in the summer.

After spraying, apply a few drops of water to the ends of your hair to lock in the moisture. It creates a barrier sealing the moisture in and preventing frizz. 

6. Drink plenty of water

Maintaining proper body hydration flushes out the toxins from your body and keeps your scalp healthy and hydrated. It also prevents dullness and brittleness of your hair by nourishing it from the inside.

Hydration is crucial to keep the essential nutrients that make your hair healthy, beautiful, firm, soft, and hydrated. 

DIY Home Remedies to Keep Hair Moisturized at Home

Maintain well-moisturized hair by following these home remedies. 

1. Argan oil and coconut oil mixture

Moroccan argan oil has gained popularity as a main ingredient in hair cosmetics. It keeps your hair hydrated and moisturized and is one of the costliest edible oil in the world. (10)

Coconut oil layers itself over the hair shaft, trapping the moisture by locking the cuticles. (11)

How to use:

1. Mix 2 tbsp of coconut oil and 10 drops of argon oil. Set the mixture aside. 
2. Comb your hair gently. 
3. Apply this mixture to your scalp and hair. Apply generously to the ends of your hair.
4. Comb your hair to spread the oil blend evenly. 
5. Tie your hair, wear a cap, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes or overnight.
6. Wash it off with water and mild shampoo.

You can also use coconut oil and argan oil separately on your hair, as they both possess moisturizing properties. 

2. Banana hair mask 

Bananas are rich in potassium, carbohydrates, vitamins, and natural oils that keep your hair smooth and healthy. It keeps split ends and breakage away.

Moreover, the vitamins C and A in bananas moisturize and revitalize your hair. (5)

How to use:

1. Mix 1 tbsp of almond oil and one mashed banana. 
2. Apply this mixture to your hair.
3. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. 
4. Rinse it off. (5)

3. Shea butter

Shea butter is an excellent moisturizer and emollient due to its buttery consistency and semisolid characteristics. (12) It can also revive damaged and dry hair. 

How to use:

1. Warm 1–2 tbsp of shea butter.
2. Massage your hair and scalp with it gently. 
3. Let it sit for 30–60 minutes.
4. Use a mild cleanser to wash your hair, followed by a conditioner. 
5. Repeat this process once or twice every week.

4. Multani mitti hair mask

Multani mitti is great for your hair because it removes impurities from the hair and scalp, improves hair dryness, increases blood circulation, and keeps the hair healthy and moisturized. (13)

How to use:

1. Mix 2–3 tbsp of multani mitti with plain water until a semi-thick paste is achieved. 
2. Cleanse your hair and scalp by shampooing. 
3. Apply this pack thoroughly to your scalp and hair and massage for a few minutes.
4. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. 
5. Rinse it off in the shower.
6. Repeat twice weekly.

How Often to Wash Hair in the Summer to Maintain Moisture 

Several factors have to be considered when washing hair in the summer. These are oil production, activity level, personal preference, and type.

Generally, these are the guidelines: 

• Wash your hair every other day if you have thin, flimsy, or oily hair to avoid a flat or greasy look. 
• Wash your hair twice or thrice a week if you have wavy, dry, thick, or curly hair to prevent oil buildup on the scalp. It also maintains your scalp health and doesn’t strip your hair’s moisture. 
• Wash your hair the least if you have African-American hair type. Washing too often can lead to hair damage and loss.
• Wash your hair frequently if you are an outdoor person and face a lot of sweating than an indoor person.

Always go for a shampoo best suited for your scalp condition and hair type. Refrain from using styling products that cause buildup on the scalp and hair and give it a dirty and dull appearance.

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Final Word

Properly moisturizing and nourishing your hair in the summer protects its health and appearance, along with its smell and feel.

By following the tips mentioned above, you can have a total blast in the summer without stressing over your hair. Remember to keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids and eating healthy food.