Flyaways, frizz, split ends, dullness—these common hair concerns are all signs that your hair may be damaged and in need of some TLC. Keeping up-to-date on your regular trims and limiting how often you change your color can help, but in reality, making the most out of your daily routine is the key to achieving shiny, healthy hair.

Of course, your hair type dictates what your daily habits should be: Those with oily hair will, naturally, have different requirements than those with bone-dry strands. So, to help you figure out how to get healthy-looking hair, we’ve put together this guide. Ahead, find five tips for making the most of your daily haircare routine and discover the best Kiehl’s products for healthier-looking hair.

What Does Unhealthy Hair Look Like?

There’s no universal definition of what constitutes unhealthy hair, but generally speaking, widespread damage, excessive breakage, and brittleness all indicate that your hair isn’t in as good of shape as it could be. Unhealthy hair may also have a dull or lackluster appearance, tangle easily, or be noticeably dry. That being said, you know your hair better than anyone: Even if you’re not struggling with these concerns, you may sometimes find that your hair just doesn’t feel quite right. If that’s the case, taking a closer look at your haircare routine and making adjustments may be beneficial.

Why Is My Hair So Unhealthy?

Several things can impact your hair’s health and appearance. Both frequent heat styling and chemical processing (like coloring or perming your hair) can weaken strands and cause your hair to become brittle and visibly damaged. So can exposure to ultraviolet radiation—that’s why we recommend wearing a hat to protect your mane whenever possible. Another major contributor to hair damage is friction, generally caused by combing or brushing your hair too roughly. This isn’t an exhaustive list of things that can cause your hair to take on an unhealthy appearance, but these are some of the most common culprits to consider.

How Do I Get Healthy Hair?

Hair health is dependent on a wealth of factors, including how well you care for your strands. Ahead, learn how to take care of your hair properly with our five must-try tips for healthy-looking hair.

Tip #1:

Be Choosy With Your Shampoo and Conditioner

If there are two haircare products that everybody needs, we’d have to say it’s the basics: shampoo and conditioner. But just grabbing a random pair off the shelf of your local drugstore may not do your mane any favors. Instead, you want to look for a shampoo and conditioner that are tailored to your unique hair type. For example, if you have dry or damaged strands, we recommend Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Shampoo and Olive Fruit Oil Nourishing Conditioner. The shampoo, which stars olive oil and avocado oil, gently cleanses the hair while helping to restore its healthy appearance. After washing, the creamy yet lightweight conditioner moisturizes, conditions, and helps detangle dry hair. Together, the duo leaves your mane soft, shiny, and healthy-looking.

Tip #2:

Don’t Over-Wash Your Hair

Picking the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type is only half the battle; you also have to understand when to use it. The truth is, the answer isn’t the same for everyone—some people need to lather up more often than others. And admittedly, it can be challenging to determine the best hair washing schedule for you if you’re not an expert (plus, external factors like the weather and your lifestyle can impact how often you need to wash your mane). To find a washing schedule that works for you, check out our article How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?. You can also consider consulting your hairstylist at your next appointment.

Tip #3:

Pay Attention To Your Scalp

Proper haircare isn’t limited to your strands—for healthy-looking hair, you should care for your scalp, too. You don’t have to take our word for it: Expert studies have shown that hair health (and, by extension, appearance) can be linked to the scalp’s condition.I To help keep your scalp free of potentially damaging buildup and debris, we recommend adding Amino Acid Scalp Scrub Detox Treatment to your routine. Once per week, forgo your usual shampoo and use this salicylic acid and sea salt scrub instead. It exfoliates the scalp and helps remove excess oil, dead skin, and other impurities that can weigh down your hair and give it a limp appearance. It’s suitable for all hair and scalp types and provides a purifying clean without drying out your scalp or strands.

Another way to give your scalp some much-needed TLC is with our Amino Acid Moisture-Restoring Dry Scalp Treatment. Formulated for dry scalps (but suitable for all hair types), this rich mask helps replenish moisture while protecting the skin from the harsh effects of stressors like heat and hard water. As with the aforementioned scrub, we recommend using this hydrating treatment once weekly or as needed to help nourish and soothe the scalp.

Tip #5:

Mask Weekly To Deep Condition Hair

Daily conditioner helps lubricate and moisturize the hair, but it can only do so much. For intense hydration, sometimes a hair mask is your best bet. Our pick: Olive Fruit Oil Deeply Repairative Hair Mask. Formulated with olive, avocado, and lemon oils, this rich and creamy mask for damaged hair helps restore a healthy appearance to even severely dry hair. Plus, the nourishing treatment helps strengthen your strands, leaving them less susceptible to the damaging effects of external stressors with continued use over time. Add it to your weekly haircare routine for moisturized, healthy-looking hair.

Next: 5 Hair Myths To Stop Believing, According To An Expert

Source

I. Trüeb, Ralph M et al. “Scalp Condition Impacts Hair Growth and Retention via Oxidative Stress.” International journal of trichology vol. 10,6 (2018): 262-270.