The National Institutes of Health says that dry hair is hair that does not have enough moisture to retain its normal luster and sheen. There are a number of causes, including frequent washing, coloring, malnutrition, environmental dryness and an underactive thyroid. The best products for dry, damaged hair return moisture to the hair shaft and smooth the cuticle, which can alleviate dryness that leads to damage.
Olive & Coconut Oil
Olive oil has been used for centuries and dates back as far as the ancient Egyptians, who used the oil for medical as well as cosmetic uses. Because olive oil contains mono-unsaturated fatty acids and Vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, it is able to both moisturize and nourish the hair.
Coconut oil is another natural product that can help add moisture to dry, damaged hair. A study published in the 2003 "Journal of Cosmetic Science" showed that, because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, coconut oil has the ability to penetrate inside the hair shaft. Additionally, the study found that coconut oil had a high affinity for hair protein, and was able to reduce hair protein loss.
Both olive oil and coconut oil can be used as a weekly deep moisturizing treatment for pennies per application. Simply warm 2 tablespoons for short hair or 3 tablespoons for longer hair and apply directly to damp hair for 20 minutes as a pre-shampoo conditioner.
Daily Conditioners
Daily conditioning can help dry hair attract and retain moisture, prevent damage from dry air, and minimize the effects of mechanical abuse of hair such as blow drying, teasing and combing. Pureology Hydrate Conditioner gets a 4.7 out of 5 from 42 reviewers at the review site Buzzillions.com. This conditioner uses botanicals, sunscreen and antioxidants to repair hair damaged by abuse, the elements and coloring.
Another product that can be used daily is Arcona Essential Nutrients Silk Leave-In Conditioner. It gets a 4.8 out of 5 at Buzzillions and uses flower extracts to help protect hair from the elements and daily abuse.
Deep Conditioners
Very dry or damaged hair may benefit from weekly deep moisturizing treatments. Deep moisturizing treatments penetrate the hair shaft with nutrient-rich moisture as well as coat the shaft with humectants that smooth the cuticle, the hair's outer layer that can make it look frizzy or dull.
Beautology's Chemistry Repair Heat Activated Hair and Scalp Masque uses keratin, the protein that makes up hair, to penetrate the cuticle of the hair and repair damage at a cellular level. It combines extracts of green and red algae, as well as kelp, which are all rich in protein, starch and minerals, to protect hair from damage.
The number one deep conditioning product at Buzzillions is Clairol's Nice 'N Easy Colorseal Weekly Conditioning Gloss. It gets a 4.7 out of 5 from over 80 reviewers. Clairol says it seals the cuticle and is especially helpful for color-treated hair.
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