4 Steps To Moisturize Natural Hair This Winter

Winter is upon us and you know what that means: big coats, hot chocolate, and drier natural hair. There are a few ways that our natural hair gets drier during the winter. The harsh wind and weather can lead to breakage, while the cotton or wool hats, scarves, and sweaters we wear can snag our ends. Moisturized hair is healthy hair, so it might be a good idea to add some extra moisture to your regimen this winter.

I know, I know. Right now you’re probably like Ugh, is she really trying to give me four extra steps to my wash regimen? Doesn’t she know it already takes me about 8 hours on wash day? Don’t worry, you may already do some of these steps or you can simply place one into your regimen. Share some of your favorite winter moisturizing tips below!

Oil Rinsing:

Oil rinsing is gaining popularity in the natural hair community, but not many people know what it is. Oil rinsing is a simple way to add moisture to your hair during wash day. Simply wash (or cowash*) your hair in the shower and follow up by applying the oil of your choice. Make sure it’s distributed throughout your hair before rinsing it out with cool water.

Follow up with your favorite conditioner. You’ll notice that your hair is shinier, easier to detangle, and has less frizz. This helps lock in moisture and seal it in without having to weigh your hair down.

Also, it only takes an extra two minutes in the shower. You can do an oil rinse every time that you wash your hair, but you don’t want to go overboard and block the hair shaft from receiving nutrients. It would be a good idea to do an oil rinse maybe twice a week maximum.

Weekly Deep Conditioning

Deep conditioning* is a necessary step to moisturizing hair in all seasons, but with a busy schedule, it can sometimes seem like too much of a time commitment to deep condition every week.

Be that as it may, finding the right deep conditioner* and using it regularly can make the difference in the overall health of your hair. Choose a heavier deep conditioner* that will fully coat your strands without leaving product build up. Try to opt for a treatment that doesn’t contain silicones or other ingredients that would otherwise sit on the strands without penetration.

You could also create your own treatment using a combination of your favorite conditioner and oils*. Either use a hooded dryer* or a heating cap to add heat to your deep treatment and help it provide the maximum benefit. Deep conditioning* for one hour weekly can significantly increase the moisture level of your natural hair.