Healthy hair needs gentle care. Damage that has already happened is hard to reverse, but gentle washing, conditioning, and less heat can help stop more damage. Here are six types of products that can help keep your hair soft and healthy.
The function of Beauty Hair Serum:
A hair serum can add moisture and shine and help smooth frizz. A serum does not repair damaged hair, and no serum can fully protect hair from heat.
When you purchase this serum on the Function of Beauty website, you’ll notice that the composition of the serum can be tailored to your exact needs and hairstyle. You’ll be asked to select your natural hairstyle, hair structure, scalp moisture, up to five hair goals that you have, and your preferred fragrance. The finished product will match your specifications completely. Read more about 7 Tips for Caring for Hair Extensions.
Briogeo Hair Mask:
A deep conditioning mask adds moisture to dry hair. Follow the directions on the pack for how long to leave it in, and rinse it out well.
Olaplex Hair Perfector:
A leave-in conditioner can make dry hair feel softer and look smoother for a short time. It does not repair damaged hair.
Once you’ve worked the conditioner into the strands of your hair, all you need to do is leave the product in for 10 minutes before rinsing. As with most of the other products in this guide, this conditioner can be used with every hair type.
Be Free Shampoo:
A gentle shampoo cleans the hair and scalp without stripping away too much natural oil. Choose a shampoo that suits your hair type, and rinse it out well.
KITSCH Nourishing Conditioner Bar:
The Kitsch Nourishing Conditioner Bar is designed to provide nourishment to every hair type, which will leave your hair soft and healthy. This conditioner bar is outfitted with shea butter, which is an extremely beneficial substance that’s able to restore your hair’s luster, moisture, and shine.
A conditioner bar can be a low-waste choice. How long it lasts depends on how much hair you have and how often you wash it. You may notice that the Kitsch conditioner bar is vegan and natural, which means that artificial fragrances, silicones, and sulfates aren’t present in the bar itself.
Playa Ritual Hair Oil:
Whether your scalp has become greasy or the ends of your hair have all but dried out, the Playa Ritual Hair Oil is a light and fragrant oil that’s made from a combination of sunflower and coconut. Along with increasing your hair’s shine, this oil can smooth frizz and restore moisture to your hair. A light hair oil can add shine and smooth frizz. It does not repair damaged hair.
There are thousands of hair-care products that you can find on the internet. While many of these products produce consistent results and may be able to provide your hair with the look you want, the guide above removes the guesswork and provides you with everything you need to obtain soft, healthy, and beautiful hair.
What Makes Hair Soft and Healthy?
Hair is made mostly of a protein called keratin. Each hair has an outer layer, called the cuticle, which is made of small, overlapping scales. When the cuticle lies flat, hair looks smooth and shiny. When the cuticle is raised or damaged, hair looks dull, feels rough, and tangles more easily. Heat, strong chemicals, rough brushing, and sun can all damage the cuticle over time.
Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp. The scalp makes natural oils that coat the hair and keep it soft. Washing too often, or using a very strong shampoo, can strip these oils away and leave hair dry. Washing too little can leave the scalp oily and itchy. Most people do well washing their hair two or three times a week, but the right amount depends on hair type, activity, and climate.
How to Wash and Dry Hair Gently
| Step | What to do |
|---|---|
| Wet the hair | Use lukewarm water, not hot water, which can dry the hair and scalp |
| Shampoo | Use a small amount, massage the scalp gently, and rinse well |
| Condition | Apply conditioner to the middle and ends, not the scalp, and leave it for a few minutes |
| Rinse | Rinse with cool water to help the cuticle lie flat |
| Dry | Pat hair dry with a soft towel, do not rub it hard |
If you use a dryer, use a low heat setting and hold it away from your hair. Let your hair dry in the air when you can.A heat protectant spray can help, but it does not make heat harmless. Try to limit heat styling to a few times a week, and give your hair rest days.
How to Care for Different Hair Types
Fine hair: Fine hair can look flat and oily fast. Use a light conditioner, and avoid heavy oils and creams that weigh it down.
Thick hair: Thick hair needs more moisture. Use a rich conditioner and a leave-in product on the ends.
Curly hair: Curly hair is often dry, because natural oils have further to travel along the curls. Use a moisturising shampoo and conditioner, and detangle with a wide-tooth comb while the hair is wet and conditioned.
Coloured or treated hair: Colour and chemical treatments can damage the cuticle. Use products made for coloured hair, wash with lukewarm water, and limit heat styling.
Dry or damaged hair: Use a deep conditioning mask once a week, trim split ends often, and avoid harsh brushing when hair is wet, because wet hair breaks more easily.
Simple Habits That Help Hair
- Trim split ends: A trim every 6 to 8 weeks removes split ends before they travel up the hair and cause more breakage.
- Brush gently: Start at the ends and work up to the roots, and use a brush or comb that suits your hair type.
- Protect hair from sun: Wear a hat in strong sun, and rinse hair after swimming in a pool or in the sea.
- Eat and sleep well: A balanced diet with protein, iron, and vitamins, and enough sleep, support healthy hair growth. Hair grows about 1 cm a month on average, and it takes time to see a change.
- Be gentle with tight styles: Tight ponytails and braids worn every day can pull on hair and cause breakage. Vary your style and loosen tight bands.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should I wash my hair?
Most people wash two or three times a week. Oily hair may need more frequent washing, while dry or curly hair may need less. Watch how your hair feels, and adjust to suit your hair type.
Does conditioner make hair soft?
Yes, conditioner helps the cuticle to lie flat, which makes hair feel smoother and look shinier. Apply it to the middle and ends of the hair, not the scalp, and rinse it well.
Can I repair split ends?
No product can fully repair a split end. A trim is the only way to remove it. A conditioner can make split ends look smoother for a short time, but a trim is needed to stop the split from getting worse.
Is it bad to brush wet hair?
Wet hair is weaker and breaks more easily than dry hair. Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair, start at the ends, and be gentle.
When should I talk to a doctor about hair loss?
Talk to a doctor if you lose a lot of hair suddenly, if you see bald patches, or if your scalp is sore, itchy, or red for a long time. Hair loss can have many causes, and a doctor can help to find the cause.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not medical advice. Hair loss or scalp problems can have many causes, so talk to a doctor or a dermatologist if you are concerned.
Last Updated: 6 November 2026