Should You Use More Conditioner In The Winter?

Dry winter hair is one of the banes of my existence, along with clothes that cling to staticky tights and dry, cracked hands. Can you tell I'm not the biggest fan of the season? Keeping your hair hydrated becomes even more important in the winter, so I had to wonder, should I be using more conditioner in the winter?

I'm a conditioner junkie and use quite a bit on my long hair, even when it's not winter time. But I wondered if I needed to be using more to combat winter dryness. Turns out, it's not really about how much conditioner you use, it's about what product you choose and how you apply it.

"For me, the product has to contain essential fatty acids and humectants — not only because they are best at moisturizing hair, but because they help attract and hold moisture in the hair, which can be a real challenge in winter weather," hairstylist Marc Harris told WedMD.

Makes sense, right? I'm the type of person who goes a few days between shampoos, so when I do condition, I have to make it count. Here are the three essential tips for using conditioner in the winter.

1. Pick the right product

Suave Professionals Conditioner, Humectant, $7, Amazon

Harris told WebMD the two essential components in his conditioner fatty acids and humectants, found in products formulated with soy protein and panthenol. Pureology is also another great choice.

Pureology Hydrate Conditioner, $66, Ulta

2. Apply conditioner to more sections of your hair

According to Teen Vogue, dryness can start at your scalp, so it's important to occasionally condition it. I usually live by the motto that conditioner should only be put on the ends of my hair, but that's not always true. Every few weeks, apply conditioner to your whole head and really work it into your scalp, giving yourself a nice head massage. It'll cut down on flakes.

3. Deep condition regularly

Bumble & Bumble Creme de Coco Masque, $28, Bumble and Bumble

If you're going to survive the winter, you need a good deep conditioning mask to help hydrate your hair. Use it every two weeks and give it plenty of time to soak in. I like this one from Bumble & Bumble, but you can always DIY one at home too.

Images:Isla Murray; SCA Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget/Flickr; Courtesy of Brands