If you’re on the east coast of Australia you’re probably feeling the humidity and it is suffocating.
And one of the many pitfalls of excess humidity is the havoc it can wreak on our hair. Forget sleek luscious locks it’s frantic frizz, slicked-back buns or nothing.
And as much as we love summer, now more than ever it is essential to add some unmissable steps into our haircare routine to ensure we keep our locks and scalp at optimal health and don’t fall victim to the dreaded frizz.
We spoke to some experts on all things hair to get the low down on how and why humidity affects our mane as well as what we can do to minimise the effects.
What does humidity do to your hair?
In humid conditions, hair tends to absorb excess moisture from the air, causing the hair shaft to swell. This increased moisture uptake can result in frizz and unruly curls, especially for individuals with naturally curly or wavy hair.
According to Irene Panbianco, BondiBoost’s general manager, “there are several different challenges humidity poses to hair health, which stems from the scalp to the hair strands themselves.”
“Humidity causes sweat, which sits on your scalp. This can lead to clogging of your hair follicles, causing itching and sometimes even dandruff,” she says.
Additionally, high humidity may also weaken the hydrogen bonds in the hair, making it more susceptible to breakage and reducing overall manageability.
Start with a moisture-locking haircare routine, using a hydrating shampoo and conditioner. “It might seem counterintuitive but make sure your hair is hydrated!” Irene advises. “Deep conditioning is a must. Ensure your routine includes natural ingredients that provide a protective barrier against humidity. When the dew point peaks, weekly hydration masks are a must.”
We also spoke to Straand‘s co-founder Sarah Hamilton to see what we can do to pay our scalp some attention during this weather.
“High humidity can cause a buildup of oil and sweat on the scalp as the body works harder to cool down the scalp. This excess oil can disrupt the scalp microbiome, leading to dandruff, blocked follicles, irritation, itchiness and greasy hair,” she says.
According to Sarah, “avoid over-use of hair products to the scalp so it remains clear of buildup and excess oil and condition the hair with a gentle and nourishing conditioner to help tame frizz and keep ends hydrated.”
Use the opportunity to try out heatless styles, as blow drying, straightening and curling can strip the hair of moisture. Additionally, satin or silk pillowcases can reduce friction, helping to prevent frizz while sleeping.
2024’s top 3 hair products for humidity
- Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray, $64, Oz Hair & Beauty
- SoSublime! Hydro Repair Serum, $39.95, Unwritten
- Anti Frizz Duo, $81 (was $90), BondiBoost
The best products to tackle humidity hair in 2024
Oribe Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray
$64 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Specifically made to combat the effects of humidity, this lightweight spray protects against the elements while protecting any styling and helping it last far longer than your usual products. It’s also a great option for those with naturally curly hair who want to avoid frizz.
Also available at:
- $64 from Adore Beauty
SoSublime! Hydro Repair Serum
$39.95 at Unwritten
We Australians know that the elements can cause havoc on the hair, and this serum can help fight the effects of a range of environmental factors from humidity to sun damage. You can use it between washes without weighing down your hair and it acts as an invisible barrier moisturising your strands and locking in hydration.
Anti Frizz Duo
$81 (was $90) at BondiBoost
“I would highly recommend our Anti-Frizz range which has hyaluronic acid and helps hair lock in moisture and banish frizz. This is a great range for finer hair as it tames the frizz and isn’t too heavy for regular use,” says Irene.
This duo is rich in fatty acids along with deeply nourishing oils to help restore the hair’s hydro-lip layer for healthier and less stressed locks.
Also available at:
- $80.91 (was $89.90) from Lookfantastic
Crown Cleanse Shampoo
$28 at Straand
“Using a clarifying shampoo like the Straand Crown Cleanse can help reduce buildup without harsh chemicals irritating the scalp,” says Sarah.
“To further cleanse the scalp, a gentle scalp scrub can further help loosen buildup and excess oil and return the skin barrier to a balanced state.”
Also available at:
- $22.40 from Adore Beauty
Vegamour HYDR-8 Deep Moisture Repair Mask
$85 at Sephora
Frequent (but not too frequent) hair masks can do wonders for your hair, and to give your locks a much-needed moisture boost in summer we love this deeply nourishing option from Vegamour.
It uses a vegan alternative to keratin and silicone called Karmatin that bonds to your hair with ease. One of the best parts is that you only need to leave it on for 3-5 minutes so you can complete your shower routine whilst you wait and don’t have to muck around with getting out.
Ouai Hair Oil
$50 at Sephora
Often underrated, a good hair oil is a great tool in the fight against frizzy hair. Not only can it smooth hair but it provides some shine and softness to your locks while it does it. This one from Ouai uses oils like Ama and Borage to nourish while Galanga Root extract protects against colour fading too! It also smells delish…
Super Hydrating Shampoo & Conditioner Set
$59 (was $74) at Coco & Eve
Coco & Eve have perfected the art of hydrating hair care and this washing duo is a great addition to your summer lineup. The seven-in-one formula truly does it all, not only will it hydrate but it can add shine and volume and protect against split ends.
O&M Frizzy Logic Shine Serum
$42.94 at Adore Beauty
A great option for those with fine hair, test out this shine-encouraging serum that minimises flyaways and helps to create a smoother more sleek look to your locks.
It’s cruelty and sulphate-free so no nasties on your sensitive strands. It also smells like a dream and won’t leave you feeling greasy.
Kerastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum
$73 at Adore Beauty
Revive your hair while you snooze with this overnight serum from Kerastase that was made with dry hair in mind. You can apply it wet or dry and no need to rinse it out in the morning, simply wake up with nourished smooth hair ready for hot humid days.
Also available at:
- $73 at Kerastase
- $73 at Oz Hair & Beauty
Sachajuan Curl Treatment
$54 at Rogue Beauty
This is one for the curly girls, now is the time to dedicate some serious love to your lovely locks and with this treatment you can revive them to their former pre-humidity glory. Sachajuan uses a minimalist approach to their products and this one will use Ocean Silk Technology to smooth the cuticle and create bounce and shine.
Woven Microfibre Hair Towel
$32.95 at Straand
“We find the Straand Microfibre hair towel is a godsend in humid weather in gently absorbing excess moisture,” says Sarah.
Swap out your regular terry cloth towel for a microfibre option to take a kinder approach to drying your hair in summer. They’re far more gentle on your scalp and this one has a handy elastic loop to keep the towel on your head – game-changer!
Slip Queen Silk Pillow Case
$99 at The Iconic
When we say you need a silk pillowcase we mean it. It may seem bougie but the difference they make to your hair (and skin) health is kind of mindblowing. They’re far gentler on your locks so you’ll see fewer tangles and breakages which is particularly important during those humid summer months. Just trust us, it will revolutionise your beauty sleep, literally.
Related articles:
- Beat the Blues and Control That Mane This Winter With These Tips and Tricks For Luscious Locks
- Tried & Tested: Hair Products
LEAD IMAGE: Instagram /@jastookes
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