The furnace is back on, the toque is back in rotation, and suddenly your hair has opinions. It crackles with static when you pull off a sweater, the ends feel rough, and your scalp may be itchy by mid-afternoon. This month, several hair experts and dermatologists shared advice on getting hair through the colder months, and the message is reassuring: a few small, steady changes usually help more than a cupboard full of new products. Here are the most practical points, paired with gentle hair tools from our beauty shelves.
Why winter is so hard on hair and scalp
In a British Vogue feature published on October 16, trichologist Anabel Kingsley explained that the constant back-and-forth between cold, damp air outside and dry, heated air indoors, plus the extra blow-drying many of us do in winter, can add up quickly. She noted that curly, coily and naturally drier hair tends to get frizzy, colour-treated hair can be more porous, and fine hair can be more likely to snap.
Warning signs include more static, tangles, split ends and breakage, plus itching, tightness, redness or flakes on the scalp. In a separate Vogue scalp guide from October 10, dermatologist Dr. Morgan Rabach listed indoor heating, cold weather, washing too often and hot styling tools among the everyday habits that can strip away the scalp's natural oils.
Tip 1: Keep washing, just wash smarter
Kingsley says cold weather is not a reason to shampoo less. Regular cleansing still clears away oil, product build-up and dead skin. If flakes are the problem, she suggests trying an anti-dandruff shampoo rather than stretching out the time between washes.
How you wash matters too. Dermatologist Dr. Regine Mathieu told Vogue that daily washing usually is not necessary, and that lukewarm or cool water is kinder to hair than hot. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) adds a simple habit: focus shampoo on the scalp rather than scrubbing it through the full length of your hair.
A soft silicone scalp brush makes that scalp-first approach easy, working shampoo into a lather at the roots with a relaxing massage.
Tip 2: Add moisture where it counts
Every expert in this month's coverage came back to moisture. Hairstylist Charlotte Mensah recommends regular conditioning treatments and a consistent routine, and Vogue's experts point toward sulphate-free shampoos and deep-conditioning masks. The AAD suggests conditioning after every wash: ends only if your hair is fine or straight, and the full length if it is dry or curly.
For the scalp itself, Dr. Janiene Luke highlighted humectant ingredients such as glycerin, niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and panthenol, which help draw in and hold water. She also mentioned jojoba and argan oils, with an important caution: oils can make dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis worse, so check with a dermatologist first if you have either condition.
If you already use a scalp serum or oil, an applicator with silicone bristles helps you place it at the roots instead of on your fingers, and doubles as a gentle massage. Dr. Mathieu noted that scalp massage supports blood flow, and a massager can help lift away build-up.
Tip 3: Detangle gently to prevent breakage
Hair is at its most fragile when wet. The AAD recommends a wide-tooth comb for wet hair, starting at the ends and slowly working upward. If your hair is thick or curly, comb while conditioner is still in; if it is straight, let it air-dry a little first. Swap rough towel rubbing for gently squeezing water out with a towel or soft T-shirt.
Our Detangling Hair Brush comes in several colours plus comb options. Whatever you use, slow and patient beats quick and forceful.
Tip 4: Turn down the heat
Both Vogue's experts and the AAD advise limiting blow-dryers, flat irons and curling irons. When you do use them, the AAD suggests low or medium settings and a heat protectant. Regular trims also help keep split ends from travelling further up the strand.
Heatless curlers are an easy way to cut back. Wrap damp or dry hair around the soft rod, clip it in place, and leave it for a few hours or overnight before unwrapping for soft waves with no hot tools at all.
Mensah also cautions that braids and other protective styles should never feel uncomfortably tight, especially around the hairline. The same thinking works for everyday ponytails and buns: keep them comfortable and relaxed.
A fabric ruffle scrunchie with pearl details makes a loose low bun look party-ready, and it is a sweet stocking stuffer.
Tip 5: Protect your hair while you sleep
Mensah suggests sleeping in a silk bonnet or on a silk pillowcase to help hair hold on to moisture. Kingsley adds that a balanced diet and managing stress also play a part in scalp health, and she points out that the busy festive season can bring more of both stress and sweets.
For a smooth overnight cover, our Satin Sleep Bonnet has a wide elastic band and comes in four colours.
Bonus: Winter cuts and colours to watch
Vogue's experts expect this winter to celebrate natural texture, from curly bobs to the relaxed '90s "boyfriend" bob and the jaw-length French bob, with warm cinnamon reds and rich espresso browns leading on colour.
Shop the Look
Every tool from this guide in one place (prices current at writing, in Canadian dollars). Find more in our Health & Beauty collection, along with our Hair and Beauty & Personal Care collections.
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This article is general information, not medical advice. If you have ongoing itching, redness, flaking or hair loss, please see a dermatologist or healthcare provider.
References
- Exactly What To Do To Winter-Proof Your Hair, According To 3 Experts — British Vogue (October 16, 2026)
- The Ultimate Guide On How To Moisturise Your Scalp — British Vogue (October 10, 2026)
- Tips for healthy hair — American Academy of Dermatology