5 Reasons Why Curls Dry Out & How to Fix It

For curly girls, moisture is the key to success, but did you know that some hair care practices can make curly hair dry, frizzy and unmanageable? Curl expert, Ouidad, addresses the most common moisture zappers and how best to treat thirsty curls. 

1. High pH levels and sneaky sulphates

Products high on the alkaline scale can change the natural pH balance of curly hair (which is slightly acidic), causing the cuticle to open and moisture to escape. This leaves behind dry, brittle hair that is susceptible to frizzing. Sulphates (the chemical behind the foaming action of shampoos) can strip hair of its essential oils and leave the hair feeling dried out. Stick to products with a low pH to protect the moisture balance of curls and opt for sulphate-free cleansers to gently remove dirt and product build-up while restoring essential moisture to thirsty curls.

2. Skimping on conditioner

Whether curls are loose, classic, tight or kinky conditioning is paramount to maintaining healthy, moisturised curls. A lightweight conditioner is best for loose and classic curls to prevent weighing them down, and a heavier one to penetrate tight and kinky curls will help to hydrate. 

3. No prep time

Using a primer on curls before styling helps to restore moisture. It essentially ‘fills in’ some of those gaps on damaged, over-processed hair, so that products absorb evenly and, ultimately, work more effectively. Add a primer in your mix to seal in moisture and prepare the hair for optimal curl formation and less frizz.

4. Over-processing

Colouring curly hair is not off the table but the potential for damage can occur when the hair is lifted several levels above its natural tone. Curly hair is naturally porous which can affect how the hair absorbs and maintains colour, so colour with care and stick to products that work double-time to preserve colour and nourish chemically treated hair. 

5. Cotton pillowcases

How your curls spend the night can affect how nourished they are in the morning. Sleeping on a cotton pillowcase or sheets can pull moisture out of your strands and snag your curls, leading to frizzy, split ends. Try slipping a silk or satin cover on your pillow instead. Your strands will slide over it with ease throughout the night and curls will not snap and break; and it can also help preserve the definition of tight and kinky curl types.