7 Best Ways to Care for Gray Hair in the Colder Months, From Boosting Hydration to Restoring Shine

If red carpets and runways are anything to go by this autumn, silver strands are the trend du jour. Emma Thompson, Olivia Colman, and Sarah Jessica Parker are leading the former camp, each having debuted an elegant gray transformation in recent weeks, while shows such as Lanvin, Akrin, and Andreas Kronthaler for Vivienne Westwood spotlighted gray hair at Paris Fashion Week.

It seems, then, that there’s no better time to embrace gray and silver hair. But for anyone seeking to follow suit, it’s important to note that cooler temperatures can affect the typical upkeep involved. “Cold weather dries out gray hair, making it feel rough, brittle, and more prone to breakage and frizz,” says John Clark, senior colorist at Nicola Clarke salon. “This is because the cold, low-humidity air pulls moisture from the hair, while indoor heating further dries it out.”

Since gray hair indicates a structural change in the hair (as it’s caused by a loss of melanin in the strands), it’s often more prone to dryness, regardless of the weather. Dr. Aamna Adel, founder of Rhute Haircare, explains: “Gray or white hair often has fewer natural lipids and a rougher cuticle, which means it can feel drier and coarser. It also reflects light differently, so it can look dull or wiry.”

She adds that both the texture of the hair and the scalp can change when temperatures drop; flakiness and irritation can be common consequences.

Thankfully, there is a range of easy ways to restore both back into top form. With winter firmly on the horizon, discover the seven swaps and changes you can make to your gray hair routine to best care for it in the weeks ahead.

How to maintain healthy gray hair in autumn and winter

Focus on scalp care

A healthy scalp will ensure that gray strands are stronger and denser, according to hairstylist and founder of Jo Nova, Joseph Yildiz.

Adds Dr. Adel: “Look for ceramides, fatty acids, shea butter, and panthenol to rebuild the lipid barrier; niacinamide to support scalp health; and antioxidants like vitamin E, stem cell extracts, and green tea extract to protect against oxidative stress, which accelerates graying and dryness. Amino acids and peptides can also help strengthen the hair shaft over time.”

Rethink your hair wash routine

As gray hair naturally feels coarser, the last thing you want is to strip it with shampoos that contain harsh sulfates. Opt for hydrating formulas or cleansing conditioners, and while the hair is damp, apply a leave-in conditioner.

Incorporate a silver shampoo and conditioner once a week. “It dulls any yellow or brassy tones and helps reflect the light, making hair look shiny and glossy,” says Clark.

Alongside this, a clarifying formula used once every two weeks is useful, too, especially if you tend to use a lot of styling products. “It will lightly cleanse any product buildup or mineral deposits in the hair. Sometimes white hair can appear yellow, and this solves that,” says Jo Cockle at John Frieda Salon. Always follow with a bond-building and moisturizing hair mask to keep it strong and soft.

Air-dry properly

Avoid stepping outside into the cold right after air-drying your hair. “This can be incredibly damaging to hair that is already prone to dryness. The water in your hair can expand in freezing temperatures, which can lift the hair’s cuticle and lead to split ends,” says Hollie Rose Clarke, hairstylist and Living Proof ambassador.

Instead, she recommends using a hydrating product to help keep hair soft and conditioned while air-drying. Clarke is a fan of Living Proof Air-Dry Styler, which contains hemisqualane for moisture that won’t weigh down fine strands. You can also experiment with a nourishing hair oil such as Moroccanoil’s Treatment, which is brimming with omega-6 for deep hydration.

In the evenings, Dr. Adel recommends wearing a silk or satin-lined scarf or bonnet to prevent friction and static as you sleep.

Use a rich conditioner

Replenish lost moisture with cocooning hair masks and treatments. Clark recommends incorporating keratin-based formulas to restore strength, while Clarke name-checks amino acids to increase hair’s hydrophobicity (this ultimately helps to lock in moisture), and hemisqualane to seal the cuticles so locks appear silkier.

Never skip heat protection

Ideally, try not to overstyle your hair with heated tools. “This can leave hair broken, dry, and even discolored,” says Clark. But, if you must use them (and most of us do prefer to), shield your strands with a heat protector, even if you’re just running a hair dryer through it. Look for one with hydrating, frizz-managing qualities to ease flyaways.

Consider a pollution shield

There’s a reason why some may find their grays looking lackluster. “Gray hair is more porous, meaning there is less natural protection from environmental factors (such as urban pollution) than with pigmented hair. This can be what causes a lack of shine or discoloration,” Clarke explains.

Modern shield formulas deliver hydration and protection against both heat tools and environmental damage.

Use a gloss

As a finishing touch, a small amount of hair oil will add extra shine to your grays, but a glossing treatment delivers luster that lasts. At-home glosses (which are often applied pre-conditioner or in place of it, left for a few minutes, then washed out) promise instant results. You can also use a semipermanent conditioning tint such as Shrine Drop It to revive the color of your grays.