What causes frizzy hair?

Frizz is probably one of the most common hair care concerns, and understanding the cause of your frizzy hair is the first step in helping you manage it effectively. Frizz occurs when the outer layer of the hair, known as the cuticle, becomes raised. This allows moisture from the environment to penetrate the hair shaft, causing it to swell and appear frizzy. Several factors contribute to this:

Hair Dryness

Dry hair lacks the natural oils that keep the strands smooth and hydrated. When hair is dehydrated, it seeks moisture from the air, leading to frizz. This is especially common in curly or textured hair, which is naturally drier due to the shape of the strands.

Genetics

We hate to break it to you - but sometimes frizz is pretty much baked into your genes.

The natural texture of your hair plays a significant role in frizz. Curly and wavy hair types are more prone to frizz because their shape makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the strand.

Humidity and Weather Conditions

Any frizzy-haired Friends fan will remember Monica bemoaning,  “It’s the HUMIDITY".

Humid weather is one of the biggest culprits for frizz. When there’s excess moisture in the air, it gets absorbed into the hair, causing the cuticle to expand and the strands to lose their smooth appearance.

Want to tame your frizz when in humid conditions? Check out our Fine Curl anti-humidity drops, which blend natural ingredients to add shine and smoothness to your curls.

Hair Damage

Overuse of heat styling tools, chemical treatments, or harsh hair products can damage the cuticle, making it rough and more prone to frizz.

Hair Porosity

High-porosity hair, which has gaps and holes in the cuticle, tends to absorb and lose moisture more easily. This makes it particularly susceptible to frizz in fluctuating weather conditions.

Improper Hair Care Practices

Rubbing hair too vigorously with a towel, using harsh shampoos, or brushing dry hair can disrupt the cuticle, leading to frizz. Even washing hair with hot water can strip away natural oils, contributing to dryness and frizz.

Choosing your shampoo

Choosing the right shampoo is crucial for managing dry hair. The right product can provide much-needed hydration, protect the hair’s natural oils, and improve overall manageability. On the other hand, the wrong shampoo can strip your hair of moisture and exacerbate dryness.

What to look for...

Hydrating Ingredients

Shampoos formulated with moisturising ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, aloe vera, and oils (such as argan, coconut, or jojoba oil) can help nourish and hydrate dry hair.

Gentle Cleansers

Look for shampoos with gentle, sulphate-free formulas. Sulphates are strong cleansing agents that can strip natural oils from the hair, leaving it even drier.

Protein-Infused Shampoos

For dry hair that is also weak or brittle, a shampoo with added proteins can help strengthen the strands and prevent breakage.

What to Avoid in a Shampoo for Dry Hair

Sulphates

Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) and sodium laureth sulphate (SLES) are harsh surfactants that can over-cleanse the hair and scalp, leading to dryness.

Alcohols

Avoid shampoos with high concentrations of drying alcohols (e.g., isopropyl alcohol), as these can sap moisture from your hair.

Silicone Overload

While silicones can make your hair feel smooth initially, heavy silicone-based shampoos can create build-up, weighing down your hair and blocking moisture absorption.

Best Shampoo for Dry Hair?

One of the best shampoos for dry hair is the Ultra Nourishing Treatment Shampoo by Windle LAB London. Designed to revive dry, damaged, or over-processed hair, this luxurious shampoo delivers exceptional hydration and care.

It offers:

• Ultra-Hydrating Formula: Packed with essential oils and natural extracts to deeply moisturise the hair.
• Gentle Cleansing: Free from harsh sulphates, it cleanses while preserving the hair’s natural moisture barrier.
• Scalp-Friendly: Enriched with natural antioxidants to nourish the scalp and support healthy hair growth.
• Silicone-Free: Promotes lightweight hydration without build-up.
• Camellia Oil to deeply hydrate and smooth frizzy hair
• Green Tea Extract for antioxidant protection and scalp health
• A gentle, sulfate-free base to cleanse without stripping moisture

This shampoo is ideal for those looking to restore softness, shine, and manageability to dry or frizzy hair. Pair it with a nourishing conditioner for optimal results.

Conditioner for frizzy or dry hair

When it comes to managing dry hair, conditioner is your best ally. A good conditioner provides essential hydration, repairs damage, and seals the hair cuticle to reduce frizz and enhance shine. The key is to choose a product that nourishes without weighing your hair down. Here’s what to look for—and what to avoid—when selecting a conditioner for dry hair.

What Makes a Good Conditioner for Dry Hair?

Deep Hydration

Look for conditioners packed with:

Natural Oils (e.g., argan oil, jojoba oil, or camellia oil) to replenish moisture

Butters like shea or cocoa butter for intense nourishment

Humectants like glycerin to attract and lock in moisture

Repair and Strengthening Properties

Conditioners with keratin, amino acids, or ceramides help strengthen and repair damaged hair, making it smoother and more resilient.

Moisture-Sealing Ingredients

Products that contain lightweight silicones (like dimethicone) or natural emollients create a protective barrier, locking in hydration and reducing frizz.

Scalp-Friendly Formulas

A good conditioner doesn’t just work on the hair—it also soothes and nourishes the scalp to maintain healthy hair growth.

Windle London Ultra Nourishing Conditioner

For the ultimate solution to dry hair, we recommend the Windle London Ultra Nourishing Conditioner. This luxurious conditioner is designed to deeply hydrate, repair, and smooth even the driest, most damaged hair. Key benefits include:

• Camellia Oil for deep hydration and silky smoothness
• Green Tea Extract protects against environmental damage and supports scalp health
• Lightweight Formula that provides intense nourishment without weighing hair down
• Enhanced Manageability to leave your hair soft, detangled, and ready to style

When used with the Windle LAB Ultra Nourishing Treatment Shampoo, this conditioner delivers a powerful one-two punch of hydration and repair, making it perfect for anyone looking to revitalise dry, frizzy hair.



 

Products that smooth frizz

For deeper conditioning, you can add a hair masque to your haircare regime. Our Ultra nourishing hair masque provides softness while helping to repair your hair. It is packed with nourishing ingredients, including Monoi, Babassue and Baobab oils, alongside Shea Butter to smooth and moisturise.

If you want to create a haircare routine that’s tailored to eliminating frizz, look at our Sensational Softness regime, which includes our leading products that are designed to restore dry or damaged hair.

Does oil help with frizzy or dry hair?

Oils can be a game-changer for managing frizzy hair—when you use the right ones. They help seal the hair cuticle, lock in moisture, and add shine, making hair appear smoother and more manageable. However, not all oils are created equal. The wrong oils can leave your hair greasy, weighed down, or even more prone to frizz.

Oils work by smoothing the outer layer of the hair, known as the cuticle, which is often raised in frizzy hair. This sealing effect helps keep hydration within the hair shaft while protecting against humidity, which is one of the main culprits of frizz. Additionally, oils replenish lost moisture in dry hair, making it softer, more hydrated, and less likely to develop frizz. Their ability to reflect light also gives dull, frizzy hair a sleek and glossy appearance. Beyond this, oils provide a layer of protection against heat styling and environmental stressors, reducing further damage.

The key to achieving these benefits lies in selecting the right oils. Lightweight oils, such as camellia oil or argan oil, are particularly effective for frizz. These oils provide hydration and smoothness without the risk of weighing hair down.

If you’re looking for high-quality oils that hydrate and tame frizz without the drawbacks, explore the Windle London Treatment Oils collection. These luxurious products are crafted with lightweight yet nourishing ingredients, such as camellia oil, which deeply hydrates while adding shine and smoothness. Each formula is carefully designed to repair and protect your hair without leaving a greasy residue, ensuring your hair stays soft, manageable, and frizz-free.

Choosing the right products for your hair type is the foundation in fighting against frizz, as different textures require different approaches. At Windle LAB, we created revolutionary haircare regimes that are tailored to different hair types. Take a look at our regimes to find a haircare routine that works for you.

Want to try Windle LAB haircare but not sure where to start? Our Intro Set is an affordable way to try out some of our best-selling products.