Summer might leave your body glowing, but your hair often tells a different story. Long days in the sun, dips in the pool, salty sea breezes and humidity-fuelled styling can all take their toll, leaving strands in need of some seasonal TLC. ??Whether your ends feel parched, your shade’s shifted, or your texture’s lost its curl, post-summer hair recovery is all about understanding the damage and giving your locks exactly what they need. Here’s how to bring your hair back to life, ingredient by ingredient.
Stressed Tresses? Try These 15 Hair Heroes To Restore Summer Locks
Summer can be hard on the hair. These products are designed to restore them to full, abundant health.
Dry
Endless UV exposure, salt water and chlorine can strip hair of its natural oils, leaving it feeling rough, brittle and thirsty. Heat from styling tools only adds to the dehydration, making split ends and breakage more likely. Look for hydrating heroes like hyaluronic acid (yes, for hair), glycerin and aloe vera to draw moisture back in. Butters and oils – think shea butter, coconut, argan and jojoba – work to seal that hydration in and smooth the cuticle for a silkier finish.
Discoloured
Blondes may notice brassy tones creeping in, brunettes can see unwanted warmth, and coloured hair can fade faster under the sun’s UV rays. Pool chemicals like chlorine can also leave a greenish tint, especially in lighter shades. To restore vibrancy, reach for purple or blue toning products to neutralise brassiness, and colour-safe shampoos to protect your investment. Antioxidant-rich ingredients like green tea, vitamin E and sunflower seed extract can also help shield against future colour fade.
Lost Its Bounce
Flat, limp hair post-holiday is often down to product build-up, heavy SPF residue and environmental particles that weigh strands down. Add in humidity and excess moisture in the air, and your hair’s natural volume can vanish. A clarifying shampoo or scalp scrub containing gentle exfoliants like salicylic acid can reset your roots, while lightweight proteins (like rice or silk) help strengthen without stiffness. Finish with a volumising mousse or root lift spray that adds body without weighing hair down again.
Frizzy
Humidity is the main culprit here as it swells the hair shaft, pushing the cuticle open and allowing moisture to rush in unevenly. Sun exposure and saltwater can roughen the cuticle, making it even more prone to frizz. Smoothing ingredients like argan oil, squalane and fatty acids help to nourish and seal, while silicones or silicone alternatives create a humidity shield. For a long-term fix, keratin-infused treatments can help realign the cuticle for a smoother, glossier finish.
Dull
When UV rays, salt and chlorine strip away natural oils, hair loses its reflective surface, leaving it looking matte and lifeless. Clarifying treatments with apple cider vinegar can remove residue, while shine-boosters like camellia oil, panthenol and amino acids restore smoothness. A once-weekly gloss or glaze treatment can also enhance colour and light reflection, giving hair that just-left-the-salon sheen.
By
Lydia Mansi
·
Published September 2025
Lydia is an all-round lifestyle guru, tireless champion of women in business and our resident expert on beauty.
