Your hair does not need a new routine every three months. It needs the same gentle base all year, plus a few swaps when the weather changes: more moisture and scalp care in cold, dry air, lighter products and UV protection when it warms up, and patience in the fall, when many people shed more. Below you will find what each season does to your hair and scalp, what to change, and when shedding is a reason to see a dermatologist. We make plant-based, Ayurvedic-inspired hair care, so we point to the CRISAN Oils collection where an oil fits the routine.
TL;DR
- Winter: Cold air and indoor heat dry out the scalp and hair. Add conditioning, limit heat styling and protect your scalp from flaking.
- Spring: Humidity brings frizz and a faster-greasing scalp. Switch to lighter products and start protecting hair from the sun.
- Summer: Sun, chlorine and salt water are the main stressors. Wear a hat, use SPF on the scalp and keep your scalp oil light.
- Fall: Shedding often rises. Losing 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, so be gentle and watch for signs that something else is going on.
- All year: Shampoo the scalp, condition the lengths, detangle wet hair gently and go easy on heat.
Table of Contents
- Why hair care changes with the seasons
- Winter hair care: fight dryness and flaking
- Spring hair care: lighter products and early sun protection
- Summer hair care: sun, chlorine and salt water
- Fall hair care: dry air and seasonal shedding
- Season-by-season at a glance
- The habits that stay the same all year
- When shedding is more than seasonal
- Build your seasonal routine with CRISAN
- Our view on seasonal hair care
- FAQ
- Sources
Why hair care changes with the seasons
Hair is a protein fiber that responds to the air around it. Your scalp is skin, and skin reacts to humidity, temperature and sunlight. When the air turns cold and dry, the scalp loses moisture, and flaking and tightness follow. When it turns hot and humid, the scalp produces oil faster and the hair shaft swells and frizzes.
There is also a biological side. Hair grows in cycles, and research suggests the share of hairs that are resting and ready to shed shifts through the year. Researchers at Johns Hopkins and Washington University looked at search behavior across eight countries and found people searched for hair loss more often in summer and fall. A co-author, Dr. Shawn Kwatra, said a mild increase in hair loss in those seasons is normal, as reported by HuffPost.
So the goal is simple: protect the hair you have, keep the scalp comfortable and avoid habits that add breakage on top of normal shedding.
Winter hair care: fight dryness and flaking
Winter is the hardest season on the scalp. Dry indoor heat from central heating can strip moisture from the scalp and hair, and cold temperatures can reduce blood circulation to the scalp. The same report notes that low vitamin D in colder months can weaken follicles and contribute to shedding. It suggests a humidifier and moisturizing products to counter the dryness, according to The Weather Network.
Dermatologists see the same pattern in the clinic. University of Minnesota Physicians reports more scaling and dandruff on the scalp in winter months. Its dermatologist, Dr. Farah, recommends:
- Anti-dandruff shampoo at least three times a week, if your hair can tolerate it.
- More conditioner, or a deep conditioner left on longer.
- Breaks from heat styling, or none at all, if your hair feels dry.
- Silk pillowcases to reduce friction.
- A hat in the sun, even in winter.
A simple winter routine
- Wash on a schedule that matches your scalp. Shampoo the scalp, not the full length, so the ends are not stripped. Our shampoos and conditioners are vegan and made for all hair types.
- Condition every wash. Leave it on a minute or two longer than usual when your ends feel rough.
- Add a weekly treatment. A mask or a pre-wash oil gives dry lengths extra slip and softness. A blend of plant oils applied before shampooing is an easy place to start.
- Turn the heat down. Use low or medium settings and a heat protectant, and let hair air-dry when you can.
- Humidify the bedroom. It is a small change that helps both skin and hair.
If you are not sure whether flakes come from dryness or dandruff, our guide to dandruff vs. dry scalp explains how to tell the difference.
Spring hair care: lighter products and early sun protection
Spring swings between cold mornings and warm, humid afternoons. Humidity roughs up the hair shaft and makes frizz more likely, and the scalp tends to get oily faster as temperatures rise. Winter’s heavy products can start to feel weighty.
What to change in spring
- Check your hair after winter. Look for dryness, split ends and breakage. A trim removes damaged ends, and a conditioning routine keeps new ones from forming.
- Lighten up. Move from rich winter creams to lighter conditioners and a few drops of oil rather than a heavy layer.
- Refresh the scalp. Product buildup and extra oil are common as the weather warms. Our Scalp Detox Hair Mask fits this reset step.
- Keep giving heat tools a rest. Air-drying more often costs nothing and spares your hair.
- Start sun protection now. UV exposure builds long before summer. More on that below.
If your wash day is shifting because of sweat and outdoor activity, adjust the frequency to how oily your scalp actually gets. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) advises washing based on how often your hair gets dirty or oily, not on a fixed calendar, and applying shampoo to the scalp instead of the whole length.
Summer hair care: sun, chlorine and salt water
Summer adds sun, pool water, sea water and sweat. Hair can become dry, brittle and faded, and the scalp can burn.
The Cleveland Clinic’s advice on protecting hair from sun damage includes:
- Use a hair sunscreen with active UV filters.
- Apply regular sunscreen of SPF 30 or higher to the scalp, such as along a part.
- Wear UPF sun-protective clothing or a wide-brimmed hat.
- Avoid peak sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Use low-to-medium heat settings, avoid over-washing, and keep hair hydrated with gentle moisturizers and conditioners.
Summer scalp care
A sweaty, oily scalp does not mean you should skip oil entirely. It means using less, applying it to the right place and rinsing it out on time. We cover this in detail in summer scalp oil care for oily and sensitive skin. If you wear braids or protective styles in the heat, oiling your scalp two to three times weekly with plant-based oils keeps the scalp comfortable under the style.
After swimming, rinse hair with fresh water, then condition. Chlorine and salt dry the strands, so a conditioning step on the same day helps.
Fall hair care: dry air and seasonal shedding
Fall is the season people search for most. The air gets cooler and drier, and many people notice more hair in the brush and shower drain.
That is usually normal. The AAD says shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal. Because hair growth runs in cycles, a rise in shedding can show up weeks to months after summer. Our article on seasonal hair shedding walks through the growth cycle and the typical timeline.
A practical fall routine
- Shampoo the scalp, condition the lengths. Do this every wash, and use a gentle, hydrating shampoo that does not leave hair squeaky.
- Be gentle when detangling. Use a wide-tooth comb on wet hair rather than a brush, as the AAD recommends. For dry hair, a quality brush with soft bristles reduces pulling. Our Everlasting Hair Brush has interchangeable bristles.
- Loosen up your styles. Tight ponytails and braids pull on the roots every day. Give your hairline a rest.
- Massage your scalp. A few minutes a day with a little oil feels good and is an easy habit to keep.
- Eat for your hair. Mount Sinai recommends healthy scalp and hair habits: moisturizing properly in drier months, gentle grooming and balanced nutrition. Enough protein, iron and vitamin D are part of that picture.
- Cut back on heat. Low or medium settings with a heat protectant, and air-dry when you can.
If you want a daily nutritional option, see our vitamins and supplements. If you think you are low in vitamin D or iron, ask your doctor for a blood test before changing your supplements.
Season-by-season at a glance
| Season | What the weather does | What to change |
|---|---|---|
| Winter | Dry air, indoor heat, scalp flaking | Extra conditioner, weekly mask or pre-wash oil, less heat, humidifier |
| Spring | Humidity, frizz, faster-greasing scalp | Lighter products, scalp refresh, start UV protection |
| Summer | Sun, chlorine, salt water, sweat | Hat, SPF on the scalp, rinse and condition after swimming, light oil |
| Fall | Cooler, drier air, more shedding | Gentle detangling, looser styles, scalp massage, balanced diet |
The habits that stay the same all year
Seasonal tweaks work best on top of a steady base. The AAD’s guidance on healthy hair gives you that base:
- Wash according to how often your hair gets dirty or oily.
- Apply shampoo to the scalp, not the entire length.
- Use conditioner after washing.
- Detangle wet hair with a wide-tooth comb.
- Limit blow-drying and hot tools to low or medium settings with a heat protectant.
For thinning or shedding hair, the AAD adds tips for managing hair loss: use a gentle shampoo, apply a moisturizing conditioner after every shampoo, use a leave-in conditioner or detangler to reduce breakage and split ends, and wrap hair in a microfiber towel to cut blow-drying time.
The point is protecting your existing hair. No routine changes your genetics, but moisture, less heat and looser styling reduce breakage, so the hair you grow stays on your head longer.
When shedding is more than seasonal
Seasonal shedding is a mild, temporary rise. Other shedding has a cause that needs a doctor. The AAD notes that excessive shedding, called telogen effluvium, can follow losing 20 pounds or more, giving birth, significant stress, a high fever, surgery, illness or stopping birth-control pills. After giving birth, shedding usually peaks about four months later, and hair tends to regain normal fullness within six to nine months.
See a board-certified dermatologist if:
- Shedding is heavy and keeps going for months.
- You see thinning at the part line or crown, or round bald patches.
- You had a clear trigger, such as illness, surgery, childbirth or a big life stress, in the past few months.
- Your scalp is red, itchy, painful or scaling.
Our guides on how to tell seasonal shedding from something else and when to see a dermatologist go through the signs in more detail. A dermatologist can check for causes such as thyroid problems, low iron or an inflammatory scalp condition, which a care routine cannot address.
Build your seasonal routine with CRISAN
A seasonal routine needs only a few products: a gentle shampoo and conditioner, a plant oil, a weekly treatment and a brush that does not pull. CRISAN Beauty is a family-owned, women-led company based in Texas, and our products are made in the USA. Our oils use a blend of 55 botanical ingredients inspired by generations of Ayurvedic tradition. They are vegan and suitable for all hair types.
Start with the CRISAN Oils collection for scalp and lengths. Add shampoos and conditioners for your wash day, and the brushes, masks and scrubs for the weekly steps. If you would rather shop by goal, such as length retention or scalp care, use our hair goals page.
Every product is made for steady, long-term use. We do not promise overnight results, and we encourage you to keep a routine through at least a full season before judging it.
Our view on seasonal hair care
Our founder started CRISAN after her own struggle with postpartum hair loss. That experience shaped how we talk about hair: honestly, and without unrealistic promises.
Here is what we believe about seasons. Hair and scalp needs shift, but the foundation does not. A gentle wash, real conditioning, less pulling and less heat matter in every month. Plant oils, used in the right amount for the weather, are a natural part of that foundation. That is why our oils combine 55 botanical ingredients drawn from Ayurvedic tradition, and why we make them vegan and suitable for all hair types.
In winter we reach for oil as a pre-wash treatment and a scalp massage. In summer we use less, keep it near the scalp and rinse well. In fall we keep our routine calm and consistent, because that is when patience matters most. And whatever the season, we want you to see a dermatologist if shedding is heavy or lasts.
Everything we make is manufactured in the USA, and we share education alongside our products so you can build a routine that fits your life.
CRISAN
FAQ
How often should I change my hair routine for the seasons?
You do not need to start over each season. Keep a steady base of gentle washing, conditioning and low heat. Then adjust as the weather shifts: richer moisture and scalp care in winter, lighter products in spring and summer, and gentler handling in fall.
Is it normal to lose more hair in the fall?
Yes, a mild increase is common. The AAD says shedding 50 to 100 hairs a day is normal, and research suggests people notice more hair loss in summer and fall. If shedding is heavy, lasts for months or comes with a scalp rash, thinning at the part or bald patches, see a dermatologist.
What are the best spring hair care tips?
Check your hair for winter dryness and breakage, switch to lighter conditioners and oils, and refresh a scalp with buildup. Start protecting your hair from the sun early with a hat or a hair product that has UV filters. Wash based on how oily your scalp gets as the weather warms up.
Should I still use hair oil in summer?
Yes, in a lighter way. Apply a small amount to the lengths or as a short pre-wash treatment, keep it off an oily scalp if yours gets greasy, and rinse thoroughly. Our summer scalp oil care guide shows how to adjust for oily and sensitive skin.
Do I need to protect my scalp from the sun?
Yes. The Cleveland Clinic recommends SPF 30 or higher sunscreen on the scalp, a hair sunscreen with UV filters and a wide-brimmed hat. Avoid the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when you can.
Sources
- How To Protect Your Hair From Sun Damage, Cleveland Clinic
- Tips for healthy hair, American Academy of Dermatology
- Hair loss: Tips for managing, American Academy of Dermatology
- Do you have hair loss or hair shedding?, American Academy of Dermatology
- How to Achieve Healthy Hair in the Winter Months, University of Minnesota Physicians
- How seasonal changes can cause hair loss, The Weather Network
- Seasonal Hair Loss and How to Keep Your Hair Healthy, Mount Sinai
- If You Think You’ve Been Losing More Hair Lately, HuffPost
