How to Care for Your Hair

Over here at Standard Dose, we’ve always taken our skincare routines pretty seriously, dutifully applying SPF to protect our skin and making sure to cleanse every single night. And while skincare routines get a lot of love, there’s one routine that seems to fall under the radar: your haircare routine. 

Yes, your hair deserves some love, too! Here’s how to care for those locks of yours: 

Choose a Good Shampoo (and Conditioner!)
Have you ever turned around your shampoo bottle and really looked at the ingredients? If not, now's a really good time. A lot of the shampoos you’ll find at your neighborhood pharmacy include a laundry list of ingredients, many of which you might not recognize or be able to pronounce. Even scarier? You’ll often find harmful additives like synthetic colors, polyethylene glycols, and parabens in these very formulas. 

Don’t worry, though! There are some shampoos (and conditioners) out there that are made thoughtfully with clean and purposeful ingredients. Consider making the switch to one of these. Our team loves the Cold Processed Hair Cleanse from Act + Acre and the Go Easy Conditioner from Ursa Major. 

Cater Your Washing Schedule to Your Hair Type
Maybe you’ve heard that it’s not always the best idea to wash your hair every day. That can be true! But it depends on your hair type. For those with hair on the more oily side, washing every day might be a good idea. However, if you have hair that’s super dry, a few times a week is more than enough. You can always check with your hairstylist for advice if you’re struggling to determine the right wash schedule for you!

Don’t Forget Your Scalp 
Not enough people prioritize scalp care, but it’s so important to do so. A healthy scalp is what leads to healthy hair after all. If your scalp is especially oily, this oil can lead to clogged follicles, making it difficult (or even impossible) for hair to grow. On the other hand, a lack of oil can lead to dandruff, which can have the same effect. 

Curious what you can do? A weekly scalp detox is key. This one from Act + Acre addresses everything we mentioned above, while gently removing sweat and product buildup for a healthier scalp. Just choose a day of the week where you want to detox, apply the oil to your scalp and massage in, let sit for 20 minutes, and shower, rinsing thoroughly with shampoo and conditioner. 

Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate
Drinking more water is always at the top of the list when it comes to improving your health. Turns out, it’s beneficial for your hair, too. Water helps your hair stay balanced, healthy, and hydrated. Although it might seem like a lot, drinking 3 liters of water a day is a great goal to work towards (this water bottle is a team favorite, if you’re in need of a new one). 

Supplement As Needed
For extra hair support, taking a vitamin-rich supplement can be helpful. Those who are vegan or vegetarian can benefit from one that has B12, an essential vitamin often present in meat, eggs, and dairy. The Rae Wellness Energy Capsules feature B12 as well as other supportive vitamins like green tea.

With a little time and love, you can nurture healthy, flowing hair. Before long, you might like your haircare routine as much (or even more!) than that skincare routine.