Active-infused hair care is taking center stage, and these problem-solving formulas get a standing ovation.
Best For: Frizzy Hair
Active Ingredients: Plant Oils
“Oils like marula, jojoba, tamanu, hemp seed, apricot, and shea are incredible for coarse texture,” says organic hair and skin care creator Josh Rosebrook.
The multitasking René Furterer STYLE Air Dry Cream ($30) fuses moisture into parched strand while protecting against humidity-induced frizz. For a deeper dose of TLC, VEGAMOUR Overnight Restoring Mask ($58) calls on plant and essential oils to deeply soften and nourish come morning.
Best For: Clearing Buildup
Active Ingredient: Apple Cider Vinegar
A must for rinsing the scalp of gunk and buildup (read: too much dry shampoo).
Sugar and ACV exfoliate in Sun Bum Revitalizing Detox Scalp Scrub ($15) while blue agave and banana hydrate for squeaky-clean, soft strands.
Best For: Dry Hair and Scalp
Active Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid
Ideal for ushering in boosted hydration, plus improved hair and scalp health.
Dr. Barbara Sturm Super Anti-Aging Scalp Serum ($100) is a leave-on treatment brimming with hyaluronic acid and natural extracts for comprehensive scalp care.
Best For: Hair Regrowth
Active Ingredient: Minoxidil
When serious hair regrowth is needed, minoxidil offers proven results.
Apply Head & Shoulders Scalp X Regrowth Treatment ($45 for three) for Women With Minoxidil to strands daily to curb future hair thinning and stimulate current growth.
Best for: Strengthening
Active Ingredients: Peptides and Proteins
Celebrity colorist Aura Friedman says this ingredient duo helps nurse fried strands back to health. Rosebrook also suggests focusing on amino acids and proteins to “soften and protect strands.”
K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Treatment ($75) is a foolproof option Friedman says offers “incredible results after just one use.”
Best For: Dull Hair
Active Ingredient: Vitamin C
For turning the lights back on in lackluster hair color.
dpHUE Brightening Powder ($30 for six), a five-minute in-shower treatment that promises to extract metals and minerals for just-left-the-salon color.
Best For: Brittle Hair
Active Ingredient: Rice Water
Like strength training for your hair cuticle.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! MegaStrength+ Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment ($42) is a dual-chamber leave-in that’s proven to strengthen hair up to two times after one use.
Kitsch Rice Water Protein Shampoo + Conditioner Bars ($14 each) offer a sustainable solution to the must-try hair-strengthener.
Best For: Thinning Hair
Active Ingredient: Rosemary
A natural option great for quieting sensitivity, revving up slowed circulation and encouraging thicker strands.
A few pumps of Aveda Invati Advanced Thickening Foam ($35) sinks right into strands and gets to work in the hair-thickening department as you style.
To double down on scalp health, pick up the HAIRtamin Scalp Serum ($45), clinically proven to increase hair thickness by 121% and reduce hair fall by 58%.
Best For: An Oily Scalp
Active Ingredient: Salicylic Acid
A go-to for gentle exfoliation and scalp-balancing action, Kèrastase Specifique Bain Divalent Balancing Shampoo ($35) offers relief for those with oily roots and dry ends with a blend of nourishing ingredients.
