Dryness is one of the top areas of concern and focuses for folks looking to optimize their textured hair health — and with good reason. With more textured hair types, the natural oils of the scalp that the scalp produces don’t slide down the hair shaft as easily as they do for those with straight hair, which results in oil building up on the scalp. On the other hand, some folks just don’t produce a lot of natural scalp oil or sebum, which leads to a dry scalp on its own.

Whatever group you find yourself in, read on below for some of the most common causes behind your biggest dry hair woes. 

You Don’t Have a Consistent Regimen.

If dry hair remains a top concern for your hair health, the most important thing you can do to resolve the issue is to establish a personal regimen. While that can sound daunting, a personal regimen can be as simple as cleansing and conditioning — it just has to work for you and be kept up on a consistent basis. When you do this, you’ll be able to understand what products and styling your hair responds to most positively. Consistency is key!

You Only Co-Wash.

Co-washing is a great method to keep your curls and coils rejuvenated in between wash days, or reset your hair without shampoo, but it shouldn’t be used as a replacement for the full wash day system entirely. Reapplying conditioner without a cleansing solution like shampoo will result in serious product buildup on the hair and scalp, which can cause difficulty when it comes to moisture absorption. Bottom line? Make sure you’re fully cleansing and conditioning the hair at least once a week to optimize nourished, moisturized hair.

Change In Weather.

If your hair gets drier, frizzier, and generally more weak during colder seasons like fall and winter, know you’re not alone. Temperature and humidity changes in any direction can take a serious toll on natural hair, but colder temperatures in particular tend to dehydrate the hair even more than it might already be. During these months, it’s important to double down on moisture-boosting efforts — from more frequent use of deep conditioners and masks to opting for protective styles on a regular basis.

You’re Only Washing Your Hair In Hot Water.

We’re not one to deny the bliss of a steamy hot shower, but if you’re exclusively washing your hair with higher temperatures, that could be contributing to your excessive dryness. Every strand of hair has a cuticle layer, and warm water raises those layers allowing for treatments and conditioners to be absorbed much easier. To seal in whatever you’ve applied, however, will be done when you do a final rinse with cold water to help lay those cuticles back down.

You Need More Frequent Nourishment. 

This may seem like a no-brainer, but at the end of the day, your hair needs the right amount of nourishment — and that’ll look different for everyone. A simple addition to any regimen to boost nourishment comes in the form of deep conditioner, which can greatly boost your hair’s moisture retention.