• Source:JND

Haircare To Avoid In Monsoon:  The monsoon mostly feels like a relief from the blazing summer, but high humidity and damp weather take a toll on your hair. Your scalp feels dry and flaky; pollution hangs around; everything makes your hair weaker than usual. At times, hair fall and frizz become out of control, and dandruff makes an appearance.

So, what do most of us do? We load on more products, hoping that more means better. But honestly, the real trick is to know what’s making things worse and what works for a healthy mane.

4 Hair Care Ingredients You Should Skip During Humid Monsoon Weather: 

A lot of ingredients that help in drier seasons actually mess things up when the weather’s damp. Some make your hair heavy, others clog your scalp, and a few just throw your scalp’s balance completely off.

1. Heavy Silicones

Silicones get all the credit for that quick, smooth gloss you see after a wash. But once the air gets sticky, they just sit on your scalp, trapping sweat, oil, and pollution. This buildup blocks your hair follicles and weakens roots. That can lead to extra shedding, definitely not what you want.

2. Sulfate-Loaded Shampoos

That squeaky clean feeling? It’s usually the sulfates kicking in. They’re strong cleansers, but they strip away your natural oils. During monsoon, your scalp’s already dealing with outside stress. If you take away more of its protective oils, it dries out and then, weirdly, tends to get oilier as it tries to balance things out. This rollercoaster just adds to the risk of hair fall. Keep it simple with a mild shampoo, two or three times a week.

3. Thick, Heavy Oils

Oiling is comforting; everyone loves a good champi. But heavy, dense oils in the humidity invite more dust, trap sweat, and turn your scalp greasy. However, no need to skip oiling altogether; just switch to a lighter oil and keep it to a couple of times per week before shampooing and always follow up with a thorough wash.

4. Alcohol-Based Styling Products

Most hairsprays and styling gels contain some amount of alcohol. It dries out your hair, making it weak. In high humidity, you deal with both frizz and breakage. Try cutting down on these, and give your hair a break from heat styling while you’re at it.

5. Too Much Protein

Protein treatments are great when your hair needs strength, but go overboard, and your strands get stiff and brittle, especially in muggy air. Too much protein can actually make your hair break, not protect it. Less really is more here.

ALSO READ: 7 DIY Hair Masks That Fix Sweaty Summer Scalp Fast

Simple Habits That Actually Make A Difference:

You don’t need a bathroom shelf full of bottles. Stick to a few good habits and your hair will thank you:

  • - Wash with a mild shampoo two or three times a week
  • - Oil your roots with coconut oil twice a week (not too much!)
  • - Cut down on heat and harsh styling
  • - Always use conditioner for moisture
  • - Treat your hair to a nourishing mask once a week
  • - Massage some pure aloe vera gel into your hair to keep dandruff and split ends away

ALSO READ: Sweating Too Much In Humid Weather? Try These 7 Simple Hacks

What Experts Say:

During the monsoon, your scalp is a lot more prone to buildup and infections. Avoid heavy, greasy products and stick with gentle cleansing and balanced nourishment if you want to keep your hair healthy and hold off on seasonal hair fall.

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According to Dr Blossom Kochhar, Pioneer in Aromatherapy, Skincare Expert & Chairperson of Blossom Kochhar Group of Companies

Monsoon can create havoc on your hair and lead to issues such as frizz. During the humid monsoon, it is necessary to avoid ingredients such as heavy silicones, sulfates, and even alcohol-based products, as they can increase the chances of buildup, dryness, and frizz, which can be unpleasant and concerning. Make sure to opt for lightweight, hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid to maintain scalp health and prevent excess oiliness or even fungal issues.

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According to Dr Shareefa Chause, Dermatologist, Dr Shareefa Skin Care Clinic, Mumbai.

In parallel, Ayurveda suggests that the atmospheric humidity of Varsha Ritu naturally vitiates Vata dosha & accumulates Kapha dosha. This generates Kleda (moisture stagnation) at the Kesha Bhumi (scalp bed), impairing follicular metabolism (Agni) & accelerating hair shedding (Khalitya). Consequently, both paradigms strongly advocate for the cessation of heavy, occlusive agents. Instead, the strategic deployment of Laghu (light), Ruksha (astringent/drying) and antimicrobial botanicals like Azadirachta indica (Neem) & Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) is recommended to maintain scalp equilibrium & structural hair health. These botanicals may be added with natural antifungal – coconut oil and may be safely used.

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Dr Muralidhar R Ballal, General Manager, Associate Professor, SDM Ayurveda Pharmacy, SDM College of Ayurveda, LN Nagar, Kuthpady, Udupi, Karnataka - 574 118. Member, Scientific Advisory Board, Pharmacopoeial Commission for Indian Systems of Medicine & Homoeopathy, AYUSH, Government of India, New Delhi.

Lastly, Monsoon hair care doesn’t have to be a puzzle. It’s not about using ten products; it’s about picking what helps and skipping what doesn’t.


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