The same can be said of your hair, of course. The variables that make up our unique locks are pretty vast, meaning there’s a lot to consider when crafting up hair care—and often people can end up pretty confused about what their specific treatment plan should be. This is particularly the case with combination hair, as the type of hair comes with conflicting issues when you travel from root to tip. The perfect wash schedule differs for everyone (see here for our full guide to shampooing), but you can always snag a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid messing with your scalp’s natural balance. These picks are formulated specifically for oily roots. Take it from board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M.D.: “The oil follicles on the scalp are controlled in similar ways to the oil follicles on our face and other areas like the neck, chest, and upper back,” she once told mbg. “So, factors like stress that may increase oil production on our face may also increase oil production on our scalp.” Much like treating combination skin, caring for this hair type is a delicate dance. Here are six expert-backed ways to strike the perfect balance: Apply them onto your scalp pre-shampoo, massage them into the skin, rinse and follow with your hydrating products (you don’t want to strip the scalp completely of its natural oils, as it can lead to dryness and flakes). Find our favorite scrubs here. That said, you can totally target the nozzle where your strands need a little more love, coaxing some life into dull and dry ends. How so? Well, frizz and dull hair is the result of raised cuticles. Your cuticles rise up due to a more alkaline pH1, and a product with a lower pH (hello, apple cider vinegar) can help seal the cuticle back down. See exactly how to do an ACV rinse here. And when you do reach for the hot tools, make sure to always use a solid heat protectant: Not only do these help absorb the damage that comes with heat, but they can also hydrate the hair and infuse the strand with nutrients. Check out our favorites, here.
