Winter vs. Summer Grey Hair Care: Seasonal Strategies

Winter vs. Summer Grey Hair Care: Seasonal Strategies

By Manhattan Grey
Home Blog Posts Winter vs. Summer Grey Hair Care: Seasonal Strategies

Understanding the Seasonal Needs of Grey Hair

Grey hair, especially when textured or curly, deserves thoughtful year-round care. Seasonal changes impact moisture levels, color vibrancy, and overall manageability. Winter’s dry air can dull your shine and increase brittleness, while summer sun stresses strands with UV exposure, heat, and chlorine.

Caring for your hair successfully means adapting your routine with the seasons. Let's walk through the seasonal changes your grey curls experience—and how to lovingly protect them.

Winter Grey Hair Care Tips

Cold weather drastically reduces moisture, making grey hair feel more coarse and fragile. The key is preventing breakage and locking in hydration.

  • Deep condition weekly with rich, moisture-binding masks to nourish dry hair from the inside out.
  • Minimize wash days to 2–3 times per week using sulfate-free, purple toning shampoos to preserve shine and manage brassiness.
  • Wash with lukewarm water—never hot—to reduce cuticle damage and moisture loss.
  • Protect your strands outdoors with hats or scarves, and opt for leave-in conditioners or smoothing fluids to reduce static and frizz.
  • Avoid high heat styling; stick with low heat settings or air-dried styles to reduce stress on delicate greys.

Summer Grey Hair Care Tips

Warm months bring sunshine, salt water, and sweat—elements that can fade, dehydrate, and even discolor your beautiful grey tones. Keep color bright and curls hydrated by practicing protective care.

  • Apply UV protection spray before heading out and wear hats or scarves to prevent yellowing and sun damage.
  • Before swimming, wet your hair and apply a water-resistant UV shield or use a swim cap. Rinse and deep condition immediately after.
  • Hydrate often with lightweight masks and leave-ins that quench without weighing down curls.
  • Use purple shampoo or toning treatments regularly to neutralize any brassy or yellow tones.
  • Wash as needed (more often than winter), but always with gentle, sulfate-free formulations to protect texture and tone.

Side-by-Side Seasonal Comparison

Here’s how to tailor your care throughout the year:

Aspect Winter Grey Hair Care Summer Grey Hair Care
Washing frequency Less frequent (2–3 days); gentle sulfate-free shampoos Slightly more frequent if needed; gentle shampoos
Hydration Deep conditioning weekly; leave-in conditioners Regular hydrating masks; lightweight leave-ins
Heat styling Use low heat or avoid; gentle styling Protect from heat; use heat protectants
UV Protection Wear hats/scarves; reduce exposure Use UV sprays; wear hats; reapply regularly
Color maintenance Use purple shampoos to prevent brassiness Use purple shampoos/toners regularly
Swimming/chlorine care Not applicable Wet hair before swimming; use caps & rinse after
Dryness/frizz Use smoothing fluids; avoid harsh weather exposure Maintain moisture to reduce dryness from sun/salt

Being proactive about your grey hair’s seasonal needs ensures it stays soft, luminous, and full of life—all year round.

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Manhattan Grey is a line of premium moisture products formulated for textured grey hair. Our signature products are a lightweight pomade and hydration oil help to eliminate dryness, prevent breakage, and sooth itching. It’s also safe to use on our skin and facial hair.

We are committed to giving our customers, who have been largely overlooked by the beauty and personal care industry, a product experience that offers premium hair care products uniquely blended to address the challenges of grey or greying hair.

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