Hair is the new skin. In other words, the main theme of hair care trends to watch in 2026 is the “skinification” of hair. You may be thinking, huh? What does that mean exactly?
In the last several years, women, young and old, have been tending to their skin with devotion and personalized care. They’re going beyond soap and moisturizer, adding serums, cleansers, toners, exfoliators and more to their daily skin care routine, with a focus on natural products and skin health. Sure, women want their skin to glow, but they want that glow to reflect healthy skin and not a shiny product made with toxic ingredients.
In 2026, people will be scouring beauty salons and stores searching for natural hair products that don’t just focus on the appearance of luscious locks but also on their health in the same way they flock to Sephora and Ulta. Popular products will focus not only on shine and bounce but also on the strength and resilience of the hair shaft and follicle, with an emphasis on scalp health.
Top 2026 hair care trends
Here are the hot hair care trends and products to look for in 2026.
Scalp health
Scalp health, long ignored when dandruff was absent, is now a major focus of hair care. A healthy scalp promotes hair growth, less shedding, and less hair thinning. One study says, simply, “An unhealthy scalp leads to unhealthy hair.”
So, how can you make your scalp healthy? According to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), you should start by applying and massaging shampoo directly to your scalp only, and not the length of your hair. By doing so, you help wash away product buildup, dead skin, and excess oil that may be clogging up your hair follicles without drying your hair.
And, like a good skincare routine, you should change your scalp care depending on the season. In the winter, your scalp, like your skin, can get dry and flaky. Using a scalp oil before shampooing can help keep it hydrated and healthy. In the summer, sweat and product buildup can clog your hair follicles and impact your hair health. A shampoo with tea tree oil, which is known to be beneficial to your scalp, can help clear buildup and improve scalp health.
Featured products
Giovanni Tea Tree Triple Treat Invigorating Shampoo
Pura D’or Organic Rosehip Seed Oil
Personalization
Dry or oily hair. Those two options used to be the only specialized hair care products on the shelves. Now, you can find products for tight curls, wavy hair, straight hair, color-treated hair, etc. Whatever type of hair texture or thickness you have, you can find ingredients to enhance it.
When it comes to skincare, women want more customization for the specific skin issues or combination of issues they’re experiencing, from oily, acne-prone skin to fine lines and dark spots. Hair goals are similar. While most consumers still want a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner to ensure their hair doesn’t look dry, or a conditioner for oily hair so it doesn’t look greasy, they are also interested in preventing breakage, promoting growth and decreasing frizz, among other concerns. Fortunately, there’s a product for that.
Featured products
Desert Essence Coconut Shampoo for Dry Hair
Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Soothe & Soften Shampoo for Fine Fragile Hair
Clean, simple and minimalist
Toxic ingredients that increase cancer risk and harm the environment are out. Safe, clean, eco-friendly ingredients are in for 2026, as well as eco-friendly packaging. People will be drawn to products more for what they don’t have than for what they do. For example, popular products will advertise being:
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Free of synthetic fragrances
- Free of artificial colors
- Pesticide free
- Cruelty free
What hair care product will have will be a short and simple list of ingredients with clean, eco-friendly, and health ingredients and minimal, recyclable packaging. Think healthy, natural ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and peptides.
Featured products
Auromere Ayurvedic Shampoo Bar with Organic Neem Tulsi-Spice
Glonaturals Castille Soap
Keratin is back
Keratin is a protein that helps make hair smoother and stronger. In the early aughts, expensive Keratin treatments were a popular procedure that helped relax and smooth hair for months. Unfortunately, many of those treatments also contained formaldehyde-releasing chemicals that led to skin irritation and headaches for some. In 2026, the good keratin is back in shampoos and other products in a toxic-free form. Keratin-infused products help fight frizz, boost shine and repair damaged ends.
Featured product
Mill Creek Botanicals Keratin Shampoo
Waterless hair care
Water is a major ingredient in hair care products and also a primary step in hair care routines. While water is a clean ingredient, it’s also scarce in some areas, so dialing back on water goes hand in hand with the eco-friendly product trends. For example, did you know that some shampoos contain up to 95% water? Also, on average, bathers use about 13.4 liters of water to rinse out shampoo and conditioner from their hair.
Taking shorter or fewer showers is one way to save water, which has been more affected by climate change over the years. Therefore, using waterless hair care can only help the environment—and make your hair look fresh when you don’t have time for a shower. Plus, dry hair care products are really helpful when you need your hair to look presentable after a workout, after a long plane ride, or when you hit snooze on your alarm clock one too many times. Given these multiple benefits, it’s not surprising that dry shampoo use is predicted to rise in 2026.
Featured products
Acure Organic Dry Shampoo
Babe Original Root Refresh Dry Shampoo
So, there you have it. Hair care trends to look out for and follow in 2026 can improve your hair health, appearance and eco-consciousness.
The post Top Hair Care Trends to Watch in 2026 first appeared on The Upside by Vitacost.com.