By Shammi Mondal
You can consider hair serum as a defence mechanism for your precious locks. While you already use conditioner to nourish your hair, heat styling, sun exposure, or harsh elements like salt water, may cause stress your hair. This is where a hair serum becomes essential as an extra layer of protection. Not only does it shield your hair from these elements, but it also provides a much-needed dose of hydration. So, if you’re in a conundrum and wondering what’s the best hair serum for your needs, we put together a well-researched list of our top picks that will help you make the right choice.
What are hair serums?
Hair serums are lightweight, leave-in hair care products that are designed to address several hair concerns and provide day-long nourishment. You’ll usually find them in liquid or oil-based formulations that are applied on the hair lengths to enhance its appearance and manageability.
Hair serums typically contain a blend of nourishing and moisturising ingredients, such as oils, silicones, vitamins, and botanical extracts. Together they work towards providing hydration, smoothness, shine, and protection to the hair.
What are the benefits of using a hair serum?
Take a few drops of serum in your palms and apply it from your mid-length to ends to get the best results. You can apply it on slightly damp hair or even top it up any time during the week—the advantages are plenty.
Boosting moisture: Hair serums contain moisturising ingredients that help hydrate dry and brittle hair. They can restore moisture balance in coarse hair, making your hair softer, smoother, and more manageable.
Frizz control: Hair serums are effective in taming frizz and flyaways, particularly in humid or dry conditions. They form a protective barrier on the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and preventing external humidity from causing frizz.
Heat protection: Many hair serums have heat-protective properties that shield your hair from the damaging effects of styling tools like straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers. This helps minimize heat-related damage on your hair’s keratin bonds, such as dryness, breakage, and loss of elasticity.
Shine boosting: Hair serums can add a beautiful shine and lustre to your hair, making it look healthier and glossier. Some serums even have tiny light-reflecting particles that work wonders on making coloured hair look more vibrant.
Improved manageability: All the hydration and smoothening helps make your hair more manageable. This means fewer tangles, knots, and static, making it easier to comb and style your hair.
Protection from environmental factors: Hair serums act as a protective barrier against environmental stressors such as pollution, UV rays, and harsh weather conditions. Some formulas have additional UV filters that protect your hair colour from fading as well.
Enhanced Styling: Hair serums will take your styling efforts to the next level by giving your hair a smooth and sleek look. Serums are like the finish touch, whether you're straightening, curling, or adding volume to your hair.
Remember to choose a hair serum that is suitable for your hair type and concerns. It's best to use the serum in moderation to avoid weighing down your hair.
Best hair serums for dry and damaged hair
If you have dry, damaged or chemically treated hair, a serum could be the magic fixer you need. These nourishing serums have moisture-boosting ingredients like argan oil, almond oil and jojoba oil that brings back health and lustre to your mane. These serums are effortlessly absorbed into dry hair, delivering deep hydration while preserving its natural bounce and movement.
Best hair serum for curly hair
You’ll find that your curly hair feels coarser than other hair types, and this is because it is harder for your natural oils to coat your hair ends. This means curly hair needs a serum that is high on hydration but still feels lightweight. Designed specifically for curls, these hair serums effortlessly penetrate brittle, low-porosity hair, delivering long-lasting moisture while enhancing the natural bounce of your coils.
Best hair serum to reduce frizz
Frizz is a mood killer and there are no two thoughts about it. Taming unruly volume caused by humidity and unexpected rain showers, often leads to frizz. However, these hair serum formulas are designed to combat frizz. Their lightweight silicones create a protective shield around each strand, effectively repelling moisture and smoothing out the cuticles of your hair while helping them adhere to your hairstyle.
Best hair serum for heat protection
If you love heat styling your hair every day, a hair serum will help you get the glossiest hair style sans the damage. These heat protection serums create a barrier between your hair and the intense heat generated by styling tools such as flat irons, curling wands, and blow dryers. This barrier minimizes the impact of heat on your hair strands, reducing the risk of thermal damage, breakage, and split ends while giving it a sleek and polished finish.
FAQ’s
Q. What is the best hair serum for dry and frizzy hair?
A. There are several hair serums that will help moisturise your dry and frizzy hair, but look for formulations with argan oil, rosehip oil and lightweight silicones.
Q. Can I use anti-frizz hair serums every day?
A. Yes, you can apply a frizz-reducing hair serum every day, but make sure you do not apply it on your scalp as that will make your scalp greasy and clogged.
Q. Is a hair oil better than a hair serum?
A. Hair oil and hair serum have different purposes, while hair oils condition and nourish your hair and scalp, hair serums help your hair look smoother and shinier, and must be applied only on the lengths and not on your scalp.