A good hair care routine is simple: a shampoo that suits your scalp, conditioner after every wash, a mask once a week, a leave-in cream or light oil on the ends, and heat protection before the blow dryer or straightener. Oily hair needs lighter products; dry, curly and colored hair need more moisture. Picks from L'Oréal Paris, Garnier and K18.
Quick answer
- The core routine: shampoo on the scalp, conditioner after every wash, then a leave-on product as your hair needs.
- A mask is deeper care than conditioner, and once or twice a week is usually enough.
- Apply leave-in conditioner to damp, not soaking, hair, on the hair only and never the scalp, using the smallest amount that works.
- Use the lowest effective heat on dryers and irons, and apply a product labeled as a heat protectant.
- Pat hair dry instead of rubbing it, and detangle gently with a wide-tooth comb.
What are the steps of a hair care routine?
A routine has steps for every wash and steps for once a week. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) sums up the basics: shampoo the scalp rather than the lengths, condition after every wash, and use products made for your hair type.
- Pre-wash oil (optional): on the lengths and ends of dry hair.
- Shampoo: on the scalp only, massaged in with your fingertips.
- Conditioner: on the ends for fine hair, full length for dry or curly hair.
- Mask: instead of conditioner once or twice a week.
- Drying: wrap hair in a towel or cotton T-shirt and press, do not rub.
- Leave-in or serum: on damp hair, from mid-lengths to ends.
- Heat protection: before any hot tool.
To choose a shampoo for your scalp, see our best shampoo by hair type guide.
Is hair oil before washing worth it?
Pre-wash oiling is an optional step that suits dry, curly and damaged hair, leaving lengths softer and easier to detangle after washing. Apply a little to the lengths and ends, leave it for a short time, then shampoo as usual. If your scalp is oily or flaky, keep the oil off it.
Which oil to choose
- Organic Virgin Coconut Oil 500g: a natural oil for hair and skin.
- NOW Sweet Almond Oil 118ml from NOW Foods: a light, natural formula for skin and hair.
- Mielle Rosemary Mint Hair and Scalp Oil 59ml from Mielle Organics.
Oil or serum after washing
After washing you want a light oil that adds shine without weighing hair down, such as L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil 100ml for moisture, shine and softness, Olaplex No. 7 Shine Enhancing Strengthening Oil 30ml from Olaplex, or the Fino Moisturizing and Smoothing Hair Oil Serum 70ml. The AAD notes that a small amount of an oil such as argan oil may help if hair still feels dry or frizzy after conditioning.
When should you use a hair mask, and how is it different from conditioner?
A hair mask is a richer formula than conditioner that stays on longer; use it once or twice a week instead of conditioner, especially for dry, colored or heat-damaged hair.
- Dry hair: the Garnier Ultra Doux Avocado and Shea Mask 340ml, which nourishes dry hair for softness and shine, and the Garnier Ultra Doux Moisturizing Grape Mask.
- Damaged hair: the Fino Hair Treatment Mask by Shiseido 230g from Fino, the Karseell Collagen Hair Mask 500ml from Karseell with collagen and argan oil, and the L'Oréal Professionnel Absolut Repair Golden Mask 250ml.
- Colored hair: the L'Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color Mask 250ml, which nourishes color-treated hair and protects vibrancy. For safe dyeing, see our home hair color guide.
- Dull hair: the Garnier Ultra Doux Rice Water and Starch Mask 340ml for moisture and softness.
Apply the mask to clean, towel-squeezed hair, leave it for the time on the pack, and rinse well.
Leave-in masks
Some masks are not rinsed out, such as the K18 Leave-In Repair Mask 50ml, designed for hair damaged by bleaching, color, chemical services and heat. A 15ml K18 size lets you try it first.
How do you use hair cream and leave-in conditioner?
A leave-in conditioner is a conditioner you do not rinse out, applied to damp hair after towel drying. The AAD's leave-in conditioner tips advise:
- Apply it to hair only, not the scalp, because buildup can irritate it.
- Use the smallest amount that works, since too much looks greasy; thick hair needs more, fine hair less.
- Do not swap rinse-off conditioner for leave-in or vice versa.
- For heat protection, look for "heat protectant" on the label.
Good options
- L'Oréal Elvive Glycolic Gloss Leave-In Cream 200ml for shine, smoothness and frizz control.
- Garnier Ultra Doux Nourishing Hair Cream with Almond Milk 200ml.
- Cantu Leave-In Conditioner 453g from Cantu.
- Skala Expert More Cachos Cream 1000g from Skala, made for curly and wavy hair and free from sulfates, silicones and parabens.
Find more in hair creams.
How do you protect hair from blow dryers and straighteners?
Air-dry when you can, use the lowest heat that works, and apply a heat protectant before styling. The AAD's page on damaging hair habits also advises limiting how long the tool touches your hair and cutting hot-tool use to once a week or less.
- L'Oréal Elvive Dream Long Straight Serum 100ml: a light, non-greasy, silicone-free anti-frizz formula with heat protection up to 230°C according to its description.
- Kérastase Nutritive Nectar Thermique Styling and Protecting Cream 150ml from Kérastase.
- Color Wow Dream Coat 50ml from Color Wow, an anti-frizz, anti-humidity spray.
Dryers and stylers are in hair care devices.
What weekly routine suits your hair type?
A starting point for each type:
Oily or fine hair
Wash as often as needed, even daily, keep conditioner on the ends, use a light mask once a week, and avoid heavy oils at the roots. For the scalp, a light serum such as the ViveLab Advanced Hair and Scalp Serum 600 from ViveLab, a fast-absorbing leave-on scalp serum, fits in easily.
Dry or damaged hair
Pre-wash oil once a week, a gentle shampoo, conditioner along the full length, a weekly mask, then a leave-in or light oil on the ends, and always heat protection.
Curly hair
The AAD's curly hair tips say curly hair does not need daily washing, just at least every 2 to 3 weeks, with conditioner on all of it, a leave-in or oil afterwards, and detangling while wet with a wide-tooth comb. At night, gather it into a loose high ponytail or loose braid to reduce friction on the pillow. The Garnier Ultra Doux 3-in-1 Hair Food with Aloe Vera and Coconut for normal hair or the curl creams above work well.
Comparison of hair routine products
| Product | Brand | Best for | Key feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil | L'Oréal Paris | Shine and softness | Post-wash oil |
| K18 Leave-In Mask 50ml | K18 | Chemically damaged hair | No rinsing |
| Fino Mask 230g | Fino | Damaged hair | Weekly mask by Shiseido |
| Karseell Collagen Mask | Karseell | Dry, damaged hair | Collagen and argan oil |
| Garnier Avocado and Shea Mask | Garnier | Dry hair | Nourishing and softening |
| Elvive Glycolic Gloss Leave-In | L'Oréal Paris | Dull, frizzy hair | Shine and frizz control |
| Cantu Leave-In | Cantu | Dry, curly hair | Large 453g tub |
| Skala More Cachos | Skala | Curly, wavy hair | Sulfate- and silicone-free |
| Elvive Dream Long Straight | L'Oréal Paris | Heat styling | Protection up to 230°C |
| Mielle Rosemary Mint Oil | Mielle Organics | Pre-wash oiling | For hair and scalp |
How to build your routine: a practical checklist
- Know your scalp and hair: oily or dry scalp; fine, dry, curly or colored hair.
- Start with the basics: the right shampoo and conditioner; do not add many products at once.
- Add a weekly mask if your hair is dry, colored or damaged.
- Add a leave-in or oil if hair stays dry or frizzy after conditioner.
- Never heat-style without protection.
- Buy from a trusted source: all Care Outlet products are original and come from the brands' official agents inside and outside Saudi Arabia.
Common mistakes
- Rubbing hair with a towel: adds breakage and frizz.
- Combing straight hair while soaking wet: let it dry a little first.
- Brushing 100 strokes a day: the AAD says hair never needs it.
- Tight ponytails: pull hair back loosely with covered bands.
- Too much oil or leave-in: makes hair heavy and greasy.
- Leave-in on the scalp: keep it on the hair only.
Frequently asked questions
What is the right hair care routine?
Start with a shampoo that suits your scalp, conditioner after every wash, a mask once or twice a week, then a leave-in or light oil on the ends when needed, plus heat protection before styling. Adjust it to your hair type.
What is the best hair mask?
It depends on your hair. For dry hair, the Garnier Ultra Doux Avocado and Shea Mask; for damaged hair, the Fino mask or Karseell Collagen; for colored hair, L'Oréal Professionnel Vitamino Color; for bleach- and heat-damaged hair, the K18 leave-in mask. Use it once or twice a week instead of conditioner.
What is the best hair oil?
Before washing, natural oils such as virgin coconut or sweet almond oil work well on lengths and ends. After washing, choose a light hair oil such as L'Oréal Elvive Extraordinary Oil or Olaplex No. 7. Use a small amount and keep oil off an oily scalp.
Should I use hair cream every day?
You can use a leave-in cream after every wash, especially on long, colored or curly hair. Apply it to damp hair from mid-lengths to ends, using the smallest amount that works. Kept to those areas, it can stay in until your next wash without a problem.
How do I protect my hair from heat?
Air-dry when possible, use the lowest heat setting, cut hot tools to once a week or less, and apply a product labeled "heat protectant" first, such as Elvive Dream Long Straight Serum. Avoid passing a straightener over the same section again and again.
When should I see a dermatologist about my hair?
See a dermatologist if you notice clear shedding or thinning patches, if breakage continues despite a better routine with conditioner and leave-in, or if your scalp becomes very itchy or red. Hair care products improve how hair looks and feels, but they do not replace a medical diagnosis.
Where to buy original hair care products
The hair oils and masks and hair treatment sections at Care Outlet bring together L'Oréal, Garnier, K18, Fino and more, online or at our branches across Saudi Arabia. Browse hair care for everything else your routine needs.
