How to Care for Gray Hair to Keep it Healthy and Vibrant

woman with gray hair sitting on steps

@whitehairwisdom / Instagram

If you're curious about how to care for gray hair, you're on the right page. Herewith, I share everything I learned about caring for gray hair after I finally embraced my natural silver color (spoiler alert: I'm really glad that I did.) I also asked a celebrity color expert, a top hairstylist, and a board-certified dermatologist to share their best tips for gray haircare. From how to prevent breakage to what kind of shampoo to use, find your complete gray haircare guide below. It's time to let that silver shine!

Meet the Expert

  • Tom Smith is a celebrity color expert, stylist, and color director at Bill Currie London/EVO International creative team.
  • Bradley Leake is a celebrity hairstylist and Color Wow ambassador.
  • Dr. Iris Rubin is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of SEEN.
01 of 10

Go Gray

Going gray is a gradual process. And while there is freedom in having nothing to hide, sometimes we may need a little help with the transition to gray

If you are looking to blend or temporarily cover your gray hair, celebrity stylist Bradley Leake recommends Color Wow Root Cover Up ($35). "I love this product to temporarily cover gray. It’s sweat-proof and waterproof and easily comes right out with a shampoo," he says. "[It] allows you to cover or just blend your hair in the most natural way."

02 of 10

Get a Great Haircut

Whether you choose to go long or short, haircuts matter for keeping gray hair healthy. “Natural white hair can ooze sophistication when worn well," says celebrity color expert Tom Smith.

I know when I have a great cut, I can wear my gray hair both curly and straight — either way, it looks amazing. Work with your stylist to find a hairstyle that flatters your hair texture and features.

03 of 10

Moisturize Your Hair

"Since gray hair tends to be drier and wirier, moisture is essential for keeping it smooth and soft," says dermatologist Dr. Iris Rubin, the founder of SEEN. "I suggest haircare products that provide extra hydration without leaving the hair feeling heavy or looking flat—and without pore-clogging ingredients, especially in those with acne-prone skin."

Rubin recommends the following ingredients to care for gray hair:

  • Plant-derived squalane to help seal in moisture, provide heat protection, and enhance shine.
  • Hemisqualane (which may be listed as C13-15 alkane on ingredient labels) is another plant-derived ingredient that helps reduce frizz and protect against heat damage.

SEEN's shampoo ($29) and conditioner ($29) both contain hemisqualane. For more moisturizing options, Leake recommends the Kerastase Blond Absolu Grey Hair Set ($150), which includes shampoo, conditioner, and heat protection designed to hydrate and protect gray hair. "Moisture is so important in protecting against breakage, and this product delivers," he says. "Additionally, the Epres Bond Repair Treatment ($48) is an incredibly easy and effective solution that treats and repairs damaged hair, leaving you with healthier, stronger hair."

04 of 10

Tame Your Flyaways

You may notice more flyaways as your hair goes gray. According to Leake, "curly hair will often thin and tighten upon going gray. On the other hand, straight or wavy hair will often experience breakage with gray hair. Both scenarios cause the gray to stand out from the usual texture, often causing frizz or flyaways."

"A great tip for gray hair is to use our Magic Serum ($36) before styling, as an extra-smoothing finishing touch after styling, or both," says Rubin. With just five ingredients, including squalane, hemisqualane, and the natural emollient Ethylhexyl olivate, the skin-friendly formula tames flyaways and frizz while adding shine.

05 of 10

Use a Toning Shampoo

Keeping gray hair bright is "all about looking after the condition, tone, and vibrancy of the hair,” says Smith, who recommends using a “violet toning product to neutralize any unwanted yellow and dull or brassy tones. Smith emphasizes the importance of using a toning shampoo that contains plenty of nourishing ingredients to ensure a healthy shine and vibrancy. His personal favorite is the EVO Fabuloso Platinum Blonde Toning Shampoo ($32).


My favorite gray hair shampoo is by White Hot Hair, a company based in the UK that was founded by Jane Mayled. I use the Brilliant Shampoo ($21) once a week. It's a soft violet-colored shampoo that tones the hair and brightens it. The Glorious Shampoo ($22) is a white shampoo for daily use that detoxifies the hair and restores shine. I follow that up with the Luminous Conditioner ($22), which is a creamy conditioner that adds extra hydration, radiance, and shine.

06 of 10

Try a Growth Supplement

A problem that many of us experience as we age is hair loss and thinning hair. I have noticed changes in my hair over the years, but I recently discovered a nutraceutical supplement that I love. I've been taking it daily for the past seven months, and my hair feels thicker and more luscious than it’s felt in years.

As with any supplement, talk to your doctor to see which one is right for you. There are several supplements out there that target hair growth. Some popular favorites are Nutrafol, the relatively new Divi Hair Vitamins ($68), and Vegamour's GRO Biotin Gummies ($36.)

07 of 10

Use Sun Protection

It’s very important to keep your hair covered with a hat when outdoors. I learned the hard way when I burnt my scalp on a hiking trip several years ago. The top of my hair turned a terrible yellow shade and it took months to correct and many different trials with purple toners.

"Hair turns gray when pigment-producing cells slow down and ultimately stop depositing color into the hair shafts as they grow," Rubin explains. "Hair with less pigment can also have a thinner protective layer (called the cuticle), which can make it more susceptible to heat and UV damage. For this reason, using products that provide the hair with protection against heat-styling tools as well as environmental aggressors like UV rays and pollution can help prevent damage as well as yellowing or brassiness."

So now, I always wear a baseball cap when I'm outdoors and usually braid my hair and tuck it under the hat to protect as much of my hair from the sun as possible.

Yu can also use a product that helps protect the hair from damage. Hot tip:  MoroccanOil's Brumes du Maroc Fragrance Mist ($30) is formulated with a sun-exposure absorber, and it has the same addictive scent as the shampoo.

"Moringa oleifera (horseradish tree) extract is another wonderful ingredient for gray hair since it provides a shield against UV rays and pollution that can contribute to yellowing," Rubin says. The ingredient is found in SEEN's styling cream ($27.)

08 of 10

Be Careful With Hot Tools

Gray hair may burn more easily due to its texture and porosity, so when using hot tools to style, caution must be used. It is very important to purchase good-quality hair tools with temperature controls. Do not exceed 350 degrees, and never let the tool remain in one place on the hair for more than a few seconds. I rarely even blow-dry my hair, and when I do, I make sure I never leave the heat blowing in one area for too long. I usually air-dry my hair and create an easy beach wave with a simple styling wand ($169) from The Dry Bar. If you must use a hot tool, it is imperative to use a strong heat protectant before styling with hot tools.

If it's curls you're after, consider using a heat-free styling tool. For example, Silke London's Heatless Curler ($56), a Byrdie fave, is made of silky material that moisturizes your strands as it curls them.

09 of 10

Use a Satin or Silk Pillowcase

This is your excuse to invest in a luxurious silk or satin pillowcase. The way that you sleep truly does have an impact on the health of your gray hair. I always wear my hair in a topknot secured with a silky hair tie to keep my hair from pulling on my pillow. Secondly, I use a silk pillowcase that protects my hair while I sleep. The silk is meant to create less friction, protecting the hair from breakage, unwanted frizz, and fly-aways.

10 of 10

Steer Clear of Sulfates


Rubin advises steering clear of sulfates, especially for those with silver hair. "Although I believe all hair types and colors should avoid sulfates, these potentially harsh cleansing ingredients can also strip gray hair of its natural moisture and cause unwanted dryness," she instructs.

SEEN's haircare line is sulfate-free; Byrdie editors have also had shine-boosting luck with sulfate-free shampoos from NatureLab Tokyo, Alterna Caviar, and Leonor Greyl, among other brands.

FAQ
  • Why does gray hair have a different texture?

    Gray hair has a different texture because your hair loses the pigment or melanin and the hair follicle doesn’t produce as much sebum. The sebum is the oil your body naturally produces to hydrate your hair. As a result, gray hair often feels more coarse, dry, and wiry, but using the right hair products can help.

  • What hair products help gray hair look smooth and shiny?

    To counteract the more coarse and often wiry texture of gray hair, it is important you use a good daily conditioner and, as needed, a deep moisturizing treatment once a week. A shine boosting spray will also give you a smooth and healthy look.

  • How do you prevent gray hair from turning yellow?

    Gray hair has a tendency to look brassy or yellow. To keep it looking a vibrant and shiny gray, use a color depositing shampoo or gloss occasionally. Many of these products have a purple tint and should be used once every week or two. Protect your hair from the sun and avoid any shampoos or hair products that have a gold or yellow tint to them. 

Article Sources
Byrdie takes every opportunity to use high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial guidelines to learn more about how we keep our content accurate, reliable and trustworthy.
  1. Richena M, Silveira M, Rezende CA, Joekes I. Yellowing and bleaching of grey hair caused by photo and thermal degradationJ Photochem Photobiol B. 2014;138:172-181. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2014.05.017

  2. Cleveland Clinic. 2021. Why Hair Turns Gray.

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