Why does hair suffer more in summer?

Summer, with its promises of light and freedom... and its invisible pitfalls for hair. While skin has long benefited from a well-established sun care routine, hair is still too often neglected.

Yet with every swim, every prolonged exposure, a little of their shine, their softness, their cohesion fades away.

The effects of sun and UV rays on hair fibers

Light, so flattering to the complexion, is a silent aggressor to keratin. UV rays disrupt the structure of the fiber, alter disulfide bonds, and oxidize pigments—both natural and artificial. 

This is how faded blonde, coppery brown, and dull chestnut hair appears. Over time, the cuticle lifts, and the hair becomes porous, coarse, and dull.

The impact of sea salt, chlorine, and heat

Seawater, saturated with salt, acts as a powerful dehydrating agent. Chlorine disrupts the hydrolipidic film, an essential protective barrier. Heat weakens the hair shaft, leaving it vulnerable to external damage.

Combined, these factors accentuate hair damage, particularly on colored, fine, or naturally dry hair.

Visible symptoms: dryness, breakage, dullness, porosity

Hair tangled in the wind, ends that crunch under your fingers, disorganized curls, color that fades... All these signs indicate damaged, thirsty, demineralized hair.

Adapt your hair care routine to the harsh summer conditions

Summer calls for a complete overhaul of your hair care routine. Just like your skin, your scalp and hair need special care to cope with extreme conditions: UV rays, heat, humidity, salt, and chlorine residue.

It is by anticipating these aggressions that we preserve the health, elasticity, and beauty of our hair.

Space out your shampoos and choose a protective cleansing base.

The reflex to wash your hair multiple times after each swim is understandable... but often harmful. Hard water, combined with conventional sulfate-based shampoos, ends up damaging the hydrolipidic film and sensitizing the scalp. The result: rapid regreasing, itching, and increased fragility.

The challenge is therefore twofold:

• clean effectively without stripping,
• maintain the natural moisture content of the fiber.

Madame d'Alexis Shampoo meets this requirement perfectly.
Formulated without sulfates or silicones, and above all without added water, it is based oncertified organic hydrosols that treat the hair as soon as it is washed:

• Chamomile hydrosol soothes inflammation caused by sun exposure or perspiration.
• Damask rose hydrosol soothes heated scalps while strengthening the skin barrier.
• Orange blossom hydrosol, a natural tonic, revitalizes roots tired by heat.

Its fine, natural lather rinses easily, even with lukewarm water, preventing thermal shock to hair that has already been sensitized by the sun.

Summer tip: after swimming, rinse your hair with fresh water, then apply a small amount of Madame d'Alexis Shampoo as a second application, leaving it on for two minutes to allow the active ingredients to take effect.

Exfoliate without damaging your skin: the forgotten step during the warm season

Hair sprays, sand, sweat, and minerals from water accumulate on the scalp. Without specific care, these residues suffocate the roots, cause itching, and slow down growth.

However, in summer, exfoliating too vigorously can have the opposite effect: dryness, irritation, and inflammation.

Alexis' Madame Scrub, made withfleur de sel,rose hydrosol, andcationic hyaluronic acid, offers the ideal balance between effectiveness and respect for the scalp.

• Fleur de sel, with its fine, soluble grains, mechanically removes impurities without abrasiveness.
• Hyaluronic acid, in its cationic form, intensely moisturizes sensitive areas after sun exposure.
• The rich yet airy texture transforms under water into a fresh, ultra-sensory foam, perfect for soothing skin after a day in the sun.

In summer, gentle exfoliation once a week helps rebalance the scalp and prevent dandruff or excess sebum caused by heat.

Apply moisturizer regularly to prevent the skin from becoming dry and flaky.

There are summers when, despite all our precautions, our hair ends up crunching between our fingers like straw left out in the sun. This is neither inevitable nor unavoidable.

It's a sign. During the summer, hair naturally loses moisture due to hot winds, UV rays, and repeated swimming.

Targeted, regular, and sensory hydration is therefore an elegant and effective solution.

Incorporate a nourishing mask into your routine

The mask is the heart of the ritual. It is not simply a "repairing" treatment, but a fundamental step in restoring the internal cohesion of the fiber.

Alexis' Madame Mask, formulated without water and enriched with organic hydrosols, plant ceramides, and cationic hyaluronic acid, offers deep, adaptable skincare.

• Pre-sun: apply a thin layer to damp hair, like invisible armor before a day in the sun.
• After-sun: leave on for 20 minutes to replenish lipids and intensely rehydrate.
• For express touch-ups: use as a detangling conditioner, leaving it on the ends for 3 minutes.

Use a protective leave-in treatment during the day.

Under the sun, every minute counts. A leave-in treatment becomes the haircare equivalent of sunscreen. It's not enough to just "style" your hair—you have to protect it.

Madame d'Alexis Day Serum, infused with heat-protective active ingredients, plant ceramides, and natural antioxidants, creates a protective film that preserves moisture and fights against environmental aggressors.

• Apply two pumps to damp hair before drying naturally or at a low temperature.
• Reapply throughout the day if you are exposed to wind or sun.
• Intensive overnight repair

Nighttime is a strategic moment. It is when the hair fiber relaxes, the scalp regenerates, and hair care products penetrate most effectively.

Madame d'Alexis Night Serum, with triple molecular weight hyaluronic acid and probiotics, acts as a deep repair treatment.

• Massage a few drops into your scalp and hair ends before going to bed.
• Its fine texture does not stain, its floral fragrance is soothing, and its effectiveness is evident when you wake up: hair is more supple, better coated, and shinier.

Summer hair care routine for curly hair

The right things to do when exposed to the sun

It is not enough to apply good products: you also need to adopt a routine that is appropriate for the season.

Rinse with clean water after each swim.

A simple step that is often overlooked. After swimming in the sea or pool, a quick rinse with fresh water removes up to 70% of salt or chlorine residue. The longer you wait, the more the fiber oxidizes.

Dry gently, avoid hair dryers and flat irons

On hair that is already damaged by the sun, mechanical heat worsens the damage. Avoid using hair dryers that are too hot and straighteners. Instead, use a microfiber towel and let your hair dry naturally or with a low-temperature diffuser.

Tie your hair back or protect it with a scarf.

A silk or cotton scarf protects your hair without weighing it down. A loose braid or messy bun limits the surface area exposed to the sun. These simple steps mechanically reduce breakage and porosity caused by UV rays.

What advice do you have for colored hair in summer?

While natural hair already requires special attention in summer, colored hair requires even more care. Artificial color weakens the hair fiber by opening it up, making it more porous.

Sun, salt, chlorine, and wind amplify this phenomenon, leading topremature color fading and more brittle hair.

Avoid coloring your hair just before prolonged exposure to the sun.

This is an essential tip: it's best to schedule your coloring appointment at least two weeks before departure. This gives the hair fiber time to close, limiting pigment loss under UV rays. Freshly applied color is more vulnerable, especially if it contains red, copper, or cool tones, which are very sensitive to oxidation.

Focus on specific products for colored hair

In summer, the priority is to protect your colored hair just as you protect your skin: with targeted care products.

• A nourishing mask rich in ceramides such as Le Masque Madame d'Alexis is ideal for maintaining fiber cohesion and preventing premature discoloration.
• With its heat-protectiveand anti-dryingaction, the Day Serumforms an invisible veil that protects hair color from UV rays, salt water, and chlorinated water.
• Madame d'Alexis Shampoo, free from sulfates, gently cleanses without altering pigments, unlike many harsh formulas.

Apply natural hair sunscreen

Before each exposure, apply a small amount of serum or mask to the lengths of your hair. This creates a nourishing and protective barrier that limits pigment oxidation. Madame d'Alexis textures are fine and non-greasy, making them ideal for this type of repeated use.

Adopt appropriate body language

• Always rinse your hair with clean water after swimming.
• Avoid prolonged exposure without a scarf or hat.
• Choose soft hair ties to avoid breakage on sensitized hair.

A well-maintained color does not fade: it evolves, becomes more nuanced, and reveals the full richness of your hair.

Haircare routine for summer travel: what to pack?

Vacations are a time to lighten up. But if there's one area where lightness must go hand in hand with precision, it's your hair care routine. Sun, salt, frequent washing... all require ongoing care, even when you're away from home.

Traveling should never mean giving up the essentials.

The essential trio: shampoo, mask, day serum

There's no need to pack your entire bathroom. Three well-chosen products are all you need to preserve the beauty and integrity of your locks:

• Madame d'Alexis Shampoo, in a small reusable bottle, gently cleanses without stripping. It is a great replacement for any conventional shampoo, with remarkable effectiveness from the very first use.
• Alexis' Madame Mask acts as a deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, or even styling cream, depending on how you use it (see tip below).
• The Day Serum, which you can slip into your makeup bag, transforms into an invisible UV shield, preventing dryness and frizz throughout the day.

For a week, take 50 ml of each: sufficient and easy to carry.

Tip: Use Alexis' Madame Mask as an express detangling leave-in conditioner.

During the day, after swimming in the sea or walking in the sun, apply a small amount of Madame d'Alexis Mask to damp hair ends. No need to rinse—it acts as a repairing and detangling balm without weighing hair down or making it greasy.

It's one of my favorite tricks when traveling light: one product, three uses.

Bonus: nourish your hair from within

We often forget that external care is only one side of the equation. In summer, our metabolism changes, we sweat more, and prolonged exposure to the elements requires rigorous internalhydration and nutrition.

Hydration, omega-3, antioxidants, and supplements if needed

To support scalp health and shine along the length of the hair:

• Drink at least 1.5 liters of water per day, preferably mineral-rich water.
• Eat foods rich in essential fatty acids: flax seeds, fatty fish, rapeseed oil.
• Incorporate antioxidants (vitamins E and C, zinc, selenium) to limit oxidative stress on hair cells.

Supplements containing biotin, keratin, or spirulina can also support growth and limit breakage.

Importance of routine, sleep, and regular care

A night that's too short, an irregular routine, and hair loses its density and vitality. Giving your hair restorative sleep and a stable routine guarantees a healthy and lasting structure. In summer, luxury often lies in consistency.

How to repair hair after summer?

Summer often leaves visible marks on hair: damaged strands, dry ends, uneven texture, dull shine... Even the most rigorous routines cannot completely prevent the cumulative effects of salt, sun, wind, and chlorine.

The start of the new school year is therefore seen as a time to reset, a return to balance.

Start with gentle cleansing

The first step is to rinse away any residual build-up—sand, salt, sunscreen— with clean water. But that's not enough. It's essential to use a gentle, sulfate-free shampoo to cleanse deeply without irritating sensitive scalps.

Madame d'Alexis Shampoo, made with floral hydrosols, soothes, moisturizes, and prepares the hair fiber to receive repairing treatments.

Repair the fiber with a deep hair mask

Hair that has been exposed to UV rays has increased porosity. It has lost some of its lipids and amino acids. A hair mask rich in moisturizing and restructuring active ingredients is therefore essential to regenerate its structure.

Alexis' Madame Mask, concentrated in plant ceramides and cationic hyaluronic acid, acts at the heart of the fiber: it fills, smooths, and strengthens.

• Apply generously to towel-dried hair.
• Leave on for at least 20 minutes under a warm towel.
• Repeat twice a week for 2 to 3 weeks.

Extend the repair with targeted moisturizing products

Repair doesn't stop at rinsing. Hair remains vulnerable after summer and needs daily care:

• Madame d'Alexis Night Serum deeply moisturizes without leaving a greasy residue.
• The Day Serum, used as a finishing touch, protects against urban aggressions (pollution, residual heat, brushing).

Tip: On days when you don't shampoo, reactivate the product with a small amount of mask or a few drops of serum on damp hair.

Hair and summer: a possible combination, with the right approach

Summer no longer has to be synonymous with tired, damaged, or dull hair. With the right steps, a careful selection of hair care products such as those from Madame d'Alexis, and daily attention to scalp balance, it can become a season of regeneration.

Like skin, hair deserves a tailor-made ritual: protective, soothing, restorative. The sun is no longer an enemy, it becomes an ally, provided you know how to respond to it with intelligence and elegance.