Dealing With Dull, Winter Hair? 9 Ingredients To Spring Strands Back To Life

But as the weather thaws, you may hope to emerge from your winter's den with a high-gloss, silky sheen. We're right there with you: Below, find the best (and underrated) ingredients to refresh dull tresses, just in time to tiptoe into spring: 

Aloe contains seven of the eight amino acids (isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, and valin, in case you're curious), which can "help repair hair damaged by coloring or overdrying," says Gary Goldenberg, M.D., assistant clinical professor of dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York. Dabble with this DIY hair mask to keep strands smooth and shiny.

Enter apple cider vinegar: The acidic solution dials the pH down, which seals the cuticle shut—and hello, glossy strands. You can find ACV in a plethora of hair care products, or you can concoct your own rinse at home. 

Ah, the beloved HA: the poster child for humectants, many would say, as it helps pull in and hold water. While much of the hype centers around skin care, those same properties can carry over to hair care as well, pulling water from the air and delivering it to thirsty hair fibers. You can find it in plenty of hydrating formulas, like this hair-strengthening conditioner and this frizz-control serum. 

Try this potato flour shampoo recipe from celebrity hairstylist and Beachwaver tool creator Sarah Potempa: Combine ¼ cup of potato flour and 2 cups of water into a saucepan on low heat, letting it warm for 15 minutes. Remove from heat and add 2 teaspoons of apple cider vinegar (another helpful ingredient for shiny hair). Let it cool, pour into a container, and apply on the scalp and lengths of your hair when shampooing. 

For curls in particular, plain yogurt makes a stellar hair mask. The natural lactic acid in yogurt acts as a humectant (aka, it's able to pull in water from the environment), which can help hair retain moisture. It's the easiest recipe: Apply plain yogurt all over your hair, and let it sit for a minimum of 20 minutes before shampooing. 

Needless to say, it's worth seeking out avo in your hair care products, or you can always massage some of the pure oil into the strands. 

You'll find it sprinkled within a bunch of nourishing hair oils, or you can use 100% pure argan oil as a hair mask or conditioning treatment. 

We cannot sing the praises of honey enough: Not only does the amber bee sap have anti-inflammatory3 properties, but it also acts as a humectant (again, this means it can attract water from the air) and can help your hair and scalp retain moisture4. It's no wonder you can find honey in a variety of hair care products, from shampoos to leave-ins to stylers. And, of course, it shines all on its own as a healthy hair mask, which you can DIY here. 

To make a hair-healthy mask, whisk up an egg (or two, for longer hair) and slather on until your tresses are covered. Leave for 20 to 30 minutes and rinse with cool water before shampooing. You might want to stick to this treatment once a month, though, since too much protein can potentially damage the hair5. 

Dull hair is a winter hair care woe, no doubt, but these ingredients can help increase the shine. Look for them in products, or attempt the DIY route at home, and your tresses will spring back to life. You know, just like the weather.