Autumn brings colorful nature and fresh air, but also cold and humidity that affect both hair and beard. When the air outside becomes humid and the indoor air becomes drier due to heating elements, an environment is created that can make hair frizzy, beards rough and skin dehydrated.
So what’s really going on – and how can you look after yourself during the dark months?
How fall moisture affects your hair and beard
In humid air, the hair is constantly trying to equalize the difference in humidity between itself and its surroundings. This means that the hair absorbs water molecules from the air and when this happens, the hair swells and the outermost layer, the cuticle, opens.
An open cuticle makes the hair feel rough and loses its smooth surface, which in practice is what we experience as frizz. The result is hair that is more difficult to control and style.
- Curly or wavy hair: As moisture penetrates, the natural structure of curls can be disrupted. Instead of defined curls, they become uneven, more tangled and harder to shape.
- Straight hair: In people with straight hair, moisture often causes the hair to become heavy, lose volume and feel flat.
- Beard: Beard hairs are often slightly coarser than hairs on the head, which means they can react even more strongly. The result is a bristly beard that is difficult to shape and can feel rough.
Chemically, it’s the same principle that allows a wooden floor to swell when humidity is high: the material absorbs water. The difference is that your hair and beard do so at a much faster rate, and the effect is immediately visible in the mirror.
To avoid this, you need to help your hair and beard maintain a closed cuticle. This is done by moisturizing and by using products that encapsulate moisture in the hair shaft so that it is less affected by fluctuations in humidity.
Why indoor heat dries out hair and skin
When the temperature drops outside, we turn up the heat inside. The problem is that heating – especially from radiators and air source heat pumps – lowers humidity levels. The air becomes drier, causing both skin and hair to lose their natural moisture balance.
What happens is that the dry air ‘pulls’ moisture from the surface layers of the skin and hair. As a result, transepidermal water loss (TEWL) increases. Skin may feel tight, itchy or flaky, and hairs may become brittle and lifeless. The same applies to the beard: the skin underneath becomes dry and irritated, often leading to freckling and itching.
This is where ingredients like glycerine play a key role. Glycerin acts as a moisture magnet, both attracting and retaining water. In a dry indoor environment, glycerine can draw moisture from the deeper layers of the skin, creating a reservoir of moisture in the outermost layers of the skin and in the hair strands. As a result, the skin stays softer, more elastic and better protected – and the hair regains its suppleness and shine.
In short: it’s not just the temperature itself that affects us during fall and winter, but the lack of humidity. Therefore, both hair and skin need extra moisturizing when the elements run hot.
Tip: How to keep your hair and beard healthy all fall
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Resisting both humidity and dry indoor air doesn’t have to be a challenge – you just need to put a little extra thought into it to give your hair and beard the extra love it needs during fall and winter. Here are some simple steps that make a big difference:
- Moisturize deeply – use a mild, moisturizing shampoo like Hair & Beard Shampoo with ingredients like glycerin. It helps hair stay soft and prevents swelling in humid air.
- Give your beard some care – a product that Beard Butter Creme moisturizes both the beard hairs and the skin underneath, reducing frizz and itching.
- Protect your hair – opt for products such as Smooth Grooming Tonic that encapsulate moisture and help keep the cuticle closed, preventing frizz.
- Be gentle on your hair – don’t rub with a rough towel. Use a microfiber towel and squeeze out the water to reduce friction and wear.
- Extra bonus – a humidifier at home can make a big difference to your hair, skin and general well-being during winter.
Discover our products for the fall season
At Gentlemen of Sweden you will find carefully selected products that help you keep both hair and beard in top shape, even during the harsh autumn climate.
👉 Explore our range and find your favorites – for an autumn where both style and well-being take center stage.
