The Hair-Care Trends of 2026 Are About Getting More Bang for Your Buck

“Interest in waterless hair care is driven by a combination of sustainability concerns and innovative formats,” says Dobos. However, the transition to waterless hair care took time. “Water helps the product spread through the hair, incorporate ingredients, and create lather,” she says. “For example, it’s very difficult to provide the same level of performance in a bar-style conditioner.”

In 2026, we’ll see some modern waterless options as brands revamp older shampoo bars to make them just as nutritious as liquid shampoo bars. Dobos advises avoiding bars that don’t list conditioning ingredients like behentrimonium methsulfate, silicone substitutes like natural oils, or plant-based emollients like hemisqualane. These brands are also working on developing newer waterless formats, such as dissolvable sheets, powder-to-liquid cleansers, and encapsulated oil systems.

Scalp care and hair removal solutions

According to a survey According to the American Psychological Association, stress related to social division, the future, and isolation will be significant issues for most Americans heading into 2026. And when you’re under a lot of stress and your mental health suffers, your hair and scalp often suffer as well. Stress disrupts the body’s natural rhythms and can lead to bone fractures, dryness, thinness, and increased sensitivity.

As we learned, if you take care of your garden (your scalp), it will bloom. “Our hair grows from the hair follicles on our scalp, so the health of the skin on our scalp is very important in determining the health, growth, and appearance of our hair,” he says. christina collinsMD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin.

“Lifestyle stressors are driving more people to seek preventative and restorative solutions at the root,” says Labrecque, who predicts more consumers will start caring for their scalp as part of their skin care routine.

“Brands are finally designing their products for true scalp penetration and therapeutic benefits, not just scent and shine.” Rachel WestbayMD, board-certified dermatologist at Malmur Medical in New York City. “We are seeing a shift to prescription-strength active ingredients in cosmetics, targeted delivery systems (particles that actually reach the openings of the hair follicles rather than sitting on top of the scalp), and scalp serums that exfoliate with acids and enzymes.”

Dr. Westbay recommends looking out for additional products with niacinamide to support barrier health, salicylic acid to remove dead skin buildup, and caffeine and rosemary. ”[which all show] New support for follicle stimulation has arrived. ” (However, the most effective hair growth solution is still Minoxidil is a topical drug. )

curl form

One size will never fit all when it comes to hair care, but in 2026, consumers will demand more value and expect truly one-of-a-kind products. “We’re going to see more personalized hair care routines for different types of curl patterns and waves,” predicts Sianna Davey, vice president of hair merchandising at Ulta Beauty.

Creams are good for curls that need hydration and can withstand the weight of very rich products, but other types of curls (thin, wavy, loose) may not be able to tolerate that kind of formulation. Curl it instead foam It provides airy, lightweight styling without sacrificing contour or frizz control.