Wondering what this year holds in store for the world of haircare? Read on as Evalectric shares the exciting haircare trends 2026 is going to be known for! 

It’s All About the Scalp Microbiome

All too often, skincare trends trickle over into the haircare sphere. This is exactly where the scalp microbiome trend, which focuses on restoring and enhancing the delicate ecosystem that lives on the scalp, comes from. It’s an offshoot of microbiome skincare and, just like its predecessor, it’s proving to be successful. 

What, exactly, will focusing on your scalp microbiome do for your locks? Your scalp will feel more balanced. It will be less likely to over-produce or under-produce oil. Hair growth will also improve, and each strand will feel stronger. You’ll also be less likely to develop dandruff with a healthy scalp microbiome. 

With all of these benefits, it’s easy to see why this is going to be one of the haircare trends 2026 will be dominated by. If scalp care is new to you, get in on this trend by treating your scalp to its first microbiome-boosting product. From gentle exfoliants to balancing serums, the right formula could leave you with a much healthier-looking mane. 

Skipping Wash Days

Over-washing your hair can do more harm than good, and this is a fact that has become more widely known over the course of 2025, to the point where it’s now fueling one of 2026’s biggest haircare trends: skipping wash days. 

This trend isn’t about neglecting to shampoo dirty hair. Instead, it encourages people to really listen to their locks, only washing their hair if it’s needed. 

In anticipation of all of the skipped wash days that are likely to happen in 2026, haircare brands have responded with a variety of products that make it easier to extend the amount of time in between shampoos. From dry shampoos to hair perfumes, you’ll see a lot more of these products this year. 

Safer Heat Styling

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If you regularly heat style your hair, you’ll be happy to know that this is at the center of one of the most important haircare trends 2026 will be packing. It’s no secret that excessive heat damages hair, which is why safer heat styling is the talk of the town this year. 

What does this actually mean? For starters, supercharged heat protectants will be taking center stage. You’ll see advanced formulations that go above and beyond in shielding strands from heat damage. 

Heated styling tools will also promise a flawless finish with minimal damage. Adjustable temperature controls, negative ion technology, infrared technology…all of this makes it less harmful to heat style. This is why you’ll find these features in Evalectric’s heated styling tools. 

2026 will also see smart styling tools start to make their way into the mainstream market. From sensors on hair dryers that detect your hair type and adjust air flow accordingly to flat irons that restore damaged hair bonds as they straighten, these high-tech concepts are quickly becoming a reality. 

A Focus on Environmental Protection

Pollution, UV rays, strong winds…the environment isn’t kind to your hair. In the same way that people are becoming increasingly aware of how excessive heat and over-washing can damage their strands, they’re also now taking note of how various environmental factors take a toll. 

As a result, environmental protection is one of the haircare trends 2026 will be known for. This will be the year when people start to really go all out when it comes to ensuring that their locks are protected from all that the environment throws at them. 

While environmental hair protection comes in many forms, anti-pollution products are set to be the most sought after. These will be closely followed by UV-protection products. 

As important as it may be to protect your hair from environmental damage, don’t feel pressured to buy into this trend. Physical protection, such as protective hairstyles and wrapping your strands in a scarf, also works well to safeguard against environmental harm. 

Hairceuticals

You’ve probably heard of pharmaceuticals and the resulting cosmeceuticals trend. Well, now we have hairceuticals. As you may have guessed, this trend is all about haircare products and treatments that take a clinical or pharmaceutical approach. It brings more science into the haircare world, combining advanced, proven ingredients to create effective formulations. 

Hairceuticals is a concept, meaning that it can be applied to just about every type of haircare product. Shampoos, conditioners, hair serums, scalp serums – they can all be formulated with hairceuticals as main ingredients. 

Does this mean that you’ll need a prescription for hairceutical haircare products? No – just like cosmeceuticals, meaning skincare that takes a science-driven approach, hairceuticals isn’t a legal term. Prescriptions aren’t needed because even though these products tend to be more potent, they aren’t classified as drugs.

Food-Inspired Haircare Ingredients

Natural ingredients have been all the rage for a while now, and this isn’t changing anytime soon. Instead, one of the haircare trends 2026 will be defined by will be the explosion of food-inspired haircare ingredients hitting the market. 

People love products that contain ingredients they’re familiar with, and food items usually check this box. Better yet, they’re also natural ingredients – ones that are known for having a denser-than-average nutritional profile. 

Superfoods, for example, are already making waves in the haircare world. Berries, seaweeds, and avocados all contain nutrients that do so much good for the hair and scalp. Herbs are packed with potent compounds too. While herbs like rosemary and lavender are already commonly used in haircare products, you’ll see even more herbal blends hitting shelves this year. You’ll likely be introduced to ingredients that you haven’t yet tried on your hair, be it cinnamon, fenugreek, ginseng, or hibiscus. Make 2026 the year that you explore some of these delicious, hair-loving ingredients!

Hair Systems For Comprehensive Care

Do you usually shop around with different brands when putting together a haircare routine, or do you prefer to buy all of your products from one brand? While the former used to be the case for the majority, the tide is turning. People now want ease and convenience when shopping for haircare products, meaning that they’re increasingly opting for comprehensive haircare systems rather than single products. 

These systems usually contain a line-up of products that come together to create a full routine. Shampoos, conditioners, serums, masks…some of these sets even come with heated styling tools to truly give people everything they could possibly need. 

If you appreciate how haircare systems make shopping for haircare products a breeze, you’ll welcome the influx of them this year with open arms! 

Multitasking Products

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Another one of the skincare-inspired haircare trends 2026 will be all about is multitasking haircare products. Just like when it comes to skincare, people are recognizing the benefits that come from taking it easy with their efforts. This doesn’t mean neglecting to give your hair/skin the care it needs. Instead, it means meeting those needs without going overboard. After all, overloading your hair/skin with unnecessary products and ingredients is only going to be detrimental in the long run. 

What sort of multitasking products can you expect to see? Moisturizing shampoos are already proving particularly popular. Formulas like the Evalectric Moisturizing Shampoo, which leaves strands feeling supported rather than stripped dry, are the way forward. All-in-one sprays that condition, detangle, hydrate, and protect all at the same time are also going to be big in 2026. 

Sustainability Takes Center Stage

Sustainability has wormed its way into every industry. In fact, many would say that it’s no longer a trend – it’s an entire movement. 

Either way, this is a topic that you’ll continue to hear plenty about in 2026, especially within the realm of haircare. It’s no secret that the beauty industry hasn’t been kind to the environment over the years. Haircare brands are now trying to change that by making genuine efforts to be as environmentally-friendly as possible. 

Sustainable ingredients and full traceability will soon be expected from all haircare brands. Consumers no longer want to be a part of environmental destruction, and haircare brands will need to adapt to this. Sustainable packaging is also quickly becoming the norm. Recyclability is a must, while refillable packaging is continuing to take the entire beauty world by storm. While this may mean big changes for some brands, it’s definitely the way forward for 2026 and beyond. 

AI-Driven Personalization

It should come as no surprise that AI is on this list. After all, it’s steadily taking over just about every industry, and haircare is no exception! 

Personalization is where AI has been most focused. AI-image analysis isn’t just booming when it comes to the skin – AI can analyze hair too. From thickness and curl pattern to scalp health and moisture level, the insights that AI is able to provide are proving exceptionally valuable. 

This tech is taking things even further by pairing those insights with product recommendations. This enables people to put together a fully personalized haircare routine with ease. 

Glass Hair is Sticking Around

Glass hair is a trend that can be traced back to the 1960s. It has continued to make a reappearance every now and again since then, and 2026 will see it in the spotlight once again. 

If you aren’t familiar with this trend, glass hair is all about hair that looks so incredibly glossy and shiny that it resembles glass. It’s another skincare spin-off – glass skin has been popular in the skincare world for a while now. 

If you want to pull this trend off, look for haircare products that hydrate, add shine, and reduce frizz. You’ll need to practice your blow drying, brushing, and straightening techniques too, but you’ll soon be able to master the secrets behind this vibrantly healthy look.

Which Haircare Trends Will You Be Exploring This Year? 

It’s always fun to experiment with different haircare trends, especially when, as with the ones above, they bring nothing but benefits to the hair. Give some of this year’s trends a try, and you’ll likely notice a healthier-looking mane as a result. 

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