“The interest in waterless hair care is driven by a combination of sustainability concerns and innovative formats,” says Dobos. But the shift to waterless hair care has taken some time. “Water helps products spread easily on the hair, incorporate ingredients, and create foam,” she says. “It’s really challenging to deliver the same level of performance for a conditioner in a bar format, for example.”
In 2026, we’ll see some updated waterless options as brands refine ye olde shampoo bars to make them just as nourishing as their liquid counterparts; advises Dobos, avoid bars that don’t list conditioning ingredients like behentrimonium methosulfate, silicone alternatives like natural oils, or plant-derived emollients like hemisqualane. These brands are also looking to create even newer waterless formats like dissolvable sheets, powder-to-liquid cleansers, and encapsulated oil systems.
Scalp care and hair loss solutions
According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, stress—about societal division, the future, and isolation—is a significant issue for most Americans heading into 2026. And when things get stressful, and your mental health suffers, your hair and scalp often follow. Stress can disrupt your body’s natural rhythms, leading to increased breakage, dryness, thinning, or sensitivity.
As we’ve learned, tend the garden (scalp), and your flowers will flourish. “Our hair grows from follicles in the scalp, so the skin health of the scalp is extremely important in determining the health, growth, and appearance of the hair,” says Kristina Collins, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Austin.
“Lifestyle stressors are pushing more people to seek preventative and restorative solutions, starting at the root,” says Labrecque, who expects more consumers to start treating their scalp as part of a skin-care routine.
“Brands are finally designing products for true scalp penetration and therapeutic benefit, not just fragrance and shine,” says Rachel Westbay, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Marmur Medical in New York City. “We’re seeing a shift toward prescription-strength actives in cosmetic formats, targeted delivery systems—particles that actually reach the follicle opening instead of sitting on top of the scalp—and exfoliating scalp serums with acids or enzymes.”
Dr. Westbay recommends keeping an eye out for more products with niacinamide to help support barrier health, salicylic acid to exfoliate buildup, and caffeine or rosemary, “[which all show] emerging support for follicle stimulation.” (Though the most effective hair-growth solution is still topical minoxidil.)
Curl foams
When it comes to hair care, one size has never truly fit all, but with consumers demanding more value in 2026, they’ll expect products to be truly one-of-a-kind. “We’ll see more personalized hair-care routines for different types of curl patterns and waves,” predicts Shianna Davey, vice president of hair merchandising for Ulta Beauty.
While creams may be good for curls that crave hydration and can take the weight of a super-rich product, other curl types (fine, wavy, or loose) may not be able to stand up to that kind of formulation. Instead, curl foams offer airy, lightweight styling that won’t sacrifice definition or frizz control.
