New year, new hair? Not quite. In 2026, we're aiming for something better: a routine that actually lasts. Instead of chasing trendy transformations that fade by February, let this year be the one grounded in clean formulas, intentional habits, and hair health that compounds over time.
Ready to make 2026 your healthiest hair year yet? Whether you're new to clean beauty or ready to refine your existing routine, here are ten strategies that will help you reset your approach to haircare.
10 Ways to Create a Cleaner, Healthier Haircare Routine in 2026
Audit and Simplify Your Product Collection
The Neuma philosophy is simple: Less is more when it comes to healthy hair.
So, start the year by taking stock of what's cluttering your bathroom shelves and eliminating products with overlapping purposes or expired formulas. Aim for shampoo, conditioner, an intensive treatment like Neu Moisture Masque, a daily leave-in like Instant Fix, and a couple of stylers (including one for air drying, like Neu Air-Dry Shaper).
After all, a streamlined routine with transparent labels and goal-driven essentials delivers better results than a cabinet full of half-used, filler formulas.
Learn Which Ingredients to Avoid
Not all haircare formulas are created equal. Familiarize yourself with ingredients that compromise hair health and environmental safety: sulfate surfactants, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial dyes, and formaldehyde-releasing preservatives.
Reading labels empowers you to make informed choices that support long-term scalp health, strand strength, and cleaner beauty standards. If you don’t know how to decipher them just yet, start by visiting our Come Clean List!
Shampoo When Your Roots Tell You To
Instead of washing daily just because your mom told you to, or washing once weekly just because an influencer said so, try listening to your roots themselves.
Some hair types thrive with daily cleansing, while others perform better with less frequent washing. Your workout schedule, local climate, and natural oil production are all unique, so let your scalp’s actual needs guide your routine!
Clarify Your Roots Monthly
Speaking of your shampoo schedule, did you know that using a clarifying cleanser like Re Neu Shampoo on a monthly basis can help your roots feel cleaner and fresher for longer between washes?
Product buildup, hard water minerals, and environmental pollutants accumulate over time, dulling shine and weighing hair down. A monthly clarifying session removes these invisible layers, allowing subsequent products to penetrate more effectively and perform as intended.
Deep Condition Weekly
Damaged and bleached hair aren’t the only strands that need regular TLC. Even healthy hair benefits from intensive nourishment!
Whether Neu Moisture Masque or Neu Repair Treatment Masque, a weekly deep conditioning session can help replenish moisture, repair minor damage, and fortify strands against environmental stressors—ultimately addressing dryness, brittleness, and texture inconsistencies that daily conditioners can't fully address.
Even just three minutes of weekly treatment time delivers transformative results.
Oil Your Ends Daily
Hair ends are the oldest, most fragile part of your strands. But there’s one simple habit that reduces split ends, maintains length, and creates a polished finish, whether your hair is wet or dry: applying a lightweight oil at the bottom of your hair once per day.
Neu Moisture Argan Oil will do the trick, helping to seal the cuticle, prevent moisture loss, and protect against friction damage from clothing and styling.
Brush Hair Gently
Did you know that rapid, aggressive brushing causes unnecessary breakage and scalp irritation?
This tip is simple: prevent unnecessary damage before it starts with gentle, deliberate strokes from the ends, working upward to detangle without stress. If your strands are still fussy, detangle with a few spritzes of Neu Moisture Instant Fix.
And remember—hair brushing isn’t just for appearance. This simple routine distributes natural oils from roots to ends, promoting lasting shine and balanced hydration.
Use a Filtered Showerhead
Though technically safe for showering and drinking, some regions’ tap water contains chlorine, heavy metals, and mineral deposits that weigh down hair and compromise color vibrancy.
If you have the means, consider swapping your standard shower head for a filtered one! They’re designed to remove some of these contaminants, allowing Neuma’s clean formula to work more effectively. Even better, they’re surprisingly affordable and simple to install.
Think of it this way: this single upgrade protects your investment in quality products while improving overall hair texture and manageability.
Dry Your Hair With a Microfiber Towel
If you can’t shake a frizzy texture, your own towel may be to blame. When rubbed on wet hair, traditional terry cloth towels create friction that roughens the cuticle and encourages unruly frizz.
Instead, use microfiber towels for any and all hair-drying. They absorb water quickly, minimizing mechanical damage to wet, vulnerable strands! This gentler drying method preserves smoothness, reduces breakage, and shortens air-dry time, especially if your hair is textured or fragile.
Oh, and don’t forget to follow up with a daily leave-in like Neu Moisture Instant Fix or the Neu Repair Leave-In Treatment.
Heat Style Sparingly, and Strategically
There’s no way around it: heat styling tools can compromise long-term hair health. In 2026, see how it feels to reserve heat for special occasions or when you know a single style session can stretch over a few days.
Plus, embracing air drying between heat sessions doesn’t just give hair time to recover—it also gives your strands the chance to show off their natural texture, especially when using Neu Air-Dry Shaper.
And whenever it’s time to heat style, always apply heat protectant (a pillar of Neuma stylers like Neu Volume Styling Spray and Neu Styling Mousse) and use the lowest effective temperature.
We can’t wait to see how clean beauty defines and refines your hair in 2026! We’ll be exploring the full potential of clean formulas all year long on our socials, so follow along on Instagram (@neumabeauty) and TikTok (@neumabeauty). See you there!
See you there!
