How I Curated a Damage-Repair Hair Wash Routine (Without Compromising My Scalp Health)

Over the past year, I came to a hard realization—my hair was damaged. Breakage, dryness, and dullness crept in after years of coloring, styling, and product testing. To make things even more complicated, I also have dandruff and a sensitive scalp. I knew I needed a gentle yet effective routine that would not only restore my curls but also keep my scalp healthy and flake-free.

After months of trial and error, I’ve finally curated a wash day routine that delivers strength, shine, and scalp care—all without sacrificing one for the other. Here’s how I did it and the products that helped me nurse my hair back to life. You can also see the full routine in action on my YouTube vlog here.

✨ The Game-Changing Products in My Wash Routine

Step 1: Scalp Reset with CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo
🧴 Buy it here
This was my non-negotiable. Before focusing on repairing the hair shaft, I had to get my scalp in check. The CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo is formulated with pyrithione zinc to relieve flaking and itching while supporting the skin barrier with ceramides and niacinamide. It’s gentle enough for regular use and doesn’t dry out my curls.

Step 2: Repair Without Heaviness – L’Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo
🧴 Buy it here
This is where the hair revival begins. I follow up with the L’Oréal Absolut Molecular Repair Shampoo, which targets damage at the molecular level. It strengthens without weighing my hair down and works beautifully on color-treated strands. It lathers richly and leaves my hair feeling soft, not stripped.

Step 3: A Light Conditioner That Works – CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Conditioner
🧴 Buy it here
Yes, another CeraVe win! I love using the CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Conditioner because it continues to soothe my scalp while adding lightweight moisture. It doesn’t leave buildup or interfere with other deep treatments, which is key for my routine.

Step 4: Intense Repair – Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque
🧴 Buy it here
This masque was my holy grail when my hair was at its weakest. I use it once a week (or every other wash day) to deeply condition and restore elasticity and strength. The Joico Defy Damage Masque delivers slip, shine, and softness that lasts beyond wash day.

💡 My Wash Routine Tips

Double cleanse when needed: If I’ve used heavy stylers or gels, I do a gentle double cleanse with CeraVe and L’Oréal to ensure both my scalp and strands get clean.
Leave-in repair for ongoing support: After rinsing out the mask, I follow up with my favorite leave-ins and stylers that align with my hair’s current needs.
Keep it consistent: The real results came after consistently following this routine for several weeks.

🎥 Watch the Full Routine

You can catch the full step-by-step on my YouTube vlog:
📺 Watch here

🛍️ Shop the Routine (Affiliate Links)

If you’d like to support my work and try this routine for yourself, here are the links to everything I use. I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you when you shop using these:

CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Shampoo: https://amzn.to/3FcRXO4
L’Oréal Absolut Repair Molecular Shampoo: https://amzn.to/3YPM5kr
CeraVe Anti-Dandruff Conditioner: https://amzn.to/4krW5Zk
Joico Defy Damage Protective Masque: https://amzn.to/4k590AV

Final Thoughts

It’s absolutely possible to heal your hair without ignoring your scalp health. This journey taught me that you don’t have to choose between a healthy scalp and strong hair—when you find the right products and stay consistent, you can have both.

If you’ve been struggling with similar issues, give this routine a try and let me know how it goes! And don’t forget to check out my YouTube channel for more honest beauty reviews and routines.