If there’s one thing we can all agree on, it’s that a skipping the conditioner can take away your good hair days from you. However, there’s no real reason you need to skip this wonder product, especially when there are a myriad of formulations made with clever ingredients, which work overtime to give your crowning glory a boost.
Luckily, we’re in the mood to talk all things conditioner. Scroll ahead and we will help you find your own perfect match.
How To Choose A Conditioner
Every conditioner may deliver varied results on different types of hair. This is why it’s important to consider choosing a conditioner formulated for your hair type, texture and concern.
- If you have oily hair, you can skip conditioners with the words ‘hydrating’ or ‘moisturizing’ mentioned on the labels. The last thing you need is excess moisture to make your hair strands appear limp.
Pro tip: For oily hair, first use the conditioner and then follow it up with a shampoo. Also, rinse off the conditioner properly else the residual product will leave your hair greasier. - If you have damaged or frizzy hair, you need to invest in formulas with strengthening and fortifying benefits. Look for labels that mention frizz control and damage repair. An intensely moisturizing conditioner that packs a harder punch will do the trick.
- If you have dry hair, be on the lookout for conditioners that mention ‘hydrating’, ‘moisturizing’ or ‘smoothing’ on the labels. You need a formulation that offers deep conditioning treatment without weighing your hair down.
- If you have curly hair, opt for conditioners specially formulated to tackle frizz in curls and add bounce to your locks. Ideally, it should be balancing in nature and shouldn’t interfere with the natural texture of your locks.
- If you have fine or thin hair, a volumizing conditioner will work well at making your hair appear thicker and fuller. Also, since fine hair lacks proteins, choosing conditioner with added Keratin or proteins is a wiser move.
- If you have thick hair, it’s probably prone to split ends and frizz. Opting for a light conditioner with smoothing properties will work great at keeping your tresses hydrated and healthy.
- Lastly, if you have a sensitive scalp, be wary of conditioners with the following ingredients: Sodium Chloride, Alcohol, Synthetic Fragrance, and Quaternium-15. These elements can easily disturb the pH balance of your scalp and worsen its condition. Instead, opt for mild, balancing formulas.
1. The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner
Banana is your best bet at delivering a deep moisture boost to dry hair. The Body Shop Banana Truly Nourishing Conditioner bottles the goodness of Banana to create a thick and creamy conditioner that intensely nourishes your hair. Instantly reducing frizz like no other, it lends softness and bounce to your locks. P.S. It smells ah-mazing and you might be tempted to eat it but like don’t.
2. Brillare Science Dandruff Control Clarifying Conditioner
Itchy, flaky scalp getting on your nerves? It’s time to heal your hair and give it some nourishing TLC with the Brillare Science Dandruff Control Clarifying Conditioner. Designed specially with active trio of fruity ingredients, it deeply purifies hair and gives it a healthy bounce. How? Wintergreen Fruit extracts eliminate flaky residues from hair whereas Black Pepper Fruit extracts eliminates excess oil and prevents dandruff. Oh and unlike other ordinary conditioners, this one promises to not dry out your hair.
3. A'kin Natural Fragrance Free Mild & Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner
The rule of thumb when choosing products for a sensitive scalp is to stick to gentle, hypoallergenic formulas. A'kin Natural Fragrance Free Mild & Gentle Hypoallergenic Conditioner with its natural formula, free of parabens, sulphates and fragrances soothes irritated scalp. How? Enriched with the goodness of Oat Extract, Shea Butter and Organic Rosehip Oil it gives immediate moisture relief and minimizes dandruff. Bonus points for being cruelty-free and vegan.
4. LOreal Paris Colour Protect Conditioner 30 Wash UV Filter
If your hair strands have been recently dipped in poppy hues you don’t want to let go of so easily, this one is for you. LOreal Paris Colour Protect Conditioner 30 Wash UV Filter shields your strands from colour fade whilst providing protection against UV rays. This colour protect formula is loaded with nourishing ingredients to smoothen your hair and while imparting a luminous shine.
5. Himalaya Herbals Anti-Hair Fall Conditioner (Bhringaraja)
If hair fall has been a persistent problem and you want to step up your conditioning game, there’s no better way to do it than with the Himalaya Herbals Anti-Hair Fall Conditioner. Fortified with protein-rich herbs like Bringaraja and Chickpea, it stimulates hair follicle growth and effectively strengthens the roots to control hair fall. Besides, the extracts of Butea Frondosa or 'Flame of the Forest’ melt like butter into strands to build resilience in them and prevent hair thinning.
6. The Moms Co. Natural Protein Conditioner
As the name suggests, this conditioner is safe, toxin-free and heavily relies on the action of proteins. Hydrolyzed Silk Protein absorbs into your hair and locks in moisture while Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein strengthens your hair and adds volume. What more does this little bottle pack? Murmuru Seed Butter to retain moisture, Natural Vitamin E to repairs follicular damage, and Orbignya Kernel Seed Oil to soothe dry scalp. Brownie points for the pump because this means controlled usage. Translation? No more going overboard with the conditioner.
7. Botanic Love Jasmine Coconut Conditioner
Give extra-parched hair the love of Jasmine and Coconut. This deeply nourishing conditioner packed with vitamins, Jasmine and Coconut extract locks in moisture and adds bounce to dull, lifeless hair. The herbal nutrients thoroughly condition, stimulate circulation and restore strength to transform limp hair into lustrous and fuller hair. Oh and you don’t have to worry about artificial colors, fragrances, parabens and sulphates with this one.
8. OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Conditioner
Keratin is undoubtedly your one man army to battle hair problems. OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Conditioner clearly agrees on that. Infused with Keratin proteins, it reinforces each strand to resist split ends, flyaways and bad hair days. In addition, it includes Argan Oil which helps you discover moisturized and nourished strands that don’t break off easily. Free form parabens and other questionable ingredients, it won’t weigh your hair down.
FAQs On Best Hair Conditioners
1. Recommend best hair conditioners for dry hair.
- Tresemme Keratin Smooth With Argan Oil Conditioner
- The Body Shop Shea Butter Richly Replenishing Conditioner
- Aveda Nutriplenish Deep Moisture Conditioner
- Matrix Biolage Ultra Hydrasource Hydrating Conditioner
2. Can I wash my hair with just conditioner?
Unlike shampoos, conditioners are gentle cleansers that lift impurities and build-up from the strands without drying the hair out. Washing your hair with just a conditioner is termed as co-washing and it’s the perfect solution for dry hair. This is because it prevents the moisture-sapping formulas of shampoos from further drying out hair. So, if you wash your hair often every week, you can opt for co-washing.
3. How do you reverse wash your hair?
Reverse washing means unlike the traditional method, applying the conditioner first and then the shampoo on your hair. Reverse hair wash technique is usually recommended for hair that is damaged, dry and frizzy.
4. How long should I leave conditioner in my hair?
Conditioner should ideally be applied on strands along the mid-length to the tips. You can use your fingertips or a shower comb to distribute the product evenly along the lengths. After application, leave it on for at least 3 minutes so that it soaks in and delivers the expected conditioning treatment to your hair.