Is there anything more frustrating than dry, brittle and damaged hair? Sometimes it feels like you can be doing everything right, and still, your hair doesn’t look its best. Trust us, we know just how exhausting this can be.
But the difficult question is, where should you begin when it comes to choosing the best products to remedy this? The good news is the best conditioners are only a solution. The problem is, there are seemingly endless conditioners on the market. Seriously, if you go into your local store, you’ll be inundated with products, all of them claiming to offer you luscious hair. But how do you know what will actually get the job done?
We have some good news for you. We put together a comprehensive list of our favorite conditioners. Whether you’re dealing with dry, frizzy, or just generally ill looking hair, there’s sure to be something on our list for you.
But first, let’s answer a few important and common questions to aid your search.
Why does my hair need moisturizing?
This depends on factors like your hair type and lifestyle, your age and even your exposure to environmental damage. At the most basic level, your hair needs moisture to remain healthy and strong, as the alternative can be dry, brittle strands that look a little lifeless.
How does my hair become dry or damaged?
There’s no singular culprit for dry and damaged hair, as a variety of factors can contribute to it. However, some of the most common contributors include:
- Stress: We hate to say it, but yes, stress can impact the overall health of your strands, sometimes leading to hair loss.
- Diet: Deficiencies in certain vitamins can contribute to hair damage. Make sure to eat a well balanced diet to stay looking and feeling as good as possible.
- Overwashing: There’s definitely too much of a good thing. Overwashing hair can bring its own set of issues, potentially drying your hair and scalp out.
- Heat damage: Sure, using a blow dryer or flat iron can get you your desired look, but be sure not to overdo it as heat damage can lead to long term consequences.
- Excessive rubbing and tugging: Just because your hair isn’t as sensitive as your skin, that doesn’t mean it should be treated rough. Be cautious about being overly abrasive when drying it.
- Coloring hair: Chemicals used in hair dye can wreak havoc on strands.
What ingredients work best at moisturizing hair?
There’s no great secret when it comes to moisturizing hair. Trial and error, as well as research, has shown the following ingredients to be effective at moisturizing hair:
- Biotin
- Keratin
- Proteins
- Aloe vera extract
- Jojoba oil
- Argan oil
- Saw palmetto
Of course, it’s also a matter of what you don’t put in your hair that can be beneficial. We suggest avoiding phthalates, fragrances, and parabens to keep your hair looking and feeling its best.
Are there other options for keeping my hair moisturized?
In addition to conditioner, there’s a variety of products that offer deep hydration. Consider applying a hair mask or incorporating an oil for additional hydration.
The Best Moisturizing Conditioners
Drunk Elephant Cocomino Marula Cream Conditioner
Protect your scalp with this lovely pick from Drunk Elephant. It uses marula butter to load hair with fatty acids, a coconut amino acid blend for smoothness and strength and mongongo oil for some much needed vitamin E. One reviewer notes that it tames their frizzy ends, which we are so on board with.
Malin + Goetz Cilantro Conditioner
While cilantro may do some of the talking with this pick, that herb isn’t the only thing fighting for your hair. Main + Goetz also includes absorbent fatty acids and fatty alcohols to hydrate and detangle hair. Reach for this pick when achieving soft and smooth hair is all you can think about.
Hask Argan Oil Repairing Conditioner
Hask has some die-hard fans out there, and for good reason. This pick earns over 14,000 fans on Amazon. Even people who regularly bleach their hair say that using this helps get their hair back to feeling smooth and silky. We’re not sure how it gets much more nourishing than that.
Amika Normcore Signature Conditioner
There’s nothing normal about Amika’s Normcore Signature Conditioner. We love that it includes shea butter for much needed vitamins, minerals and fatty acids. Plus, sea buckthorn is loaded with omega-7 for impeccable hydration and elasticity. It’s a nutritious treat you won’t want to forgo after applying.
Blu Atlas Soothing and Smoothing Natural Conditioner
Boasting 96% natural ingredients, this conditioner is loaded with aloe vera to moisturize and defrizz while jojoba oil regulates natural oil production. It’s gentle and available in three scents, but we’re a bit biased toward the coconut apricot option. Purchase it, and you’ll immediately reap the benefits.
Olaplex No 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
Take care of the bonds that matter most (we’re talking about the ones within your hair) with this secret weapon that resulted in 66% less breakage for users. That’s because it features panthenol to prevent breakage while glycerin works as a humectant to keep moisture sealed within your strands.
Moroccan Oil Hydrating Conditioner
Keep your hair in peak condition with this formula that includes argan oil, vitamin E and red algae. The best part? The divine smell lingers for days.
OUAI Medium Conditioner
Two awesome oils work overtime in this pick, with coconut oil sealing split ends and babassu oil hydrating the hair and scalp. Meanwhile, kumquat fruit extract adds shine and keratin seals pesky flyaways. What more could you ask for? How about a scent that has notes of magnolia, Italian lemon, orange and musk.
Verb Ghost Conditioner
Here’s a verb: go. As in, go ahead and order this conditioner ASAP. It utilizes moringa oil to create a lightweight and hydrating conditioner that one reviewer describes as having everything they could want. Enough said.
Monday Moisture Conditioner
We promise you won’t hate this Monday, which is loaded with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, glycerin, hydrolyzed rice protein, panthenol, shea butter and vitamin E. As an added bonus, it’s definitely one of the more affordable picks on the market.
Kerastase Nutritive Lait Vital Hydrating Conditioner
Plant-based proteins do the bulk of the work with this conditioner, nourishing from root to tip. But the secret ingredient is niacinamide, which helps to really lock in moisture. And don’t be scared by the price tag, because one reviewer confidently notes that a little bit goes quite a long way.
Oribe Signature Conditioner
Watermelon, lychee and edelweiss flower work overtime to protect hair from pollution. But at the same time, hydrating polymers actively work to detangle and promote healthy looking locks.The light fragrance really lets the hair speak for itself.
Vegamour Gro Revitalizing Conditioner
Enjoy excellent hydration courtesy of marula and baobab oils. At the same time, a red clover and mung bean blend nourishes the scalp. You can trust this pick to promote fuller looking hair. That’s a do it all product that we most certainly know will get the job done.
New Nordic Hair Volume Conditioner
This conditioner was designed to boost volume, but it has so many strengthening and moisturizing ingredients for healing dry and damaged hair. New Nordic has devoted followers who love how this conditioner makes their hair feel thicker over time, thanks to this vegan, non-GMO conditioner.
Botanic Hearth Biotin Conditioner with Ginger Oil & Keratin
Bountiful botanicals make this conditioner a great choice for anyone looking to boost hydration and deal with pesky dryness. Biotin, argan oil and collagen protein work over time to give tired hair the love it needs. Bonus: This pick is ethically sourced and cruelty-free.
Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner
The Strength Cure Conditioner gets a lot of love, and we can see why. The feedback from customers talking about rapid results that takes their hair from dry to nourished speaks volumes. And it comes as no surprise, given the fact that this pick features arginine and keravis for strengthening hair, as well as astaxanthin to protect strands.
Innersense Hydrating Cream Conditioner
Softer, stronger hair isn’t far away with a purchase of this conditioner. It relies on non-toxic ingredients like organic rice, quinoa and flax seed to promote strength. Meanwhile, shea butter and coconut work their magic for hydrated hair.
Briogeo Be Gentle Be Kind
For our more sensitive friends out there, this conditioner is just the ticket. It uses bonafide soothers like aloe and green tea, while oat milk loads up hair with fatty acids and vitamin B. The result? A nutritious and clean treat that won’t disappoint.
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