How to select the right hair conditioner: A step-by-step buying guide

Conditioners are one such staple hair care product that can transform your hair health. While the core function of conditioners is to enhance shine, manageability and prevent breakage, you can’t miss choosing the right hair conditioner that suits your hair type and needs. Just like shampoos, there are endless numbers of conditioners available in the market and one wrong pick may leave your hair feeling sticky or dry. But if you think wisely before choosing a conditioner, you can enjoy all its benefits – right from replenishing lost moisture, soothing hair cuticles to increasing the shine in your hair. Now if you are wondering, “Which conditioner is best for your hair?”, this guide will help you pick the right one that can address your hair needs.

What is a hair conditioner?

Hair conditioner is one of the most essential hair care products. They are especially designed to improve the texture, appearance and manageability of your hair. The best hair conditioner works by coating the hair shaft with ingredients that can help to smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz and add moisture. Formulated with the goodness of moisturising agents like oils, silicones or proteins that can penetrate the hair to nourish and strengthen it. When applied after shampooing, conditioners help detangle hair, making it less prone to breakage and easier to comb.

Dermatologist Dr Natasha Vijayendran says, “Hair conditioners go beyond cleaning to restoring moisture loss during shampooing, thus helping avoid dryness and breaking in pieces.”

As per a study published in the International Journal of Science and Research Archive, hair conditioners reduce friction between the hair strands to allow easier brushing and combing.

How do hair conditioners work?

The best hair conditioners in India work by repairing and protecting the hair shaft after shampooing. They are packed with ingredients like moisturisers, proteins and emollients that can help to lock in moisture, reduce frizz and improve manageability. By filling the gaps and cracks in the hair cuticle, this hair care product can help to smooth the surface and reduce tangles. They may also help to neutralise the alkalinity of the shampoo to prevent further damage. The International Journal of Trichology states that conditioners act by neutralising the electrical negative charge of the hair fibre by adding a positive charge and lubricating the cuticle.

What are the benefits of hair conditioners?

There are a multiple benefits of a hair conditioner. This product may help to transform your hair care routine by moisturising, hydrating and repairing your strands. They can protect your hair from damage caused by heat styling, chemical processing and environmental stressors.

Dr Natasha Vijayendra says that the conditioning properties of this product can make it easy to detangle knots, reducing breakage and splitting ends. “It also rebalances the hair pH post shampoo use, thus reducing dryness and frizz,” adds the expert. Regular use of hair conditioners may help promote manageability and lead to soft, smooth hair. The International Journal of Trichology states that hair conditioners can improve combability, restore hydrophobicity, seal the cuticle, minimise frizz and add shine.

Also Read: How to use leave-in conditioner: Do it right for healthy hair

What are the different types of hair conditioners?

Hair conditioners come in diverse formulations. “They range from the quintessential, no-frills rinse-out conditioners that supply instant hydration and detangling to intensive, concentrated deep conditioners formulated to restore severely damaged strands,” says Dr Natasha Vijayendran.

• Rinse-out conditioners: This is one of the most common types of hair conditioners. Typically used after shampooing, this conditioner is specially designed to be applied on wet hair. It can help in detangling, smoothing hair and adding moisture to them. A study published in the International Journal of Interdisciplinary Research states that using rinse-out conditioners can help bleached hair recover from damage and enhance tensile strength.
• Leave-in conditioners: They are lightweight conditioners that are formulated to be left in the hair without rinsing. Suitable for dry to damaged hair, leave-in conditioners can help to add moisture and detangle and protect the hair throughout the day. According to the International Journal of Trichology, this conditioner works by enhancing interfiber forces and providing a detangling effect to make combing and styling easier.
• Deep conditioners: These are designed to penetrate the hair shaft and provide deep nourishment. According to the Indian Journal of Dermatology, this conditioner is ideal for very dry, damaged and colour-treated hair. It may provide extra nourishment to the hair with its thicker and more concentrated texture.
• Protein conditioner: Formulated to strengthen hair by filling in gaps in the hair shaft, where protein might be lacking, protein conditioner may help to rebuild and repair damaged hair. It is suitable for weak or brittle hair. According to the Applied Sciences, protein can significantly increase the external and internal water content of the hair, protecting hair from damage during styling.
• Moisturising conditioner: Specially formulated for dry, damaged, frizzy, coarse or curly hair, this conditioner can help to hydrate the hair and lock in moisture. They contain oils that can help to soften and smooth the hair.
• Volumising conditioners: Also known as thickening conditioners, volumising conditioners are suitable for fine or thin hair. They are lighter in texture and are designed to add body and fullness to limp hair without weighing them down.

Also Read: Learn the right way to apply conditioner to reduce dryness and frizz

What ingredients should you look for in a hair conditioner?

While selecting the best hair conditioner for your hair type, it is important to pay attention to the ingredients. Look for formulations that supply the essential humectants, emollients and proteins.

• Moisturising agents: A conditioner works effectively to nourish, moisturise and smooth down your strands. So, while buying a hair conditioner, make sure to pay attention to moisturising agents like glycerin, aloe vera and panthenol. These humectants are suitable for dry hair, curly or coarse hair and frizzy hair. They can help to draw moisture from the environment into the hair, soothe the scalp and improve hair elasticity. A study published in SKINmed Journal states that glycerin-containing hair products can help to tame dehydration, improve the stratum corneum barrier function and also have a significant impact on dandruff condition.
• Proteins: Ingredients like keratin, silk amino acids and hydrolyzed wheat protein may be beneficial for weak, brittle, colour-treated and fine hair types. They may help to strengthen the hair by filling in gaps along the hair shaft, repairing damage, and preventing breakage. A study published in ResearchGate states that keratin can recover and improve the mechanical properties of over-bleached hair.
• Oils and butter: Ingredients like argan oil, shea butter and coconut oil may help provide deep nourishment to your very dry, coarse, curly and frizzy hair. They may even help to seal in moisture, add shine, reduce protein loss and soften the strands. A study published in the International Journal of Trichology states that oils like argan oil and coconut oil may help to prevent protein loss, provide slip-in between the strands, increase elasticity and provide a moisturising effect.
• Hyaluronic acid: It is one of the most powerful humectants that may help to attract moisture from the environment into the hair, helping to maintain hydration levels and prevent dryness. A study published in ResearchGate states that hyaluronic acid can provide smoothing, hydrating and reparative effects.
• Silicones: This ingredient can coat the hair shaft, providing a protective barrier that seals in moisture, adds shine and makes hair easier to manage. Suitable for frizzy hair, silicones like dimethicone, amodimethicone and Cyclomethicone may help to reduce frizz, protect hair from heat damage and make your hair feel smooth. According to the International Journal of Trichology, silicones can enhance the shine of the hair fibres, protect the hair shaft from abrasive actions and increase hair body.
• Natural extracts: Organic ingredients like green tea extract chamomile extract or tea tree oil may help enhance your hair health. These ingredients are suitable for sensitive scalps and may help to provide soothing benefits to the scalp. They may even help promote hair growth, add shine to the hair, reduce hair loss and maintain scalp health. According to the Journal of American Academy of Dermatology, tea tree oils can provide antifungal properties, preventing dandruff and improving scalp health.

What ingredients to avoid in a hair conditioner?

Along with beneficial ingredients, some conditioners also contain harmful ingredients. So, while looking for a good conditioner for your hair type, be aware of the ingredients that can damage your hair. Dr Natasha says, “Sulphate, paraben and alcohol are such ingredients that are included in conditioners. They can strip the hair of its necessary oils, leave a negative effect on hormones and cause dryness.”

It is advised to avoid products that are packed with artificial colours, mineral oil and silicones as they can block moisture penetration, cause build-up on the shaft, allergic reactions and irritation. According to the Journal of Cosmetic Science, mineral oil cannot penetrate perfectly into the hair shaft and has no significant impact on damaged hair.

Tips to choose the best hair conditioner

The right hair conditioner may help you get smooth, soft and healthy strands. So, follow these tips to select the perfect conditioner for your hair needs.

1. Best hair conditioner for dry hair

Dry hair lacks moisture, so while looking for a conditioner, make sure to opt for an enriching conditioner that is packed with humectants. “Ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid, shea butter, argan oil and coconut oil will work best for dry hair as it can deeply nourish and soften the hair,” says the expert. People with dry hair may avoid light or volumizing conditioners as they may not be moisturising enough.

2. Best conditioner for oily hair

Lightweight conditioners may work the best for oily hair as they won’t weigh it down. A balancing or clarifying conditioner may be effective as it can help you get rid of unwanted oils without removing vital moisture. “Ingredients like tea tree oil or witch hazel may help control the sebum production. Make sure to avoid thick, heavy or moisturising conditioners and opt for volumizing conditioners as they can prevent a flat look between washes,” as per Dr Natasha.

3. Best conditioner for straight hair

Straight hairs usually range from fine and limp to thick and coarse. When choosing a hair conditioner for this hair type, opt for a product that can add volume to your strands. Volumizing conditioners can be effective as they add body and lift. Dr Nastasha says, “If you have thicker and straighter hair, then a conditioner with hydrating properties will help.”

4. Best conditioner for curly hair

Curly hair tends to dry out and can be frizzy. To revive and transform the health of your curly hair, opt for a good moisturising conditioner that can help hydrate your curls. Choose products that contain humectants and emollients and avoid the heavy ones as they weigh down curls.

5. Best conditioners for wavy hair

A moisturising conditioner will work best for wavy hair as it can add volume to the waves while taming frizz. Make sure to opt for conditioners that can provide a balanced hydration and proper definition to your hair.

6. Best conditioner for damaged hair

Damaged hair is easy to pull and is prone to breakage. To repair and strengthen your damaged hair, opt for a deep conditioning treatment. Damage repair conditioners can help to bring back the normal texture of your hair, according to the expert.

What is the right way of applying a hair conditioner?

To get the maximum benefits of a hair conditioner, it is essential to use it correctly. The expert gives a few tips for using conditioners for effective results:

• Use conditioners from ends to mid-lengths as hair is driest and prone to damage in these areas.
• You can use a wide-toothed comb to evenly distribute the product throughout the hair while combing out tangles and clumps.
• Let the product sit for some minutes.
• Then, rinse it out with cool water to close the cuticle for more shine.

What is a healthy hair care practice?

It is essential to follow a healthy hair care practice to maintain the health of your strands. Dr Natasha Vijendran says, “Wash your hair with a sulphate-free shampoo and lukewarm water for gentle cleansing, followed by a conditioner.” Besides using these hair care products, make sure to get your hair trimmed every 6 to 8 weeks to stop split ends. While using styling tools, make sure to use heat protection serums and sprays. Along with this, always take a shower with cold water to seal the cuticle and avoid rubbing your hair with a towel. You should also reduce the use of chemical treatments, consume good amounts of protein, iron, zinc, and omega-3 fatty acids and drink at least 3 litres of water daily. In addition to these things, using a silk pillowcase and massaging your scalp can help improve your hair by increasing blood circulation and reducing friction.

Follow these expert tips to choose the best conditioner for your hair type and get shinier, more manageable and healthier strands.