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How Do I Choose the Best Leave-In Conditioner?

Amy Hunter
Amy Hunter

There are several ingredients that make up a good leave-in conditioner. Reading the ingredient list allows you to make sure you are selecting one that will work. Other reasons to choose a particular leave-in conditioner include consistency and scent. These are a matter of personal preference, rather than there being one specific best choice for all.

Ingredients to look for in a leave-in conditioner include acidifiers, oils, surfacants, detanglers, thermal protectors, reconstructors, glossers, and moisturizers. Each of these products have a different purpose in the conditioner. Acidifers, such as citric acid, lower the pH of the conditioner. This creates a stronger bond between the keratin structures of the hair. The result is sleeker, frizz-free hair.

Leave in shampoos contain reconstructors.
Leave in shampoos contain reconstructors.

Oils are added to leave-in conditioners to moisturize hair and make it softer and less coarse. Surfacants work by helping the conditioner bond to the hair shaft, creating a protective layer on the hair. Detanglers are polymers that coat the hair surface, and alter its structure, making it easier to comb.

Thermal protectors are not always included in leave-in conditioner. Thermal protectors protect the hair from heat styling. Conditioners that have thermal protectors add heat absorbing polymers to the conditioner. Choosing a leave-in conditioner with thermal protectors is important for those who routinely blow dry or heat style their hair.

Using a leave-in conditioner may increase the appearance of dandruff.
Using a leave-in conditioner may increase the appearance of dandruff.

Reconstructors are a type of protein that can penetrate the shaft of the hair, strengthening it. Glosses are chemicals such as dimethicone and silicone that attach to the surface of the hair, reflecting light. Moisturizers trap moisture in the hair, rather than letting it evaporate.

Leave-in conditioners come in several different consistencies. Leave-in conditioners in a spray bottle are lightweight and a particularly good choice for fine, thin hair. Leave-in conditioners are also available as heavier creams. These make a better choice for thick or curly hair. The added weight of a heavier conditioner can reduce fly-aways, and keep curls under control.

Some leave-in conditioners are formulated for use on thick or curly hair.
Some leave-in conditioners are formulated for use on thick or curly hair.

Scent is often consideration when choosing the best leave-in conditioner. Because the conditioner is not rinsed away, more of the smell remains than in a traditional conditioner. It is important to choose one that does not clash with perfumes or body sprays; unscented varieties are available for those concerned about this problem.

Price is also an important consideration when selecting a leave-in conditioner. You do not typically use leave-in conditioners every day, so you may feel comfortable paying a bit more for a product that contains all the ingredients you are looking for. Less expensive products may not contain oils and thermal protection. They may also use lower quality ingredients such as detanglers, which may not provide the best results. A mid-range brand from an established company that lists all of the components you are looking for in a leave-in conditioner is often the safest option if you are on a budget.

Discussion Comments

fify

I use a leave-in conditioner with silk protein and almond oil. It's so nice, it's the best leave-in conditioner I have used so far. It doesn't leave my hair greasy or heavy but the trick is using a very small amount and distributing it evenly throughout hair.

It removes tangles nicely and makes my hair soft, manageable and shiny. Before I found this particular leave-in conditioner, I could not even brush my hair after a shower. It would be so tangled and hard.

The only downside is that the product is kind of expensive. Considering that I use very little at a time though, it will still go a long way.

bear78

@ZipLine-- You should look up some of those terms in the ingredients list. Although they may sound odd, they're probably just thickeners or emollients which are not bad for your hair. I think that brands have to put the technical name for ingredients on the label. I mean, instead of water, they put "aqua." But that doesn't mean that it's bad for your hair.

You could also try all natural leave in conditioners. Many people use them and like them. I tried a leave-in conditioner once but the natural oils inside left my hair greasy and heavy and I didn't like that. I'm sure all natural leave-in conditioners are not the same though.

ZipLine

I just looked at the ingredients of my leave-in conditioner and I can't even read most of the ingredients. It sounds like a bunch of chemicals. The only good ingredient I could identify was lemon oil which is at the very end of the list. This leave-in conditioner isn't great, but it does de-tangle may hair decently. It's definitely not something that I would recommend to others.

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    • Leave in shampoos contain reconstructors.
      By: Irina Brinza
      Leave in shampoos contain reconstructors.
    • Using a leave-in conditioner may increase the appearance of dandruff.
      By: Jasmin Merdan
      Using a leave-in conditioner may increase the appearance of dandruff.
    • Some leave-in conditioners are formulated for use on thick or curly hair.
      By: indiraswork
      Some leave-in conditioners are formulated for use on thick or curly hair.
    • Leave-in conditioners come in several different consistencies.
      By: Valua Vitaly
      Leave-in conditioners come in several different consistencies.
    • Reconstructors are a protein that can help strengthen hair.
      By: puhhha
      Reconstructors are a protein that can help strengthen hair.