Conditioners work to hydrate, smooth and soften hair by providing essential moisture-rich ingredients such as shea butter, glycerin and panthenol to deeply condition tresses – as well as plant-based oils like safflower, jojoba, and avocado oil for an infusion of nourishment into locks.
For fine hair or sensitive scalps, look for formulas free from silicones, sulfates, phthalates and artificial dyes.
Moisture
Moisture in the air, particularly under humid conditions, tends to increase significantly. When moisture levels reach this threshold, your HVAC system may have to work harder than usual to keep indoor temperatures cool; in excess moisture causes your home to feel warmer than it should and leads to higher energy costs and bills. By maintaining comfortable humidity levels you can lower excess moisture, leading to improved comfort, reduced utility bills and decreased mold growth.
Moisturizing agents found in conditioners designed to hydrate hair strands are known as moisturizing agents. These ingredients include humectants that hydrate, as well as oil free moisturisers which seal in that hydration. Conditioners that contain both usually contain emollients which help detangle and can even add fragrances that enhance overall hair and scalp wellness. When applying moisturizing conditioner, section hair out evenly before applying enough product saturating each segment and finger-detangling before finally rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Shine
This conditioner is a go-to product among stylists due to its combination of hair-loving ingredients that work to enhance shine, smooth flyaways and prevent color fade. Plus, its lightweight formula easily works through tangled strands while being free from silicone, parabens and phthalates!
Good Housekeeping associate editor InStyle recommends this product, which works wonders on wavy and coily strands prone to frizz. Packed with shea butter-infused formula and shea oil to add moisture, while linoleic acid and passion fruit kernel oil offer essential vitamins and nutrients essential for healthier-looking locks.
Blondes trust this fade-preventing conditioner to keep their locks looking vibrant and healthy. Formulated with a patented anti-fade complex, it promises to keep color looking bright and healthy, while boasting an aromatic herbal scent. Shea butter and oils protect strands from sun damage while essential linoleic acid and vitamin E nutrients promote strong hair.
Strength
Conditioners not only give hair gloss, but they also add manageability by softening and increasing its elasticity. In addition, some conditioners contain substances which temporarily repair split ends; typically this works by covering each damaged inner structure with the same substance that coats the cuticle of hair strands.
Conditioning ingredients like Polyquaternium-10 or Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride as well as long chain fatty alcohols like Ceteareth-20 are used as conditioning ingredients, and may help ensure emulsion stability – which may become problematic with cationic materials in an acidic environment. These are often combined with ethoxylated emulsifiers in order to provide greater emulsion stability.
Instant conditioners are water thin aqueous solutions designed to be left on hair for short periods before being rinsed off, typically containing low levels of cationic materials and fatty alcohols, making them suitable for daily use on minimally damaged locks. Leave-in conditioners, however, contain higher concentrations of these elements and serve the additional function of protecting against heat styling damage and frizz.
Detangling
Discovering your hair tangled is enough to ruin any good day, but there’s an easy solution: detangling conditioner or spray. To work around these knots without risking breaking off pieces of your own strands.
Leave-in conditioning spray or detangler can add an extra layer of moisture and slip to your locks, making tangle-combing simpler with wide-toothed comb or detangling brush. Start at the ends and work toward roots for best results.
Stick with the directions on the packaging when it comes to how long to leave conditioner in your hair, and rinse thoroughly afterwards. Prolonged exposure could weigh down or build-up residue that leads to greasy or dull locks, potentially leaving behind residue-heavy locks behind.
