15 Best Conditioners To Maintain Healthy Hair, A Cosmetologist’s Picks
Moisturize the weaker strands and prevent split ends from ruining your hair.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist 
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... more
aditi naskarMA (English Literature), Diploma In Health & Wellness Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is ... more
anjali sayeeBTech Experience: 7 yearsAnjali is an associate editor at StyleCraze. She specializes in hairstyles and hair and skin care and has written over 200 articles in these domains. She has 7 years of experience, and her philosophy ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
To get the best results from your hair wash, you need a moisturizing conditioner besides a good shampoo. The best conditioner for healthy hair will focus on your lengths, impart nourishment and moisture to your hair to strengthen it, add shine, and prevent split ends. If you find the best conditioner for your hair and use it regularly, you will surely notice a positive change soon.
Check out our compilation of the 15 best conditioners for healthy hair to find the one that best suits you. Keep scrolling!
In This Article
15 Best Conditioners To Maintain Healthy Hair
1. Best Overall:Maple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner
The Maple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner is a non-toxic option packed with the goodness of natural ingredients like shea butter, green tea, aloe vera, jojoba oil, pomegranate, argan oil, keratin, silk amino acids, and hibiscus.
The conditioner strengthens brittle and frail hair. It also detangles fine curls and minimizes static in fine, straight hair.
The jojoba oil and argan oil have essential vitamin E that nourishes and moisturizes your hair. This vitamin coats your hair strands and reduces hair coarseness. It leaves your locks feeling silky smooth without weighing your hair down.
This conditioner for finer hair types is free of parabens and sulfates. It also is cruelty-free. The hair conditioner has a pleasant fragrance. Reviewers on Amazon claim that the conditioner tamed frizzy hair, added moisture back to it, and made it easy to manage.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Minimizes hair static
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- May not suit hair that is too dry or damaged
- Dispenses in lumps
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
It has received 12,265 reviews on Amazon and is a popular choice among shoppers.
2. Best For Brittle Hair:SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Hair Conditioner
The SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Hair Conditioner detangle hair, controls frizz, and hydrates hair without weighing it down. It is ideal for color-treated, straight, curly, wavy, and permed hair. It contains essential nutrients like shea butter and Jamaican black castor oil that straighten and nourish your brittle, damaged locks. The conditioner helps maintain the color, tone, depth, and glossiness of your hair. The product also minimizes hair shedding and breakage.
The SheaMoisture conditioner has the richness of peppermint oil that stimulates your scalp and leaves your hair rejuvenated and glossy. It creates a protective layer on your hair and treats split ends. It enhances the overall hair appearance.
Generously apply the conditioner to your wet hair after shampooing. Comb for uniform distribution. Wait for three minutes and rinse out properly for a clean feeling.
This conditioner is free of sulfates, silicones, parabens, petroleum, phthalates, propylene glycol, and mineral oil. It also is cruelty-free.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Petroleum-free
- Phthalate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- No propylene glycol
- Suits most hair types
- Safe for colored hair
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Larger quantity required
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The product has more than 1,295 reviews and is a top choice all around the world.
3. Best For Scalp Psoriasis:Kenkoderm Conditioner For Sensitive Hair And Skin
Add body and shine to your hair with the Kenkoderm Conditioner For Sensitive Hair and Skin. This conditioner is formulated and developed by dermatologists who focus on preventing psoriasis flares. The rich and highly-moisturizing conditioner leaves your hair and scalp feeling healthy, hydrated, and shiny without being weighed down.
Enriched with panthenol, this formula adds lubrication and softness to your hair and eradicates tangles, knots, dryness, and damage. It improves your scalp health by repairing split ends, strengthening damaged hair, and improving hair’s resilience and elasticity to prevent breakage.
Pros
- Moisturizing formula
- Improves scalp psoriasis
- Boosts shine and softness
- Suitable for sensitive scalp
- Tangle-free formula
- Dermatologist-approved
- Color-free formula
- Fragrance-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Aluminum-free
Cons
- None
"I love using this conditioner in my routine. It is great for my sensitive hair. It helps me manage my scalp psoriasis. It makes my hair feels calmer, while reducing the itchiness."
Pro TipMaple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner Best Overall | SheaMoisture Strengthen and Restore Hair Conditioner Best For Brittle Hair | Kenkoderm Conditioner For Sensitive Hair And Skin Best For Scalp Psoriasis | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Oily, Color Treated, Dry, Normal, short, long, wavy, straight, curly, color-treated., Damaged | Curly | Dry, Damaged |
| Dimensions | 7.5 x 2 x 7.25 inches | 2.68 x 2.68 x 6.45 inches | - |
| Weight | 8 Ounces | 13 Ounces | - |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 12,265 | 1,295 | - |
| Price | $11.95 | $8.97 | $16.99 |
4. Best For Long-Lasting Shine:TRESemmé Moisture Rich Conditioner
The TRESemmé Moisture Rich Conditioner is powered with vitamin E and biotin that moisturize your dry and dull hair. The product restores hair bounce and vibrancy with an advanced hydrating formula, allowing you natural hair movement. It optimizes hair moisturization and treats dryness. This affordable option also retains natural hair moisture.
The conditioner is lightweight and does not weigh your hair down. It reviews dull, dry hair for a soft, touchable feel.
Pros
- Best suits for dry, damaged hair
- Does not weigh hair down
- Offers long-lasting shine
- Retains natural hair moisture
Cons
- Supports animal testing
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
This product is so liked by shoppers that it has gained over 14,584 great reviews on Amazon.
5. Best Hydrating Formula:Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner
If you have color-treated, medium to thick hair, the Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner would suit you the best. It deeply moisturizes your dry scalp and tresses with the goodness of green tea, jojoba oil, sage, and a signature mix of menthol, greens, and mint.
The deep conditioner comes with a vegan formula. It is free of parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil. It also is cruelty-free. Its original anti-fade complex helps retain hair color vibrancy and offers enduring color pay-off.
The vitamin E, sunflower seed, and UV filters in the product help fight environmental effects like pollution that may otherwise fade the hair color out. It also promotes long-lasting hair shine. It has a lightweight formula that untangles knotty hair and leaves it soft and smooth. This lightweight conditioner works best on thick, dry, colored, bleached, permed, and frizzy hair types. The people’s experience in a consumer study of 82 participants with self-perceived dry hair suggests the conditioner instantly softened their hair and gave it a healthy appearance.
This conditioner is super-concentrated. A single bottle gives you 70 uses. It also has a pleasant, rejuvenating fragrance.
Pros
- Suitable for many hair types
- Safe for colored hair
- Highly concentrated
- Does not weigh your hair down
- Gentle on scalp and hair
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- 100% vegan
Cons
- No pump dispenser
- Not suitable for oily hair
- Expensive
Quick Tip6. Best For Daily Use:Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner
The Moroccanoil Hydrating Conditioner works best for dry, brittle hair. It untangles hair and leaves it soft, smooth, and easy to style. The hydrating conditioner is infused with argan oil rich in antioxidants, hydrating red algae, and vitamins A and E. These ingredients offer optimum moisturization for dry and normal hair. The red algae attract moisture naturally.
This hydrating conditioner helps restore and repair your damaged locks. It is a highly concentrated formula suitable for everyday use. It also detangles and nourishes your dry hair to replenish its moisture balance.
After you shampoo your hair, apply the conditioner from the roots to the tips. Leave it on for 1 to 2 minutes and rinse.
Pros
- Soothes scalp
- Pleasant fragrance
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phosphate-free
Cons
- May make hair rough
- Issues with product consistency
7. Best For Dry Hair:Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner
The Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner deeply moisturizes your dull to normal hair. The formula contains special Caviar and Protein Complex that replenish the lost nutrients in your hair. They also reinforce the hair surface and seal the natural moisture for a day.
This moisturizer also works best for dry hair. It offers a revitalizing hair protein treatment and leaves your locks super silky from morning until night. You may now transform your dull, dry hair into lustrous, smooth locks.
The conditioner does not feel greasy on your hair. It also is free of silicones.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Silicone-free
- Does not make hair greasy
Cons
- Expensive
"This conditioner is so comforting to use. It helps improve my hair's texture and health. It offers a blend that's both rich and nourishing. It helps with detangling along with adding shine and softness."
8. Best For Frizzy Hair:OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner
The OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner is infused with coconut oil that works wonders on rough, dry, and frizzy hair. It moisturizes your locks, tames flyaways, and restores your hair’s natural softness. The conditioner is best suited for frizzy hair as its coconut oil repairs and softens the tresses and leaves them bouncy.
The conditioner comes with vanilla bean extract and tiare essence. The goodness of white peach, shea butter, and creamy coconut will leave your hair with an irresistibly pleasant fragrance. This product is free of sulfates and parabens.
Pros
- Suits most hair types
- Pleasant fragrance
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Tames flyaways
Cons
- Difficult to use
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The extensive 15,904 rave reviews on Amazon prove why we are vouching for this product.
9. Best With A Mild Formula:Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Conditioner
The Garnier Fructis Grow Strong Conditioner suits best for dry or frizzy hair. This paraben-free conditioner, together with active fruit proteins, plant- and fruit-based extracts, and vitamins B3 and B6, make your hair healthier and stronger.
This conditioner contains apple extracts and ceramide that help strengthen hair and make it glossier. It is vegan and paraben-free. The product is mild on your hair for daily use.
After shampooing, apply this conditioner to damp hair from the roots to the tips. Rinse and follow with a leave-in hair conditioner.
Pros
- Suitable for most hair types
- Sulfate-free
- Vegan
Cons
- May feel heavy on hair
"This Garnier's Grow Strong conditioner works so well. My curls feel pampered every time I use it. It makes my hair softer and easy to manage. It adds shine along with a delightful scent that lingers throughout the day."
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 9,416 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
10. Best For Damage Repair:Renpure Coconut Cream Nourishing Conditioner
The Renpure Coconut Cream Nourishing Conditioner comes with the goodness of rich vitamins, fats, and minerals that work wonders on even the dullest or driest hair. The creamy, rich, and replenishing formula offers restorative care and helps treat dry and brittle hair.
The conditioner is natural and plant-based. It makes your tresses healthy from the root to the tip. It restores hair moisture and shine in dull tresses that have endured heat damage or any styling or chemical treatment. It also protects curly, color-treated hair.
Apply the conditioner generously to your hair after shampooing. Work it through to the hair ends, wait for 2 to 3 minutes, and rinse out. This product is free of sulfates, parabens, dyes, phthalates, gluten, formaldehyde, and propylene glycol.
Pros
- Safe, plant-based formula
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Dye-free
- Formaldehyde-free
- Propylene glycol-free
- Suits curly hair
- Suits color-treated hair
Cons
- Cannot detangle long hair
- Overpowering coconut smell
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 6,044 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
11. Best For Sensitive Scalp:Aveeno Rose Water and Chamomile Blend Conditioner
The Aveeno Rose Water and Chamomile Blend Conditioner suits soft hair and sensitive scalp. Its colloidal oatmeal extract leaves your locks soft and soothes your scalp. It is a farm-fresh product infused with chamomile and rosewater, two nourishing ingredients that work best on a sensitive scalp. It is a mild formula that gently cleanses your hair. You can use this chamomile blend on your hair every day to strengthen frail, fine hair.
This conditioner is free of dyes, sulfates, and parabens. It is safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair.
Pros
- Suits sensitive scalp
- Suits all hair types
- Suits color-treated hair
- Clinically proven
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Dye-free
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- None
"This shampoo is superb. It is an excellent pick for anyone with sensitive scalp. The formula is so gentle and deeply conditioning. It leaves my hair nourished without causing irritation."
12. Best Vegan-Friendly:Lavender Mint Moisturizing Conditioner
The Lavender Mint Moisturizing Conditioner detangles, hydrates, and softens your dry, rough tresses. It has a pleasant fragrance. Its special ingredients quench your coarse, thirsty hair with extra-rich conditioners. They also boost hair manageability and reduce split ends.
The balmy lavender, tea tree, and mint soothe your senses. After you shampoo, take a small amount of this conditioner and apply it to your wet hair. Massage gently and rinse.
This conditioner is vegan, color-safe, and gluten- and paraben-free. This conditioner for drier hair also fights hair frizz and boosts shine.
Pros
- Pleasant fragrance
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
Cons
- None
"This conditioner can work well on various hair types. It has a delightful scent and is very moisturizing. It is great for detangling. It does not leave any greasy residue."
13. Best Dermatologically-Tested:Free & Clear Hair Conditioner
The Free & Clear Hair Conditioner adds volume and body to your hair without irritating your scalp. It is gentle even on the most sensitive skin. This non-medicated hair conditioner untangles strands, reduces hair breakage, and leaves your locks smooth and soft.
This moisturizing conditioner hydrates your scalp and hair and helps balance the scalp pH levels. The creamy and thick formula does not leave any residue behind. It is easy to rinse off. The formula is mild on your scalp.
The calming ingredients of this conditioner manage excess oil, prevent tangles, eliminate dandruff, and protect your hair from damage. This product is free of irritants like artificial fragrances, dyes, parabens, lanolin, gluten, betaine, sulfates, preservatives, phosphates, and formaldehyde. It is safe for color- and chemically-treated hair. It is dermatologically-tested as well.
Pros
- Suits sensitive scalp
- Dermatologically-tested
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Safe for chemically-treated hair
- Boosts hair volume
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phosphate-free
- Gluten-free
- Lanolin-free
- Dye-free
- Artificial fragrance-free
- Preservative-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
- May cause breakouts in some
14. Best Hair Smoothening Formula: MATRIX Total Results Mega Sleek Conditioner
The MATRIX Total Results Mega Sleek Conditioner nourishes every strand to leave your hair shiny, healthy, and smooth. The product has the goodness of shea butter that helps fight unwanted frizz or flyaways. It moisturizes and smoothes your hair and helps treat hair damage caused by external environmental elements.
The formula is suitable for dry, colored, damaged, and normal hair. The shea butter helps seal the hair cuticles and controls hair frizz.
Pros
- No residue
- Pleasant fragrance
Cons
- Contains parabens
- Consistency could be too thick
"This hair product is quite effective for taming frizz. It leaves my hair very smooth. The formula is rich, so a little goes a long way, even for those with coarse or textured hair."
15. Best For Humidity:Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner
Image: Pantene The Pantene Smooth & Sleek Conditioner helps fight your frizzy hair. Its micro-moisturizers cover each hair strand and keep your tresses hydrated, nurtured, and extremely soft to touch. Its Pro-V nutrients nourish your hair from the root to the tip. The Pro-V formula works wonders to pervade each strand and fight hair damage. It also helps tame frizzy hair.
The perfect blend of argan oil and avocado helps replenish dry, dull hair and fights humidity. The creamy, luxurious formula also boosts hair manageability.
Pros
- Offers long-lasting softness
- Safe on colored or permed hair
- Does not weigh hair down
- Pleasant smell
- Comes in a twin pack
Cons
- None
"This conditioners works like magic on my thick hair. It untangles and smoothes. It makes my hair easy to manage without the unruly flyaways. It even makes my hair soft."
Conditioners can go a long way in protecting the health and shine of your hair. Before making a purchase, make sure you keep the following pointers in mind.
How To Choose The Best Conditioner For Your Hair
Ingredients
If you want to maintain the health of your hair, it is very important to keep an eye on the ingredient list of your hair care products. Skip those that have chemicals like parabens, sulfates, silicones, petroleum or phthalate. Focus on conditioners that have nourishing components such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, avocado oil, or olive oil. Those whose hair is on the drier side can go for hair products containing shea or cocoa butter.
Hair Type
If you have curly wavy hair texture, your number one priority should be keeping your locks moisturized. Make sure you condition every time you shampoo your mane. Go for deep conditioning products and make sure to keep it in your hair at least 5-10 minutes post shampooing.
If you have fine and straight hair, opt for lightweight conditioners that would not weigh your hair down. You should avoid products that will cause build-up in your hair or will make your tresses appear lanky and dull. Also, you should wash out your conditioner 3-5 minutes post application.
Hair Concerns
If you have colored hair, your conditioner needs to be heavy-duty. Since coloring hair causes dryness and damage, you need to buy a conditioner that forms a protective layer over your hair and minimizes further wear and tear. Also, your product should be specially formulated for colored-treated hair, so that the hair color stays fresh for a long time.
Fragrance
Perfumed products are generally a no-go, especially if you have hair that is dry, frizzy or damaged. However, if great smelling hair is something that you absolutely cannot deal without, choose a conditioner with a mild scent.
Price
Conditioners come in a very wide price range – and being expensive does not naturally make it better. No matter the price, go for one that would suit your hair and keep your strands rejuvenated. There are many budget-friendly options in the market as well that offer great hair shine and softness.
Infographic: Hair Conditioners: Trivia, Ingredients, And How To Apply
Hair conditioners are a must-have in your hair wash routine to reintroduce the lost moisture to your strands after cleansing them. While most of us breeze through this step, did you know that there is a right way to apply hair conditioner? Yes!
Also, applying more or less than the required amount of product can make a difference to your hair’s overall appearance! Check out the below infographic to know about the best way to apply hair conditioners and get the best results every time. Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Conditioners can be the game changers if you want healthy, shiny, and frizz-free hair. Some conditioners are packed with natural ingredients that help in nourishing and rejuvenating your locks. You can also use dashes of conditioners to rebuild moisture in brittle and frail hair. Haircare enthusiasts highly recommend conditioners if you want to get rid of coarseness and nourish your strands thoroughly. The Maple Holistics Silk18 Conditioner softens the strands and minimizes static, the SheaMoisture Strengthen And Restore Hair Conditioner provides essential nourishment to damaged and color-treated locks, the Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner rejuvenates the hair and scalp with its vegan, anti-fade formula. People with dry and damaged hair should choose conditioners that contain hair emollients that can add moisture to their locks and nourish their strands to the roots. However, you should steer clear of conditioners that contain parabens, phthalates, and sulfates, or make your hair greasier.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti is an avid hair care enthusiast who loves finding new products that improve your hair. Hair conditioners moisturize your hair, increasing shine and health, along with other benefits mentioned above. The recommends using these 15 conditioners after conducting intense research and investigations on many products and their reviews. She put these products on this list based on their formula, absence of harsh ingredients, hair care benefits, and additional benefits like color-safeness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do hair conditioners work?
Yes, hair conditioners do work on your hair to make it smooth and glossy. Using the best conditioner will treat your split ends. They also make your hair easier to style. The best hair conditioners help strengthen the hair shaft, prevent hair fall and breakage, and moisturize hair.
What happens if you leave the conditioner in your hair for too long?
Leaving a hair conditioner in your hair for too long can further harm your damaged hair. Dry, brittle hair is extremely porous and can break easily with the conditioner staying on for too long. Hence, after shampooing, apply the hair conditioner to your wet hair. Massage gently and leave it on for 2 to 3 minutes before you rinse.
Can you use too much conditioner?
No, you should not use too much hair conditioner. Doing so would cover your tresses with heavy build-up, making your hair dull, unmanageable, and lifeless. Not using a conditioner at all will make your hair dry and difficult to comb. Always match the best conditioner for frizzy hair to your hair type and length.
Should you wash all the conditioner out of your hair?
No, do not rinse all the conditioner out of your hair. Place your head under the tap or faucet to rinse out some of the product until your hair is clean. The remnant conditioner will preserve the moisture in the hair.
How long should I leave the conditioner in my hair?
You should leave the conditioner in your hair for 2 to 3 minutes to let your tresses absorb the product. Use a comb to slide through your hair to ensure even distribution of the conditioner. You may rinse after that.
Does it matter what conditioner you use?
Yes, it matters what conditioner you use. Choose the best natural conditioner with no harsh chemicals. Look for products with argan oil, Shea butter, green tea extract, and other plant-based ingredients. Choose conditioners that are free of parabens, sulfates, and other chemicals. Cruelty-free conditioners are a bonus.
Can coconut oil be a conditioner?
Yes, you can use coconut oil as a conditioner to replenish the natural oil balance of your hair. The oil treats hair frizz and keeps your tresses smooth, soft, and manageable.
