You’ve probably seen leave-in conditioning products in the hair care aisle, but you may not know precisely what they are, or which one is best for your hair. As the name suggests, leave-in conditioners are simply conditioners that you leave in your hair after applying them; you do not rinse them away as with most conditioners. They are designed to lock moisture into the hair shaft, or in the case of damaged and dry hair, to attract moisture back into the hair. The products contain a number of nutrients and reactants to moisturize your hair, leaving it more flexible, stronger, and less prone to breaking. Leave-in conditioners prevent split ends and make your hair frizz-free, tangle-free and manageable. From scalp to ends, a leave-in product will offer daily protection to your hair. It will be easier to style, and will keep looking great for the whole day.
Why Choose Leave-In Conditioners?
One of the best things about these products is that they are so easy to apply. Many of us are too busy to take the time to shampoo and deep-condition our hair every day. A leave-in conditioner can help you have great hair without taking time away from your hectic schedule. After your shower, you won’t believe how effortless it will be to get a brush or comb through your hair when you use these leave-in products. Drying, styling, and even curling your hair will be a breeze.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Leave-In Conditioners
All products have their good points and drawbacks, and these conditioners are no exception. In general, we highly recommend leave-ins, but there are some people who may not benefit from them. Here are a few of the pluses and minuses to give you an idea of what to expect.
Advantages
Will hydrate hair even under adverse conditions
Can be used easily between shampoos
Fights frizz, and gets rid of static in the winter months
Leaves hair manageable
Prevents damage caused by extreme temperatures
De-tangles hair easily
Some of these products protect color
Nourishes hair
Is best for frizzy and dry hair
Takes less time to use (no rinsing)
Light weight leave-in conditioners are available for thin or fine hair
Disadvantages
Can make hair feel hard or crunchy sometimes
Can weigh down thin or fine hair
Too much moisture can make hair messy
How to Find the Best Leave-In Product for Your Hair
To choose any kind of hair products, you must first know exactly what type of scalp and hair you have. Understanding what you’ve got to work with in terms of your scalp and hair makes the process of choosing a conditioner easier. If your hair is damaged, curly, frizzy, thick or dry, you should choose a conventional leave-in product that is richer. However, a more light-weight product is better for very oily, fine or thin hair, because a heavier conditioner can make this type of hair limp and lifeless.
It’s best to do some research before you hit the shampoo aisle, to avoid wasting money on a lot of trial and error. Find out what hair experts recommend for your hair type and texture, and do some online browsing of leave-in conditioners and the different ingredients that they contain. Try to find out what the purpose of each ingredient is. You may still have to try a few brands before you get the right product for you, but at least you’ll have a better idea of where to start.
The Top Leave-In Conditioners
1. Africa’s Best Organics Extra Virgin Olive Oil Leave-in Conditioner
This is among the top rated leave-in products reviewed on Amazon. Here’s why.
First of all, the price: 6 dollars. You can’t beat that. Customer reviews agree that this product is great for heat-treated, colored, or permed hair, as well as distressed or damaged hair. Both male and female customers have gotten extraordinary results with this conditioner.
Here’s what people are saying about it:
It works for any type of hair
Over time it makes hair silky and smoother
Lifeless, limp hair goes back to being bouncy and shiny
After using for just a short time, you’ll notice that hair isn’t breaking as easily
It’s an instant solution to frizzy hair
It’s highly moisturizing
It contains Extra Virgin Olive Oil to strengthen and revitalize hair from scalp to ends
2. Boot Hair Leave-In Conditioner Coconut and Almond Normal
This product from Thailand is recommended if your hair is normal to dry. The active ingredients include natural coconut and almond extracts to de-tangle, smoothen and soften your hair. Apply it to hair that’s been shampooed and towel-dried, and work it through the whole length of your hair.
3. Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner
This product was awarded the Reader’s Choice Beauty Award by Teen Vogue. It is excellent at repairing damaged and heat-treated hair. The main active ingredients, silk and aloe extracts, strengthen each hair shaft while moisturizing effectively. If you love to go wild with the blow dryer, curling rods or straightening iron, you’ll be glad to hear that this conditioner also protects hair from heat. Just spray it on your hair right after washing, working it into your locks. It’s that easy.
According to the many positive reviews by customers, regular use will yield amazing results.
4. Paul Mitchell: The Original Leave-In Conditioner
This product is among the most highly recommended leave-in conditioners around. It can be used to make any type of hair look its very best.
Any hair texture will be improved through regular use
It prevents hair from drying out
Balanced moisture leaves your hair smooth and soft
As an added bonus, it also moisturizes skin
It’s recommended that you store this product somewhere cool and dry to give it a longer shelf life. Actual customers, both women and men, have attested that this product works extremely well for them, and that they enjoyed using it. Be sure to try it out.
5. It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
Most satisfied customers thank this conditioning product for giving them beautiful hair. Many positive reviews urge you to try this product yourself. Like so many of these conditioners, it’s designed to be highly effective at repairing damaged and dry hair. The spray-on formula combats fly-away and frizzy hair, as well as taming and adding shine to your hair. This product is also recommended for colored hair, as it can help to lock in and protect the color. If you use heat to style your hair, this formula will prevent thermal damage to your hair too. It really is as miraculous as the name suggests.
Also, using it is not difficult. After you shampoo and condition, spray on this product and then comb it into your hair thoroughly. You will soon notice it detangling and increasing your hair’s body as it repairs damage. It can also prevent split ends. It really is a miracle in a bottle. Try it and see for yourself.
6. Beauty Without Cruelty Leave-In Conditioner
Here are some of the important features of this product:
Great for de-tangling and preventing split ends
Won’t make your hair greasy-looking even if you use it every day
Plant-based formula works for all types of hair
Organic pure essential oils deep-condition hair while protecting from heat, chemicals and harmful substances
So, beauty can definitely be achieved without cruelty if you try this product – it’s not tested on animals! And most reviews by customers list this one as a favorite.
7. L’Oreal Paris EverPure Moisture Leave-In Conditioner, Rosemary Mint
This product is especially recommended for colored hair that feels damaged and dry. This conditioner moisturizes while it treats you to the aromatic fragrances of mint and rosemary. Pamper your colored hair, and increase the color and shine with this product by L’Oreal. Protect your hair from the sun’s damaging UV rays and help your color last longer. This product reverses damage while properly nourishing the cuticles of your hair. It leaves your hair in great condition and smelling great as well.
Customer reviews describe this leave-in as “awesome,” “perfect,” or “must have.” Try it out for yourself and hopefully you’ll feel the same way.
8. Alba Botanica Leave-In Conditioner
You can use this conditioner for either colored or natural hair, which is a bonus. It contains fortifying oxidants, natural plant-sourced proteins, and coconut oil to nourish and protect your hair. This natural formula contains nothing harmful, so don’t hesitate to try it. Before long dryness and damage will be a thing of the past and you’ll have strong, shiny and beautiful hair.
This light-weight leave-in treatment has customers raving about it. If you have damaged or dry hair, this product comes highly recommended.
Now It’s Your Turn
Now that you’ve had a chance to read about our top picks, give some of these leave-in conditioners a try so you can see for yourself how well they work. We hope that you’ll find the best leave-in conditioner that meets all of your needs.