Everything you need to know about conditioner
- 11 min reading time
Conditioner – one of the most underrated haircare products there is. You probably know what a conditioner (a.k.a. rinse-out conditioner) is and that you use it after shampoo. Some people always apply a generous dollop of conditioner to their hair. Others may have had an unpleasant experience, like weighed-down or greasy hair. But should should you actually use a conditioner? And what does it actually do? In this blog, we tell you everything you need to know about conditioner!
What is a conditioner?
A conditioner is an important part of caring for your hair. Conditioners come in all shapes and sizes – each with a different purpose. But there is one thing every conditioner has in common: it helps your hair absorb moisture. You can compare it to a cream for the skin, which among other things prevents the skin (or in this case the hair) from drying out. Often, extra nourishing or hydrating ingredients are added to the conditioner, such as plant extracts or vitamins. And last, but definitely not least: it closes your hair cuticles. This is because conditioners often have a lower pH value. And closing these cuticles is very important, because:
What does a conditioner do?
Before we explain what a conditioner does, it’s helpful to first understand what a shampoo does. The purpose of shampoo is to cleanse your hair of styling residues, sebum, dirt, etc. It often contains nourishing ingredients, but cleansing your hair is a different goal than caring for your hair. A shampoo (especially one with sulfates) also opens your hair cuticles to thoroughly clean everything. These cuticles overlap like roof tiles on the outer layer of your hair. Due to factors like rough towel drying, bleaching, coloring, and UV rays, the cuticles get damaged, resulting in fragile and dry hair. You can feel and see this: the hair feels rough, frizzes easily, tangles, feels straw-like, looks dull, and most importantly: not healthy.
Open hair cuticles make your hair weak and more prone to damage. No go, then. The advantage of open hair cuticles is that the ingredients of the conditioner can be well absorbed, strengthening the hair from within. After that, the conditioner closes the hair cuticles and smooths the outer layer of the hair again.
Why should you use a conditioner?
Healthy and shiny hair – that’s what we all want, right? You achieve healthy and shiny hair by hydrating and nourishing your hair often enough, keeping the hair cuticles closed, and avoiding damage. We recommend using a conditioner if you: wash your hair with shampoo, use heat tools, spend time regularly in the sun, have colored your hair, or vigorously rub your hair with a towel. These are all causes that damage or open the hair cuticles. For strong, shiny hair, the solution is simple: a nourishing/hydrating conditioner ;)
When do you use a conditioner?
Do you actually know why you use a conditioner after shampoo? Or do you use it on autopilot? While shampoo opens the hair cuticles to properly cleanse your hair, the conditioner closes them again. We therefore recommend always using a conditioner after every shampoo wash.
What is the advantage of using a conditioner that matches the shampoo you use?
Often you buy your hair products with a goal in mind. You want to get rid of greasy hair, you have lifeless hair, or you have a head of curls that need taming. To achieve your goal, matching a series of hair products (for example, a shampoo + conditioner from the same line) has several advantages. Products from the same range often contain the same type of ingredients, which ensures the same process. Additionally, they often have the same effect, so your hair ‘problem’ can be solved. Finally, they have the same scent, so you can enjoy it longer. Almost every shampoo has a matching conditioner, let’s match!
What types of conditioners are there?
Conditioners come in all shapes and sizes. Not every conditioner suits your hair; a ‘wrong’ conditioner can definitely affect the result. For example, fine hair really cannot handle a deep-nourishing, heavy balm conditioner – fine hair can’t absorb all of it, resulting in greasy roots and weighed-down hair. So for fine hair, it’s better to go for a conditioner spray – nice and light. On the other hand, such a conditioner spray is ‘too light’ for curly hair. Curls are naturally a bit drier and can use some extra hydration and nourishment, so a heavier conditioner is better. So look carefully at your hair type and needs and base your conditioner choice on that. We have listed all kinds of conditioners, find your fave!
- Cream conditioner, such as the Redken Extreme Conditioner.
- Conditioner spray, such as the Indola Hydrate Spray Conditioner.
- Leave-in conditioner
- Co-wash, such as the KeraCare Curlessence Co-Wash. Co-wash is a hair care technique where you wash your hair using only conditioner instead of shampoo. This method is especially popular among people with curly, frizzy, or dry hair. It helps to retain the hair's natural oils and moisture.
- Conditioner Bars - is the plastic-free alternative to the traditional, polluting plastic conditioner bottle. The conditioners are available in various scents and features.
In addition, many conditioners have other purposes. We have listed those as well:
- Conditioner for colored hair
- Conditioner for curls
- Conditioner for volume
- Conditioner for fine/thin hair & hair loss
- Conditioner for sensitive scalp
- Conditioner for bleached hair
Which conditioner suits my hair?
At Haarspullen.nl, we like to find the right hair products for your hair type. If you’re not quite sure, our in-house experts are happy to help. Below we have provided advice per hair type, but feel free to email or call us if you have any questions! Check which conditioner suits your hair type best:
Conditioner for fine and lifeless hair
You’ve probably had a fight with a conditioner in the past because it gave you limp and/or greasy hair. But don’t worry, from now on conditioner is no longer an enemy, but your best friend. With these do’s:
- Go for a conditioner spray instead of a cream-based spray
- Use the conditioner only on the ends and avoid the roots
- Check if the conditioner contains no heavy oils, as these can weigh your hair down
- View all conditioners for more volume here.
Conditioner for thick and unruly hair
Full and thick hair - beautiful until it doesn’t do what you want. It can quickly frizz or tangle. That’s why conditioner is your very best friend:
- Choose a conditioner that contains oil
- Use the conditioner on the ends and lengths, avoiding the roots
- Brush your hair in the shower while letting the conditioner soak in
Conditioner for curls
Curly-haired people who follow the CG method won’t just buy the first and best conditioner off the shelf. Carefully reading the ingredient list is a must and is done thoroughly. The CG method is a hair care routine where a specific regimen is essential for every curly-haired person. We recommend reading the blog The Curly Girl Method - From A to Z to find your perfect conditioner for curls!
What are the benefits of conditioner?
We’re all about the pro’s:
- It seals your hair cuticles
- Your hair stays strong and healthy
- Beautiful shine
- It works immediately, just leave it in and voilà!
- Your hair becomes easier to comb through
- It hydrates and nourishes the hair
- It prevents dry hair
- It strengthens your hair cuticles
- It reduces towel damage
Are silicones in conditioners really that good?
You hear it more and more: sulfate-free, paraben-free, silicone-free, etc. Silicones are often added to conditioners, but is that really good? Silicones form a thin (protective) layer around the outer hair shaft, making your hair feel smooth and shiny. They also protect against heat and make hair easier to comb. But just because hair feels smooth and healthy doesn’t mean it actually is. Some silicones are harmful and hard to wash out, sealing the hair so fewer nourishing ingredients or moisture can be absorbed. This can cause the hair to dry out further. But there are also ‘good’ silicones that your hair can tolerate and that can have beneficial effects, like protection against heat or the sun. For convenience, we have summarized everything:
Volatile silicones
These disappear within a few hours or when exposed to air:
- Decamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
- Hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane
- Hexamethyldisiloxane
- Octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane
Water-soluble silicones
These disappear when they come into contact with water:
- Diisostearoyl Trimethylolpropane Siloxy Silicate
- Dimethiconol
- Diphenyl Dimethicone
- Disiloxane
- Hydroxypropyl-polysiloxane
- Lauryl Methicone Copolyol
- phenyltrimethicone
- Silica
- Silicones Quaternium - 17/8
- Silsequioxane
- Trisiloxane
Shampoo-soluble silicones
These dissolve when they come into contact with shampoo:
- Amodimethicone
- Aminopropyl Dimethicone
- aminopropyltriethoxysilane
- Bis-aminopropyl Dimethicone
- Dimethicone
- Dimethicone Copolyol
- Dimethicone Cross-Polymer
- polydimethylsiloxane
- Vinyl Dimethicone Cross-Polymer
Silicones you want to avoid:
These can build up in your hair, likely make your hair greasy, and are difficult to remove even with a strong shampoo:
- Behenoxy dimethicone
- Bis-phenylpropyl-dimethicone
- Cetyl dimethicone
- Cetearyl methicone
- Dimethiconol hydroxystearate
- Polysilicone-18 cetyl phosphate
- Propyl dimethicone
- Stearoxy dimethicone
- Stearyl dimethicone
- Stearylmethicone
- Trimethylsiloxysilica
- Trimethylsilylamodimethicone
What are the bestselling conditioners at Haarspullen?
We have listed the must-have conditioners:
- Fanola Nutri Care Conditioner
- Fudge Clean Blonde Damage Rewind Violet Conditioner
- Schwarzkopf BlondMe Light Conditioner Spray
- Goldwell Dualsenses Curls & Waves Hydrating Conditioner
- Olaplex No. 5 Conditioner
- L’Oréal Serie Expert Absolut Repair Conditioner
- Redken Acidic Bonding Concentrate Conditioner
- TIGI Resurrection Conditioner
- L’Oréal Pro Longer Conditioner
- KIS No Yellow Conditioner
Do you want the perfect shampoo for your hair but don’t know which one it is? Check out all the conditioners here and find your favorite. Still unsure? Feel free to email or call us. Our in-house experts are always happy to help!
Credits picture: https://www.instagram.com/juliacatharinax/
