We all know it’s important to switch up your hair care just like your skin care each season. But leave-in conditioners are one product you need to keep in rotation all year long. There are two things to keep in mind with these types of treatments: your hair type and their ingredients. Someone with fine hair should never use the same conditioner as someone with thick hair. The same goes for someone with curly hair and someone with bone-straight strands.
There are certain key ingredients to keep an eye out for when shopping for leave-in conditioners. You want to search for versions boasting silicones, such as cyclomethicone and dimethicone copolyol, since they provide moisture and smoothness without weighing down your hair. Glycerin is an ideal moisturizer and humectant that works to define curls and tame frizz, but it’s important to steer clear of its synthetic form as it can be a health hazard. Instead, look for naturally-sourced glycerin made from pure coconut oil or shea butter. Both are great for locking in moisture.
See below for the best leave-in conditioners that promise to keep your hair healthy no matter the season.
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Best Leave-in Conditioners
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Best Leave-in Conditioners #1
Orlando Pita Play High Spirited Weightless Leave-In Conditioner, $20 at Macy's
Looking for a weightless leave-in conditioner that you can wear all day long and not even know it's there? This conditioner is for you. In addition to bringing your locks back to life, it also adds volume, making it a great solution for those with fine hair. The result? Gorgeous, bouncy, shiny hair.
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Best Leave-in Conditioners #2
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner, $26 at Ulta Beauty
This leave-in conditioner is particularly good for curls. Especially if you need an added boost in the moisture department or if your curls are frizzy even after styling. Because this conditioner helps create a moisture foundation, curls respond better to styling products that you add afterward. The formula promotes hair health, shine and does not leave a greasy residue behind.
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Best Leave-in Conditioners #3
Kevin Murphy Un.Tangled, $45.99 at Amazon
Wavy and curly hair are not the same and require different hair treatments. With the help of six Australian fruit extracts, this leave-in spray absorbs moisture into the hair while detangling it, strengthening it and restoring it to keep your waves intact and healthy.
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Best Leave-in Conditioners #4
Not Your Mother's Naturals Royal Honey & Kalahari Desert Melon Repair + Protect Leave-In Conditioner, $8.99 at Ulta Beauty
If your hair has been damaged or is very dry and thirsty, this leave-in conditioner reconstructs damaged hair, returning lost vibrancy and resiliency to your tresses. You can expect noticeable smoothness and softness from day one.
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Best Leave-in Conditioners #5
Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray, $24 at Sephora
Briogeo is one of the hottest names in hair right now so it's no surprise that this leave-in conditioner ranks high on our must-have list. It hydrates, tames frizzies and flyaways, restores shine, nourishes, protects from harmful UV rays and heat and tons more. It's also chock-full of good-for-your-hair oils like argan and coconut, but it's not greasy at all. Seriously, we can't say enough good things about this product.
