Hair conditioner - how to choose the best one?

The use of hair conditioner is one of the main steps in hair care. Thanks to this, it is easier to detangle, style and maintain even very dry strands in good condition. Nutrients need to act quickly to do their best, they don't have to be the most expensive.

Moisturizing, nourishing, smoothing or lightweight, leave-in formulas? The choice of hair care cosmetics should be dictated by the needs and everyday problems that most often arise during care and styling. Hair without volume requires a different conditioner than very curly or very dry hair. Differences should be visible in the composition of the cosmetic product. And while we often attribute miraculous effects to nutrients, their purpose is completely different from that of masks, oils, or restorative curds. Conditioner belongs to the formulas with immediate action and is the basis of care, a step that simply makes our lives easier.

Hair conditioner is not a mask 

To begin with, it is worth explaining the difference between a hair mask and a conditioner. A common mistake we make in self-care is to use only a conditioner or only a mask. Both cosmetics have different textures, compositions, action and, finally, guarantee the result. Well, the hair mask is more concentrated and contains oils and natural oils. He needs time to act on the hair, especially on keratin. The ingredients of the masks are built into the structure of the hair and even complete the loss of keratin, and can also regenerate damage much deeper than the conditioner. Therefore, the mask should be left on the head for at least 10 minutes on towel-dried hair.

In turn, hair conditioner is a fast-acting cosmetic product that works until the next wash. It is applied only to the length of the hair, and not to the scalp. It should be applied immediately after washing, to still damp hair. Then, like a hairdresser, gently comb the strands with your fingers or a very wide-toothed comb. The goal is for the conditioner to reach each strand and completely cover the entire length of the hair. It is important that the conditioner does not need to be left on the hair for a long time. Just apply, comb and rinse. Leaving the air conditioner on for longer will not do us any good. Well, this cosmetics acts instantly: it moisturizes and creates a protective film. The job of a conditioner is to help detangle, prevent static, and smooth and restore the hair's ability to repel water particles. Thus, the conditioner is an excellent basis for the following stages of care.

Hair conditioner ingredients 

What should be in a good conditioner? First of all, emollients, i.e. ingredients that prevent the release of moisture from the hair and create a protective film on them. These are, for example, silicones, paraffin, waxes and oils. Contrary to the opinion that silicones are harmful because they "stick" to the hair, it turns out that this is not so bad. No need to worry, as the emollients are washed away when the shampoo lathers. Paraffin works the same way. Both components form a thin layer on the bristles that prevents evaporation and protects against mechanical damage, such as chafing hair under a hat or rubbing against a sweater. This is especially important if you have long hair and love it loose.

The second group of important ingredients in hair conditioners are humectants, i.e. moisturizing substances such as hyaluronic acid, glycerin or aloe. The latter are especially effective for dry, brittle, thin and curly hair.

If you are interested in this topic, check out our other hair care publications:

• OMO method and TOP-5 conditioners for washing hair
• Plopping - how to emphasize the natural curl of your hair? Spank step by step
• Leave-In Conditioner - When to Use BS Conditioner?
• Cosmetics with keratin - emergency hair care

Further in the composition, you should look for plant extracts, ceramides and special additives such as honey, olive oil and vitamins. And if you're curious about the differences between moisturizing and emollient formulas, just follow this simple rule. First conditioners are best for dry, low porosity hair, while moisturizing conditioners are best for high to medium porosity hair that is dull and prone to static.

Finally, let's discuss protein supplements, i.e. those that contain hydrolysed proteins, such as keratin. They are a good choice for curly, highly porous, and heavily damaged hair from straightening or bleaching. And if you're looking for an all-in-one conditioner, it should contain elements from each ingredient group that hydrate and protect.

How to choose an air conditioner 

If your hair does not require special care and you are not struggling with serious problems, you can choose universal natural conditioners that can be used regardless of the porosity of the hair. They are equipped with herbal ingredients, oils and special additives such as oat milk. The last ingredient increases the elasticity of the hair and nourishes it.

And if you use only natural and traditional ingredients in your cosmetics, pay attention to the ecological conditioner for delicate hair with birch extract from Anna Cosmetics. After all, herbs and medicinal plants are great for thin and oily hair. Known and proven extracts of horsetail, nettle and hops are quite popular additives found in natural, organic and ecological hair conditioners.

There are also traditional cosmetics that refer to the rituals of our grandmothers. Some are inspired by vinegar rinses that restore shine to hair. Just after applying this formula, you will not feel even a hint of the characteristic smell of vinegar.

There is a special group of conditioners designed exclusively for curly and wavy hair. It turns out that they belong to a demanding group. Why? Curly locks tend to be very dry and very porous. Therefore, they tend to open keratin scales and often break. To care for them, you should turn to a special formula that does not weigh down the hair, but emphasizes the curl and softens the hair structure. This is where emollients come to the rescue. In the composition of a good conditioner for curly hair, you should look for oils, such as coconut.

Finally, a few words about leave-in conditioners. If you used them according to strict care rules, apply the formula after rinsing out the shampoo, as well as on wet or dry hair. However, how to untangle tangled strands after washing and drying? It is worth making an exception to this rule, because in the case of very dry hair, a leave-in conditioner can be used after a traditional conditioner. This extra step will make combing and styling easier without the hassle of unraveling the ends.

What should be on the ingredient list? The best solution is a light liquid consistency containing protective and moisturizing ingredients such as herbs, algae, vitamins, collagen and hyaluronic acid. In summer, you can use a conditioner with a protective filter and antioxidant vitamin E.

More beauty tips can be found at AvtoTachki Pasje.

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