The best hair care starts with the right hair care products, and shampoos and conditioners are the most important and basic parts of every hair care routine. Both the products serve two completely different purposes. While the role of a shampoo is to rid your hair and scalp of all the dirt, grime, oil, and other impurities, the chemicals present in a shampoo fail to make a difference between natural oils and artificial oils and end up stripping your scalp of all oils, leaving it excessively dry. Conditioner, on the other hand, is loaded with fatty alcohols, oils, and humectants that help add moisture back into your mane and keep it from becoming dry and damaged. But it’s vital to use conditioner correctly in order to receive the maximum benefits. If your hair still looks dry and lifeless even after using a hair conditioner, chances are you are doing things incorrectly, and this could also mean that you are using the wrong type of hair conditioner.
Hair conditioners come in different types, each type is formulated to serve a different purpose, therefore, it’s important to use a hair conditioner that is suitable for your hair type and its needs. While we all are well aware of hair conditioners that we use post shampoo, there are more conditioner types that work differently and help address several hair concerns.
Rinse-out conditioners
Rinse-out conditioners are the most common type of hair conditioners; this is the one that we use in the shower post-shampooing. As the name suggests, this conditioner is applied on damp hair post-shampoo, it is left on the hair for a couple of minutes before rinsing it off with water. The role of this rinse-out conditioner is to add moisture back into your hair after shampooing; it makes your mane softer, smoother, and manageable. Additionally, this conditioner forms a protective layer on your hair cuticle, thereby protecting it from external damage.
Leave-in conditioners
As the name suggests, a leave-in conditioner is supposed to be left in your hair and not rinsed off like a rinse-out conditioner. This conditioner helps in offering long-lasting nourishment, which is very unlike the rinse-out conditioner. Apart from that, it helps to detangle your hair, which in turn, makes styling so much easier. Additionally, leave-in conditioners offer intense moisture to the lengths of your hair, and at the same time, keeps your mane protected from environmental aggressors. You can apply this conditioner on either clean damp hair or dry hair. As far as the amount of conditioner is concerned, a dime-sized amount should be sufficient.
Hair masks
Hair masks work in a similar way as your face masks do. They help offer intense hydration and nourishment to your locks. If you want to provide long-lasting hydration to your mane, then you should use deep-conditioning hair masks. These hair masks contain several oils and hydrating ingredients that help offer the deepest level of nourishment to your hair. You can find a diverse range of hair masks in the market; pick the one that meets your hair’s needs and requirements in the best possible way. Additionally, you should apply hair masks on a weekly basis for the best results.
Homemade hair conditioners
In addition to using store-bought hair conditioners, you can create one at home using natural hydrating ingredients that are readily available in your kitchen. There are so many ways to DIY hair conditioners at home using basic ingredients. Banana, honey, coconut oil, egg, and yogurt are some of the best hydrating ingredients to consider to make your own hair conditioner. This way, you will also be aware of the ingredients you are putting on your hair.
