UNDERSTANDING WHAT IS A CONDITIONER AND ITS TYPES

Conditioner is probably one of the best-known haircare products on the market, along with its washing counterpart shampoo. But have you ever wondered, what does a hair conditioner do? How to use a conditioner the right way? how often should you use conditioner?.

The truth is that hair conditioner is an absolute must-use for everyone, whatever your hair type or condition may be. If you want shiny, healthy-looking hair that’s easy to style and manage on a day-to-day basis, it’s a step you should never skip.
To convince you of its importance, it’s a good idea to understand – so below, we’re giving you a crash course in this important hair-care step.


What is a Conditioner?


Conditioner is a hair care product designed to improve the texture and manageability of hair. It is often used in conjunction with shampoo and is an integral part of many people's hair care routines. While shampoo is primarily responsible for cleansing the hair and scalp by removing dirt, oil, and product buildup, conditioner plays a different role, focusing on moisturizing and detangling the hair. The primary purpose of conditioner is to enhance the softness and smoothness of hair, making it easier to comb or brush and reducing the likelihood of breakage. Hair, especially when subjected to heat styling, environmental factors, or chemical treatments, can become dry and brittle. Conditioner contains ingredients that help restore moisture to the hair, preventing it from becoming overly dry and prone to damage. While conditioners offer numerous benefits, it's essential to use them correctly. Applying the right amount for your hair type and length is crucial, as using too much product can leave the hair feeling greasy. Additionally, it's advisable to focus the conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends of the hair, where it is most needed, while avoiding the scalp to prevent excessive oiliness.


How does a Conditioner Work?


Before you skip to buying a hair conditioner and how to use a conditioner, let’s understand how does a conditioner work. All our conditioners include a signature blend of nutrients that penetrate the core of the hair lengths to keep hair strong from the inside out. Damaged areas of hair are targeted and smoothened on the outside, while the damage inside the hair is captured, so that it doesn't become worse. This leaves hair more resistant to breakage and more nourished, where needed without weighing it down with excess ingredients.


Types of Conditioners for Hair


Conditioners can be categorized into various types based on their formulations and intended purposes. Lets take a look at the different types of conditioners and how they are beneficial in improving the health of your gorgeous lock!


1. Leave-in Conditioners:

Leave-in conditioner is a specialized hair care product designed to be applied and left on the hair without rinsing. Unlike traditional conditioners that are used in conjunction with shampoo and require thorough rinsing, leave-in conditioners provide ongoing benefits throughout the day or until the next hair wash. One of the primary benefits of leave-in conditioner is its ability to provide continuous hydration to the hair. The product is formulated with moisturizing ingredients such as natural oils, and conditioning agents that penetrate the hair shaft and help retain moisture. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or damaged hair, as leave-in conditioners can contribute to restoring the hair's moisture balance and preventing further dehydration. Leave-in conditioners also play a crucial role in detangling the hair. Many formulations include detangling agents that help smooth the hair cuticle, reducing knots and making the hair easier to comb or brush. In addition to hydration and detangling, leave-in conditioners often contain ingredients that provide thermal protection. Leave-in conditioners create a protective barrier on the hair, helping to shield it from the heat and reducing the likelihood of thermal damage. This makes leave-in conditioners a valuable addition to the hair care routine for individuals who regularly use heat styling tools.


2. Deep Conditioners:

Deep hair conditioner is a specialized conditioner designed to provide intense conditioning and nourishment to the hair. It goes beyond the regular conditioning offered by traditional conditioners, offering a more concentrated formula that addresses specific hair concerns. Deep conditioning is typically recommended on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on individual hair needs, and can deliver a range of benefits that contribute to healthier, more lustrous hair. One of the primary benefits of deep conditioner is its ability to provide deep hydration to the hair. The formulation of deep conditioners often includes ingredients such as natural oils, shea butter, and fatty alcohols. These ingredients penetrate the hair shaft, moisturizing it from within and helping to restore moisture balance. This is particularly beneficial for individuals with dry or damaged hair, as deep conditioning can revitalize and nourish the hair strands, leaving them softer and more supple. Deep conditioning treatments enhance the elasticity of the hair, making it more resilient to styling and environmental stressors. This, in turn, leads to improved manageability, making the hair easier to comb, brush, and style.


3. Protein Keratin Conditioner:

Keratin conditioner is a conditioner that contains keratin, a fibrous protein naturally found in hair, skin, and nails. This type of conditioner is formulated to provide additional keratin to the hair, which can be particularly beneficial for individuals with damaged or chemically treated hair. One of the primary benefits of keratin conditioner is its ability to repair and strengthen the hair shaft. The hair's outer layer, known as the cuticle, can become damaged due to factors such as heat styling, chemical treatments, and environmental stressors. Keratin, being a key structural protein in the hair, helps to fill in gaps and cracks in the cuticle, providing a smoother and more resilient surface. This can result in reduced frizz, increased shine, and improved manageability. Keratin conditioners are particularly valuable for individuals who have undergone chemical treatments such as straightening, perming, or colouring. Keratin conditioner helps to replenish the lost protein, restoring the hair's strength and flexibility. It can also contribute to extending the longevity of salon treatments, such as keratin smoothing treatments, by providing ongoing maintenance and care.


4. Moisturising Conditioner:

Moisturizing conditioner is to replenish and retain moisture in the hair, preventing dryness and promoting overall hydration. Unlike regular conditioners, which primarily focus on detangling and smoothing the hair, moisturizing conditioners contain specific ingredients that target dry and dehydrated strands. Hair that lacks moisture can become brittle, frizzy, and prone to breakage. Moisturizing conditioners typically contain hydrating ingredients such as glycerin, aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, and various natural oils (e.g., coconut oil, argan oil) that penetrate the hair shaft, helping to retain water and maintain optimal hydration levels. This results in softer, smoother, and more manageable hair. Moisturizing conditioners are particularly valuable for individuals with curly or textured hair. Curly hair tends to be more prone to dryness due to its structure, which makes it challenging for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft. Moisturizing conditioners provide essential hydration to each curl, defining the pattern and reducing frizzy hair . This, in turn, enhances the natural beauty of curly or textured hair, creating well-defined and more manageable curls.

All references on this page to *Strength, **Hairfall and ***Breakage refer to *strength against surface damage, **hairfall due to breakage vs. non-conditioning shampoo and ***breakage vs non-conditioning shampoo respectively.

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