Best Conditioner for Dry Hair
All conditioners are made to moisturize hair, but not all are capable of reversing dryness. When you have dry hair, your strands can become brittle and prone to breakage. Plus, your tresses tend to look dull and unkempt. To address your specific concerns, you need a conditioner with deep hydrating properties that give it enough moisture to improve your hair’s texture, softness, and shine.
Image | Name | Top Choices | Latest Pricing |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | 1. Alterna - Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Conditioner | Our Favorite | Amazon |
![]() | 2. Biolage - Ultra Hydra Source Conditioning Balm | Premium Pick | Amazon |
![]() | 3. Pureology - Hydrate Conditioner | Great Value | Amazon |
![]() | 4. Neutrogena - Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner | Amazon | |
![]() | 5. Oribe - Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner | Amazon |
Types of Conditioners for Dry Hair
When you look at hair conditioner bottles, you’ll notice that they’re labeled with their supposed benefits. But, they’re all so similar that selecting one for yourself can get really confusing. To aid you in your quest for the best hair conditioner for dryness, consider the following types and the main benefits of each:
Hydrating
Hydrating hair conditioners work by replacing lost water in hair. In these products, the key ingredient is water. As each hair strand absorbs water, it becomes shinier and more manageable.
Moisturizing
A moisturizing hair conditioner is different from a hydrating one because it works by keeping hair from losing its own moisture. So, in order for them to be effective, hair must already be properly hydrated.
Volumizing
Volumizing hair conditioners might not be the first choice for people with dry hair. But, these could be beneficial for people whose dry hair tends to be limp and lifeless. Using this type of conditioner, you can hydrate or moisturize your hair without weighing it down.
Strengthening
A strengthening hair conditioner is an excellent option for extremely dry, weak, and over-processed hair. This type of product will fortify each strand so that it is less prone to damage caused by heat, styling, and friction.
Anti-Frizz
Dry, damaged hair tends to kink or frizz. That’s especially true for people who have curly hair in the first place. Anti-frizz hair conditioners address these specific hair concerns and result in full-bodied curls or waves.
Smoothing
When you have straight hair, dryness could make it look unruly and unhealthy. Smoothing hair conditioners work by sealing cuticles and, consequently, making every strand straighter, smoother, and softer.
Top 5 Conditioners for Dry Hair
Once you’re more familiar with your hair’s specific requirements, it should be easier for you to find a suitable product. Based on the recommendations of other people with the same hair concerns as you, these are the best conditioners for dry hair:
1) Alterna – Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture Conditioner
The Replenishing Moisture Conditioner is one of the most popular products in Alterna’s Caviar Anti-Aging line. It is a lipid-rich hair care product that’s unbelievably effective at hydrating and nourishing severely dry hair. One of the things that makes it well-loved is that it has proven to work on all hair types, including curly and tightly coiled hair.
There’s nothing more luxurious than treating your hair to a conditioner that contains pure caviar extracts. But, that’s not a mere extravagance. Caviar is used for its ability to slow or even reverse the signs of hair aging. It does so through a potent combination of omega-3s, vitamins, minerals, and proteins that’s perfect for achieving not only more hydrated but also more youthful-looking tresses.
2) Biolage – Ultra Hydra Source Conditioning Balm
Although the Ultra Hydra Source Conditioning Balm by Biolage is suitable for all hair types, it is especially effective on severely dry, coarse hair. In fact, it is a favorite among people with chemically treated hair. Additionally, it boasts a paraben-free formulation that’s suitable for those with skin and scalp sensitivities.
According to the manufacturer, this formula was inspired by the natural hair-hydrating abilities of the aloe plant. Not only does it contain aloe leaf juice but also mimic its natural effects by helping dry hair absorb much-needed water. Apart from boosting hydration, this conditioner helps retain moisture. It does so through ingredients like apricot kernel oil and cupuassu seed butter. By deeply conditioning the hair, it also protects it against breakage and heat damage.
3) Pureology – Hydrate Conditioner
The Hydrate Conditioner by Pureology boasts a vegan formulation that was specifically developed for people with dry, color-treated hair. It is a sulfate and paraben-free product that revitalizes dull and damaged hair through Pureology’s Anti-Fade Complex. This technologically advanced formula protects hair and, consequently, keeps color treatments vibrant for longer. Also, it defends hair not just from external stresses but also from free-radical damage.
This luxurious conditioner contains deeply moisturizing ingredients like shea butter and jojoba to address the effects of extreme dryness. Apart from nourishing and protecting hair to reverse and eventually reduce the risk of dryness, this conditioner earned a stellar reputation for its signature scent, which is a divine combination of greens and mint.
4) Neutrogena – Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner
The Triple Moisture Daily Deep Conditioner by Neutrogena is a creamy formula that reverses hair dryness to achieve smoother and softer hair. It is a daily-use product that works like a deep-conditioning mask by hydrating hair and helping it lock in moisture. It does so using a combination of natural ingredients that include oils from olives, sweet almonds, and meadow-foam seeds.
This conditioner works for all hair types and has been clinically proven to repair even severely damaged hair. Most users report noticeably softer and smoother hair after the first use. But, it works its best magic over time. With regular use, dry hair becomes lustrous and more manageable.
5) Oribe – Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner
The Gold Lust Repair & Restore Conditioner by Oribe is an indulgent hair product that repairs dryness on all hair types. It contains a proprietary blend of natural ingredients, each with essential roles to play in boosting hair health. Extracts from watermelon, edelweiss flowers, and lychee help protect from photodamage and oxidative stress. These ingredients also help preserve the vibrancy of color-treated hair.
To repair damage and restore lost nutrients and moisture, this conditioner is formulated with Oribe’s signature Bio-Restorative Complex. This includes collagen derived from plants, caffeine, niacinamide, and biotin. Additionally, it contains Mediterranean cypress extracts to hydrate every strand as well as maracuja and argan oils to help hair retain moisture. With regular use, this vegan and color-safe conditioner results in bouncier hair that’s full of life.
Tips for Taking Care of Dry Hair
Having dry hair makes you look unpolished. Plus, it causes your strands to become brittle and prone to split ends and breakage. Apart from finding a good hair conditioner, here are some things you can do to make your hair healthier and looking its best.
- Avoid hot showers. Exposing your hair to high temperatures from hair dryers or irons could cause further dryness. Cold showers are better because the low temperature helps seal cuticles, keep moisture in, and add luster. If you can’t tolerate the cold, lukewarm water should be fine.
- Don’t style with heat. If you’re already struggling with severely dry hair, avoid hair irons and blow dryers. The direct heat from these styling implements won’t just make your hair even drier but might also cause breakage and fraying.
- Select hair products carefully. Avoid hair care products with harsh chemicals like sulfates, alcohol, and formaldehyde. They don’t just make the hair brittle but could also compromise your overall health.
- Don’t towel-dry. Drying your hair by rubbing it vigorously with a towel can cause breakage and further dryness. The best way to dry your hair is to wrap it in a microfiber towel for a few minutes and then let it dry on its own or using a fan.
- Minimize sun exposure. Dry hair can easily become damaged through sun exposure. Try to avoid staying under the sun for too long and use a hat whenever you can’t avoid it.
Finding the best conditioner for your dry hair is only the first step in getting your hair looking its best. It might take a few weeks of regular use before you achieve some noticeable results. But, use the product as frequently as directed and you’ll be on your way to shinier, healthier, and more voluminous tresses.