9 Ways to Use Leave-In Conditioner For Soft, Healthy Hair (2024)

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  • Hair
  • Haircare

By

Sophie Ross

9 Ways to Use Leave-In Conditioner For Soft, Healthy Hair (1)

Sophie Ross

Sophie Ross has covered beauty and fashion for more than five years. Her writing appears in Refinery29, The Knot, StyleCaster, and more.

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

and

Pia Velasco

Byrdie's Editorial Guidelines

Updated on November 29, 2023 03:54PM

Reviewed by

Shab Caspara

9 Ways to Use Leave-In Conditioner For Soft, Healthy Hair (3)

Reviewed byShab Caspara

Shab Caspara is a certified trichologist and hair stylist with over 15 years of experience. Currently, Caspara is the host of the Hair Like Hers podcast, as well as the founder of a soon-to-launch hair health platform, Leona.

Trichologist

Fact checked by

Anna Harris

Fact checked byAnna Harris

Anna Harris is an experienced fact-checker and researcher and a beauty writer and editor.

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9 Ways to Use Leave-In Conditioner For Soft, Healthy Hair (4)

We're all pretty familiar with elaborate skincare routines and the slew of extra products that we don't necessarily need in our line-up, but are nice to have (face essences come to mind). However, for some reason or another, haircare remains a murkier world. We know we have to shampoo and condition our hair, that we need to use heat protectant every time we use a hot tool, and that using a deep conditioning mask whenever our hair has an SOS moment is very important. However, all the other "nice-to-haves," such as ACV rinses and scalp scrubs, still raise an eyebrow for many.

But, we're here to talk about one of the most underrated haircare products in the category: leave-in conditioners. While some may think it's not necessary to use one if you're already incorporating conditioner and masks into your routine, experts agree that leave-ins can seriously amp up your hair's overall health. The result: hair becomes softer, more manageable, shinier, and stronger.

Below, three hair experts share everything there is to know about leave-in conditioners. From how much to use and what types of ingredients to look for to where to apply it. Keep scrolling for their top tips and some of their favorite product picks.

Meet the Experts

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Don't Shy Away from Leave-In

First things first, yes, your hair will deeply benefit from leave-in. Celebrity hairstylist Justine Marjan confirms that every hair type can benefit greatly from leave-in. She says that people who will benefit the most are those with dry and frizzy hair or those who heat style their hair often. "Leave-in conditioners dramatically help in retaining moisture, preventing frizz and/or breakage, and boosting shine," she adds.

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Keep Using Normal Conditioner

Leave-in conditioner, like Biosilk Silk Therapy, is like calling in for backup, not substituting your usual lineup. "Conditioning in the shower is still important," confirms Marjan. "Leave-in conditioner is best to help hair stay soft, detangled, and nourished." Consider leave-in your extra boost of TLC whenever your hair needs reinforcement.

03of 09

Apply on Damp Hair

Rule number one of applying leave-in conditioner: Wait to apply until you're out of the shower. Since you don't need to wash leave-in conditioner out afterwards, you can simply apply it to damp hair. "Towel dry hair first," says IGK Hair Care co-founder Leo Izquierdo. Just use a towel to pat the head and dry it just slightly (you still want the hair to be damp while you apply the product). As for product picks, Marjan recommends the TRESemméKeratin RepairLeave-inTreatment "because it allows even distribution."

04of 09

Concentrate on Your Tips

When your clean hair is damp or towel-tried, smooth the conditioning product thoroughly throughout, while focusing on the shafts and ends of your hair. This is where your hair is the driest and most damaged, and therefore where it needs the most attention. For the best result, apply a dollop of leave-in from the mid-lengths down.

05of 09

Use a Leave-In that Suits Your Hair's Needs

"Start by addressing concerns that are unique to your hair. Are you trying to add shine? Eliminate frizz? Maintain color treated hair? All of the above? It’s important to know what issues you’re dealing with before making your selection of a leave-in conditioner," says Bradley Leake, an LA-based celebrity hairstylist.Some formulas will target specific issues associated with different hair types (like color damage, split ends, frizz, fine hair, or major coarseness) better than others, so use one that's specific to what your hair needs. Leake particularly recommends Kérastase'sChroma Absolu to prevent frizz in color-treated hair andCurl Manifesto adding that it "will answer all my curly girls' prayers."

06of 09

Use the Right Amount

The amount of leave-in conditioner you use depends on your hair type. The rule of thumb is one small pump for fine hair, two to three pumps for medium-thick hair, and then four to five pumps for coarse hair.

07of 09

Brush Product Through for Even Distribution

Marjan recommends using a detangling brush or wide-tooth comb to disperse your leave-in conditioner evenly throughout your hair, then leave it— no rinsing required. If you have curly hair that you prefer not to brush through, try a leave-in conditioner cream that you can scrunch into your ends.

Byrdie Tip

Leave-in conditioner has detangling properties, too, and protects hair from heat damage, making it the perfect product to use before styling.

08of 09

Look for Hair-Healthy Ingredients

While each hair type will benefit from a certain type of formula, there are universal ingredients that work for everyone. With that said, there are some key, potentially hair-boosting ingredients you'll want to look out for like vitamins, antioxidants, natural oils, botanical extracts, and heat-protectant properties to name a few. A great universal leave-in is Ceremonia's deeply hydrating Guava Leave-In Conditioner which features guava fruit extra and aloe leaf extract.

Aloe Leaf Extract

"Aloe is a plant with multiple benefits for the body, skin, and of course, our hair," says Tonya Lane, a North Carolina-based cosmetic chemist. "Naturally, aloe has the ability to hold moisture, especially in dryer climates where water is scarce. This awesome property makes aloe the perfect candidate for obtaining and retaining moisture in our hair."

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Consider the Type of Formula

Leave-in conditioners come in an array of formulas, like sprays, creams, oils, balms, and more. If you have naturally fine hair, choose a lightweight spray or foam that'll leave your hair silky rather than greasy. If you have dry, damaged, curly, or over-processed hair, it's a good idea to find a creamy, nutrient-rich formula with hydrating properties.

How to Pick the Right Conditioner for Your Hair Type, According to a Derm

9 Ways to Use Leave-In Conditioner For Soft, Healthy Hair (2024)
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