Conditioner is your hair's best friend. It keeps it hydrated, nourished and strong, which is essential if you want to keep your locks looking shiny and healthy. Choosing the right conditioner is important — and not always easy because there are so many on the market, many with false promises and each one promising to be better than the last. But how do you know which one to choose?

Shampoo should be chosen based on your scalp needs, and conditioner should be used to treat and enhance the condition of your hair. If your scalp is oily and your ends are dry (which is super common), choose a shampoo that is best suited for an oily scalp and a conditioner that is best suited to hydrate your dry ends. Why? Like your face, treating the oil condition on your scalp begins with proper cleansing. Introducing the proper moisture back into your hair is done by selecting the right conditioner.

Get To Know Your Hair

We all know by now that the best way to choose a shampoo is to select one that matches your scalp condition, and the best way to find the right conditioner is to choose one designed for your hair type. So when you're looking for a conditioner, the most important thing is how your hair feels. Is it dry? Is your hair damaged? Does your hair feel brittle? Do you deal with a lot of static? Is it oily or limp? Do you lack shine?

Conditioner packaging is obviously designed to sell you on the idea that your life will never be the same once you use their product. But when buzzwords like fortifying and volumizing are used, it leaves you wondering what a conditioner is actually supposed to do and if it's even a good fit for your hair type. So, what exactly do these conditioners do for your hair? Lets break it down.

• Hydrating/Moisturizing: great for adding moisture, shine, and smoothness to hair. Good for thick, curly, or course hair.
• Volumizing: excellent choice when your hair is fine or limp. It’s designed to be lightweight. If your hair or style need a boost and lift, a volumizing conditioner won't weigh you down.
• Strengthening/Fortifying: good for damaged, over processed, highlighted, weak, or brittle hair. These conditioners focus on elasticity of the hair so it won’t snap under a bit of tension, and restoring lost proteins that are causing a weakness in damaged or stressed hair.
• Balancing: balancing conditioners are typically a nice middle of the road option. The have the perfect pH balance to smooth that cuticle layer for ultimate shine and protection with the right amount of hydration and lightness to keep your hair happy and prevent it from drying out.
• Smoothing/Straight Hair: extra moisturizers and smoothing agents help seal the cuticle and provide a smooth start for your straight hairstyle. These conditioners tend to have a heavier weight.
• Curly Hair: conditioners that are formulated for curly hair are typically very moisturizing and make an extra effort to reduce frizz to tackle the inherent issues that come from the bend of curls and waves.

Rinse Out Conditioner vs. Leave In Conditioner

Rinse out conditioners are used in the shower after shampooing your hair. They are designed to be applied to wet hair, left on for a few minutes, and then rinsed out. Rinse out conditioners are formulated to provide a quick and easy way to improve the overall health and appearance of your hair. They typically work by coating the hair shaft with a layer of conditioning agents that help to detangle, soften, and nourish the hair. Rinse out conditioners are necessary for all hair types to help seal the cuticle layer after the shampoo has opened everything up for cleansing. But rinse out conditioner should never be skipped by those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair.

Leave in conditioners, on the other hand, are designed to be left in the hair after washing and conditioning. They are typically applied to damp hair and left to air dry or styled as usual. Leave in conditioners provide a second round of conditioner for those that battle tangles or have extra hydrating needs. They are formulated to penetrate the hair shaft and provide long-lasting moisture and protection. Leave in conditioners are also great for all hair types, but they are especially beneficial for those with curly, frizzy, or dry hair.

In summary, rinse out conditioners are designed to be used in the shower and rinsed out, while leave in conditioners are designed to be left in the hair after washing and conditioning. Both types of conditioners provide conditioning benefits, but leave in conditioners provide a more intense level of conditioning and are great for those with specific hair concerns.

The Best Conditioner for Oily, Limp Hair

If you have fine or oily hair, you may be tempted to skip conditioner altogether because you likely find that conditioner makes your hair feel worse. But that just means you haven’t found the right conditioner to treat your fine tresses! A common mistake to avoid when applying conditioner to fine or oily hair is applying the product off your scalp - it weighs down the root causing your hair to fall flat. Instead, apply a small amount to the midshaft/ends of your hair and spend extra time rinsing. This will ensure that your hair is properly conditioned and doesn't feel greasy after application.

You may be applying a conditioner that is too heavy for your fine strands. Avoid conditioning products labeled "hydrating," "moisturizing," or other words that describe hair care treatments intended for dry, brittle textures — these will only weigh down and flatten fine hair. Instead, look for labels that read "volumizing," "light," or "strengthening. Our TO112 Conditioner For Fine Hair is an ultra-lightweight formula that delivers flawless conditioning with honey as a natural humectant and a trio of lightweight hydrators including sweet almond, tamanu and jojoba oils. Fortified with rice and wheat proteins for an added volume boost, this weightless conditioner brings bounce to even the finest hair.

The Best Conditioner for Dry, Damaged Hair

For hair that is dry, damaged or brittle, it's important to choose the right conditioner. Your choice should be targeted toward preventing future damage — not just treating symptoms.

When your hair is dry, look for labels that promote moisture, hydration and smoothing, these will give your tresses just the right amount of extra moisture without weighing them down. Our TO112 Conditioner for Dry Hair is a super-hydrator with a luxurious mix of botanicals, strengthening proteins, beneficial vitamins and tamanu and camellia oils that hydrate hair from the cortex out, creating shinier, healthier and softer looking hair with every rinse.

If your hair is particularly damaged, try switching from a regular conditioner to a hair mask. Hair masks are great for restoring moisture and shine — and their labels will usually mention which type of damage they're good for (example: breakage or dehydration). Our award-winning TO112 Collagen Hair Mask has keystone proteins collagen and keratin to boost strength while nourishing damaged hair. This deeply conditioning blend of botanicals and proteins nourish damaged and delicate hair to help it feel new again.

With use 1-4 times per month, your hair's damage can be managed, and future damage can be prevented.

The Best Conditioner for Normal Hair a.k.a. Balanced Hair

For normal balanced hair that is not too oily or too dry, a lightweight, moisturizing conditioner is ideal. Conditioners that contain natural ingredients and are free of silicones, sulfates, and parabens will work best.

A great option is our TO112 Conditioner For Normal Hair, an award-winning and perfectly balanced conditioner that is carefully crafted with aloe vera, tamanu and jojoba oils to hydrate hair for weightless shine. Infused with hydrolyzed wheat proteins and amino acids for strong healthy hair. 

Your Perfect Conditioner for Right Now. 

Choosing the right conditioner for your hair type is crucial for maintaining healthy, beautiful hair. Whether your hair is oily, dry, curly, straight, or somewhere in-between, there is a conditioner out there that is perfect for you. When selecting a conditioner, consider your hair type, texture, and any specific concerns you may have, such as frizz or damage. Remember that the condition of your hair can change, to pay attention to how it feels and moves and if the manageability changes. Look for ingredients that will nourish and hydrate your hair at it’s current need to ensure you’re not weighing it down or causing buildup without the right balance. By following these tips and doing your research, you can find a conditioner that will help you achieve the luscious locks you've always dreamed of.

Selecting the right conditioner can be a challenge. It's why our hair experts created a simple quiz to help you figure it out, so you can have beautiful and easy to manage hair!