11 Best Trichologist-Approved Drugstore Conditioners Of 2024
Manage your manes and control the frizz with lightweight and natural hair care products.
Beurena is a certified trichologist with 6 years of experience and a graduate of the Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, Georgia. She is also the CEO of the Hair and Scalp Treatment Centers in Augusta, Georgia, and the founder of The Trichology School of Business.
Read full bio of Beurena Johnson
Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor, she guides her team members on the best practices to create crisp and authentic content.
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Experience: 5 yearsAditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She is an associate commerce editor with 5 years of experience and specializes in reviewing fitness and health products.
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Experience: 8 yearsArshiya Syeda is the Co-Editor-in-Chief of StyleCraze with 8 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer who combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articles on hairstyles, hair care, and skin care.
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Say goodbye to vulnerable hair prone to breakage with the best drugstore conditioner. Yes, you read it right! We know how you want gorgeous-looking, smooth, shiny, and healthy hair, but pollution and stress keep you away. So instead, add a conditioner to your hair care routine to reduce friction between strands, make hair manageable, improve overall hair appearance, and prevent further damage and hair breakage.
Beurena Johnson, a certified trichologist and the founder of The Trichology School of Business, says, “If you shampoo your hair, you should condition it. However, the specific conditioner that works best can be different for different hair types. Conditioners work on several levels, pH, chemical interaction, and the perforation of oils, waxes, and proteins, such as keratin. The penetration of the oils and protein is the thing that takes the most time. For a normal conditioner, that’s a couple of minutes. For a deep treatment mask, the longer you leave them on, the more beneficial and deeper the penetration of the oils, proteins, and waxes on the hair.”
We have listed the 11 best drugstore conditioners for you. Have a look!
In This Article
The 11 Best Drugstore Conditioners Everyone Can Buy (Every Hair Type)
1. Best For Long-Lasting Hydration:TRESemme Conditioner
The TRESemme drugstore hair conditioner is effective, moisture-rich, and offers deep hydration. It turns the dull and dry hair into smooth, shiny tresses. It is rich in nourishing ingredients like vitamin E and biotin that seal hair moisture and leave your curly hair hydrated for a long time. This perfect drugstore conditioner can be applied along with the shampoo and gently rinsed after 2 to 3 minutes.
The expert-recommended product strengthens your hair upon repeated use. It also works wonderfully well on curly and colored hair. It targets the specific dry areas of your hair and offers added moisture.
Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, biotin, ascorbic acid, lactic acid, cetearyl alcohol, panthenol
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Suits all hair types
- Long-lasting hydration
- Safe for colored hair
Cons
- Scalp may itch
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
More than 14,584 customers have given the product positive reviews on Amazon.
2. Best Paraben-Free: Aussie Total Miracle 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner
This Aussie Total Miracle 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner, is liquid gold for your hair care. This is a conditioning treatment in a bottle that is infused with apricot and Australian macadamia oil. It has fresh notes of citrus, florals, and aqueous that help with damage repair. This repairing conditioner has a creamy formula that provides deep conditioning benefits to your hair within a few minutes, such as making your hair silky, preventing split ends, and protecting against humidity.
Key Ingredients: Apricot and Australian macadamia oil
Pros
- Easy to apply
- Budget-friendly
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- None
"I love using this conditioner when my hair needs that extra TLC once a week. It adds softness and shine to my hair. It does not weigh down my fine hair."
Pro Tip3. Best for Damaged hair: It’s A 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray
Color-treated hair is riddled with chemical damage that dulls the natural shine and strength of your hair. It’s A 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner spray that has rich natural oils that help rejuvenate, detangle, and restore your damaged hair.
The conditioner is infused with sunflower seed extract that softens the hair, silk amino acids that strengthen and moisturize your strands, and aloe vera that soothes your scalp. It is also infused with antioxidants like green tea leaf extract that protect the hair against free radical damage. It also contains panthenol which has proven efficacy in intensely nourishing the hair follicles.
Many reviewers have noted that this hair-softening conditioner imparts heat and UV protection, and its anti-frizz therapy leaves the hair shiny and bouncy, showing salon-quality results. It even provides sun protection for colored hair.
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed extract, Green tea leaf extract, Silk amino acid, Aloe vera, and Panthenol
Pros
- Protects hair from UV damage
- Nourishing formula
- Pleasant fragrance
- Eliminates frizz
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- None
"This conditioner works well for all hair types. It helps manage knots in my curly hair. It adds moisture without leaving any residue. It softens the hair and combats frizz."
TRESemme Conditioner Best For Long-Lasting Hydration | Aussie Total Miracle 3 Minute Miracle Conditioner Best Paraben-Free | It's A 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray Best for Damaged hair | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | Dry | Damaged | Chemically Treated, Dry, Damaged |
| Dimensions | 3.06 x 3.06 x 9.25 inches | 2.24 x 2.24 x 6.5 inches | 2 x 1 x 6 inches |
| Weight | 1.9 Pounds | 8.96 Ounces | 4 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 14,584 | - | - |
| Price | $3.89 | - | - |
4. Best For Hair Growth: As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
This creamy Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner from As I Am is a godsent product for curly hair! It gently cleanses the hair and adds intensive hydration that results in manageable hair. The conditioner penetrates deeper into the hair shafts to give you soft springy coils and curls.
Made with nourishing ingredients such as coconut, sugar cane, green tea, apple, lemon, shea butter, vitamins, and hair fortifiers, the cream gently removes any dirt or residue and promotes hair growth at the follicular level. Go through this video that features a reviewer’s experience of using this product to learn more about it.
Key Ingredients: Coconut, Sugar cane, Lemon, Green tea, Apple, and Shea butter
Pros
- 100% natural
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Talc-free
- Gluten-free
- Recyclable packaging
Cons
- Expensive
5. Best With Organic Ingredients:L’Oreal Paris EverPure Conditioner
The L’Oreal Paris EverPure Conditioner is the best choice for color-treated hair. It gives your hair the needed shine and ensures your hair color lasts long. It revives flattened hair and makes it smooth and bouncy. Its sulfate-free formula and lotus flower extracts restore volume to fine, flat hair.
The silicone in the shampoo protects the hair color, and its vitamin E conditions the hair and makes it voluminous. The refreshing rosemary and mint add an aromatic scent, and the botanical extracts ensure your hair becomes thick and voluminous. The EverPure conditioner is easy to apply – just keep it on your hair for 2 minutes with a gentle massage, and then rinse. It is lightweight. This fine hair conditioner helps retain color for up to four weeks. Check this video detailing a tester’s experience with this product to learn more about it.
Key Ingredients: Silicones, polymers, and vitamin E
Pros
- Organic ingredients
- Shine-enhancing formula
- Volumizing formula
- Color-safe conditioner
- Pleasant aromatic smell
- Long-lasting results
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- No harsh salts
- Surfactant-free
Cons
- May not suit sensitive scalp
- Contains silicones
"This conditioner ticks all the right boxes for me. It detangles and moisturizes my hair without feeling heavy. It is lightweight and perfect for those with fine hair."
6. Best For Hair Elasticity:Maui Moisture Smooth and Repair Conditioner
The Maui Conditioner has natural ingredients and offers a perfect recipe to replenish your dull hair strands. It has vanilla beans that help soften coarse and frizzy hair and offer the essential nourishment to hair roots. The conditioner is also rich in aloe vera and is free of parabens, sulfates, and silicones. This is an ideal hair repair conditioner that helps soften and smoothen hair. It also keeps your tresses frizz-free.
The Kukui nut oil and creamy cocoa butter in this hydrating conditioner make your hair strong. This product brings style and glow to even the coarsest locks. It is gentle on the scalp. It also boosts hair elasticity and makes the strands resist breakage. It leaves your hair tangle-free. This video takes you through this product’s details.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, vanilla beans, coconut oil, kukui nut oil, cocoa butter, macadamia oil
Pros
- Frizz-control
- Organic ingredients
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- No synthetic dyes
- Boosts hair elasticity
- Anti-breakage formula
Cons
- None
"This conditioner revitalizes my hair without weighing it down. It hydrates well without leaving any greasy residue. It has a pleasing soft vanilla scent and doesn't overwhelm the senses."
Pro Tip7. Best For Daily Use:Alba Botanica Colorific Conditioner
The Alba Botanica Colorific Conditioner seals hair color and replenishes moisture. It is rich in jojoba, macadamia, and Kukui oils. It also uses virgin, wild harvested marula oil that moisturizes hair. Its other botanicals, such as aloe leaf juice, shea butter, and citrus oil, restore hair luster. The conditioner hydrates your hair right to the root and boosts scalp health.
It is free from harsh chemicals like parabens and phthalates. Additionally, it is not tested on animals. It is perfect for daily use (after shampoo) and also helps increase your hair volume.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, jojoba oil, macadamia oil, shea butter, marula oil, and kukui oil
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- No synthetic fragrances
- Color-protecting formula
- No animal testing
- Suitable for color-treated hair
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
"This conditioner has a very natural scent. I love the softness it adds to my hair. It works well on my color-treated locks. It brings life back to my curls and keeps frizz at bay."
8. Best For Frizzy Hair:Garnier Hair Care Whole Blends Conditioner
The Garnier Hair Care Conditioner offers restorative care to your hair as it strengthens and revitalizes it with every use. It is a perfect pick for treating frequent hair fall, split ends, and hair breakage. This hair strengthening shampoo is enriched with ginger and golden honey that revitalizes and repairs dull and damaged hair. It is loaded with natural ingredients like aloe vera and glycerine that provide natural nourishment to the hair, tame frizz, and keep it tangle-free.
The conditioner is free of parabens. Its fragrance is mild yet appealing.
Key Ingredients: Golden honey, ginger, aloe vera juice, and glycerin
Pros
- Affordable conditioner
- Eliminates hair frizz
- Paraben-free
- Chemical-free
- Mild fragrance
Cons
- None
"This ginger-honey conditioner has a lovely scent and nourishes the hair. It is perfect for those looking to add moisture and a delightful olfactory experience. It is good for fine hair and adds shine."
9. Best Preservative-Free:Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Conditioner
The Live Clean Coconut Milk Moisturizing Conditioner contains 100% vegetarian ingredients. It is dermatologist-recommended. It comes with a rich mix of ingredients like vitamins C and E, coconut milk, and rice proteins that nourish your damaged hair. It also leaves your hair feeling soft, silky, and shiny.
The conditioner is free of parabens and sulfates. Its essential vitamins and proteins keep your scalp hydrated and healthy.
Key Ingredients: Coconut milk, apricot oil, rice proteins, and vitamins C and E
Pros
- Dermatologist-tested
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
- Cruelty-free
- Phosphate-free
- DEA-free
- Petroleum-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- No long-lasting results
10. Best For Tight Curls: Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
This Ouidod Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner helps not only to detangle your curls but nourish them intensively. With intense moisture locking, vitamins, and botanicals, the professional-grade conditioner imparts a frizz-free look and feel to your coils without weighing them down. The chamomile and vitamins A and E in this thick conditioner hydrate and elongate your curls. It is also infused with wheat proteins and amino acids that smooth out the cuticles and repair hair damage.
Key Ingredients: Chamomile, Vitamins A and E, Wheat Protein, and Amino acid
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Curl-friendly
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Silicone-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petroleum-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- Leaves residue
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
With over 1,427 Amazon acclaimed reviews, this product is sure to find a place in everyone’s shopping bag.
11. Best For All Hair Types:Royal Silk The Original Silk Conditioner
The Original Silk Conditioner by Royal Silk imparts a smooth and silky touch to your hair. Its silk proteins and sandalwood formula keep your hair hydrated and strong. It also straightens curly and entangled hair. This dandruff-fighting conditioner delivers exceptional results for every user, and you can feel an increase in hair volume and density.
It works wonderfully for people of all ages, genders, and hair types. The conditioner has a soothing fragrance too.
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed silk, citric acid, silk amino acids, and sandalwood extract
Pros
- Suits all hair types
- Treats dandruff
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- May irritate the scalp
"This conditioner is very creamy and hydrating. It tames my hair and adds shine. It works well on my colored hair and leaves it smooth and easy to manage."
Infographic: How To Choose The Right Conditioner For Your Hair Type
Hair conditioners nourish and soften your tresses. They also help volumize your hair and amplify its shine. However, different hair types need specific conditioners to meet their needs. For example, dry hair will benefit from a thick creamy formula, whereas, oily hair needs a lightweight formula. In the infographic below, we have mentioned the best types of conditioners suitable for different hair types. Check it out.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Good drugstore conditioners help detangle knots while reducing the appearance of damaged locks and split ends. If you are on the hunt for a conditioner that’s both affordable and effective, give the TRESemme Conditioner a try. The It’s A 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Conditioner Spray is perfect for those who seek a lightweight, non-greasy option that works well for all hair types, while those who are looking especially for curly hair can try the Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner. These drugstore conditioners can help in the moisturization and nourishment of your tresses and improve the overall health of your locks. Some of these conditioners also work well on color-treated hair and offer extra nourishment to dry areas of your locks. However, avoid drugstore conditioners if they make your hair limp and too oily or have harmful chemicals in their formulation. Therefore, test the product on a small section of your hair to check its effectiveness before using it on your hair wash days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does an expensive conditioner make a difference?
There is most often a match between price and quality. This, however, does not mean that all expensive hair conditioners are great for the scalp. You should read the ingredients list and see what suits your hair type the best. Also, avoid cheap conditioners. Draw a balance between price and quality.
Is it better to have a good shampoo or conditioner?
Hair conditioners are generally used after you have shampooed your scalp. They are primarily aimed to strengthen your hair roots, ensure long-lasting hydration, and boost hair shine. Most dermatologists recommend applying a good quality conditioner after your shampooing your hair.
Is a salon conditioner better?
In reality, salon conditioners are not very different from the drugstore variants. Salon conditioners may also contain highly concentrated conditioners that may not always be good for your hair.
Does a conditioner make my hair soft?
Good quality hair conditioners make your hair shiny and soft, and also strengthen it from the roots. They even add moisture to your hair and keep it well-textured for long hours.
What happens if you do not rinse out a conditioner?
Not rinsing out a conditioner can clog the pores in your hair and block the natural scalp oils. This eventually leads to hair breakage. Leaving some part of the conditioner on your scalp can also make your hair heavy and sticky.
Is conditioner good for curls?
If you have curly, frizzy, or wavy hair, a good conditioner can help. It ensures your hair becomes soft, silky, and smooth.
What ingredients should you avoid in a conditioner?
Sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, glycol, and triclosan are some common ingredients found in conditioners that you can steer clear of. These ingredients can dry your hair and cause scalp issues.
Should you put conditioner on your roots?
Since your scalp produces sebum which moisturizes the roots, they do not need any additional conditioning. Conditioning is more required for the ends of your strands that are more prone to breakage, damage, and dullness.
What does over-conditioned hair look like?
Over-conditioned hair usually loses its volume. Your strands may look thin, sticky, and in some cases, extra dull.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast. She loves trying out products recommended by stylists to review and recommend to her readers. She did extensive research and curated the list of the best drugstore conditioners available on the market. These conditioners help manage your hair, prevent damage, and improve overall hair health and appearance.
Read full bio of Beurena Johnson
Read full bio of Shiboli Chakraborti
Read full bio of Aditi Naskar
Read full bio of Arshiya Syeda
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