8 best hair conditioners that beat out the rest, based on years of testing

You asked, we delivered. Introducing one of our most requested shopping guides yet: our beloved hair conditioners review.

After testing 30+ shampoos for dandruff, curly hair and more — for more than five years — I set out to do the same with the best hair conditioners on the market — including hair masks and leave-in conditioners.

Whether you’re looking for a soft, milky formula that’ll leave your hair soft and bouncy when using a blow-dryer brush or have hair growth in mind, this full-bodied review is for you.

“Using a conditioner is an important step in a beauty routine for nourishing hair that adds moisture and softness for manageability,” Amy Abramite, hairstylist, salon educator and creative director at Maxine Ltd. in Chicago, told the New York Post. She, along with Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist for Kim Kardashian, Megan Fox, Jennifer Lopez and more answered more questions in our FAQ section.

How to choose the right hair conditioner for your hair type

Per experts, there are a few different steps to take into account when looking for your next regularly used hair conditioner.

“After cleansing with shampoo, place conditioner in your palms and massage on the ends where hair is most dehydrated,” Abramite explains. “Once the ends are saturated, work conditioner upward towards the roots with fingers. Leave the conditioner on for two minutes and rinse thoroughly with warm to cool water.”

When finished, the hair should have a slip to it and be easy to detangle. Expert tip: For volume at the roots, skip conditioner at the scalp to avoid weighing hair down.

Ahead, I narrowed down the *absolute best* conditioners down to eight top picks for most hair types. When I say they’re my holy grails, I mean that I’ll never want my shower to see an empty bottle or tub of each.

FYI, medicube isn’t just for Korean skincare.

After testing a wide range of conditioners, the medicube Rosemary PDRN Hair & Scalp Conditioner stands out as the best overall because it delivers impressive results without compromising volume or leaving behind any heavy residue. I love that it’s designed for both my scalp and hair, so I can apply it from root to tip without worrying about weighing my hair down.

My hair feels noticeably softer, smoother and easier to detangle after every use, while my scalp feels refreshed and hydrated. The lightweight formula, infused with rosemary, PDRN, amino acids and proteins, gives my hair a healthier look and feel while helping reduce the dry, rough texture I often experience.

What ultimately makes this my favorite conditioner is how consistently it performs. Instead of delivering temporary softness that disappears after my hair dries, it leaves my strands feeling stronger, shinier and more manageable throughout the day. I also appreciate that it adds moisture without sacrificing bounce, making it an excellent choice for fine or weak-looking hair.

After comparing it with every other conditioner I tested, this is the one I would happily keep in my routine because it checks every box for hydration, softness, scalp care and overall hair health.

Size: 8.45 ounces | Key ingredients: PDRN, Rosemary | Pairs well with: medicube Rosemary PDRN Clarifying Thickening Shampoo

Out of every conditioner I tested for dry hair, the Gisou Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Conditioner delivered the best hydration without feeling overly rich or heavy. My hair tends to get dry through the mid-lengths and ends, but this formula gave it an immediate boost of moisture while still leaving it soft, light and bouncy.

I also love (like, love, love, love) the scent; it has a sweet honey fragrance that makes every wash feel a little more luxurious without being overwhelming. After rinsing it out, my hair felt noticeably smoother, looked shinier and was much easier to comb through.

What earned this conditioner the top spot for dry hair is how well it balances deep hydration with a lightweight finish. Some moisturizing conditioners leave my hair feeling coated or flat, but this one never did. Instead, it replenished moisture better than any other conditioner in my testing while keeping my hair touchably soft and full of movement. If my hair is feeling dehydrated or dull, this is the conditioner I reach for because it consistently leaves it looking healthier, glossier and deeply nourished without sacrificing volume.

Size: 6.8 | Key ingredients: Ceramides, Fermented Honey | Pairs well with: Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hydrating Shampoo

My hair starts to skew oily after the second day or so, so I’m always on the hunt for a conditioner that’s specifically suited for oily hair while still giving my ends the moisture they need. Out of all the formulas I tested, the Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Conditioner was my favorite for striking that balance.

It conditions my lengths without making my roots feel heavier or causing my hair to look greasy sooner. Whenever I feel like my hair needs a reset, this is the conditioner I reach for because it leaves everything feeling fresh, soft and clean.

I love that this conditioner delivers lightweight hydration where I need it most without sacrificing volume or shine. My ends feel smoother and more manageable, but my hair never feels coated or weighed down after I rinse it out. Instead, it helps keep my hair looking healthy and refreshed while complementing my oily scalp rather than working against it. If I’m trying to extend the time between washes without my hair feeling limp, this is the conditioner I find myself coming back to.

Size: 12 ounces | Key ingredients: Pink Grapefruit, Citric Acid | Pairs well with: Neutrogena Healthy Scalp Clarify & Shine Shampoo

When it comes to finding the best drugstore conditioner, the L’Oréal Paris Sulfate-Free Glossing Conditioner stands out as the one that impressed me the most. I love that it delivers a high-end feel without the high-end price tag, making it an easy addition to my routine when I want smoother, shinier, more polished-looking hair.

The formula leaves my strands feeling soft and silky while helping tame frizz and improve overall manageability. It gives my hair that fresh-from-the-salon glossiness I look for in a conditioner, but at a price that makes it practical for everyday use.

I keep coming back to this conditioner because it does exactly what I want a drugstore formula to do: provide noticeable results without feeling complicated or heavy. My hair feels healthier, smoother, and more hydrated after using it, and I appreciate that it fits seamlessly into my routine alongside my more premium products. It’s proof that a great conditioner doesn’t have to come with a luxury price tag, and out of all the affordable options I tested, this one delivered the best combination of performance, shine, softness and value.

Size: 6.8 ounces | Key ingredient: Glycolic Acid | Pairs well with: L’Oreal Paris Sulfate-Free Glossing Shampoo

Doesn’t a coconut avocado conditioner just sound like a dream?

Finding a conditioner that truly works for naturally curly hair like mine can be challenging because curls need moisture, softness and definition without feeling weighed down. The AG Care Curl Fresh Coconut Avocado Conditioner was the standout in my testing because it gave my curls the hydration they need while keeping them light, bouncy and manageable.

I don’t have kinky curls — they’re more like waves — but I notice that they feel softer and more defined after using this conditioner, and I love that it helps bring out their natural shape instead of leaving them flat or coated. The blend of coconut and avocado helps nourish my strands while giving my curls the slip they need for easier detangling.

I reach for this conditioner when I want my curls to look and feel their best because it provides the perfect balance of moisture and movement. Some curl conditioners can be too rich and leave hair feeling heavy, but this one keeps my curls refreshed, smooth, and full of life. It helps reduce dryness, makes styling easier and leaves my hair with a healthier-looking finish. Out of all the curl-focused conditioners I tested, this one gave me the best combination of hydration, definition and lightweight softness.

Size: 12 ounces | Key ingredients: Avocado, Coconut and Sunflower Seed Oils | Pairs well with: AG Care Smoooth Coconut Smoothing Shampoo

The Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask earned the top spot as the best hair mask I tested because it delivers the kind of deep conditioning and repair that my hair needs when it starts feeling dry, rough or stressed. After using it, my hair feels noticeably softer, smoother and more nourished, with a healthier-looking shine and improved manageability.

What’s more, I love that it gives my strands a more restored, luxurious feel without leaving them limp or coated. It feels like a true treatment rather than just another conditioning step in my routine.

While this hair mask is definitely more expensive than many other options, I find that the tub lasts a long time because a little goes a long way. I usually treat my locks to a hair mask about once a week, so I don’t need to use a large amount each time to see results. The rich formula makes each application feel like a salon-quality treatment at home, and the combination of long-lasting results and minimal product use makes the investment worthwhile. It has become my go-to mask whenever my hair needs extra moisture, softness and a reset.

Size: 8.5 ounces | Key ingredient: Argan Oil | Pairs well with: Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Shampoo

The It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product is the best leave-in conditioner I tested, and it’s also a product I’ve been using for literally 10 years. It has earned a permanent spot in my routine because it consistently delivers the results I want from a leave-in: softer, smoother, more manageable hair with less frizz and fewer tangles. I love that it does a little bit of everything in one easy step, from adding moisture and shine to helping my hair feel more polished before styling.

It never leaves my hair feeling greasy or weighed down, which is why I continue to come back to it year after year.

After a decade of using this product, I can confidently say it’s one of the most reliable hair care staples in my collection. Whether my hair needs extra hydration after washing, help detangling or a smoother finish before heat styling, this leave-in always makes a noticeable difference. Unlike products I try once and move on from, this is one I’ve consistently repurchased because it works. It keeps my hair feeling soft, healthy and easy to manage, so it’s surely the leave-in conditioner I trust the most.

Size: 10 ounces | Key ingredients: Amino Acid, Citric Acid, Green Tea Leaf Extract | Pairs well with: It’s A 10 Potion Miracle Repair Shampoo

Best Personalized Conditioner: Prose

After reviewing a ton of personalized haircare brands, Prose is the only one I would actually order again.

Why it’s a standout? Because of how tailored the experience feels, from the in-depth consultation to the way the conditioner is customized around my specific hair goals, concerns and needs. Instead of using a one-size-fits-all formula, Prose creates a conditioner that feels like it was made for my hair, helping address everything from hydration and softness to manageability and overall hair health.

I appreciate that Prose combines the convenience of personalized haircare with the performance I expect from a high-quality conditioner. After testing so many customized hair products, this is the one our Post Wanted team reviewed that delivered an experience and formula we all genuinely wanted to keep using. My hair feels softer, smoother and more balanced after incorporating it into my routine, and I love that I can adjust my formula as my hair needs change. Out of all the personalized haircare brands I reviewed, Prose is the one that earned a permanent place in my rotation.

Size: Depends on order | Key ingredients: Depends on results from personal hair quiz

How I tested

For each formula over the past 5+ years, here’s the detailed criteria I used for each conditioner:

• Moisture and hydration: I tested how well each hair conditioner restored softness, reduced dryness and left hair feeling hydrated after washing.
• Detangling ability: I evaluated how easily the conditioner helped remove knots and tangles, especially when combing through wet hair.
• Texture and consistency: I compared the formula of each conditioner to see whether it was smooth, easy to apply, and evenly distributed throughout the hair.
• Fragrance and lasting scent: I assessed the conditioner’s scent, including how pleasant it was during use and how long the fragrance remained after drying.
• Overall hair results: I considered the final appearance and feel of my hair, including shine, smoothness, manageability and overall improvement after regular use.

An overview of my hair type

You’re in luck, because my hair type is a little all over the place (in short, you’ll likely relate to at least one characteristic my hair falls into). It’s of medium thickness and naturally wavy and frizzy, so I tend to look for high-quality hair products I can use before styling with a state-of-the-art curling iron.

Derived from genetics, I have somewhat of a dry scalp, too, though my hair tends to become oily if I go more than two days without a wash (thank goodness for dry shampoo!)

So, my hair is a melting pot and isn’t at all a one-size-fits-all model. So, I tested 28 hair conditioners to see which formulas are worth your coin.

An FAQ on Hair Conditioners

Below, we consulted two haircare experts to give you the 411 on all things hair conditioners (including how to properly use them).

How much hair conditioner should I apply?

How much hair conditioner to apply depends on your hair type and texture. “Fine thin stands will need less product and thick coarse hair will require more,” Abramite explains. “Begin with a dime to a quarter-sized amount and add more if necessary.”

How often should I use a leave-in conditioner?

“A leave-in conditioner is used primarily to moisturize mild to moderately dry hair and to repair damaged hair,” Fitzsimons said. “To see the best results, you should try applying a leave-in conditioner two to three times a week or after every wash.”

Moreover, if you find that your hair may need more than that, there’s no harm in using it more until you reach desired softness, he adds.

How often should I use a hair mask?

According to Abramite, hair masks are intense moisturizing treatments. “Masks are typically used once a week but can be used daily if the hair is extremely dry or damaged,” she notes. “As long as the benefits are suiting the hair’s needs, use as often as necessary.”

What ingredients should I look for in a hair conditioner?

Ahead, see what our two hairstylist experts have to say about recommended ingredients for each hair type:

Bleached Hair: When you have bleached hair, what you really need to focus on is hydrating your locks since they will become a bit damaged after. Look for coconut oil as it can work to nourish your strands and prevent protein loss.

Oily Hair: Look for products that have serum-busting oils such as rosemary, basil and lemon as these products are antibacterial and have cleansing properties that will help unclog pores. Aloe vera gently removes oil and calms the scalp, too.

Thinning Hair: If you’re looking to target hair growth, biotin is your number one savior. This ingredient has been shown to improve hair loss, and promote hair growth. Rosemary oil improves blood circulation and promotes hair growth, too.

Curly Hair: Look for organic argan oil, glycerin, and castor oil to help bring moisture back to your strands and to define your curls by making them soft and bouncy.

Dry Hair: Look for avocado oil and olive oil are good to moisturize dry, brittle hair. As a general rule of thumb, argan oil is really good for virtually any hair type.

Frizzy Hair: Look for a product that has shea butter, coconut oil and cocoa butter to replenish the strands and keep flyaways at bay.

Damaged Hair: Damaged hair turns brittle and straw-like from overprocessing the strands, heat styling, or improper care. To help combat those effects, find conditioners that have ingredients that will help smooth and soften your locks like hydrating oils, shea butter and glycerin.

Fine Hair: Look for collagen and caffeine to help remedy fine hair.

Wavy Hair: Similar to curly hair types, moisture is key. Look for ingredients such as avocado, argan, jojoba and coconut oils.

What ingredients should I avoid in a hair conditioner?

“When looking, you should definitely avoid products for the hair that include sulfates, parabens, formaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate,” Fitzsimons lists. “These ingredients are often associated with hair loss as they are easily absorbed through your skin and are harmful to your scalp, creating a slew of issues including dryness irritation and color fading.”

Abramite also advises staying away from silicones, as “they can build up and leave product residue on the stands making hair dull,” she adds.

How long should hair conditioner stay in your hair before rinsing?

Good question, right? Conditioner should typically stay in the hair for about five minutes before rinsing, and a mask should remain in the hair for ten to 20 minutes, per our experts.

This article was written by Victoria McDonnell, New York Post Commerce Journalist & Content Strategist, who has spent countless hours researching, testing hundreds of products and comparing the latest makeup, skincare, hair and beauty items and trends to determine what’s truly worth your hard-earned cash. She evaluates formulas, textures, ingredients and more, in addition to consulting medical and industry experts. Some of Victoria’s latest conquests include testing the best sheet masks on the market, and a rinse-and-repeat review of the best shampoos for all hair types and budgets. Victoria, who received a beauty industry essentials certification from the Fashion Institute of Technology, has been creating shopping guides for the New York Post since 2021 and previously held positions at Insider Reviews and CNN Underscored.

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