Leave-In Conditioners

Leave-In Conditioners

Leave-in conditioner is a hair care product that is applied after a person showers, and which is left in the hair until the next washing. Many regular hair conditioners are fairly dense or contain oils, and may be difficult to wash out of the hair to get that squeaky clean feel. Leave-in conditioner tends to rely not on oils, which could make the hair look greasy, but instead use products like glycerin, which can help calm tangled hair or impart a little moisture to dry hair.

Why Leave-in Conditioner?
Normal conditioners are applied and are rinsed off immediately, whereas leave-in conditioners are left on the hair for a longer period of time. This gives them more time to repair the damaged hair follicles and to protect them from dust and pollution. To get the best leave-in conditioner, prepare it at home with natural ingredients and minimum chemicals. If you have oily hair, then you can use a water based leave-in conditioner, whereas if they are dry, then you can go for nourishing oils based conditioner.

Uses
There are numerous leave-in conditioners and judging how effectively they work can be difficult; perhaps knowing why a person's hair may benefit from using a leave-in conditioner will help determine its effectiveness. Hair stylists often say that moisturizing the hair is just as important as moisturizing the skin and leave-in conditioner is a great moisturizer. If a person is looking to get rid of tangled hair, inexpensive leave-in conditioners are probably just as effective as more expensive brands.

Some other hair products have leave-in conditioner built in. People who use hair gel, mousse, styling cream, pomade, or wax might find that the light oils or glycerin in these products will add extra moisture to the hair and may protect it slightly from exposure to the sun, or from damage caused by styling. It usually isn't necessary to use a leave-in conditioner when using other styling products.

What's the difference between leave in conditioners and rinse off conditioners?
They are very similar as to their function and ingredients.  They are both used to smoothen and moisturize your hair, leaving it more manageable and easier to comb.

Leave in conditioners differ from regular rinse out conditioners mainly in the fact that the ingredients are thinner – not as heavy in weight and are designed as such because they are meant be applied and left for a longer period of time in the hair.  Leaving heavier rinse out conditioner in the hair would weigh the hair down and likely lend to greasiness (which is why we rinse out traditional types of conditioners).

Rinse off conditioners function to restore elasticity to your hair after shampooing. After rinsing out your conditioner, you lose some of the elasticity even though your hair is still conditioned.  Leave in conditioners function to help hold on to the conditioning there and provide additional help in holding on to moisture in your hair.

Leave in conditioners can be found at beauty stores and beauty sections of drug and discount stores as well as online

So, what is the best leave in conditioner?  How do I find a leave in conditioner for curly hair? What about men is there a leave in conditioner for men? The best leave in conditioner for you should leave your hair feeling moisturized without weighing it down or making it look oily.

For fine hair, it’s best to find a really lightweight and possibly foam formula.  Even though it is labeled as a leave in product, you can also use it as a detangler at the end of your shower and then rinse out. A leave in conditioner popularized as organic and weightless for all hair types. For thick hair that is craving to be managed, look for an intense conditioning cream that you would leave in your hair. If you suffer from sensitive skin or dry scalp, going with natural products that don’t irritate your skin might be best.

For those with the frizz and curly textures, a conditioner with a curl defining formula could be helpful.  One that I found with some intriguing reviews is called Mixed Chicks leave-in conditioner. What’s neat about this is that it is good on synthetic (weaves) and human hair alike and leaves curly locks soft and defined without frizz.

Leave in conditioner for men
Men can certainly use the exact same products that line the shelves for women.  Again, the key is selecting the products that best fit your needs.  After all, men can have similar hair issues such as fine limp hair, curly frizzy hair, etc. Of course there are hundreds of shampoos, conditioners and styling products marketed to men directly, one of which is Bed Head for Men Leave in Conditioner. Some men do not like spending extra time using regular conditioner in the shower either due to the time issue or because conditioners seem heavy to them. Using a leave in conditioner is a great alternative, as it takes less time to use and is more lightweight than traditional types of conditioners.

Best Leave-In Conditioner
There are several ingredients that make up a good leave-in conditioner. Reading the ingredient list allows you to make sure you are selecting one that will work. Other reasons to choose a particular leave-in conditioner include consistency and scent. These are a matter of personal preference, rather than there being one specific best choice for all. Ingredients to look for in a leave-in conditioner include acidifiers, oils, surfacants, detanglers, thermal protectors, reconstructors, glossers, and moisturizers. Each of these products have a different purpose in the conditioner. Acidifers, such as citric acid, lower the pH of the conditioner. This creates a stronger bond between the keratin structures of the hair. The result is sleeker, frizz-free hair. Oils are added to leave-in conditioners to moisturize hair and make it softer and less coarse. Surfacants work by helping the conditioner bond to the hair shaft, creating a protective layer on the hair. Detanglers are polymers that coat the hair surface, and alter its structure, making it easier to comb.

Thermal protectors are not always included in leave-in conditioner. Thermal protectors protect the hair from heat styling. Conditioners that have thermal protectors add heat absorbing polymers to the conditioner. Choosing a leave-in conditioner with thermal protectors is important for those who routinely blow dry or heat style their hair. Reconstructors are a type of protein that can penetrate the shaft of the hair, strengthening it. Glosses are chemicals such as dimethicone and silicone that attach to the surface of the hair, reflecting light. Moisturizers trap moisture in the hair, rather than letting it evaporate. Leave-in conditioners come in several different consistencies. Leave-in conditioners in a spray bottle are lightweight and a particularly good choice for fine, thin hair. Leave-in conditioners are also available as heavier creams. These make a better choice for thick or curly hair. The added weight of a heavier conditioner can reduce fly-aways, and keep curls under control.

Scent is often consideration when choosing the best leave-in conditioner. Because the conditioner is not rinsed away, more of the smell remains than in a traditional conditioner. It is important to choose one that does not clash with perfumes or body sprays; unscented varieties are available for those concerned about this problem.

Homemade Leave-in Conditioner

1. Glycerin and Aloe vera Conditioner
Ingredients: Glycerin, Aloe vera, Rose water /distilled water and Vitamin E tablets.

Method: Take a medium-sized bottle and fill one-third bottle with glycerin. Now extract the gel from 5 - 6 aloe vera leaves and put it inside the bottle. Cut 2 vitamin E tablets and pour them into the bottle too. Now fill the rest of the bottle with rose water or distilled water. Mix it properly and then use as required. You can store this mixture in the refrigerator too. Just shake it well before you use it. Apply it on your hair after you shampoo it and leave them like that. If you want to wash them, then rinse them with plain water after about ½ an hour.

2. Egg and Olive Oil Conditioner
Ingredients:  Egg, Olive oil and Bowl.

Method:Take a bowl and put 2 eggs in it. Mix the eggs properly and then add 4 teaspoons of olive oil. If you have thick hair, then you can prepare more conditioner in the same ratio. Mix this solution properly and then apply it on your hair. Don't forget to apply it on the ends of the hair as well. Now cover them with a shower cap and leave it for 30 minutes. Then wash your hair properly using plain water. It is one of the best conditioner for African-American hair. It will make your hair look shinny and healthy.

3. Honey and Banana Conditioner
Ingredients: Honey, Fresh lemon juice, Egg yolk and Ripe banana.

Method: Mash 1 ripe banana in a bowl till it forms a smooth pulp. Now add all the other ingredients and mix it properly. You can apply this mixture after washing your hair. Apply this paste evenly, especially on the tips of the hair. Put a shower cap and leave it for 20 minutes. Remove the shower cap and wash the hair properly with plain water. This conditioner is very effective on dry hair.

Apart from all the above given recipes for a hair conditioner made at home, you can just mix one part of conditioner available in the market with plain water and fill it in a spray bottle. Spray this liquid every time after a hair wash and let the hair dry. This is one of the easiest homemade hair conditioner. So, prepare the homemade leave-in conditioner according to your hair type, and use it every time you wash your hair. It will not only make your hair look good but will also help in its healthy growth.

Myotcstore Related Products:

BWC Premium Aromatherapy revitalize leave in conditioner - 8.5 oz

Dr.Bronners Magic fair trade hair creme, Peppermint - 6 oz

Giovanni 2chic Ultra Volume Leave-In Conditioning Elixir - 4 Oz

INFUSIUM-23 Step-2 (Volum)ologie Conditioner - 16 Oz

Alba Botanica Leave In Color Protection Conditioner, Fragrance Free - 7 oz