The Ultimate Guide to Applying Leave-In Conditioner

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Learn the benefits of leave-in conditioner for all hair types & textures

Co-authored by Savannah Vold Reviewed by Jasmin Todd

Last Updated: July 17, 2023 Fact Checked

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Application

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How Often to Use It

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Benefits of Leave-in Conditioner by Hair Type

Whether you’ve got dry, brittle hair or are looking to boost shine and lock in moisture, leave-in conditioner is an excellent solution for all hair types. Also known as a no-rinse or leave-on conditioner, this hero product doesn’t need to be washed out and fights against environmental pollutants, UV damage, and more. The best part is this powerhouse product couldn’t be easier to use, and in this article, we’ll walk you through how best to do it. Plus, we’ll cover exactly which leave-in conditioner to choose based on your unique hair type and texture. Read on for happy, healthy hair!

Things You Should Know

After shampooing and conditioning your hair in the shower, gently towel it dry until it's slightly damp.
Apply leave-in conditioner through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair, avoiding your roots.
Finish by combing your hair with a brush or wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly. You can use the product daily.

Section 1 of 3:

Applying Leave-In Conditioner

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1
Wash your hair and towel it dry. After shampooing and conditioning your lovely locks in the shower, lightly towel your hair dry so it’s damp, not sopping wet or dry.
- Avoid applying leave-in conditioner in the shower, as it’s meant to soak into your hair rather than be washed out.
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Apply leave-in conditioner to the ends of damp hair. After towel-drying your hair, apply a few spritzes of liquid leave-in conditioner or a dollop of cream leave-in conditioner, depending on what you have, through the mid-lengths and ends of your hair.^{[1]
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- Apply leave-in conditioner after washing your hair and before applying other hair products like styling gels and serums.
- Avoid applying a leave-in conditioner to your roots, as it may cause your hair to look oily and weighed down.
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3
Brush through your hair to detangle and distribute the product. Using a wide-toothed comb or a wet brush, gently brush out your hair, making your way from the ends upwards so as not to damage or pull at your hair.^{[2]
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- If you have curly hair, you may prefer to scrunch the product through your hair with your fingers instead.
4
Air dry or style your hair as desired. Whether you prefer to avoid heat on your hair or enjoy giving yourself a voluminous blow-out, leave-in conditioner doesn’t require any extra fuss, as you can style or not style your hair however you’d like after using it.^{[3]
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Research source} Plus, many leave-in conditioners have additional benefits such as UV and heat protection, making them excellent at protecting your hair while styling it—talk about a win-win!
- You may also spritz in a leave-in conditioner to damp hair before going to bed, as it will absorb while you sleep—sleeping beauty alert!

Section 2 of 3:

How often can you use a leave-in conditioner?

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Use leave-in conditioner daily or as directed. Leave-in conditioner is typically safe to use once daily, though how often you use it is ultimately up to you. For example, if you have particularly dry, coarse, or frizzy hair, using a leave-in conditioner daily may provide the hydration and nourishment your hair needs to thrive. Alternatively, if you have fine or oily hair, using leave-in conditioner daily may result in unnecessary product build-up that may weigh your hair down, so try it every few days or once a week.
- Some leave-in conditioners have particular instructions for usage, so be sure to read your product’s directions before applying it to your hair.
- Leave-in conditioners aren’t a permanent substitute for standard conditioners, as they’re formulated to be lightweight and not bond to follicles as a normal conditioner would. Think of a leave-in conditioner as a great way to provide your hair with extra nourishment and TLC when it’s feeling dry or unruly.
- Don't wash out leave-in conditioner—it's meant to be left in until your next wash day.

Section 3 of 3:

Selecting a Leave-in Conditioner by Hair Type

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Nourish dry and damaged hair with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner. If you’re suffering from breakage, split ends, dryness, and more, a moisturizing leave-in conditioner might be just the thing you need to take your hair from drab to fab. Leave-in conditioners with moisture-rich ingredients like coconut oil are sure to make a major difference in your hair's overall health and hydration.
- If the ends of your hair are particularly dry or split, concentrate your leave-in conditioner there during the application process.
- Leave-in conditioner can also promote hair growth—see ya, breakage!
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Opt for a lightweight leave-in conditioner to add shine to fine hair. Leave-in conditioner isn’t just for people with thick hair; people with fine hair can benefit too! If you're looking to boost shine and vibrancy without weighing down your fine hair, a lightweight, water-based leave-in conditioner is the way to go.^{[4]
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- If your hair is especially fine or limp, you may be able to swap out a heavy conditioner for a leave-in conditioner instead.
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Use a hydrating leave-in conditioner to smooth frizzy hair. Whether you live in a hot and humid climate or your hair texture runs on the frizzy side, an ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioner will help tame pesky flyaways and easily fight frizz.^{[5]
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Research source} By soothing and smoothing your strands with moisture, they’ll lay flat on your head instead of floating up around you.
- Leave-in conditioner also protects hair from the sun’s heat, which can lead to more frizz in humid environments.
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Protect color-treated hair with a UV-protectant leave-in conditioner. From bleached to bright red and anything in between, leave-in conditioners with UV and heat-proof ingredients make fighting damage from the sun and styling tools a breeze. UVA and UVB rays work to damage the protein structure of the hair follicle, resulting in a lack of pigment and dry, brittle strands.^{[6]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} By protecting the hair shaft from these rays as well as styling tools, leave-in conditioner acts as a shield and helps your color-treated hair stays vibrant for as long as possible.
- Leave-in conditioner also helps revive chemically straightened hair and breakage from ponytails, claw clips, and more.
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Nourish coarse or curly hair with a protein-rich leave-in conditioner. Curly and coarse hair requires more moisture than straight hair because the oils produced on the scalp have more difficulty making their way down the hair shaft—in other words, the more moisture, the better! Protien-rich leave-in conditioners penetrate deep into the hair shaft, helping you to achieve bouncy, happy curls.^{[7]
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- Unlike other hair types, leave-in conditioner can be applied from the root to tip rather than just the ends.
- When searching for a good leave-in conditioner, look for hair-healthy ingredients like antioxidants such as vitamins C and E and botanical extracts such as aloe vera and chamomile.

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Tips

Some leave-in conditioners can also be used on dry hair. Read your leave-in conditioner of choice to double-check if this is the case.

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Warnings

Like all other cosmetics, leave-in conditioners may cause an allergic reaction. Check the label for any ingredients you’re allergic to and do a patch test to see how your skin reacts to the product.

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