How to Pick the Right Conditioner for Your Hair Type, According to a Derm

You may have been led to believe that it doesn't matter which conditioner you choose: They all make hair soft and shiny. In actuality, it's not so simple. Just as there are many shampoos on the market, so, too, are there countless conditioners. The wrong pick can weigh down your hair or leave it static, dry, and brittle. But the right one can help you replace the lost moisture from shampooing, smoothing the cuticle and, in turn, reducing tangling, increasing shine, decreasing static, and helping make your hair more manageable.

Conditioner is crucial for all hair types, but not every conditioner will work for your hair type. We asked the experts—board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, and celebrity hairstylist DJ Quintero—how to choose the right conditioner based on hair type. Keep reading for their advice.

What Conditioner Types Actually Mean

Conditioner packaging can be a bit confusing. With words like fortifying and volumizing, it can leave you wondering what the conditioner is actually supposed to do (and if it's a good fit for your hair type). To start, we break down the buzzwords below.

• Hydrating/moisturizing conditioners are great for adding moisture, shine, and smoothness to hair and are ideal for thick, curly, or coarse strands. Look for ceramides, B5, triglycerides.
• Volumizing is an excellent choice when your hair is fine or limp. If your hairstyle needs a boost and lift, a volumizing conditioner won't weigh you down. You'll see the term "maltodextrin" on these bottles.
• Strengthening/fortifying conditioners are formulated for damaged, over-processed, highlighted, weak, or brittle hair. Amino acids, proteins, collagen, Olaplex technology, and biotin will likely appear on the ingredient list.
• Balancing conditioners are typically a nice middle-of-the-road option: Not too moisturizing but won't dry your hair out.
• Smoothing/straight hair conditioners have extra moisturizers and smoothing agents to help seal the cuticle and provide a smooth start for your straight hairstyle. Cocoa butter, olive oil, and egg white be found in this conditioner type.
• Curly hair conditioners are formulated for curly hair and are typically very moisturizing and make an extra effort to reduce frizz. Argan oil might be at play here.

The Best Conditioner for Weak, Breakage-Prone Hair

What to Look For

If your hair often breaks off during brushing, washing, or styling, you'll want to look for a strengthening conditioner to fortify your strands from the inside out. These typically do so with strengthening ingredients like keratin and moisturizing agents.

Conditioners with deep conditioning ingredients—including proteins and amino acids to improve hair follicles' resilience to the environment—will benefit this hair type, says Nazarian. Green tea extract and other antioxidants are also go-to ingredients.

Look for "a reparative conditioner with beneficial ingredients that nourish and actually repair and deeply condition the hair, along with great treatments that work," says Quintero, who loves Living Proof's Restore Conditioner ($32). The Byrdie editors are big fans of the Nexxus Unbreakable Care Thickening Conditioner ($16).

How to Use

Look for conditioners with strengthening ingredients, but don't overuse them: Overusing ingredients like protein can actually lead to more breakage.

The Best Conditioner for Oily, Limp Hair

What to Look For

If your hair tends to be oily or greasy, you may skip conditioner altogether and likely often find that conditioner makes your hair feel worse. While some people can skip the conditioner with good luck, there are options out there that can help reduce oil.

"Weighed down, greasy hair is a sign the scalp is producing too much oil," says Nazarian. "Conditioner with dimethicone, glycerin, and shea butter can hydrate without weighing down the hair. Leave-in conditioners are also a good option here; a small amount to the ends goes a long way."

Quintero says a lightweight conditioner that adds fullness and volume is your best bet for oily hair. Avoid conditioners that are "hydrating," "moisturizing," "smoothing," or otherwise considered good for curly hair. These conditioners tend to pack in too much moisture at once and will cause your hair to be limp. Instead, look for labels that read "volumizing," "light," "strengthening," or "balancing."

How to Use it

These products are less moisturizing and more effective at removing excess oil, so if your hair is fine and oily, try using conditioner first, then shampoo. Added protein may also be a good thing for oily hair.

The Best Conditioner for Dry, Damaged Hair

What to Look For

"The health of the scalp determines the health of follicle," says Nazarian. "Dry hair is a sign that the root of the hair, the scalp, is not creating enough oil to condition the hair." She recommends using a conditioner with vitamin B5, which is "great at hydrating, and ceramides to improve the ability to retain moisture."

Sometimes, overwashing can also be the culprit for dry hair. "Look for conditioners that deeply condition and protect hair and add shine and moisture," says Quintero. "Try a conditioner that helps seal cuticles and leave hair shiny and moisturized like Living Proof's Perfect Hair Day Conditioner or the No Frizz Conditioner (both $32) for those with dry hair."

Avoid "strengthening," "fortifying," and "volumizing" conditioners. For hair that is only a little dry, look for shampoo labels that promote moisture, hydration, smoothing, balance, or help with curls. These products are great for balancing moisture without adding too much to weigh your hair down.

How to Use it

Deep conditioners are a great investment for dry and damaged hair. With use one to four times per month, your hair's damage can be managed, and future damage can be prevented. Try a coconut oil treatment for intense damage repair.

The Best Conditioner for Natural Curls and Coils

What to Look For

Hydrating, moisturizing, and smoothing are signs a conditioner may be right for your natural curls. Moisturizing is of the utmost importance when you have curly hair, as the natural oils cannot travel throughout the strands of hair and distribute the moisture evenly. Nazarian says coconut and argan oils can offer deep hydration and smooth follicles for shiny curls.

"Try and use as few hair products as possible between washes and ensure you use quality products (conditioner) over a higher quantity of products," says Quintero, who adds that moisture and protection are extremely important for those with natural hair. "I would look for a moisturizing conditioner, a great leave-in, and a great oil. You can also use co-washes that don't strip your hair of natural oils and help moisturize and condition."

How to Use it

Most people with natural hair tend to do a deep condition every two weeks. Because natural hair tends to be on the drier side, you need a gentle conditioner that adds moisture and protects your strands while encouraging your curl patterns, says Quintero.

Can You Skip Conditioner?

If you have very fine hair, Quintero says you can skip conditioner—but you might want to think twice before doing so. "Conditioner technology has gotten so good that you [can] choose what works best for your hair now," he says. "So many shampoos and conditioners can really help your hair needs based on texture and density."

When in doubt, consult a board-certified dermatologist to be formally evaluated; they can help direct you toward the right products. "Depending on what other products you are using and certain styling habits," there may be more at play than your choice in conditioner, says Nazarian.