We know that coloring, bleaching, processing, and heat styling can wreak havoc on your hair; but the right deep conditioner can help restore that damage, add moisture back into the hair, and leave it feeling soft and silky. Though using a deep conditioner is an extra step, it's one worth investing in since it can make a significant improvement in the look and feel of your hair.
To find the best options for a variety of hair types and hair concerns, we tapped celebrity hairstylist Sally Hershberger as well as pro stylist Michelle O’Connor to learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for a deep conditioner. We evaluated each product based on ingredients, texture, feel on the hair, and overall results. We also took consumer reviews and our editor's personal experiences with these products into consideration when narrowing down our list.
Before jumping into our picks, here's what you'll want to consider when choosing the best deep conditioner for you:
- Strengthening Properties: In addition to moisturizing benefits, O’Connor recommends reaching for a product that also has strengthening properties. She explains that lackluster hair in need of repair is usually experiencing some degree of breakage, and proteins and nourishing oils can help strengthen it. Keratin and argan oil are two great examples of fortifying ingredients to keep an eye out for.
- Consistency: While you'll want your deep conditioner or hair mask to hydrate and strengthen your hair, you don’t want it to leave it oily or weighed down. Look for formulas that will ramp up hydration while still providing a lightweight finish sans any heavy or sticky residue. If your hair tends to get weighed down easily, we recommend opting for a mist.
- Format: Ultimately, the best deep conditioner is one you'll actually use. While masks are great options for an in-shower treatment, those tight on time might prefer a leave-in formula. If you're big on everything showers, a rinse-out conditioner or luxurious mask might be right up your alley.
Creamy texture is easy to work into the hair
Features bond-building technology to help repair damage
Leaves hair feeling incredibly soft and smooth
Small bottle
Hair Type: All | Size: 3.3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Featuring the brand's unique bonding technology which relies on proteins to reduce breakage and restore broken hair bonds, as well as moisturizing glycerin, and a blend of nourishing oils, this mask strengthens and conditions damaged and dry hair. The texture and creamy but not too heavy, making it easy to work through wet hair, and we love that it's suitable for all hair types. For added fortifying benefits if you're experiencing serious damage, we recommend pairing it with the No. 3 Hair Repair Perfector, and editor-favorite weekly treatment. The one thing we don't love about this product is that you need a decent amount to coat your hair, so you'll likely run through the 3.3 oz bottle pretty fast.
Adds moisture to hair
Helps smooth split ends
Enhances shine
Strong perfumey scent might be too intense for some
Hair Type: All, chemically treated | Size: 8.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
If you're willing to splurge on a high-end product that delivers salon-level results, consider Christophe Robin's Regenerating Mask with a blend of good-for-hair ingredients, like plant ceramides and prickly pear oil. Ceramides work to smooth the hair shaft while prickly pear oil helps hydrate and soften, thanks to its high concentration of vitamin E. The texture feels luxe and creamy, though it doesn't leave a residue behind. Over time, the mask works to repair existing damage and prevent new damage from occurring. Plus, it boosts the intensity of your hair color—something folks with color-treated hair will be especially happy about. Because leans heavily on prickly pear oil, it shouldn't come as a surprise that the pear fragrance is pretty potent. The scent is a bit strong and perfumey, so keep this in mind if you're sensitive to fragrance.
Smooths damaged hair strands
Protein-rich
Creamy texture
May leave a residue
Hair Type: Dry and color-damaged | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
This multi-use formula from L'Oréal can be used as a co-wash, rinse-out mask, or leave-in treatment. We love how this deep conditioner treats split ends, brittle hair, and color damage with a blend of oils and proteins while detangling hair and leaving it ultra-smooth and shiny. Plus, it protects against heat styling up to 450 degrees. The only thing we aren't huge fans of is the fact that the formula can leave behind a residue if you're not careful to thoroughly wash it out.
Pro-Keratine Complex repairs visible damage
Smoothing
Large amount needed each use
Hair Type: All, damaged | Size: 2.6 or 6.8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
If your hair is visibly damaged due to bleaching or excessive heat-styling, Kérastase Resistance has your name on it. This deep-conditioning mask is chock full of protein-rich ingredients, including a Pro-Keratine Complex—a blend of protein and amino acids, like serine, arginine, and glutamic acid which help to strengthen the hair structure. It also contains ceramides that help moisturize, mend breakage, smooth hair follicles, and fortify brittle hair. Keep in mind that you may have to use a decent-sized amount of the mask each time to really work it through your hair, and considering that it's pricey, this isn't ideal.
Powered by vitamins and antioxidants
Helps reduce frizz
Available in four sizes
May take weeks to notice a difference
Hair Type: All | Size: 2, 8, 12, 32 fluid ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Briogeo's take on deep conditioner is this transformative, ultra-hydrating mask that promises to strengthen stressed hair and protect it from future damage. It's a favorite among editors thanks to its ability to add moisture, smooth frizz, and strengthen the hair over time. It calls on amino acids, rosehip oil, and B vitamins to work its magic, and when used as a weekly treatment, it really does improve the look and feel of your hair. It has a creamy but lightweight texture that's easy to work into the hair, and we love that it's available in a variety of sizes. The only bone to pick: It takes a while to see results, but hang in there and be consistent—it's totally worth it.
Contains strengthening proteins
Softens and strengthens hair
Silicone-free which is great for hair that gets weighed down
Comes in a pouch which can be hard to use in the shower
Hair Type: Curly | Size: 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Bread Hair-Mask was formulated with coily, curly, and wavy textures in mind, but all hair types can reap the benefits of this extra-creamy deep conditioner that leans on a potent blend of nutrient-rich oils—like starflower and Kakadu plum seed oils—and strengthening proteins. The formula is noticeably lightweight but doubles down on dry, damaged hair to soften, strengthen, and moisturize every last strand. It's also free from silicones which can be beneficial for fine strands or those who struggle with greasy or weighed-down hair. Our one con is that it's housed in a pouch that can get slippery when wet and deposit too much when it's squeezed too hard; just be careful while depositing the formula.
Contains a moisturizing blend of oils
Helps restore natural curl patterns
Nourishing for low porosity hair
Available in three sizes
Strong scent could be too intense for some
Hair Type: Curly and coily | Size: 3, 13, 29 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Formulated to restore natural curl patterns and tight textures, the Pattern Intensive Conditioner is jam-packed with hydrating ingredients—like avocado oil and shea butter—to define, revive, and protect curls and coils. It was created specifically for low porosity hair, which often struggles to hold onto moisture. The texture is rich and creamy, and we love that it comes in multiple sizes, including a jumbo with a convenient pump.
Antioxidant-rich formula
Promotes hair growth
Adds definition to coils and curls
May be too heavy for fine hair
Hair Type: Curly | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Curls Dynasty makes an indulgent deep conditioning mask that's packed with creamy pumpkin to fortify and rebuild a damaged hair shaft and promote new growth. We're big fans of the fact that this formula formula restores moisture at the cuticle level. The texture is rich and super-hydrating, making it a nice choice for those with curly hair that's damaged or lacking moisture. One thing to note: It's dense, so those with fine hair might find that it weighs hair down.
Lightweight enough to be used on scalp
Supports hair growth and thickening
Subtle aromatic scent
Not ideal for damaged hair
Hair Type: Fine | Size: 6.7 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Those with fine hair know how challenging it can be to find a deep conditioner that supplies serious moisture without weighing your hair down or coating it in a greasy film. This one is great for fine and thinning hair because it's soft and creamy without being too rich. It's formulated with a protein complex that can help with hair growth and maintaining a healthy microbiome on the scalp. It also contains peptides for necessary moisture. It's not ideal for those with very damaged hair as it doesn't have bonding technology or a rich, smoothing formula, but it's great for those looking to condition fine hair and help encourage growth.
Hydrating
Minimizes brassy tones
Contains bonding technology
Can stain hands and clothes
Hair Type: Color-treated | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Whether you have highlights or a full-on platinum dye job, Bust Your Brass is great for moisturizing chemically lightened hair and neutralizing any brassy, orange hues. It features rich purple pigments to color-correct brass, as well as a bonding complex to help strengthen hair and target damage. Some reviewers note that if you leave the treatment on too long, the formula can turn hair purple, depending on porosity, so be sure to monitor appropriately. And because the treatment is so potent, it can stain skin and clothes. Remember to wash your hands after use and try not to get the treatment on clothes and towels. Overall, its brass-fighting, nourishing, and strengthening capabilities make it one worth checking out.
Contains keratin to repair and rebuild
Suitable for daily use
Lightweight spray formula
Strong perfumey scent
Hair Type: All | Size: 2, 6 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
CHI's Keratin Leave-In Conditioner is a lightweight no-rinse option that's great for applying right after washing your hair because it helps detangle, nourish, and strengthen every strand. We're big fans of the formula, which boasts a keratin-infused blend to repair the hair cuticle, improve elasticity, and protect against future breakage. It has a strong perfumey scent, which we don't love, so those who are sensitive to fragrance or perfumes might want to opt out of this one.
Doubles as a heat protectant
Adds a high-shine gloss
Lightweight mist
Available in three sizes
Can leave a residue if sprayed directly on roots of fine hair
Hair Type: All | Size: 2, 5, 12 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Jennifer Aniston's haircare line LolaVie won't magically transform your hair into her signature 'do, but it's designed to garner excellent results for a variety of hair types and hair concerns. We love the Glossing Detangler—so much so that we named it a Byrdie Eco Beauty Award Winner—because it gently detangles hair without breaking it and doubles as a heat protectant. Lemon extract, chia seeds, and vegan ceramides make this fine leave-in spray formula a powerful conditioner that's lightweight enough to use as daily as a detangler for a high-gloss effect.
Helps reduce breakage
Reduces frizz
Adds moisture and shine
Not ideal for crown and scalp
Hair Type: All | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This reparative hair mask from Vegamour is one you should have on your radar, especially if you have lots of flyaways and broken ends. It works to smooth, hydrate, and strengthen hair thanks to a formula powered by Karmatin, a vegan silk alternative to keratin and silicone. Unlike other bonding shampoos, Karmatin stays locked onto strands, bonding them together, rather than washing out with water. It also contains marula oil and moringa seed oil to boost moisture and shine. We love that it's so hydrating, but it can leave behind a bit of residue on the crown and scalp. So, for that reason, we recommend working the deep conditioner through just the lengths and ends of your hair instead.
Lightweight spray
Protects hair against heat damage
Strengthens hair and minimizes breakage
Could be a bit more hydrating
Hair Type: All | Size: 8.5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
We highly recommend applying a heat protectant or a nourishing leave-in conditioner before blow-drying your hair to minimize damage. This leave-in conditioner spray from Redken protects hair from heat damage by fortifying the hair cuticle and prevents hair from snapping by reducing friction and detangling. It has a lightweight, creamy texture that's easy to spritz and work into the hair, and we love that it helps reduce flyaways and frizz. We wish it contained more nourishing oils for added hydration benefits, but we love it for its strengthening and protecting benefits.
Why Trust Byrdie
Theresa Holland is a freelance commerce writer specializing in beauty. For this roundup, she considered dozens of deep conditioning treatments, evaluating each on active ingredients, formula finish, and targeted concerns. She took into account different hair types and textures, sourcing top-rated products for each.
Alyssa Kaplan is an experienced writer in the beauty industry and product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has fine, damaged hair and has been using and testing various deep conditioners for years. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been a commerce writer at Byrdie since 2022, where she covers all things beauty.
To learn more about what to keep in mind when shopping for a deep conditioner, contributors consulted with experts. Those experts included:
- Michelle O’Connor is a professional hairstylist based in Miami. She is the Artistic Director at Matrix, an Ulta Beauty Pro, and five time North American Hairstyling Awards winner.
- Sally Hershberger is a celebrity hairstylist with salons in New York and Los Angeles. She's known for her eponymous line of hair products and has appeared on the Bravo reality show Shear Genius.