Conditioners are a staple for hair care, but most people don't realize how important it is to choose the right ingredients for your specific hair needs. Dry, frizzy locks that are prone to breakage (read damaged hair) require extra time and effort to manage. The good news is that you can get your hair back on track with a little TLC with the best conditioners for damaged hair — the ones formulated especially to restore health and make hair soft.

There are two main types of conditioners: moisturizing and protein. Most conditioners are moisturizing, providing nourishment and hydration for daily use. On the other hand, protein conditioners pack a stronger punch (and should be used less often) to encourage new, healthy hair growth.

Whether it comes with argan oil, keratin, or biotin, the right conditioner will make your hair smoother, easier to manage, and less prone to breakage. This allows your hair to grow out the damage, which is critical since damaged hair is more brittle and vulnerable to splitting.

We got together with our in-house haircare experts to shortlist and review in-depth some of the most effective conditioners that can make a difference for you. 

Damaged hair can be a nightmare to tackle, so give your damaged locks some love with a nourishing conditioner that will strengthen your hair, promote repair from root to tip, and improve hair manageability. Check out our top recommendations and say goodbye to the bad hair days.

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  Best Overall

  OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

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OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is a breakthrough solution to salvage lackluster, damaged hair. This revolutionary conditioner repairs broken bonds and dramatically transforms the look and feel of hair. OLAPLEX’s patented active ingredient finds and fixes damage on a molecular level. 

Based on our observations, users have experienced visible differences and noticed smoother, softer, shinier strands, less frizz, fewer flyaways, visible repair of split ends, easier detangling, and less breakage after just a few applications. We like how the formulation with deep conditioning ingredients nourishes dry, brittle hair from the inside out to restore vital moisture, strength, and manageability.

2

Best for Quick Results

Nexxus Keraphix ProteinFusion Conditioner

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If your hair has suffered from excess chemical treatments or heat damage, Nexxus Keraphix ProteinFusion Conditioner offers the nourishment and care it needs. Based on our expertise, the key is Nexxus' exclusive ProteinFusion blend, which contains keratin protein and glutamic acid-rich black rice. This replenishes hair to heal the damage caused by bleaching, chemical processing, and heat styling. With continued use, we believe you'll notice visibly smoother, softer hair that looks and feels healthier. We were impressed that it has been clinically shown to heal signs of damage after one use and we recommend it to anyone looking for super quick results.

Quick Tip:

Avoid overusing protein conditioners. Too much can actually cause more breakage. Use once or twice a month for the deepest treatment.

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Best for Fine Hair

Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner

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Pureology Strength Cure Conditioner is a powerful formula that is designed to restore hair's health and shine. The Keravis complex reinforces hair fibers to prevent breakage and split ends. Astaxanthin, derived from microalgae, helps heal existing damage and protect hair against future damage. 

We like the lightweight formula that doesn’t weigh down fine hair and is gentle enough for regular use. We were also impressed with how it noticeably softens and detangles hair and leaves it with a fresh fruity scent.

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Best for Long Hair

Joico K-PAK Daily Reconstructing Conditioner

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With keratin and Guajava fruit extract, Joico K-PAK’s Daily Reconstructing Conditioner rebuilds breakage-prone strands and transforms damaged hair. Based on our observations of user feedback, the nourishing formula helps improve the elasticity and manageability of hair strands while smoothening and detangling them. We are also impressed that it eliminates static, a big issue for dry and damaged hair. 

As per our expertise, the keratin protein in the formulation can rebuild weak, breakage-prone hair, strengthening it to prevent future damage. We like how it not just sits on top of the hair, but actually gets absorbed to work from within to leave hair nourished, strong, and shiny. We recommend this for hair that has been damaged from UV exposure, heat-styling, and environmental pollution.

Quick Tip:

For optimum results, let this conditioner be on your hair for 5-10 minutes before rinsing it off with water.

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Best for Treated Hair

Hi Pro Pac Extremely Damaged Hair Repair Intense Protein Treatment

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More of a weekly hair mask for intensive treatment of damaged hair than a simple, regular use conditioner,  Hi Pro Pac’s Intense Protein Hair Treatment is packed with concentrated proteins that nourish hair and rebuild bonds to restore even the most damaged, over-processed hair. Based on our understanding, the active moisturizers in it protect and hydrate hair for improved manageability, the collagen builds moisture and softness while the wheat amino acids enhance shine and sheen. If you constantly battle with dry, brittle hair prone to breakage, this protein-powered treatment is a must-have for you. 

As testimony to its effectiveness, here’s a real-time user review from Amazon: “I bought this for my bleached, damaged, frizzy hair although I was skeptical about another mask. I’m glad I was proven wrong because the results were astounding. It softened my hair and did everything that the manufacturer promised. It’s also budget-friendly yet feels like a spa-worthy mask.”

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Best to Repair Brittle Hair

SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Conditioner

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The ultra-hydrating formula of the Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Conditioner from SheaMoisture is thoughtfully crafted to smooth rough cuticles and restore a healthy, vibrant shine. The two key ingredients work well together to boost hydration, repair damage, and soften dry and breakage-prone strands. We are impressed with how well this product washes out without leaving any buildup despite being so deeply nourishing. If brittle hair, split ends, and dull, lackluster locks are the main issues you are dealing with, we highly recommend this one for you.

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Best for Oily Damaged Hair with Dandruff

Luseta Tea Tree & Argan Oil Conditioner

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Dandruff is an added worry when battling dry and damaged hair. Cruelty-free and made with premium natural ingredients, Luseta's Tea Tree & Argan Oil Conditioner is a fantastic choice for those trying to tackle dandruff issues alongside hair damage. As per our expertise, the tea tree oil in this formula helps treat dandruff, dryness, and other common scalp issues while essential vitamins strengthen hair follicles and strands to reduce frizz and repair damage from styling. 

We particularly like how the lightweight formula doesn't weigh hair down or leave residue, making it the perfect conditioner for fine, oily hair. Overall, it is a clean product that leaves the scalp and hair refreshed, softened, and shiny.

8

Best Volumizing Effect

L'ange Hair Slické Blowout Hair Conditioner

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Designed for women seeking salon-quality blowouts at home, L'ange Hair Slické Blowout Hair Conditioner is a great choice for those who want a little extra TLC for their tresses. The luxurious formula features several hardworking ingredients — avocado and grapefruit extracts moisturize the hair, active proteins repair and strengthen the tresses, while chamomile, sage, and other botanicals relax the senses for a rejuvenating hair care ritual. 

Based on our observations, a little bit of the product goes a long way, even for long hair. We recommend this one for those who want a blow-out effect without having to blow-dry their hair!

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Best for Thick, Dry Hair

OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner

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A great choice for anyone struggling with dry, damaged, and frizzy hair, OGX Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Conditioner helps repair split ends and works wonders at taming flyaways and frizz even in coarse, curly, and thick hair. This sulfate-free formula contains coconut oil, known for its ability to deeply hydrate hair and enhance shine. We are also impressed with its creamy, irresistible coconut-peach scent. 

Based on our observations, this one’s most suited for curly-haired girlies, although those with other hair types ranging from medium to coarse and medium to dry also benefit greatly from the formulation. In the words of an impressed reviewer on Amazon: “This has been the answer to my curly-haired dreams. The scent is heavenly... and my curls are nicely moisturized, but not weighed down.”

10

Best for Regular Use

Wella Professionals Fusion Intense Repair Conditioner

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The innovative formula of Wella Professionals Fusion Intense Repair Conditioner features silk amino acids that strengthen hair and shield it from breakage. Based on our observations, with regular use, this conditioner for damaged hair can protect against mechanical damage and breakage and leave it more resilient and easier to detangle. 

We like the scent, which is not too overpowering, and consider this one of the best conditioners for damaged hair that can be used frequently without weighing hair down or leaving residue.

The right conditioner for your hair type can make all the difference. With a little know-how, you can pick the perfect product to get your hair back in top shape.

Choosing the right conditioner for your hair can be confusing with so many options out there. But it doesn't have to be! The key is picking a conditioner formulated for your specific hair type and concerns. Consider some of these factors while shopping: 

Type of Damage

• Overprocessed hair: If your hair is damaged from over-processing, highlighting, or just general breakage, you need a strengthening/fortifying conditioner. These conditioners are formulated with ingredients like amino acids, proteins, collagen, and biotin. Some even contain innovative technologies to actively repair broken bonds in your hair. 
• Severely breakage-prone and brittle hair: If your hair snaps and breaks whenever you brush or style it, you need an extra-strength treatment. Look for a reparative conditioner with the ingredients list mentioning keratin, antioxidants like green tea, and other deep conditioning agents. These ingredients will seriously revive your hair, leaving it silky smooth. 
• Dry, frizzy, tangle-prone hair: If your hair is feeling parched and brittle, you need a conditioner that truly quenches. Seek out formulas with vitamin B5 to hydrate and ceramides to lock in moisture.

Hair Type

• Dry, coarse, or thick hair: This type of hair will require conditioners with labels like “smoothening”, “hydrating”, and “moisturizing” to replenish lost nourishment and soften the strands. 
• Fine or oily hair: Seek conditioners with labels such as “volumizing”, “strengthening”, “light”, and “balancing” as they can work to restore moisture levels to the scalp and hair without weighing your tresses down.

Budget

Given the wide range of prices for conditioners, you may want to have a budget in mind. More expensive always does not translate to better; with a little searching, you can find the best conditioner for your damaged hair at your set price point.

To use a conditioner for damaged hair, you need to start the usual way: 

• Shampoo your hair and rinse it thoroughly. 
• Gently squeeze out excess water.
• Apply your chosen conditioner; remember to use it sparingly if it is a heavy formula.
• Now, how long you leave it on will depend on the package instructions as it varies according to the type of conditioner you are using. Most commonly, you may need to leave on a deep conditioner for 5-10 minutes. 
• Once you are done, thoroughly rinse it out — aim for a minimum of 30 seconds of rinsing. 
• Gently squeeze out excess water again, and towel dry or blow dry like you usually do.