16 Best Conditioners for Bleached Hair: Pros, Cons, Buying Guide

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Feb 12, 2024
A woman using one of the Best Conditioners for Bleached Hair: Pros, Cons, Buying Guide
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For all those who have recently bleached hair or pre-lightened them to get their tresses colored, well, you can stop worrying about hair damage as the best conditioners for bleached hair have got your back. Deep-moisturizing hair masks and leave-in conditioners are a lifesaver if you frequently bleach your hair, as they help restore the damage caused by bleaching. 

When you bleach your hair, especially dark hair, the chemical components penetrate the hair shaft and break down the fatty acids and melanin molecules, which lightens the hair and turns it into an excellent canvas for artificial dyes. However, your hair loses its natural moisture and structure, leading to hair breakage, damage, extreme dryness, brittleness, and frizz. In addition, bleached or color-treated hair can hamper the health status of your hair cuticle due to intense moisture loss and thereby urge you to religiously follow your hair care routine. Fortunately, using the best conditioner for bleached hair helps restore hair elasticity and repairs the protein structure to minimize damage. 

To help you find the right product, we have curated a list of the top-recommended conditioners for hydrated and healthier hair.

16 Best Conditioners for Bleached Hair

Reverse all the damage caused by bleaching your hair with VIRTUE's recovery conditioner. The alpha keratin aids in repairing damaged hair and rough ends, while also softening your strands. This color-safe conditioner stands up to its name by recovering your mane in just one wash. It helps in moisturizing the brittle ends by infusing the hair with hydrating minerals that add softness, shine and manageability to your mane. Instead of opting for numerous products, just add this conditioner to your daily haircare routine and see the magic wand it spins! 

Pros
  • Suitable for all hair types
  • Reverses damage caused by chemicals
  • Softens dry ends
  • Affordable
  • Vegan formula
Cons
  • Not everyone will like the fragrance
  • Best for Damaged Hair

    OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner

    OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
  • OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner is a moisturizing pomade that suits all hair types. It prevents and repairs split ends and frizz by reconstructing broken protein bonds. The product has a pH balance and prevents dryness and damage caused by alkaline hair products. You can use this conditioner regularly and get smooth, shiny hair after every wash. This water-based emollient product has a nourishing formula that strengthens brittle strands and restores hair follicles from extreme damage.

    Pros
    • Color-safe
    • Sustainable
    • Cruelty-free
    • Silicone-free
    • Ideal for daily use
    • No parabens, sulfates
    Cons
    • Too many ingredients
  • Best Vegan Formula

    L'Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Conditioner - Revitalisant Violet

    L'Oréal Paris EverPure Purple Conditioner - Revitalisant Violet
  • People with naturally blonde hair know the pain of brassiness. And those who have bleached their hair are new members of the club. Luckily, this purple conditioner from L'Oréal Paris works as an effective color corrector for bleached hair. The product is enriched with purple pigments that neutralize yellow and orange tones for a clean, shiny, platinum-blonde look. It is fortified with glycerin and hibiscus extract that nourishes and hydrates your hair. The product is an excellent choice for people with cool undertones.

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Sulfate-free
    • Paraben-free
    • Expert validated
    • Climate Pledge Friendly
    Cons
    • Strong scent
    • Temporary purple tones
  • REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream

    REDKEN 5th Avenue NYC Extreme Bleach Recovery Cica Cream
  • If you frequently bleach your hair and need a leave-in treatment for brittle strands, then this bleach recovery hair cream by REDKEN is an ideal product. The product is enriched with cica cream, which deeply nourishes your hair follicles and promotes collagen production for hair elasticity. Other moisturizing ingredients in the product include coconut oil and cetyl alcohol, which provide damage control benefits. It has a plush, water-based formula and is one of the best conditioners for damaged hair.

    Pros
    • Adds shine
    • Lightweight
    • Pleasant scent
    • Smoothes hair strands
    • Climate Pledge Friendly
    • Ideal for extreme damage
    Cons
    • Contains sulfate
  • Best for Color-correction

    BELLISSO Purple Hair Mask for Blonde Hair

    BELLISSO Purple Hair Mask for Blonde Hair
  • This purple hair mask by BELLISSO has a rich pigmented color, excellent to reduce brassiness and yellow tones. The plush formula is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as argan oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera extract that deeply condition and moisture the hair. The hydrolyzed keratin and collagen repair damaged hair follicles, boost elasticity, and restore hair health, which makes it one of the best conditioners for bleached hair. Its chamomile extract brightens dull hair strands, while the tea tree oil revitalizes your hair and scalp. The hair mask works incredibly to achieve a clean, cool-toned blonde look.

    Related: Best Hair Moisturizers

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Pollution protection
    • Salon-grade quality
    • Botanical ingredients
    • No harsh ingredients
    Cons
    • Contains parabens
    • Temporary purple tones
  • Best for Dry Hair

    VITAMINS Keratin Mask for Dry & Damaged Hair

    VITAMINS Keratin Mask for Dry & Damaged Hair
  • While bleaching exposes your hair to harsh chemicals, it is essential to skip them in your damage-repairing hair conditioner. This keratin mask by VITAMINS contains botanical ingredients such as argan oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and glycerin to deeply moisturize and condition your bleached hair. The hair mask works wonders in taming frizz and making hair more manageable. It also contains rejuvenating essential oils such as tea tree oil, rosemary oil, and sweet almond oil that boost hair health. The product’s collagen content improves hair elasticity and helps repair damage caused by bleach.

    Pros
    • Lightweight
    • Cruelty-free
    • Pleasant scent
    • Suits all hair types
    • No harsh chemicals
    • Nourishing ingredients
    Cons
    • No apparent cons
  • Most Hydrating Ingredients

    davines NOUNOU Conditioner

    davines NOUNOU Conditioner
  • Dry, brittle hair calls for intense hydration. Davines NOUNOU Conditioner has a water-based emollient formula that deep conditions the hair. The pomade is enriched with vitamin E, glycerin, cetyl alcohol, and shea butter that luxuriously hydrate the tresses, while sweet almond oil and fruit extracts revitalize them. The product requires only 5 to 10 minutes to penetrate wet hair and provides long-lasting hydration. It is one of the best conditioners for bleached hair and perms.

    Related: Best Hair Toners

    Pros
    • Adds silkiness
    • Efficient results
    • Suits all hair types
    • Environment-friendly
    • A little goes a long way
    Cons
    • Overpriced
  • Best for Daily Use

    BOLD UNIQ BOLDPLEX 3 Bond Restore Treatment

    BOLD UNIQ BOLDPLEX 3 Bond Restore Treatment
  • Bleaching causes hair damage because the chemical components penetrate the hair shaft and break the protein structure. To restore the damage, this hair mask treatment by BOLD UNIQ has a BOND REPAIR TECHNOLOGY that reconstructs the molecular bonds in the hair follicles using hydrolyzed vegetable proteins. The hair mask is fortified with argan oil, castor oil, coconut oil, and other essential oils that hydrate and revitalize the hair. Its pleasant minty scent makes the hair care process delightful and luxurious.

    Pros
    • Cruelty-free
    • Instant results
    • Goodwill brand
    • Ethically sourced
    • No harsh ingredients
    Cons
    • No apparent cons
  • Best Sulfate-free Formula

    NEXXUS BLONDE ASSURE PURPLE CONDITIONER - Revitalisant Mauve

    NEXXUS BLONDE ASSURE PURPLE CONDITIONER - Revitalisant Mauve
  • This color-toning purple conditioner by Nexxus contains Violet Pigment Complex, which is incredible for shiny platinum-toned blonde hair. The revitalizing product keeps yellow tones and brassiness at bay. It is enriched with hydrolyzed elastin, keratin, and wheat protein that restore broken bonds in bleached hair and strengthens individual hair strands. While repairing damage, the product also acts as a color protectant to maintain your glossy blonde streaks. What gives the product an edge is that, unlike other purple conditioners, the pomade prevents purple pigments on your hair.

    Pros
    • Sulfate-free
    • Instant results
    • Smoothes hair
    • Salon-grade quality
    Cons
    • Contains mineral oil
  • Best for Deep Conditioning

    BioSilk Silk Therapy Miracle 17 Leave-in Conditioner

    BioSilk Silk Therapy Miracle 17 Leave-in Conditioner
  • If you miss the natural silkiness your hair had before bleaching, then this leave-in conditioner by BioSilk is the perfect choice for you. It works instantly in deep conditioning and hydrating your hair. The water-based formula is enriched with panthenol that boosts hair health and helps restore hair follicles from bleach-induced damage. It also helps reduce frizz and defines natural curls. What makes the product special compared to other leave-in conditioners is that it acts as a heat protectant and can be used before styling.

    Related: Best Shampoos for Aging Hair

    Pros
    • Adds shine
    • Seals-in shine
    • Prevents split ends
    • Shields from pollution
    • Reconstructs hair structure
    Cons
    • Inefficient sprayer
  • Best for All Hair Types

    PURE nature LUX SPA ARGAN OIL Deep Moisture Repair Conditioner

    PURE nature LUX SPA ARGAN OIL Deep Moisture Repair Conditioner
  • PURE nature LUX SPA ARGAN OIL Deep Moisture Repair Conditioner has a moisture-rich formula that does not weigh down the hair. The product is enriched with argan oil that smoothes, hydrates, and protects your hair from heat damage. Unlike many hair conditioners, the product is gentle on the scalp and also prevents split ends. It is effective in sealing in natural shine for beautiful, lustrous tresses. The keratin helps restore hair damage, making the product one of the best conditioners for bleached hair.

    Pros
    • Tames frizz
    • Cruelty-free
    • Suits all hair types
    • No harsh chemicals
    Cons
    • No apparent cons
  • BioPoint Cromatix Silver Anti-yellow Conditioner

    BioPoint Cromatix Silver Anti-yellow Conditioner
  • BioPoint Cromatix Silver Anti-yellow Conditioner is a good product choice for those who desire cool-toned glossy blonde streaks. The product helps neutralize yellow tones and brassiness in bleached, colored, and naturally blonde hair for a clean look. It has a plush consistency that hydrates and adds shine to provide beautiful-looking hair. The hair conditioner is enriched with olive milk, vitamins, minerals, and elastane that nourishes hair and improves the elasticity of individual strands.

    Pros
    • Color-care
    • Smoothes hair
    • Soothing effect
    • Detangles strands
    Cons
    • No apparent cons
  • Joico Color Balance Purple Conditioner

    Joico Color Balance Purple Conditioner
  • The next on the list of our recommendations is Joico’s color balance purple conditioner that is ideal for those who possess cool blonde or gray hair. It flawlessly eliminates brassy and yellow tones and boosts color vibrancy along with shine. Moreover, this conditioner for bleached hair is loaded with the goodness of green tea extract and rosehip oil to spruce up your hair color and thereby leaving your hair smooth and supple.

    Pros
    • Paraben-free
    • Controls static
    • Cost-effective
    • Paves the way for healthier hair
    Cons
    • Insufficient quantity
  • Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner

    Nexxus Humectress Moisturizing Conditioner
  • While researching for the best conditioner for bleached hair, we came across this one from Nexxus. It is the ultimate solution to moisturize your colored hair and leave them hydrated, silky, and supple. In addition, this conditioner shows off its powers with a key ingredient named elastin protein. Along with it, the caviar complex also works well to replenish and repair your hair from tip to root. The best part — this conditioner comes with a fail-proof conditioning therapy to lend you salon-like results just by sitting at home.

    Pros
    • Silicone-free
    • Best for dry hair
    • Super hydrating
    • Doesn’t weigh down your hair
    Cons
    • Pricey
  • It's A 10 Haircare Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin

    It's A 10 Haircare Miracle Deep Conditioner Plus Keratin
  • This It's A 10 Haircare Miracle Deep Conditioner is all that you need to splurge on for attaining beautiful, healthy, silky-smooth hair just by sitting in the comfort of your own home. With keratin, amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin, sweet almond oil, and Chinese tea leaf, this conditioner helps in restoring elasticity, detangling your hair, and preventing split ends. Addedly, it shields your hair from harmful UVA and UVB rays and locks in moisture.

    Pros
    • Penetrates deeply
    • Protects your color
    • Budget-friendly
    • Travel-friendly
    Cons
    • Unsatisfactory packaging
  • Truss Ultra Hydration Conditioner

    Truss Ultra Hydration Conditioner
  • Lastly, we recommend Truss’s Ultra Hydration Conditioner which is crafted specially for colored, highlighted, and bleached hair. It is an apt conditioner for anyone who is possessing curly, straight, dry, coarse, or textured hair types. Moreover, it is enriched with vital and hair-nourishing ingredients such as cottonseed oil, vitamin E, keratin, and protein. What left us impressed is the fact that it comes with pH balanced formula that keeps your hair looking vibrant and shiny.

    Pros
    • Very hydrating
    • Softens the hair
    • Rebuilds elasticity
    • Tames frizz
    Cons
    • Unpleasant smell

    While there are a plethora of hair conditioners in the beauty market, it can be challenging to find the right product for bleached hair. Hence, we have explained what features one should look for in the best conditioners for bleached hair.

    How to Find the Right Conditioner for Your Bleached Hair

    1. Bond Repair: The primary cause of hair damage through bleaching is bond breakage in the hair shafts. Hence, look for a product that reconstructs and repairs the protein bonds to strengthen individual hair strands and prevent breakage. 

    2. Nourishing Ingredients: Ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, shea butter, glycerin, panthenol, hydrolyzed protein, keratin, essential oils, aloe vera, and cetyl alcohol are some rejuvenating ingredients to look for. 

    3. No Harsh Chemicals: Avoid products with a strong fragrance, parabens, sulfates, hydrogen chloride, mineral oil, formaldehyde, and too many chemicals, as they are too harsh on your hair. While most of these ingredients can cause hormonal imbalance, dermatitis, irritation, and dryness, formaldehydes are carcinogenic too. 

    4. Ethically Sourced: Look for products that are cruelty-free, vegan, organic, and environment-friendly. The manufacturers of such products do not test on animals or use their resources. Some common ingredients that are not vegan include lanolin, honey, snail mucin, etc. One should avoid using them for a guilt-free beauty regime.

    After taking notes of the above aspects, roll your eyes over a few steps to use the best hair conditioner for bleached hair in an appropriate manner.

    Do I Need Conditioners for Bleached Hair?

    Yes, if you have colored, highlighted, or bleached your hair, then you need to take good care of it simply by using a a normal or leave-in conditioner for bleached hair. Below are the reasons to invest in a conditioner. 

    1. Conditioners hydrate and moisturize your hair.
    2. They protect your hair from breakage.
    3. They tame frizziness.
    4. They enhance the vibrancy of your hair color.
    5. They add shine and volume to your hair. 

    Now, let us tell you how you can incorporate a conditioner into your hair care routine.

    Do I Need to Use a Conditioner for Bleached Hair?

    Yes, you do need to use a conditioner to maintain hair healthy and its vibrancy. Following are the steps to use a conditioner for bleached hair in the right way. 

    Step 1: Detangle your hair before making them wet.

    Step 2: Wet your hair and begin shampooing. Let it rest for 5 minutes or as advised. Don not scrub your scalp or hair rigorously.

    Step 3: Rinse your hair.

    Step 4:  Apply the conditioner to the tips of your bleached hair. 

    Step 5: Wait for another 5 minutes and rinse it off with lukewarm water.

    Step 6: Air-dry your hair or use a microfibre cloth. 

    With these steps, you can easily condition your hair and prevent them from losing their dullness.

    Tips to Repair Bleached Hair

    Below are a few tips to repair your bleached hair. 

    1. For tackling excessive hair fall, ensure that you indulge in a scalp massage. You may use rosemary oil, onion juice extract, black castor oil, or any oil infused with sunflower seed extract, or algae extract. 
    2. If your scalp encounters itchiness, redness, flakes, or dryness, make sure you invest in good quality hair care products with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid and citric acid. 
    3. For all those dealing with brittle hair, may invest in shampoos and conditioners that repair and replenish damaged hair strands and cuticles. 
    4. Avoid shampooing your hair more than thrice a week. 
    5. Rather than indulging in hair styling products, rely on coconut oil. 

    Tada! This way you can easily take care of your damaged bleached hair. 

    Conclusion:

    While bleaching and pre-lightening your hair have several styling benefits, it makes your hair prone to damage and breakage. Luckily, now that you have our product recommendations for the best conditioners for bleached hair, you can save your precious tresses and restore the damage. Happy shopping.

    FAQ's

    How can I improve the condition of bleached hair?
    Bleached hair is often dry and brittle, as the chemical treatment breaks the bonds in the hair shaft. Hence, to improve its condition, you should opt for a bond-repair conditioner infused with keratin, collagen, or hydrolyzed vegetable protein.
    Can you use any conditioner on bleached hair?
    While regular drugstore conditioners are often ineffective, some cheap conditioners are loaded with harmful chemicals that further diminish hair health. Hence, you should always opt for conditioners that are specially designed for bleached hair.
    Do you need a special conditioner for bleached hair?
    Conditioners with bond-restore, moisture-lock formulas, and damage repair features are ideal for bleached hair. Prioritize specifically-designed conditioners for your hair problems over regular conditioners.
    What should you not use on bleached hair?
    Heating tools, hot water, and harsh chemicals such as parabens and sulfates should not be used on bleached hair.
    How do I rehydrate my hair after bleaching it?
    Use hair conditioners with nourishing ingredients such as argan oil, jojoba oil, coconut oil, shea butter, hydrolyzed proteins, and essential oils to hydrate bleached hair.
    How often should I condition my hair to prevent it from drying?
    You should condition your hair every time after shampooing to prevent it from drying.
    Can you condition your bleached hair every day?
    It is advisable to condition your bleached hair on a weekly basis to prevent unnecessary damage or hair fall.
    How do you keep bleached hair silky?
    You keep your bleached hair silky, by using the best leave-in conditioner for bleached hair or any good conditioner for bleached hair.
    Is keratin conditioner good for bleached hair?
    Yes. Keratin conditioner is good for bleached hair but you should wait for 3 weeks to know its efficacy.
    Can I use a regular conditioner after bleaching my hair?
    Yes. But make sure that the conditioner is hydrating and free from sulfates and parabens.
    Is coconut oil good for bleached hair?
    Yes. Coconut oil is good for bleached hair as it keeps your hair moisturized.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    Alvira, our haircare expert at Pinkvilla, loves to indulge in every hair-related product like shampoos, masks, and conditioners to take care of her bleached hair. She enjoys undergoing transformations but never skimps off her haircare routine. In addition to shampoos, she feels it is the usage of conditioner that plays a key role in pampering her bleached hair a little more. Hence, she researched and curated a list of the 11 best conditioners for bleached hair that help restore hair elasticity and repair the protein structure to minimize damage. Out of 11, her top pick is OLAPLEX No. 5 Bond Maintenance conditioner that repairs split ends and frizz by reconstructing broken protein bonds. The rest of her choices are also the go-tos to strengthen brittle strands and restore hair follicles from extreme damage. So, pick any from the list without a doubt!

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust Select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
    reviewer
    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More