9 Best Drugstore Deep Conditioners for Extra TLC on a Budget
No hair wash day is really complete without a conditioner. Most shampoos require you to follow up with a conditioning treatment to restore the lost moisture and natural oils stripped during the cleansing process. While regular conditioners help regain the moisture lost due to extrinsic stress, repeated washing, and exposure to environmental aggressors, the best drugstore deep conditioners do more. For some hair types and concerns, deep conditioning is vital. For instance, thirsty, dry, parched hair, especially one that has been subjected to chemical processes, needs more. That’s why we have curated this list of the most effective deep conditioning products.
With a greater concentration of conditioning agents, these work for long-term damage repair and deeply hydrate your strands so that you have less frizz, tangles, and breakage in general. These are also the most ideal for curly, coily, or color-treated hair. Why drugstore? That’s so that you can give your tresses some extra TLC, even when on a budget!
But don’t worry — the price tag of a product is not always directly proportional to its quality (or lack thereof). While curating our list, we focused on ingredients, formulations, and most importantly, the effectiveness of each deep conditioner to bring you only the best off the aisles. Some, we tried. For others, we relied on real-time user feedback and reviews left by users across several platforms.
Scroll on for our recommendations and in-depth reviews of each product that, based on our expertise, rivals professional brands in great measure and can transform your haircare routine significantly.
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist
Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Crème Deep Conditioner
Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner
L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Deep Nourish Conditioner
PURA D'OR Deep Moisturizing Biotin Conditioner
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioner
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner
HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Conditioner
In This Article
9 Best Drugstore Deep Conditioners
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1Best Overall
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist
With over two decades as a cult favorite, Aussie's 3 Minute Miracle clearly stands the test of time. It comes as a rich, creamy formula that transforms even the most tangled, knotted hair into silky smooth locks in just minutes. Infused with nutrient-rich avocado and jojoba oils, this conditioner provides deep hydration that your parched strands are desperately seeking. As it melts through each strand, it replenishes brittle hair with moisture and shine, improves elasticity, and tames frizz and flyaways into submission, leaving hair touchably soft and easy to detangle.
What we love the most is that while some conditioners rely on heavy silicones and sulfates to temporarily mask damage, Aussie's formula is free of these harsh ingredients. Instead, it uses natural emollients to genuinely repair hair from the inside out. The uplifting tropical scent of bright citrus and florals is just an added bonus. Consider this your new go-to for tangle-free, frizz-free hair that looks and feels amazing.
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil
Hair Type: Straight, wavy, curly
Size: 16 Fl oz
- Suits all hair types
- Paraben-free
- Lightweight
- Absorbs quickly
- Pack of 3
- Unbeatable price for the quality and quantity
- Not fragrance-free
Quick Tip:
Only condition wet hair tips or dilute the conditioner for use on the scalp if you have fine and oily hair.
Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Crème Deep Conditioner
Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair is a blessing in a jar for 2C-4C hair textures! This nourishing hair treatment infused with carrier oils works wonders on dry hair and parched locks, pulling moisture and nutrients deep into the hair shaft. No matter the cause — chemical processing, heat styling, environmental factors — this protein-free deep conditioner helps revive lackluster strands to a softer, more vibrant state. We are most impressed with the definition it gives to curls without making them crunchy or rough. With improved hair elasticity, think soft, defined curls and waves that bounce when you walk!
Key Ingredients: Coconut, avocado, mango, flaxseed
Hair Type: Natural curls, coils, waves
Size: 15 oz
Key Ingredients: Coconut, avocado, mango, flaxseed
Hair Type: Natural curls, coils, waves
Size: 15 oz
- Can be used as a regular conditioner or as an intense repair mask
- Reduces breakage
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- No mineral oil
- No petrolatum
- Slightly runny consistency
Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner
For hair and scalp that feel parched, look no further than Mielle Organics' Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner. This luxurious formula combines the restorative powers of babassu oil, essential oils, and fatty acids to breathe new life into lackluster locks.
Based on our observations, this conditioner doesn’t simply just coat hair, instead, it penetrates deep and saturates hair strands with deep hydration that can be felt for days. While it suits all hair types, we especially recommend this for damaged and dry hair, more so for curly or coily textures.
Key Ingredients: Babassu oil, essential oils, fatty acids
Hair Type: All
Size: 8 oz
- Deeply penetrating
- Makes hair strands more resilient
- Lightweight
- Sulfate-free
- Color safe
- Certified organic ingredients
- Smoothens frizzy hair
- Lasting effect
- Ideal for hair spa
- The mint scent may be too strong for some
L’Oréal Paris Ever Pure Deep Nourish Conditioner
Formulated as a color care system, the Ever Pure Deep Nourish Conditioner from L’Oréal Paris is one of the best drugstore sulfate-free deep conditioners for color-treated hair. The formula containing argan oil nourishes and replenishes hair without stripping it of its natural oils — the main reason why we recommend this budget deep conditioner strongly for hair that screams for hydration and TLC; think bleached hair or overprocessed hair. We also love the sophisticated scent of this elixir that harmoniously fuses notes of tuberose and apricot.
As a reviewer on Amazon shares, “It’s, in my opinion, the poor man’s Kerastase”, and we agree. Pick this for a luxurious experience in the shower and a gorgeous head of silky, smooth, manageable hair after it.
Key Ingredients: Apricot oil
Hair Type: Dry, Color-treated
Size: 8.5 Fl oz
- Works from first use
- Vegan
- Salt-free
- Sulphate-free
- Surfactant-free
- Thick consistency
- Leaves no residue
- Fragrance doesn’t linger on hair
PURA D'OR Deep Moisturizing Biotin Conditioner
A drugstore deep conditioner that targets thinning hair? Yes, please. With squalene, aloe vera, biotin, and several other herbal actives, this conditioner goes to the root cause of hair thinning and leaves you with fuller, thicker hair that's soft and shiny. The most impressive part is that this does double duty as an excellent cleanser for the scalp — get rid of the gunk and fill it up with nutrients necessary to make your hair healthy and lustrous. To that effect, users report that it doesn’t leave their scalp or hair greasy at all.
We like how it is suitable for both men and women and works for all hair types. While we cannot guarantee that your hair thinning issues will be solved using only this product, based on our observations, it’s still a great drugstore deep conditioner for nourishing your hair and scalp.
Key Ingredients: Squalene, aloe vera, biotin, vitamin E, avocado oil, argan oil
Hair Type: All
Size: 16 Fl oz
- Very mild scent
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- No parabens
- Gluten-free
- Hypoallergenic
- Thick consistency
- Results may vary for anti-thinning
Palmer's Cocoa Butter Deep Conditioner
More a hair mask than a conditioner, Palmer's Cocoa Butter formula is specially designed to help you achieve your dream hair length by repairing damage and reducing hair breakage for each strand. Not only that, it protects new hair growth and feeds it with the necessary nutrients to strengthen it. We are most impressed with the thick consistency — a little really goes a long way — and how quickly it works! Just 5 minutes post shampoo can leave your frizzy, crinkly, rough hair transformed into soft, shiny, well-defined curls. You can also use this as an intensive treatment by keeping it on your hair for 30 minutes before rinsing if you want defined curls that hold their shape all week!
Here’s a testimonial from a user on Amazon: “My kids has coarse curly hair. I've tried everything from coconut oil masks to other popular curly girl hair methods, NOTHING worked...As soon as I applied this to both my kids hair (damp after they took a shower), it soaked it up as they curled up. I left it on for about 30 min before washing it off and they look and feel beautiful!”
Key Ingredients: Cocoa butter, biotin
Hair Type: All curl patterns and textures
Size: 12 oz
- Helps soften and define curls
- Great quantity for the price
- No phthalates, parabens, mineral oil, or dyes
- Does not weigh down hair
- Gluten-free
- The scent may be strong for some
Quick Tip:
For intensive treatment, sit under a heat source with a cap on or wrap your head in a warm towel for 30 minutes after applying the deep conditioner.
Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner
Mask too heavy, regular conditioners too thin? Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner comes in just the right consistency for hair that’s thirsty and craving extra attention. You can use it as a regular conditioner to detangle hair or as a deep conditioner by leaving it on for longer. We are most impressed with how it works for all hair types to take away frizz and leave hair bouncy, even without following up with a blow dry session.
A review on Amazon sums it up perfectly: “This is all my roommate and I will use for our hair. Its amazing as softening and taming flyaways. I have pretty much straight hair, my roommate has very wavy hair and my daughter who I also use it on had curly hair and it works great for all of us.”
Even though it’s slightly pricier than other drugstore deep conditioners, it is great value for money and we highly recommend it for anyone with dull, frizzy, knotty, curly, dry, or damaged hair.
Key Ingredients
Hair Type: All
Size: 8 Fl oz
- Vegan
- Manages frizz
- Adds bounce to curls
- Easy to apply and rinse
- Leaves no residue or greasy feel
- Detangles hair
- Little goes a long way
- Slightly pricey
HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
Formulated without harsh ingredients like silicones, drying alcohol, and artificial colors, HASK’s Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner offers deep restoration for all hair types. Expect your hair to be strengthened and smoothed with the keratin proteins in the formulation.
Based on our observations, this is one of the best drugstore deep conditioners for chemically-treated, overprocessed hair. To reiterate in the words of a user, “(It) makes my hair feel brand new. I love these”. Users also report that the softness lasts for a while, even with once-a-week use. The product also smells really nice with a fruity floral smell and does not leave behind any residue.
Key Ingredients: Keratin
Hair Type: Dry, weak, damaged
Size: 1.75 oz (pack of 12)
- Lightweight
- Great for long hair
- Softens hair and adds shine
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- May be heavy for very fine hair
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Conditioner
Say goodbye to frizzy curly hair problems with the Deep Moisturizing Conditioner from Shea Moisture. Specially formulated to care for curls and coils, this one comes with natural ingredients that provide entrance hydration and nourishment to make detangling and frizz control a breeze. Users share that this softens their curls and gives them bounce and definition. What's impressive? The brand uses only fair trade shea butter. We strongly recommend this for those who are transitioning to natural hair after chemical treatments.
Key Ingredients: Sea kelp, mango butter, argan oil, shea butter
Hair Type: Curly to coily
Size: 16 Fl oz
- No harsh chemicals
- No mineral oil or petrolatum
- Cruelty-free
- Pleasant scent
- Does not feel heavy
- Defines curls
- Not for the scent-sensitive
- Poor package design
Everyone deserves the best drugstore deep conditioner to amp up their self-care regime without going heavy on the pocket. However, finding the perfect pick for your hair may pose some challenges. To help with that, we have a buying guide ahead. Read on.
What to Look for in Drugstore Deep Conditioners?
Here are a few factors that you can consider while shopping for the best drugstore deep conditioner:
Ingredients: Different hair types and concerns require different ingredients for optimum care, however, all benefit from a deep conditioner that offers moisturizing and strengthening benefits. Look for ingredients like argan oil, biotin, and keratin that can do both equally well. Consider opting for ultra-nourishing ingredients like shea butter for coarse, thick hair textures and more lightweight oils and solutions for finer hair.
Formulation And Consistency: The formulation of a deep conditioner and its consistency can impact how easy it is to apply and rinse out. It also has a role to play in how well the product absorbs into the hair and how much you need to use.
While there is no strict guideline to adhere to here, we recommend opting for lightweight formulations with somewhat thick consistency for the best experience. Having said that, very thick deep conditioners act as hair masks and can give you salon-like results but they also need to be kept on for longer usually and rinsed out very thoroughly. Pick based on your requirements.
Scent: While on the surface it doesn't seem like a big deal, many a great hair care product has languished on the shelf only because the user did not like the way it smelled. This factor is extra important to consider for those who are fragrance-sensitive. We recommend you check the label for scent information or go through reviews to understand what kind of scent you may expect before getting a product online.
How to Use Drugstore Deep Conditioners?
Different formulations require different time frames to work their deep conditioning magic on your hair. However, the overall process of using a drugstore deep conditioner involves the following steps:
- Begin by shampooing your hair to cleanse excess dirt, oil, and grime.
- Remove excess water by gently squeezing it out using a towel or your hands.
- Take a bit of your favorite deep conditioner — the thicker the consistency, the lesser you need usually.
- Apply it uniformly from the root to the tips of your hair strands (unless otherwise instructed on the product label).
- Gently comb it through your hair to facilitate uniform absorption.
- Leave it on for 3-30 minutes (depending on product usage instruction, intensity of treatment you want, and time at hand)
- Rinse your hair thoroughly under running water.
Conclusion
Our list of the best drugstore deep conditioners contains products that cater to various hair types and conditions. Some, like Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Crème Deep Conditioner, are best suited for curly and coily hair while others, like Aussie’s 3 Minute Miracle Moist, can be great for straight and wavy hair types. What’s common between all our picks is that they transform frizzy, dry, damaged, and lackluster hair and make it soft, smooth, defined, frizz-free, strong, resilient, and happy. There is another thing common: all of these are affordable, which means you can continue to use them as part of your haircare regime without worry. Try the product that resonates the most with you and give your hair the TLC it deserves
FAQ's
Why Trust Pinkvilla
Alvira, our in-house haircare expert, swears by deep conditioners as a crucial step in haircare regimes, especially for those with dry, damaged, over-processed, or natural hair. However, she also appreciates that salon visits and luxury professional brands may not sustainably fit into all lifestyles. So she has picked the best budget options, aka, drugstore deep conditioners that work just as well, at less than half the price of salon brands sometimes. Having put hours of research to analyse formulations, ingredients, user feedback, and product claims, she is happy to have picked her top 9! She is a big fan of the Deep Conditioner from Mixed Chicks, which ticks all the boxes she considers important when analyzing deep conditioning products — deep nourishment, clean formulation, frizz management, lightweight texture, and easy application and rinsing!
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!
With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More
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