Bonus points, per the experts: To keep curls tight and bouncy, this conditioner is locked and loaded with hydrating ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and rosemary oil.
One tester said: “This is great—lightweight but super moisturizing. It leaves my hair so soft and manageable, and it definitely delivered on its promises.”
Just so you know: Coconut oil is great for adding moisture to natural hair but can weigh down fine or thinning hair.
The Best Conditioner for Damaged Hair: Pantene Unbreakable Lengths with Rice Bran Oil Conditioner
Once again Pantene has made its way onto our Healthy Beauty Awards list—and it’s no wonder, because this new conditioner is an instant staple. It’s especially good for people looking to bring some life into dehydrated, color-treated, or brittle hair.
Just so you know: Many alcohols can be drying and strip your hair of moisture. However, cetearyl and stearyl alcohol (both found in this conditioner) can actually be moisturizing and are generally okay to use.
One tester said: “I used Pantene a lot as a kid, and this felt like the more ‘grown-up’ version. The packaging also felt elevated, or fancier than I remembered. I really like this product!”
The Best Gentle Conditioner: Nécessaire The Conditioner
Nécessaire’s conditioner detangles and softens hair for an immediately hydrating result. If you’re looking for an everyday, back-to-basics option, our testers can assure you this one is fresh and lightweight.
Bonus points, per the experts: Avocado oil gently hydrates hair and scalp.
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One tester said: “It’s 10/10 for me. This conditioner left my hair feeling soft, smooth, and silky after each wash, and because it’s fragrance-free, there was no overbearing scent to deal with.”
Just so you know: This product also contains coconut oil, which can weigh down fine or thinning hair.
The Best Conditioner for Natural Hair: Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner
Mielle’s Rosemary Mint conditioner impressed testers by delivering thickening and lengthening results without a hefty price tag—a bottle costs less than $10. Curly-haired folks especially appreciated how well it tamed flyaways and frizz.
Bonus points, per the experts: Not only does rosemary oil smell fantastic, but it’s also known to promote hair regrowth.
One tester said: “This Mielle product is one of my favorites. The rosemary mint smell is heavenly, and it really feels like a breath of fresh air on your scalp.”
The Best Pre-Poo: Bondbar Bonding Pre-Shampoo
Coily, mixed-textured, or curly hair types tend to require extra moisture—and that’s where a pre-shampoo treatment can come in handy. This one works almost like a mask; you leave it in for 10 minutes before rinsing it out and going through your usual wash day routine. Testers new to “pre-poo” were wowed by the difference it made in protecting their hair from humidity for hours on end.
Bonus points, per the experts: Our pros say that aloe and jojoba oil are great for nourishing the scalp and repairing damage. (That said, jojoba oil may weigh down looser curls, so use with caution!)
One tester said: “The Bonding Pre-Shampoo by Bondbar has completely changed the game for me, and it’s now an important part of my hair care routine. This treatment leaves my hair feeling super strong, and there’s been considerably less breakage while detangling my hair, even when I have a lot of knots.”
