We Came, We Saw, We Moisturized: The 12 Best Conditioners For Dry Hair

As you can probably tell from the photo, this conditioner is very, very loved. I typically sub in a hair mask for regular conditioner since it’s difficult to find one thick enough to soften my thirsty locks—but this one works like a charm. It actually has a similar rich texture to the hydrating masks I hold dear. Shea butter and avocado oil are known for smoothing and moisturizing dry, frizz-prone strands, while antioxidant-rich marshmallow root makes my tresses feel soft as silk.  

Argan oil is rich in fatty acids—namely oleic and linoleic acids—which make it extra hydrating for hair. "It's great for many conditions, especially dry, damaged hair because its trove of fatty acids lock moisture into the hair follicle," Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., an American Board Family Medicine physician and mbg Collective member, says regarding argan oil for hair. This rich number from OGX uses cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil and features a green, woody scent that will leave your locks shiny and fresh. 

Those with fine, dry hair often find themselves in a sticky situation: They want to feed their thirsty strands with moisture, but too many oils and butters can easily weigh down their locks. The answer? A lightweight conditioner, like this Aveda number. It contains pomegranate oil, a touch of coconut oil, mango butter, and oat extract to deeply hydrate, yet it features an airy, weightless consistency that won’t make your strands fall limp. Still, those with super-fine hair might want to apply only on the lengths to avoid flat roots. 

This conditioner is capital-T Thick. Like, requires strength to squeeze it out of the bottle thick. (That is my one con with this conditioner—it can be difficult to get the super-creamy conditioner out of the disc top lid!) But the extra effort is worth it for my parched strands: The argan- and jojoba-infused number deeply moisturizes after just one use. I like to leave it in for five or-so minutes so the hydrators can really soak into my strands—after rinsing it out, my dry hair feels noticeably softer and smoother. 

Retinol is arguably the gold standard for aging skin—why not use it for your hair, too? It turns out, the beloved vitamin A-derivative has some benefits for aging hair: It helps minimize excess oil and prevents dandruff on the scalp. Not to mention, topical retinol has been linked to hair growth (when paired with minoxidil) in research studies.

The conditioner also calls upon probiotic-rich ingredients to help restore a healthy scalp microbiota, as well as star hydrators coconut oil and Manuka honey to infuse strands with moisture. Not for nothing, this conditioner smells divine.  

Curls are particularly prone to dryness, so a moisturizing conditioner is a must. But if you find one that also defines your gorgeous ringlets in the shower? Consider it a bonus. The brand features a patent-pending curl technology that encourages the formation of curl groupings, as well as a special methiopeptide—and amino acid lauded for hair strength and elasticity—and shea butter for glorious slip. Simply lather on from root to tip, then use a comb to form your curl clumps in the shower. Rinse as usual, and you’ll be left with the glossiest, silkiest texture. 

Hair color can leave your hair drier than usual, since color processing limits the hair's ability to hold on to water. This makes keeping the hair fiber hydrated á la rich conditioners (and weekly hair mask) nonnegotiable. You can’t go wrong with this nourishing number: Formulated by famed celebrity colorist Justin Anderson, the rich confection is made specifically to keep color-treated hair vibrant and healthy between salon visits.

It features a white base to avoid any color shifting (which can happen with tinted products) and lots of hair-healthy antioxidants to maintain a bright hue, like sunflower seed and kumquat extracts. 

Biogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! collection is, hands down, one of the best remedies for stressed locks. In fact, the brand swears it will decrease hair breakage after just two (!) uses. It features argan, rosehip, and almond oils for their beloved fatty acids, panthenol for moisture retention, and algae extract to protect strands from free radical damage. It’s also protein-free, so you don’t have to worry about protein overload (which leads to more breakage), making this a great option to use in between bond-building masks. 

Argan oil is great for masking split ends and frizz. You could warm up the oil in your palms to smooth down flyaways, or you can always rely on this smoothing conditioner to target frizz from the get-go. After all, replenishing moisture is the answer to frizz: “If the hair is already saturated and coated with nutrient-rich ingredients, it is far more protected from being affected by the elements that contribute to frizz," stylist Amy Stollmeyer says regarding frizz remedies. With argan oil, coconut oil, and French lavender, your strands will be full of those necessary fatty acids and nutrients. 

Super-dry hair can use a hydrating hair mask instead of conditioner, especially if you only wash your hair once a week. I often gravitate towards this Act + Acre number, with castor oil, glycerin, and shea butter to soften, smooth, and lock in necessary moisture. Sometimes I’ll even hop out of the shower, toss my hair into a clip, and let it marinate on my strands for 30-ish minutes before rinsing. It’s a total revival hack when my parched strands need saving. I do wish the bottle was bigger, considering how fast I blow through product after product; Helen Reavey, call me if you ever come out with a jumbo size!  

Is $58 a pretty penny for one bottle of conditioner? Perhaps, but when you find one infused with so many science-backed ingredients for hair growth, you’ll surely understand the higher price tag. The hero ingredient, of course, is Karmatin, Vegamour’s signature vegan alternative to keratin and silicone. The biotechnology-derived ingredient (made from fermented silk protein) creates a mirror image of the amino acids that naturally occur in hair and helps seal in moisture. With broad-spectrum CBD to help soothe the scalp, it’s great for those dealing with dryness and hair loss.  

A conditioner fit for dry hair doesn’t always need to be whip-thick. Try this weightless-yet-hydrating formula whenever your strands (and senses) need a little pick-me-up. The signature Future Bloom fragrance smells like “a sun-soaked summer walk,” which ups the ante from your classic floral. I’m a sucker for complex, woody notes, and the vanilla, rose, and white musk base make this conditioner my personal fragrance heaven. Those with thicker hair may need to use quite a few pumps of product to fully saturate from root to tip—but trust me, once you take a whiff, you won’t be able to get enough.