Whats The Scoop On A Good Leave In? - How To Choose The Best Leave In Conditioner For You

Finding a good leave in can be frustrating for some. A good leave in has the ability to condition as well as moisturize the hair and with that said, the leave in should allow you to style your hair or maintain a style already installed. The first approach is to carefully consider both your hair type and lifestyle.

If your hair is naturally dry or becomes dry frequently then you definitely need a leave in that will thoroughly moisturize your hair and have the ability to keep it moisturized for at least several days. The level of moisture in your hair is definitely affected by your hair type but also by the environment.

One should expect to need more moisture during winter and summer. Cold and hot climates can deplete the hair of its moisture levels.

The wind and direct sun can also dry out both your hair and scalp. Ideally you want to implement a regular routine of applying a leave in so that your hair maintains a healthy state.

Leave-ins are very much like deep conditioners in that they contain many of the same ingredients and as such, prior to choosing your leave in, you must consider the needs of your hair in general. Is your hair weak or breaking? Is your hair normal but your scalp and ends get dry?

To choose a good leave-in start by focusing on what your hair really needs. This is the best rule of thumb when choosing all of your hair products, especially if you do not want to end up purchasing everything in the store.

All leave-ins are not meant for all hair types! They all start with water but there is a long list of other ingredients to consider. The focus when reading the labels should be on the first five ingredients.

The entire list of ingredients is dependent on what is listed among the top five ingredients for those five are what you will use to judge the quality and usefulness of the product, meaning that the first five ingredients make up the bulk of the contents.

Many companies will highlight one or more ingredients on the front of the bottle to grab your attention but unfortunately those ingredients can be last on the list! Look for oils* and vitamins* that penetrate the hair to fall high on the list.

Palm oil, grapeseed oil*, argan oil* and coconut oil* penetrate the hair’s shaft and provide many nutrients to both hair and scalp.

Herbal extracts also provide nutrients and some boost moisture, providing slip for manageability while styling or detangling the hair. Herbs to look for are: Marsh Mallow Root, Burdock Root, Flaxseed, Hibiscus*, Rosemary* and Fenugreek.

Choosing a leave in that contains both herbs and penetrating oils* will allow you to moisturize and treat your hair as needed between shampoos. Those of us with coarser hair or hair that is tolerable to glycerin should also look for glycerin as one of the top five ingredients.

Glycerin has the ability to maintain the hair’s moisture level by absorbing the moisture within the surrounding air.

Those prone to frizz or with fine hair may find that glycerin leaves their hair limp, sticky and frizzy.

If you have had bad results with products contain glycerin, try products that list glycerin closer to the end of the list or not at all.

Reading the list of ingredients may seem time consuming but it is the best approach when your goal is a healthy head of hair.

It will also help you avoid wasting money on products only to find that your hair doesn’t react well. Leave ins with natural easy to read ingredients are ideally the best choice to make. Choosing a leave in based on natural ingredients will allow you to avoid the brands that use high levels of lab created fragrances but instead use essential oils*.

Some are sensitive to fragrances that can cause allergic reactions as well as have drying agents. If fragrance is within the first five ingredients be well aware that the smell maybe overwhelming to both your nose and hair strands. Most natural products have unique fragrances that normally disappear.

If you have a leave in that your hair loves but the scent is unique, consider applying it to your hair at night so that it doesn’t linger the next day.

I prefer to smell the product after reading the label so I can consider whether the scent is favorable or not prior to purchase. Surprisingly, even the products with a factory seal still have a hint of the scent lingering within the lid or top. Since a leave-in is the product used most frequently it is imperative to make a very careful selection.

If you have tried too many leave ins to consider and feel frustrated, read the labels of your favorite conditioners! Conditioners that are traditionally rinsed from the hair contain ingredients that may make them an ideal leave in.

To test your conditioner’s ability as a leave in, start by using only a dime size amount for each hair section and style your hair as you normally do.

You want to carefully examine your hair at the end of the day. Does it feel sticky or silky? Does it feel dry or moisturized? Don’t be surprised if the leave-in that you have been searching for has been under your sink this entire time!