best leave-in conditioner

23 Best Leave-In Conditioners

You seriously need one in your life. 

Want to level up your haircare routine? Leave-in conditioners are magicians working their magic by making bad hair days disappear.

Next to a rinse-out conditioner, a good leave-in conditioner must be in your rotation because it lingers in your locks to lock in moisture.

When a leave-in conditioner sinks into your scalp, it instantly soaks up some major hydrating TLC and sun/UV protection.

Say goodbye, frizz, because it will be a thing of the past – just like a distant memory. Thanks to leave-in conditioners, hair can be very shiny and naturally wavy.

This is a must-have for anybody who has a busy schedule and requires a time-sensitive treatment. Because let’s face it, we don’t always have the energy or the time to bother with a rigorous 15-minute hair mask shower treatment.

When you shop for an intensive leave-in conditioner, look for one with fatty alcohols, oils, and triglycerides to smooth your mane while leaving your locks in place.

What You'll Learn...

The Best Leave-In Conditioners

With all this information in mind, we’ve curated this list of the 23 best leave-in conditioners just for you. 

Best Budget-Friendly Leave-In Conditioner: L’Oréal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi-Use Hair Treatment

L'Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Power Restore Multi Use Treatment with 91g of Repair Concentrate with Protein

Great things come in small packages, and this luxuriant leave-in conditioner comes in a standout black and gold package.

It’s formulated with a fine blend of proteins and almond oil to deliver strong and smooth hair. A little of this product goes a long way. 

Best Biotin Leave-In Conditioner: Marc Anthony Grow Long Leave-In Conditioner

Marc Anthony Leave-In Conditioner Spray & Detangler, Grow Long Biotin - Anti-Frizz Deep Conditioner For Split Ends & Breakage - Vitamin E, Caffeine & Ginseng for Curly, Dry & Damaged Hair

The strength-inducing and hair-nourishing pre-styling leave-in conditioner is just the pick-up you need.

It’s infused with vitamin E, ginseng, and caffeine to seal split ends and prevent breakage. You’re good to go by misting a few dry or damp hair sprays. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curls and Coils: Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Leave-In Conditioner

PATTERN Beauty Leave In Conditioner for Curlies, Coilies & Tight Textures

This leave-in conditioner is made for curly-haired women.

It’s enriched with biotin, honey, jojoba oil, and sun seed oil.

It melts like butter, and hydrates like oil minus the grease. It feels light enough not to weigh your hair down without drying it at the end of the day. 

Best Organic Leave-In Conditioner: Rahua Leave-In Treatment Light

Rahua Leave-In Treatment Light 2 Fl Oz, Weightless Anti-Frizz Heat Protectant for Healthy Lustrous Hair, Natural Hair Moisturizer that Strengthens and Softens Hair, Best for Fine Hair Types

Each Rahua purchase helps to support more than 500 indigenous Amazonian families directly.

The formulations of Rahua’s plant-derived hair products rely on the transformative powers of the Tungurahua nut, a rare variety of nuts found in the Amazon rainforest. The Rahua Leave-In Treatment Light is enriched with its potent oil.

This leave-in treatment is especially suited to fine hair, providing instant heat protection, preventing frizzy flyaways, and allowing hair to grow longer and stronger.

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Air Drying: JVN Complete Hydrating Air Dry Hair Cream

JVN Air Dry Cream, No Heat Air Dry Hair Styling Cream, Soft Styling Cream for All Hair Types, Smoothes and Defines Hair, Sulfate Free

This multitasking leave-in conditioner is part styler and part conditioner for those who don’t have time or energy for curling irons or hair dryers.

Let your hair air dry easily and believe there’ll be a flexible hold without the frizz. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Blow Drying: Nunzio Saviano The Cream

Nunzio Saviano THE CREAM

Saviano’s leave-in conditioner cream is specially made for damp hair before blow drying to fight humidity, ban frizz, and nourish hair.

It’s enriched with coconut water and milk.

This leave-in conditioner is expertly crafted for thermal protection against heat-styling tools and serves a flexible hold. 

Best Bond-Building Leave-In Conditioner:  Redken Acidic Perfecting Concentrate Leave-In Conditioner

Redken Bonding Shampoo for Damaged Hair Repair | Acidic Bonding Concentrate | For All Hair Types

This modern leave-in conditioner uses innovative bond-building technology to fortify weak bonds along the hair shaft.

YI weak bonds mean split ends, breakage, and hair color fading.

To revive and reinvigorate your hair, pair this wonder with the matching shampoo and conditioner for healthy, shiny hair resistant to damage. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Fine Hair: Gisou Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner

Gisou Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner, a Lightweight, Multi-Tasking Hair Conditioning Spray to Hydrate, Smooth, Detangle and Protect Hair

The Honey Infused Leave-In Conditioner from Gisou is multi-tasking and lightweight, perfect for hydrating and protecting your hair from breakage, heat damage, and pollution.

This nourishing formula is enriched with honey, baobab extract, and argan oil to soften your locks while controlling frizz.

Pair this treatment with the label’s Honey Infused Hair Wash and Conditioner.

Make sure to use it after and in between washes for smoother and healthier-looking hair.

Best Protective Leave-In Conditioner: R+Co Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave-In Conditioner 

R+Co Sun Catcher Power C Boosting Leave-In Conditioner

Reinforce hair with this nutrient-rich vitamin C leave-in conditioner.

Simply spray it on fresh, wet hair to help protect it from environmental hazards such as pollution, color-fading, and UV damage throughout the day. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Dry Hair: Color Wow Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused Hydrating Leave-In Treatment

Color Wow Dream Cocktail Coconut-Infused – No frizz leave-in conditioner turns dry, damaged hair to silk in a single blow dry; Coconut oil complex detangles, silkens; heat protection; closes cuticles

Dryness comes in various forms. From frizz and breakage to tangles and split ends.

This leave-in conditioner is specially made for the driest of hair types. It’s richly infused with keratin, coconut oil, and lipids to deeply nourish and make your mane flourish. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Detangling: Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Softening Leave-In Conditioner 

M & H Melanin Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner,16 Oz. Formulated with Nourishing Baobab Oil, Turnip Root,ProVitamin B5,Hydrate, Soften and Condition,

Say goodbye to nasty knots and say hello to glossy locks.

The Melanin detangling leave-in conditioner packs a punch with vitamin B5, amino acids, jojoba oil, and argan oil

Best Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioner

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave In Conditioning Spray, 5 oz - Coconut Oil & Argan Oil - Anti Frizz Hair Products - Natural Leave in Conditioner Suitable for Straight, Wavy and Curly Hair

This non-greasy, triple-threat leave-in conditioner is a blend of argan, coconut, and rosehip oils.

Lather on without fear. Layer it if you dare. 

Best Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner: Leonor Greyl Tonique Hydratant Leave-In Treatment Mist

Leonor Greyl Paris Tonique Hydratant - Leave-in Moisturizing Spray,

Get forever-young hair with a few spritzes of this leave-in conditioner.

It’s enriched with amino acids and collagen to ensure no more split ends.

The result is simply strong healthy hair. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Shiny Hair: Davines Oi All One Milk Leave-In

Davines OI All in One Milk | Hair Milk Spray | Powerful Hair Detangler + Heat Protection | Smoothes Frizzy Hair

This lightweight conditioner delivers a mirror-like shine thanks to the roucou oil swimming around the formula.

The result is hydrated hair with a clean citrus smell.

Best Drugstore Leave-In Conditioner: Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Leave-In Spray

Pantene Miracle Rescue 10-in-1 Multitasking Leave-in Conditioner Spray

This drugstore steal leave-in conditioner is a dream come true.

From boosting shine and protecting from UV damage to softening and strengthening, whilst smoothing and detangling.

Talk about it being good to be true. What a wallet-friendly gem!

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Damaged, Brittle Hair: Virtue Purifying Leave-In Conditioner

VIRTUE Purifying Leave-in Conditioner

This contemporary leave-in conditioner uses innovative science to smooth and soften hair.

It’s enriched with alpha keratin 60ku to repair hair follicles and cracks on individual locks.

Additionally, it improves manageability, enhances minimal flyaways, and provides protection against environmental aggressors like pollution. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Type 4 Hair: Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner 

Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner, Moisturizing Curl Primer and Detangler, Repair Damage and Prevent Frizz, Treatment For Thick Curly Hair Type 4 Hair

This ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioner uses a fine blend of babassu and buriti oils to penetrate the hair shaft deeply and effectively.

The moisturizing and detangling properties are a real-life miracle.

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Wavy Hair: Ouai Leave-In Conditioner

OUAI Leave-In Conditioner. Multitasking Mist that Protects Against Heat, Primes Hair for Style, Smooths Flyaways, Adds Shine and Detangles. Free from Parabens, Sulfates and Phthalates

This Ouai Leave-In Conditioner spray will leave your hair soft, detangled, and protected with moisturizing properties and enhanced heat protection.

Equipped with a new name and even more impressive tricks, the Ouai Smooth Spray has been reformulated as the Leave-In Conditioner.

With more moisturizing properties and enhanced heat protection, simply spritz onto damp hair to detangle, protect, and fight frizz.

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair: Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Treatment

MIZANI 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner, Moisturizing Detangler Spray, for Frizzy & Curly Hair

This Mizani spray controls flyways, tames frizz, and detangles hair.

There’s no beast it couldn’t tackle my friend.

It’s expertly formulated with fennel seed and coconut oil which leaves hair silkier and smoother. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Damaged Hair: Alterna Haircare Caviar Anti-Aging Moisture CC Cream

Alterna Caviar Anti-Aging Replenishing Moisture CC Cream | Leave-In Hair Treatment & Styling Cream | 10-in-1 Complete Correction | Sulfate Free

Bring your hair to life with this elixir leave-in conditioner.

The key ingredient here is pure caviar. Alongside omega fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins.

This unified army fights the good fight to reduce breakage and restore the damage done to your mane. 

Best Leave In-Conditioner for Frizz and Flyaways: Kérastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray

KERASTASE Discipline Fluidissime Complete Anti-Frizz Care Spray

Smooth problematic frizz for up to 3 days with Kérastase Discipline Anti Frizz Smoothing Spray.

This leave-in conditioner is best when combined with similar Fluidissime products.

Ideal for unruly hair in serious need of smoothness and manageability, the Fluidissime spray from Kératase protects hair from frizz and humidity for up to 72 hours.

Use other products from the Discipline range for stronger, more nourished-looking hair.

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Thick, Curly Hair: Cake The Mane Manage’r 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner 

Cake Beauty Mane Manager 3-in-1 Leave In Conditioner

This tripe-action formula can be used as a leave-in conditioner, style refresher, and daily moisturizer.

It is infused with rice proteins, soy, biotin, and coconut oil.

Pro tip: use it before you blow dry to detangle your curls, resulting in soft, shiny hair. 

Best Leave-In Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair: Pureology Colour Fanatic Hair Leave-in Treatment Spray

Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-in Conditioner Hair Treatment Detangler Spray | Protects Hair Color From Fading | Heat Protectant | Vegan

Looking for some extra TLC for your hair? Get this nutrient-packed leave-in conditioner.

It’s filled with coconut and olive oils to transform dull, dry hair into soft, smooth hair.

It is free of parabens, sulfates, SLS, and other ingredients. 


Final Verdict 

Regardless of what leave-in conditioner you decide, picking one is universally essential. No one is free from needing one. So, whether you want to splurge or save money, get one.