8 Best Leave In Conditioners 2023 | Turn Dry, Frizzy Hair Glossy and Soft!

Here are the reviews for the top leave in conditioners for dry, frizzy, and curly hair types. Also check out drugstore products for curly and 4c hair types!

Dry hair can get difficult to style, and it’s more prone to knots, breakage, and damage. So using the best leave-in conditioner for dry hair is super important.

A good leave-in conditioner adds the hydration back to your tresses. After shampooing, your hair cuticles open, making them frizzy and porous.

So using a conditioning oil or serum can help seal in moisture, smoothen hair cuticles, and form a protective coating on your tresses.

Some of these leave-in conditioners also double as a heat protective coat, shielding your strands from the damaging effects of straighteners, curling irons, and blow dryers.

If you want to know what is the best leave-in conditioner for dry hair for your texture and needs, check out our reviews below!

Related: Best Leave-In Conditioners For Bleached Hair

Related: Best Leave-In Conditioner For 4C Hair

Leave In Conditioners For Dry Hair	Best For	Top Ingredients
Davines Oi Oil	Damaged Hair	Roucou Oil
Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner	Curly Hair	Almond Milk, Aloe Butter, Shea Oil
Leonor Greyl Paris Tonique Hydratant Leave-In Mist	Color Treated Hair	Moringa Extract, Acacia Extract
SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner	Natural Type 4 Curls	Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Shea Butter, Apple Cider Vinegar
Pantene Smoothing Combing Cream	Frizzy Hair	Vitamin E, Panthenol
Orlando Pita Play High Spirited Leave-in Conditioner	Voluminous Hair	Hydrolyzed Quinoa, Silk, Soy Protein, and Wheat Protein
Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner	Fine Hair	Hydrolyzed Rhodophycea (Algae) Extract, Salicylic Acid

How I tested the top leave in conditioners for different hair types?

I got some of the top leave in conditioners in the market and used them on myself and with a little help from our editors to suit the various hair types. I then rated them on a scale of 1-5 based on certain parameters that I’ve listed below:

• Moisturizing Power – The biggest reason for using a leave in conditioner is to help add moisture to dry hair so I checked if the product is nourishing or not!
• Shine – Also a good conditioner should add shine to hair without making it appear too greasy.
• Frizz Control – Another job of a leave-in conditioner is to control frizzy hair so I checked for that as well.
• Affordability – A leave-in conditioner is something most people use everyday so it couldn’t be exorbitantly priced. I also checked if the price matches the ingredients quality and quantity of product offered.

Top Leave In Conditioners 2022

Davines Oi Oil

Best Leave In Conditioner For Bleached Hair

If you want a good leave-in conditioner for fine, dry hair, an oil-based product is your best choice. As unlike other leave-in oils, this Davines conditioner is super lightweight.

I liked how it did not weigh down my tresses or feel them feel greasy. So those with oily hair can also use it.

The chief ingredient here is Roucou oil that helps detangle hair, tames frizz, and leaves them super voluminous.

If you have bleached hair, color-treated hair, or tresses that have suffered damage from too much heat styling, then this Davines product is good for you as well. I found my split ends to be very much in control after a few weeks of using this leave in conditioner.

Oh and I also adored the scent on this product! But unfortunately that means that this oil has got added perfume which can get drying in the long run. It’s also not suitable if you have really sensitive scalps.

For people with curly or African hair textures, we suggest you pair this Davines oil with Davines OI All In One Milk for that extra dose of moisture. Or you can simply go for the Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk instead it’s more nourishing and better suited for curly hair types than Davines.

Pros:

• Lightweight oil formula is suitable for fine hair better than creams or lotions
• Tames frizz and adds shine to hair instantly as it contains silicone and vitamin E
• Pleasant scent that is not overpowering
• The roucou oil in it helps repair hair damage

Cons:

• Too light for African American hair or curly hair textures
• Very expensive
• Contains silicones that can cause buildup on hair in long run
• Contains added perfume and alcohol that might not suit very dry hair or sensitive scalps

Silicone-Free – No

Alcohol Free-  No

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4/5
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 4/5
• Affordability – 3.5/5

Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave In Conditioner Curly Hair

This leave-in conditioner is one of the more moisturizing ones. Carol’s Daughter leave-in conditioner contains almond milk, shea butter, coconut oil, and aloe vera.

I have straight fine hair so we got one of our curly haired editors to try this product out.

The conclusion was this leave in conditioner is super hydrating and that the ingredients bring life back to dry hair, especially to curly locks almost immediately after application.

I also give it bonus points as there are no parabens, silicones, mineral oils, or other harmful chemicals in here. So it’s great for people with sensitive scalps or irritated scalps.  

Another thing I liked was that the formula came in an easy-to-apply spray bottle which makes the product spread better on curls.

And don’t worry, despite being nourishing it also feels lightweight on hair, though it might weigh down fine or straight tresses after frequent use.

Carol’s Daughter was a previously black-owned brand. But unfortunately, it isn’t anymore. And this change is noticeable in the formula.

There’s heavy perfume in this conditioner which can dry out type 4 natural curls. So despite its rich, nourishing formula we don’t suggest it for African American women’s hair. 

The perfume was very heavy and if you have a sensitivity to almond smell, almost unbearable. 

So I’d say go for this conditioner if you want something a little more nourishing than Davines but not too rich like Shea Moisture. I’d say it’s perfect for 2c waves or 3a or 3b curly hair.

Pros:

• Good for curly hair as it contains super nourishing almond milk
• The shea oil formula repairs damage and protects hair further
• It’s nourishing but not heavy so it won’t weigh down your curls

Cons:

• Can weigh down straight hair with frequent use
• Sticky texture that can feel weird on hot days
• Heavy almond perfume that is too strong for some
• Not moisturizing enough for very coily (4c) African American hair

Silicone-Free – Yes

Alcohol Free – Yes

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 4/5
• Shine – 3.5/5
• Frizz-Control – 4.5/5
• Affordability – 4/5

Leonor Greyl Paris Tonique Hydratant Leave-In Mist

Best Spray Leave In Conditioner For Dry Hair

This Paris-based product is a favorite of many celeb hair stylists. And I can see why! The main reason why I wanted to test out this product is because it’s completely vegan and cruelty-free.

You won’t find any harsh chemicals in here. So that means no silicones, parabens, SLS, SLES or mineral oils which I really appreciated!

Instead the formulation contains natural proteins, plant extracts, and essential oils. So this is an all out natural formula that helps nourish your strands. 

I loved the fact that it is one of the best leave-in conditioners for color-treated hair thanks to its UV filter technology that prevents your hair dye from fading in the sunlight. 

I found it very easy to use on my hair as it’s a spray-based conditioners that I rarely see in the market. 

So is it perfect? No not really. The price is almost thrice as what you’d pay for Carol’s Daughter or any other drugstore leave in conditioner.

But if you have fine, damaged and color treated hair, it’s actually worth it. But if you have African American or curly hair types I’d suggest SheaMoisture instead.

Pros:

• Lightweight formula that won’t weigh down hair
• Strengthens hair as it contains Matricaria extract that nourish hair follicle
• Good for fine hair as the formula is liquid based and won’t stick to hair
• Easy to apply spray formula
• Vegan and cruelty free
• Contains UV filter that prevent color-treated hair from fading

Cons:

• Too lightweight for curly or coily 4c hair types
• Very very expensive
• Contains artificial fragrance

Silicone-Free – Yes

Alcohol Free – Yes

My Ratings:

• Moisturizing – 3.5/5
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 3.5/5
• Affordability – 3.5/5

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave In Conditioner For Black Hair

A good leave-in conditioner for dry hair is so much more important to black, type 4 hair textures than other cacuasian hair types.

Afro hair tends to be coarser with high porosity (loses moisture quickly), and is more prone to knots and tangles. 

So a conditioner like this one by SheaMoisture with its super-rich formula is the best option.

The conditioner comes packed with ingredients like shea butter, Jamaican black castor oil, peppermint oil, and apple cider vinegar.

These keep frizz at bay, moisturize dry hair, and make it easier to style your curls.  

We loved how all ingredients in this product are sourced from ethical, free-trade certified sources. And it’s also completely cruelty-free!

Pros:

• Best for natural, African American hair
• Super nourishing
• Good for heat-damaged hair
• Good for thick, coarse textured hair

Cons:

• Too rich and can weight down straight or fine textures
• New formula seems to be more thicker

Silicone-Free – Yes

Alcohol Free – No

• Moisturizing – 5/5 
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 4.5/5
• Affordability – 4/5

Pantene Smoothing Combing Cream

Best Leave In Conditioner For Dry Hair Drugstore

If you’re looking for a good leave-in conditioner for dry hair that won’t break your budget, the Pantene Smoothing Combing cream is a fantastic option.

The creamy formula smoothens hair and controls frizz for upto 24 hours. It contains micro fibers that help your work out knots and tangles easily through your tresses.

It’s also a great product if you live in areas with high humidity. 

We were disappointed to see silicones in the ingredients list. These are seemingly harmless and add shine to your tresses. But in the long run can weigh down hair and cause immense product build-up.

Our suggestion? Always use a good clarifying shampoo if you’re using this conditioner regularly.

There’s also some synthetic fragrance and alcohol in the formula. So we suggest people with type-4 hair or sensitive scalps to choose something else.  

Pros:

• Very affordable
• Frizz control
• Helps detangle
• A little goes a long way

Cons:

• Silicones can weigh down your hair
• Alcohol and fragrance can dry coarse hair textures

Silicone-Free – No

Alcohol Free- No

• Moisturizing – 3.5/5
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 4/5
• Affordability – 5/5

Orlando Pita Play High Spirited Leave-in Conditioner

Best Salon Leave In Conditioner For Dry Hair

One complaint most people have about leave-in conditioners for dry hair is that they are too rich or heavy. And while they nourish your tresses, volume becomes an issue.

With the Orlando Pita conditioner you don’t have to choose between hydration or volume. The Mega Plump 5 Protein Complex and polymers add body and volume to your tresses.

This salon brand was created by the famous celeb hairstylist Orlando Pita. And is one of the best for creating bouncy hairstyles without making hair frizzy or dry.

Pros:

• Adds volume
• Super lightweight
• Adds shine

Cons:

• Frequent use will cause product build-up
• Better products for price range

Silicone-Free – Yes

Alcohol Free- Yes

• Moisturizing – 3.5/5
• Shine – 5/5
• Frizz-Control – 3.5/5
• Affordability – 4/5

Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner

Best Leave In Conditioner For Fine Hair

If you’re in the mood to indulge, you can go for this Sachajuan leave-in conditioner. And while it might seem a bit expensive, it’s worth it if you have fine, straight hair.

Unlike heavier, cream-based conditioners, this spray formula is super-lightweight and doesn’t weigh down or add a greasy look to your hair.

There’s red algae and protein extracts that help nourish dry, chemically-treated, and color-treated hair.

We also fell in love with the fragrance on this one. It’s not too heavy and unisex, so this conditioner is one for the guys too!

There’s silicone in the formula. So we advise pairing this with a good clarifying shampoo or doing an apple cider vinegar rinse to remove product build-up.

Pros:

• Good for finer textures
• Lovely scent
• Lightweight

Cons:

• Can cause product build-up with regular use
• Not for type 4 or coarser hair textures

Silicone-Free – No

Alcohol Free- No

• Moisturizing – 3.5/5
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 4/5
• Affordability – 3.5/5

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Best Silicone Free Leave In Conditioner For Dry Hair

Some leave-in conditioners add silicones to smoothen the hair cuticle, preventing frizz and adding shine. But if you want a silicone-free product that keeps frizz away, try Brigeo!

The product contains almost 96 percent of naturally-derived ingredients, including argan oil, rosehip oil, coconut oil, and more.

These help add moisture to dry, chemically-treated, and damaged hair. 

Pros:

• Doesn’t make hair greasy
• Keeps hair frizz-free
• 96% naturally derived ingredients

Cons:

• Expensive

Silicone-Free – Yes

Alcohol Free- No

• Moisturizing – 4/5
• Shine – 4/5
• Frizz-Control – 5/5
• Affordability – 3.5/5

Here’s a quick look at the top leave in conditioners for all hair types!

Top Leave In Conditioners	Davines OI Oil	Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Leave-In Conditioner	Leonor Greyl Paris Tonique Hydratant Leave-In Mist	SheaMoisture Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner	Orlando Pita Play High Spirited Leave-in Conditioner	Pantene Smoothing Combing Cream	Briogeo Don’t Despair Repair Conditioner	Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner
Images
Price	Expensive	Very Affordable	Very Expensive	Affordable	Expensive	Very Expensive	Expensive	Slightly Expensive
Shine and Frizz Control	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	4.5/5
Moisturizing Properties	4/5	4.5/5	4.5/5	5/5	4/5	3.5/5	4.5/5	3.5/5
Ingredients Quality	4/5	4.5/5	5/5	4.5/5	5/5	3.5/5	5/5	4.5/5
Silicone-Free	No	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No	Yes	No
Suitable For African American Hair	No	Yes	No	Yes	No	Yes	Yes	No

When selecting the best leave-in conditioner for dry hair, always make sure to check out what your hair texture is like. 

Curlier hair can need more nourishment and require heavier creams and conditioners. Fine hair, on the other hand, benefits more from hydrating sprays and serums!

Also Read:

Why hair conditioner is important

Hydrating Water Based Leave In Conditioners For Natural Hair