Skip to main content
Advice

The best cleansing conditioners for your hair type

The best cleansing conditioners for your hair type
Team LF
Writer and expert6 years ago
View Team LF's profile

Our hair cleansing routine comes as naturally to us as brushing our teeth each morning.

A thorough, cleansing shampoo to lift dirt and impurities followed by a rich, nourishing conditioner to hydrate and protect is pretty much standard practice for all of us each time we wash our hair.

As we're so dedicated to our routines, the emergence of cleansing conditioners into the beauty world baffled many of us.

What is cleansing conditioner?

Cleansing conditioners are very unique formulas which work to cleanse your hair whilst conditioning and nourishing the hair with moisture. Unlike traditional 2-in-1 formulas, cleansing conditioners are enriched with mild cleansing agents rather than stripping, overly-harsh chemicals.

Perfect for hair types which benefit from natural oils in the hair, cleansing conditioners allow you to wash your hair without removing these essential oils which help to control frizz and tame unruly hair.

Curly, unruly, super thick hair and dry, brittle hair types will benefit equally from the gentle, nourishing cleanse of a cleansing conditioner.

How to use cleansing conditioner

One important thing to consider with cleansing conditioners is that many are not designed to fully replace your usual shampoo and conditioner routine. Cleansing conditioners are wonderful to use as a supplement, perhaps once a week, to give your hair a break from regular shampooing when it may need it most.

As over-washing can damage our hair and cause our scalps to produce excess oil, it is kind to both our hair and scalp to take a break and use a cleansing conditioner. Unlike traditional shampoo, cleansing conditioners will not fully get rid of product buildup, dirt and impurities which is why they make the perfect supplement to your usual routine.

Before applying your cleansing conditioner, make sure your hair is soaking wet. This pre-rinse will help to lift away any dirt and impurities which may be lying on the surface of your hair. Keep the water temperature cool to help to lock in moisture and work the product into your scalp and through the lengths of your hair and leave for a minute before washing out.

What is the best cleansing conditioner for my hair type?

Finding the perfect cleansing conditioner for your hair type is essential if you want to beautifully soft, cleansed locks. Using the wrong formula for your hair type could leave your locks weighed down with a greasy feel.

Curly Hair

The Kérastase Discipline Curl Idéal Cleansing Conditioner has been specially designed and developed for curly, unruly tresses.

The lighweight conditioner deeply nourishes and hydrates each individual hair from root to tip, taming and smoothing your hair for salon-like results.

Fortified with Cationic and Amphoteric Surfactants to gently remove dirt and impurities, the Curl Idéal Cleansing Conditioner cleanses whilst strengthening and fortifying your hair with a blend of Pro-Keratin and Elastin.

Curls are left smooth and beautifully defined without a flyaway in sight.

Colour-treated Hair

Catering specifically for colour-treated hair, the Joico Colour Co+Wash Whipped Cleansing Conditioner gently removes impurities and nourishes the hair without damaging or disrupting your colour.

A blend of Keratin and Silicone protect your hair's colour, smoothens cuticles and controls frizz, leaving your hair sleek and nourished post-cleanse.

The addition of Arginine in the Whipped Cleansing Conditioner also works to repair and resurface damaged hair, helping to preserve colour vibrancy between appointments for shiny, healthy-looking locks.

Normal Hair

Revitalise and rebalance your hair with the Grow Gorgeous 11-in-1 Cleansing Conditioner, perfectly balanced to cleanse your hair and add a divine glossy shine.

Enriched with their advanced Conditioning Complex, the Grow Gorgeous 11-in-1 coats each individual hair follicle and works to smooth each strand for a sleek, frizz-free finish.

With an air-light texture, the multi-tasking conditioner is perfect for normal hair types, reducing flyaways, adding a beautiful shine and making your hair that little bit more manageable.

A perfect alternative cleansing product if your hair is feeling a worse for wear.

Fine Hair

Although cleansing conditioners are most frequently used on curly, unruly hair, some formulas have been designed to treat fine hair in need of a boost.

The Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner for Fine Hair works to hydrate the hair, maintaining moisture balance for weightless conditioning. Infused with citrus, the low-foaming formula helps to control frizz and tame flyaways whilst also detangingling hair leaving it calm and beautifully nourished.

Without weighing down your hair, the Matrix Biolage Cleansing Conditioner cleanses and deeply hydrates your locks.

For Dry, Brittle Hair

Dry, brittle hair can really benefit from the ultra-nourishing properties of a cleansing conditioner. The Percy & Reed Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Cleanse & Nourish Conditioner conditions hair from root to tip, leaving your hair quenched and revitalised.

With a formula made up of 97% natural ingredients, including avocado and jojoba oils, the Perfectly Perfecting Wonder Cleanse & Nourish soothes the scalp for long-lasting comfort and boosts the radiance of your locks.

Team LF
Writer and expert
View Team LF's profile
Our team of beauty experts cover everything from makeup to skincare, picking out the most effective products from the best brands and latest trends. Stay up to date on everything beauty with the LOOKFANTASTIC blog, and find all your essentials in one place.
lfint