The 13 Best Leave-In Conditioners Of 2023 For Every Hair Type & Goal

This formula has been shown to visibly seal up to 100% of split ends after just two uses. Seriously—take a look at this transformative before-and-after video! That’s because it includes ceramides, which mimic the lipids naturally found in the cuticle of the hair shaft. When applied topically, they help strengthen and protect the strands. You’ll also find a host of botanical oils (argan, coconut, and rosehip) to provide glorious slip and shine, as well as algae extract for a rush of hydration. 

What our tester says

I’m already a fan of Briogeo’s Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask, so I was excited to test the newest addition to the range. And I wasn’t surprised to find I loved it just as much as the other hero product. It has this lovely milky texture that instantly absorbs into my hair; my parched strands drink it right up. 

"When I first tried this serum I thought it might be too light. No way something with this consistency could match up for my dry, damaged hair," adds mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler. "Pleased to report I was proven wrong. Once dry, my strands felt soft and silk-like—with nothing weighing them down. This has become my go-to since getting my hands on it."

Odele is known for their high-quality formulas at affordable price points, and their frizz-fighting leave-in certainly fits the bill. The amino acids from rice protein help strands retain moisture, and it’s filled with emollients (like amaranthus caudatus seed) to provide glorious slip. 

What users say

While it’s perfect for any hair type, those with curls seem to love it most: “I recently incorporated this leave-in into my curly hair routine,” one reviewer writes. “I love that it's not chunky, but rather melts into my hair! Also, it doesn't leave white residue when it dries! 10/10, I recommend!”

Olaplex is arguably the darling of damage care. The patented bond-building technology helps repair broken hair bonds and seal the cuticles for a softer, shinier, stronger head of hair. The hair masks may receive the most hype, but don’t sleep on this leave-in treatment: It provides up to 72 hours of frizz control and facilitates a faster blow-dry, if you choose to heat style. 

What users say

While it is a smaller bottle, multiple users swear a little product goes a very long way. “I use this almost every single day, and my hair absolutely loves it,” one Sephora shopper writes. “My hair is frizz-free, and you only have to use a little amount [even] with thick hair. It works so well!” 

On a scale from lightweight to rich, this leave-in falls perfectly in the middle: oh-so creamy yet not too thick. While any hair type can use it, I find it’s absolutely divine for textured hair; it instantly makes waves, curls, and coils softer and more manageable. The best part? It smells just like a strawberry smoothie. 

What our tester says

I use this leave-in every single wash day, without fail. It’s the perfect consistency—thick and creamy, yet doesn’t weigh down my strands. The first time I used it, I marveled at how soft, shiny, and more manageable my curls looked, and the fatty acid-rich formula has been a hair care staple ever since. 

I will say, this is a bit thicker than your average hair milk, which makes it a little difficult to evenly spray out of the nozzle. But the formula is simply too good to pass up, so I simply unscrew the cap, pour a dollop into my palms, and rake it through my strands. No sweat.

If you struggle to define your curls, say hello to your new hair care hero. The blend of chia seed extract, meadowfoam seed oil, and aloe vera provide juicy hydration and slip to your gorgeous ringlets, while vegan protein adds structure and fends off damage. Feel free to apply on damp, freshly-washed hair or to refresh your curls in between washes (just mist your strands lightly with a spray bottle before scrunching with the cream). And voilá—a perfect hair day. 

What users say

“The Soft Curl Lotion leaves my curly waves defined, moisturized and helps to significantly cut down on frizz," one user writes. "I love that it is a treatment and styler in one. It has light to medium hold and does not feel heavy on my curls at all. Absolutely love it.” 

Pretty much every tester I’ve talked to has commented on the scent. The sparkling citrus blend is practically hair perfume! Personally, I’m much more giddy about the innovative hemisqualane, which acts like a silicone-alternative. It provides the same aesthetic benefits (read: slip and shine), without building up on your scalp or in waterways. And unlike silicones, squalane boasts hair-healthy benefits, so it actually strengthens your strands over time. 

What our tester says

"I love using this to air-dry on days where I'm really looking for something no-fuss. Not only does it hydrate strands, but it helps my waves and curls take shape. Not for nothing but it smells great too." — Engler 

So this is more of a treatment than a conditioner, meaning it doesn’t have that same creamy application and slip. But, oh, does it transform my mane: It contains a special thickening molecule that encourages fuller-looking hair; a little zhuzh into my roots, and my hair feels practically weightless. A little goes a long way, so you don’t need to completely saturate your hair with product for it to work (which is great, considering the bottle is quite small). Even with one to two pumps, your hair will feel conditioned and soft, with tons of natural body. 

What our tester says

I’ll sub in this treatment once a week when I really need to give my strands some T.L.C. A pump or two is all I need to see the benefits, although it’s not enough to detangle gnarly knots. If I do have some detangling to do, I’ll cocktail it with a creamier confection. 

Technically this is a styling product, but as iconic hairstylist Frédéric Fekkai, founder and CEO of FEKKAI Brands, tells me, “I wanted to make sure the styling products also treat the hair.” That said, you can totally use this Glossing Cream pre-blow-dry or to simply hydrate your freshly washed lengths. With hemisqualane (again, that innovative silicone-alternative), coconut oil, shea butter, and rosemary extract, the formula simultaneously hydrates, brightens, and smooths. Prickly pear extract is also famously high in vitamin E, which helps protect strands against heat damage and oxidative stress. 

What our tester says  

I’ve used this cream both as a styler and a standard leave-in (read: no heat styling), and in both instances, my hair looked and felt so much shinier and smoother. The term “glossing cream,” is the perfect name for it, in fact; it’s the perfect mix of a hair glaze and leave-in conditioner. 

This weightless confection was made for cocktailing. It’s lightweight and milky, so you can easily layer it with virtually any other product in your hair care routine—serum, oil, gel, et al. It’s a dream for fine, thin hair; however, it’s also buildable, so those with denser strands can rake extra pumps through their locks and achieve even coverage. It’s so lightweight that you can even use it on dry hair to refresh your style—it’s the ultimate multitasker. 

What users say

This review says it best: “I have a lot of very fine wavy hair…It’s hard to control. But this has addressed dehydration and frizz in ways I could only dream of! A little bit goes a long way, the product is light and doesn’t get sticky gross or weigh my hair down. Would purchase again!”

Looking for a rich leave-in that doesn’t weigh down your lengths? Look no further than this Biolage beauty. It’s ultra-hydrating—I’m talking up to 72 hours of moisture and frizz control—yet it absorbs quickly and doesn’t make strands fall limp. 

What our tester says

My hair feels like silk after using this leave-in. Seriously, my comb glides right through—no pesky tangles or snarls. And that’s an impressive feat for me! 

“Fast Food” is the perfect name for this leave-in conditioner—it absorbs so quickly into the hair shaft that you’ll forget you even have it on (though your hydrated, juicy strands will serve as a helpful reminder). With aloe, panthenol, hydrolyzed pea protein, and a handful of antioxidant-rich botanical extracts, it eliminates frizz and adds definition without ever weighing down your locks. 

What our tester says

I have a head of dense waves and curls, but the individual strands themselves are fine. Meaning, a too-rich product can easily weigh down my tresses and make them fall limp. This leave-in is the perfect middle ground, as it deeply hydrates and softens yet doesn’t compromise lift. Reviewers on the site agree: “A little goes a long way so the bottle lasts. I have fine curly hair and it does not weigh my hair down. I definitely recommend it.” 

This is a nice-sized leave-in, at $41 for 6.7 ounces of product. Not a bad deal! Plus, the spray nozzle helps disperse the formula evenly throughout your mane, infusing each and every strand with pomegranate seed oil, sunflower oi, castor oil, and a host of other superfoods. It also features a naturally derived UV filter to protect your hair from the drying effects of the sun—leave-in conditioner meets hair sunscreen. 

What our tester says

This is a great summer leave-in. Bring it to the pool, beach, etc., and give your strands a spritz before hopping in the water (this protects your hair from the drying effects of chlorine or salt water). I’ll surely be bringing it to every summer getaway. 

Engler agrees: "Do yourself a favor and grab this for summer,” she says. “The sprayable leave-in goes on effortlessly, coating strands from root to tip. I love taking it on vacations and beach days so the UV filter protects my strands from the harsh, drying sun."

Some sort of physical barrier is paramount before taking a brush or comb to your mane. Conditioner totally works, which is why some (namely, those with curls) might decide to detangle their hair in the shower. But if you're partial to detangling post-rinse, you’ll need to spritz on a detangling product—like, say, this leave-in conditioner. 

The meadowfoam seed oil creates a protective shield on the hair that makes sliding through knots and snarls a breeze. Plus, the spray nozzle allows you to target specific tangles, giving them extra attention as you work through the knotted strands.