Yes, This Underrated Drugstore Product Can Treat Dry, Dull, and Damaged Hair
Dealing with hair issues can be incredibly frustrating. Your strands might be dried out and more susceptible to damage. You could be experiencing super-dull hair that is anything but shiny and bouncy. Or you could be grappling with damaged locks due to hair coloring or excessive use of hot tools. Whatever the case, none of the above is fun.
Luckily, there are several solutions available. You can switch up your shampoos and conditioners, apply a hair mask, trim away dead ends with a fresh haircut, take a break from hot tools and hair dryers for a while, or use a good leave-in conditioner. There are so many options out there to try, depending on the specific problem you're facing.
A leave-in conditioner will moisturize, repair, and protect your hair, and it takes very minimal effort on your end. All you have to do is apply and let it do the work for you. And the good news is there are so many affordable options out there. Take a look at some of the best drugstore leave-in conditioners, based on reviews.
This spray conditioner will soften and help style your hair. Just spray onto clean, damp strands, and blow-dry or style as usual.
Pros: Affordable, detangles, helps control frizz, silicone-free
Cons: Contains coconut oil and may not work for all hair types
What the reviews say: "Excellent product. My hair looks healthy and shiny. This item controls my high porosity hair very well. I look like a different person with tamed hair."
If you've got dried-out strands, this hair treatment will seal split ends, align cuticles, and hydrate. Just apply on damp hair from root to tips.
Pros: Great for dry hair, helps prevent hair breakage, seals split ends
Cons: Contains silicones and may not work for all hair types
What the reviews say: "[I] use every day, especially when spending days in the sun. It quenches the thirst of your hair. I have color-treated blonde hair and it keeps it feeling soft and not frizzy."
This conditioning cream contains argan oil to control and smooth frizzy, dry hair. Apply a quarter-size amount to damp or dry hair, and let it soak in.
Pros: Contains conditioning argan oil, smooths frizz
Cons: None
What the reviews say: "This is a must item in humid temps. Love how it performs."
This lightweight detangler makes hair so easy to style while repairing and restoring damaged strands. It also contains antioxidants to help protect and strengthen.
Pros: Great for fine hair, lightweight, detangles hair
Cons: May not be enough moisture for coarser hair types
What the reviews say: "I have medium-thin hair and this works great! I’m also a bleached blonde. This is great to either leave on hair wet and air dry or blow dry and style. I will say if you leave it wet- a little oily as any leave in would be without being blow dried. Overall very happy for $6!!!"
If you've got long, damaged hair, this product can help. It's formulated with castor oil and vitamins B3 and B5 to seal split ends and reduce further damage or breakage.
Pros: Strengthens and conditions, reduces breakage, contains vitamin B3 and B5 to seal split ends
Cons: Contains silicones and may not be suitable for all hair types
What the reviews say: "I love this! It works great, price is fair, and the scent is amazing. I have long, fine, dry hair that tangles way too easily. I can easily get a brush through as soon as I use this. Keeps my hair from tangling all day. And the scent... LOVE!"
In addition to coconut oil, this leave-in conditioner spray contains monoi oil and amino acids to nourish, smooth, and detangle. Spray on damp hair and comb through to the ends so every strand is coated.
Pros: Instantly softens and detangles hair, minimizes frizz
Cons: None
What the reviews say: "Excellent conditioner! Works well to detangle hair, and leaves it with a light, pretty scent of coconut (no worries, you don't smell like suntan lotion, which was my concern prior to trying this product for the first time!). I just love the ease of being able to spray on a leave-in conditioner, and then immediately comb through my almost waist-length hair."
All it takes is a small amount of this conditioner applied to damp hair to work its magic. It smoothes, prevents dryness, reduces static, and balances moisture.
Pros: Contains moisture-balancing ingredients, smooths hair, reduces static, prevents dryness
Cons: Not fragrance-free
What the reviews say: "I usually don't like leave-in products but I thought I'd give it a shot. I used it for the first time this morning and I was pleasantly surprised. I followed the suggested directions and towel-dried my hair until damp. I used a tiny dime-sized amount of the product and rubbed it between my hands until it turned from blue to white and rubbed it on the ends of my hair. Another reviewer mentioned that it added to their blow dry time but I didn't have a problem. My hair feels clean like it has no product in it and I love it."
This three-in-one formula will detangle, condition, and protect hair. It can also slow color fading. Spritz into your hands, rub together, and run your fingers through your hair and comb.
Pros: Prevents split ends, conditions, helps slow color fading
Cons: Strongly scented
What the reviews say: "I have very long, blonde, easily dried and damaged hair with a million split ends. Sometimes my hair, even after conditioning with a great conditioner, still feels dry and brittle and is completely tangled out of the shower. Like tough to finger comb. A bit of this and I can use a fine-toothed comb easily. It doesn't even weigh down my super fine, super long hair and it makes it so shiny."
Formulated with vitamins A, C, and E, plus green tea extract, this leave-in is super moisturizing. It will detangle while repairing and protecting against damage. It's also safe to use on chemical- and color-treated hair.
Pros: Detangles, safe for color-treated hair, adds hydration and shine to the hair
Cons: Not fragrance-free
What the reviews say: "This is the best product I've ever used for static in my hair! I never have static or flyaway hair anymore. And this is great to use on the second day if you don't have to wash your hair... just spray this in and it refreshes and makes your hair smell so good! I have used it for so many years, I don't know what I'd do if they ever discontinued it!"
If you use a lot of hot tools, this leave-in treatment offers thermal protection up to 450ºF. And it provides moisture and leaves your hair shiny.
Pros: Doubles as a heat protectant, adds shine and moisture to the hair, detangles, repairs damaged strands
Cons: Spray nozzle isn't great
What the reviews say: "I love this product. I put it on my hair after my shower and comb my hair out without any fuss. My hair is down to my belly button and it never lets me down. My hair brushes out as smooth as can be. My brush won't tug or rip my hair out after using this product."
Detangle and smooth with this conditioning spray. Users can expect to see results after three uses. The lightweight formula also won't leave your hair weighed down.
Pros: Lightweight formula, detangles, revives dry hair
Cons: Not fragrance-free
What the reviews say: "I love this stuff. I have long fine hair of medium thickness. I have a very hard time finding leave in products that don't make my hair look dark or dirty quickly. This product detangles, helps control static, makes my hair soft and doesn't weigh it down. I like the smell but even if you don't the scent fades fast. I highly recommend it."
The formula infuses castor oil and mango butter into your strands and seals cuticles. You'll get hours of frizz control and hold with every use.
Pros: Contains hydrating castor oil and mango butter, seals moisture into the hair cuticle, smooths frizz
Cons: Contains silicones and may not be suitable for all hair types
What the reviews say: "This leave-in styling butter smells great and leaves your hair feeling soft and manageable. I have naturally curly hair and this product works great for me. You apply it to damp hair and style however you like. It also helps to reduce frizz. I really like that it's gentle enough for everyday use and nourishes hair."
Redken's formula does it all. It's a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant in one. It works to protect against breakage, preps hair for styling, and controls frizz. You can use it as a leave-in or rinse it out after shampooing.
Pros: Doubles as a heat protectant, protects against breakage, smooths frizz
Cons: Not fragrance-free
What the reviews say: "Heat protector, conditioner and styling product all in one. I don't use any other products on my hair now. I have fine hair that tends to frizz but otherwise has no body. This helps with damage from styling products and makes my hair soft but doesn't weigh it down like so many other products. In fact, my hair actually has more body than normal! Love it!"
This detangler and leave-in deeply hydrates the hair with a blend of coconut, avocado, and almond oils.
Pros: Contains a host of hydrating oils, detangles, softens and adds shine
Cons: None
What the reviews say: "I love this product! It works absolutely great on my dry hair. Perfect leave-in conditioner for braided styles. Not heavy or greasy."
This article was originally published at an earlier date and has since been updated.
Sarah is lifestyle writer and editor with over 10 years of experience covering health and wellness, interior design, food, beauty, and tech. Born and raised in Los Angeles, she attended New York University and lived in New York for 12 years before returning to L.A. in 2019. In addition to her work on THE/THIRTY and Who What Wear, she held editor roles at Apartment Therapy, Real Simple, House Beautiful, Elle Decor, and The Bump (sister site of The Knot). She has a passion for health and wellness, but she especially loves writing about mental health. Her self-care routine consists of five things: a good workout, “me” time on the regular, an intriguing book/podcast/playlist to unwind after a long day, naps, and decorating her home.
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