Rinse-Out or Leave-In Hair Conditioner? YES!
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Time to read 5 min
Most of us know that conditioning is one of the most fundamental steps in hair care. Just like we know that shampoos cleanse hair, we know that conditioners, well, condition hair. But what does hair conditioning really mean, and why is it so critical? Even more importantly, what type of conditioner is right for you based on your hair type and texture? In this article, we compare the two basic types of hair conditioner, namely rinse out and leave in conditioners, explaining the differences in formulas, usage, effect, and the hair types best suited for each.
What You'll Learn about Hair Conditioners
The Basics of Hair Conditioner Rinse-Out Hair Conditioners Leave-In Hair Conditioners Factors to Consider When Choosing a Rinse-Out or Leave-In Conditioner Hair Type + Condition Hair Texture + Length How to Use Rinse-Out and Leave-In Hair Conditioners Can You Use Both a Rinse-Out and a Leave-In Hair Conditioner?
The Basics of Hair Conditioner
The primary purpose of hair conditioner is to smooth, close and “secure” the hair cuticle – the outer layer of the hair strand that provides physical defense from the outside world. When the cuticle is healthy and strong, so is your hair. For example, in virgin hair, the cells of the hair cuticle lay flat and close, overlapping on one another to provide strength, elasticity, smoothness, and luster.
"Hair conditioner closes the cuticle, keeping color in and finish smooth."
However, when we style, process, color treat, and even wash our hair, the hair cuticle opens. Although intentional so that hair can be transformed the process we are applying, the surface becomes rough, frizzy, and susceptible to damage and breakage. The cuticle can also degrade over time and with exposure to the elements. As such, it is critical to hair health to safeguard and maintain the integrity of the hair cuticle by using hair conditioner.
Hair conditioners infuse moisture and hydration into the hair shaft, resealing and fortifying the cuticle to restore and retain resilience, bounce, manageability and shine. In the case of color or chemically treated hair, conditioners help preserve treatment and color life as well. Hair conditioner also provides “slip” to wet hair, making it easier to comb through. When it comes to formulations, there are two main types of hair conditioner:
Rinse-Out Hair Conditioners
As the name makes clear, rinse-out conditioners are meant to be applied to the hair and then rinsed out after a specified amount of time. Types of rinse-out conditioners include instant conditioners, deep conditioners, and hair masks, to name a few. They can also vary by how much moisture and residual feel they leave on the hair, which is also how they are differentiated for different hair types and textures. Since they are applied to wet hair, rinse-out conditioners are able to offer deeper penetration, especially of performance ingredients, by taking advantage of the hair’s slightly open cuticle.
Leave-In Hair Conditioners
Just as intuitively named, leave-in conditioner is formulated to be left in the hair after applying – no rinsing required. Examples include detangler sprays, hair lotions/creams and treatment oils/serums. Similarly to their rinse-out counterparts, leave-in conditioners can vary in terms of intensity, heaviness, and suitability by hair type and texture as well. However, because they are left in the hair, leave-in conditioners can provide superior heat protection benefits by coating the strands and creating a physical barrier. As such, leave-in conditioners are more about surface protection and ongoing care.
Despite these points of comparison, usage and application are the primary differences between rinse-out and leave-in conditioners. In fact, both are available in light and deep versions, and both seal and smooth the hair cuticle to provide the desired effect. The more important considerations when determining which hair conditioner to use are the unique characteristics of your hair.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Rinse-Out or Leave-In Hair Conditioner
Now that we’ve highlighted the importance of hair conditioner, both rinse-out and leave-in, for maintaining healthy hair, let’s explore the key factors to consider when choosing the right conditioner—or combination of conditioners—for your hair needs.
Hair (and Scalp) Type
Hair type is typically considered on a dry-to-oily spectrum, with dry hair often being accompanied by dry scalp and oily hair to an oily scalp. Since conditioners deposit emollients on the hair and scalp, oilier hair types might find that uber-moisturizing formulas leave hair feeling greasy or heavy, while drier hair will lavish in the extra hydration.
Hair Condition
Hair condition refers to its degree of health or damage, as well as the extent of chemical processing it has undergone, such as highlighting, dyeing, straightening, etc. The more processed or damaged hair is, the more intensive conditioning it will require.
Hair Texture
Hair texture is typically measured on a scale of fine to coarse. While coarse, wiry hair can benefit from heavy conditioning, fine, wispy hair will be overwhelmed by deep formulas and are better served with light hair conditioners.
Hair Length
The longer hair grows, the farther (literally!) it gets from its closest-to-virgin state – namely, at the root. Long hair, at its ends especially, is subjected to more stress, sunlight, heat, color and processing than short hair, and for a longer period of time. As such, it usually requires more conditioning power.
Thankfully, most modern conditioners spell out the “ideal for” characteristics right on the bottle or website using terms like light, deep, intensive, repair or color-safe to guide users. However, after matching your conditioner to your hair’s characteristics, the next most important thing to know is how to use hair conditioner properly.
How to Use Rinse-Out and Leave-In Hair Conditioners
If you think you know how you use conditioners, you might be surprised. First off, most people use too little, fearing their hair will end up limp or weighed down. But have you noticed how great your hair looks and feels straight from the salon? A lot of that is due to your stylist’s comparatively liberal use of conditioner. Of course, he or she is putting it where it belongs. Hair conditioner, whether leave-in or rinse-out, is meant to be applied at the ends and worked upward to the midshaft, with very little if any at the root and scalp.
When you use hair conditioner properly, you can sidestep potential pitfalls like over- or under-conditioning while addressing your hair's specific needs even better. You can also vary your conditioning regimen, using toning masks when your color needs a reset, a deep conditioner when your ends look frayed, or a lighter leave-in for more normal use. This also means that even if you have damaged hair but an oily scalp, or fine hair that’s also very long, you can get the type of conditioning you need where you need it most.
Can You Use Both Rinse-Out and Leave-In Hair Conditioner?
The answer is an unequivocal YES! In fact, after shampoo (step 1) and rinse-out conditioner (step 2), leave-in conditioner is step 3 for many hair types and traits. Specifically, people with hair that is very dry, curly, heat styled, long, coarse, brittle, color treated, or frizzy (so pretty much anyone!) not only can use a leave-in after a rinse-out, they should. As long as the combination used is tailored to your hair’s unique characteristics and needs, your strands – and your stylist – will thank you for it!
Virgo de Novo Professional Hair Conditioners – for Hair in Mint Condition
With the critical role that hair conditioner plays in overall hair health, it’s no surprise that Virgo de Novo offers a variety of rinse-out and leave-in conditioners and treatments to leave hair soft, smooth, shiny, manageable – and as close as possible to the health and beauty of virgin hair.
