Are You Leaving Your Conditioner on Long Enough?

What Does Conditioner Actually Do?

Conditioner is an important hair routine step, no matter your hair type or texture. “Most people think conditioner is just there to make the hair feel soft, but it’s actually doing much more than that,” says Tiffanie Richards, master colorist at Louise O’Conner Salon. “Shampoo, color, heat styling and even harsh weather open the hair cuticle. Conditioner helps smooth that cuticle back down, adds moisture, reduces friction, and makes hair more manageable.”

In simple terms? “I always tell my clients to think of conditioner as they do moisturizer for their face—it’s a maintenance routine as much as instant satisfaction,” adds Richards. 

How Long Should You Leave Conditioner In?

“When clients ask this question, I usually say shampoo [your hair] first,  then condition and comb  it through, clip it up, do all your other shower needs, and rinse the conditioner very last before getting out,” says Richards. This is a pretty good rule of thumb for anyone to follow. 

Still, how long you should keep your conditioner on can vary by hair type and texture—plus, you might want to consider products other than (or in addition to) your everyday rinse-out conditioner. “If someone’s hair is highly processed, highlighted, curly, coarse, or particularly dry, I’ll often recommend leaving the conditioner on a bit longer,” says Richards. “Fine hair, on the other hand, can become weighed down more easily, so longer isn’t always better.”

Don’t stress about waiting around in the shower for the conditioner to do its work. There comes a point where leaving a rinse-out conditioner on longer doesn’t provide additional benefits, Richards adds. “Hair isn’t a sponge that can absorb endless amounts of moisture,” she says. “Leaving a conditioner or mask on for 10 minutes tops, followed by a leave-in conditioner, will give you better results than leaving the conditioner or mask on for endless amounts of time.”

When Should You Use a Hair Mask Instead?

We can’t deny how luxurious a hair mask feels—especially when using one of our favorite hydrating masks—but the extra moisture isn’t always needed. “If your hair feels healthy and balanced, conditioner is usually enough,” says Richards. “If your hair is feeling dry, over-processed, brittle, tangled, or you’ve just had a major chemical service, that’s when a mask can come in handy.”

Trying out a new color for summer, like caramelized brunette or hot honey blonde? After your hair appointment, consider having a hair mask on hand. “As a blonde specialist, I am a big fan of masks,” says Richards. “I prefer clients use them more often than not—especially if their highlights are fresh.” After a heavy highlight, masks help keep those cuticles closed and coat the hair better, but they’re not really necessary after that, she adds. Once the roots start coming in, it makes sense to switch to a regular conditioner for longevity of blowouts. 

Do You Really Need Leave-In Conditioner?

Okay, you’re fresh out of the shower and ready to start your hair care routine. Should you be reaching for another conditioner after the fact? 

“Leave-in conditioner is one of the most underused products in hair care, and I make sure all of my clients have a good one,” says Richards. “A leave-in conditioner acts almost like a lightweight insurance policy: It helps maintain moisture, improves detangling, reduces frizz, and can help protect the hair from daily stressors such as heat styling.” It’s a great add-on to anyone’s hair care routine, and if you consistently style your hair, there are plenty of leave-in conditioners on the market that also act as a heat protectant,” adds Richards. Consider trying something like the SUTRA Heat Guard® Blowout Cream, which preps your hair for heat styling by adding moisture and boosting shine. Or, check out this list of our favorite leave-in conditioners. 

The Bottom Line

A few minutes is usually long enough for your hair to soak up all the moisture and smoothing benefits that come with conditioner. Keeping the product in while you do the rest of your shower routine, then rinsing it out last, is a good rule of thumb for most hair types. 

If your hair is feeling dry, brittle, or over-processed, feel free to keep that conditioner on a little longer, or even try out a nourishing hair mask. Especially for those with fine hair, however, longer isn’t always better. Reach for a leave-in conditioner instead to smooth and protect your hair throughout the day. At the end of the day, healthy hair is happy hair!