In this article, I break down the similarities and differences between daily conditioners and deep conditioners.
There are many categories of conditioners on the market. Find out the differences and how to choose the best conditioner for your hair in this article.
As you commence your natural hair journey, one of the most confusing things is the sheer amount of hair products on the market.
Hair conditioners are part of the natural hair journey and fall into different categories.
These categories include regular conditioners, light conditioners, deep conditioners, and daily conditioners.
This article aims to demystify the different categories, highlight differences, and equip you with the knowledge to make an informed decision.
What is a Daily Conditioner?
A daily conditioner can be used every day. It’s a surface conditioner created to quickly moisturize hair after shampooing and before applying a leave-in conditioner.
A daily conditioner remains in your hair for only a few minutes before it’s rinsed out.
The ingredients are mild and its effects aren’t supposed to last for long. Daily conditioners have a light milky consistency.
If your hair is out all the time and you cleanse every few days then a daily conditioner would be your go-to conditioner here.
Some examples of popular daily conditioners include:
- Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner
- CURLS Coconut Sublime Conditioner
- Aussie Moist Conditioner
- Phyto Express Hydration Conditioner
- It’s A 10 Silk Express Miracle Silk Conditioner
- Darcy’s Botanicals Pumpkin Seed Curl Moisturizing Conditioner
- Trader Joe’s Nourish Spa Conditioner
Other names for this kind of conditioner include light conditioner, regular conditioner, rinse out conditioner, and normal conditioner.
What is a Deep Conditioner?
A deep conditioner, on the other hand, has a thicker consistency and is required to remain in the hair for some time.
Deep conditioners are formulated to penetrate the hair deeper than daily conditioners.
They also nourish the inner cortex of the hair strands and provide intense moisturization.
The effect lasts much longer than daily conditioners — up to a few weeks, which is why you would normally deep condition your hair only once a week.
Some examples of popular deep conditioners include:-
- Eden Bodyworks All Natural Hair Masque Treatment
- TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask
- Mielle Organics Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner
- Matrix Biolage Conditioning Balm
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
- Carol’s Daughter Monoi Repairing Hair Mask
- Mixed Chicks Detangling Deep Conditioner
- Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
- Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment
- As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner
Can You Deep Condition with a Regular Conditioner?
You can but the result won’t be the same. The ingredients in regular conditioners aren’t formulated with long-lasting effects in mind.
The ingredients won’t penetrate hair the same way a good deep conditioner would.
It’s in the best interest of natural hair to use deep conditioners for deep conditioning hair.
Can You Deep Condition Your Hair Every day?
Nope. Deep conditioning every day will lead to over moisturized mushy hair that can cause hydral fatigue.
Related Content: Is It Possible to Over Condition Natural Hair?
Hydral fatigue is caused by constant swelling and contracting of your hair cuticles. You don’t need to deep condition your hair more than once a week.
Do you have any questions about daily vs deep conditioners? Ask away in the comments section.
Abi is a curly hair expert, researcher, product tester, and author of the highly-rated Healthy Hair Care Series. She is also the founder of Ade Ori Hair Care, Healthy Natural Hair Products, and Natural Oils for Hair & Beauty. HNHP has strict editorial standards and ensures all the information on Healthy Natural Hair Products is the best for natural hair care. Learn more about our Editorial Policies
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Thanks for explaining daily conditioners can be used every few days and are made from things like hemp. I want to find a good conditioner for my husband that can help fight hair loss. The info you shared will help me find the right type of conditioner for him.