Hair Care: The Best Ingredients For Hair Conditioners

With these two goals in mind the best ingredients for hair conditioners strengthen and replenish moisture. Protein will help in rebuilding the hair shaft from any damage incurred from heat, styling products and/or tools. Protein is the building block of hair. Therefore a good conditioner contains protein. There are a many sources for hair protein. There is milk, egg, wheat (also good for shine) and more. Horses are also a good source for hair conditioner protein. Placenta is known for its abundance of protein. This placenta is not derived from humans, but from animals.

Replenishing moisture is also a primary goal of hair conditioner. This is accomplished from a variety of ingredients, from water to oils. On most conditioners, the first ingredient listed is water. This is because it is the main ingredient in the conditioner. Panthenol and glycerin help bind water to the hair. The next ingredient is usually oil. The best oils for moisture replenishment are lanolin, olive, honey, various seed and fruits. Butters are also used in thicker conditioners for intense moisture. Butters are derived from shea, peanuts, coconuts and more. Banana extract provides moisture as well as shine.

Oils not only provide moisture to one's hair, but also provide shine. Any citrus extract such as lemon or orange is excellent for shine also. But make sure these ingredients are toward the bottom of the list, as too much will shift the pH of one's hair. Silicones add the longest lasting shine to hair, because they bind to the hair as well as help retain moisture. But silicones may be too heavy for fine or limp hair, and produce a greasy look.

Peppermint, lavender and rosemary in conditioners are good for stimulating growth. If they are at the top of the list, they are excellent for fragrance. The best ingredients for fragrance are synthetic perfumes. They will be listed as "parfum". This is the best ingredient because the fragrance is stronger and lasts longer than its natural counterparts.

Navigating through the maze of hair conditioners can be confusing at the least and intimidating at the most. But if you know what the best ingredients are you can narrow down your search, and weed through the hype and promotions. Knowing your hair type and goals, helps you focus on the best ingredients to accomplish them. But remember the main goal of any conditioner is to repair and moisturize. These are the basics of healthy hair, and that is everybody's hair goal.