What is Hair Conditioner?

Generally, hair conditioner can be classified into the categories below:
- Detanglers
- Glossers
- Oils
- Reconstructors
- Moisturizers
- Acidifiers
- Thermal Protectors

Detanglers
Hair detanglers work by strengthening the hair cuticle to remove the tangles. It is done by modifying the pH of the hair. Detanglers generally have a pH of 2.0 - 3.5. Some detangling hair conditioners also coat the hair with glossers.

Glossers
Usually glossers are for cosmetic purposes only and they do not change the chemical structure of hair. They contain dimethicone or cyclomethicone, which are oils to reflect light so that the hair would look shiny.

Oils
This type of hair conditioner can turn dry and porous hair to soft and smooth hair. The oils are actually EFA, which is one of the main constituents in natural sebum.

Reconstructors
Reconstructors are used to strengthen hair. They have a protein, i.e. keratin protein as its active ingredient. Hair conditioners containing keratin protein can strengthen hair by enabling the small-sized protein to penetrate the hair. In this way, hair can be strengthened through polymer cross linking.

Moisturizers
The goal of moisturizers are to trap moisture within the hair. Hair conditioners serving the purpose of moisturizers usually contain humectants, which are compounds that can attract and hold moisture.

Acidifiers
Acidifiers have a pH of 2.0 - 3.5, which can close the cuticle of the hair by adjusting the hydrogen bonds. Acidifiers leave shiny, elastic hair and do not add weight to the hair.

Thermal Protectors
Thermal protectors are a type of hair conditioners that can protect hair from heat. They contain polymers that can absorb and distribute heat, and thus guarding hair against heat damage.

For more tips, go to How to Choose Hair Conditioner?