Hair care basics mainly revolve around two things: shampoo and conditioner. Most people don’t care about going the extra mile to add something else into their hair care routine. Recently, however, leave-in creams in the UK have taken up the hype, and almost everyone seems to be talking about their importance. But how did leave-in products even become a thing? Are they worth the hype? Keep reading to find out.
Every hair need is different. Some might be oilier than others and may need less amount of external moisture. So, the basic shampoo and conditioner do the work for them. But for the hair that’s drier than normal (especially hair above the 2a category), there’s always need for extra moisture. That’s where the concept of hair conditioner cream sweeps in.
What Are Leave-In Hair Conditioners For?
Leave-in conditioner creams are ideal for hair which are prone to dryness, damage, tangles, frizz, and flyaways. Also known as “no-rinse” or “leave-on conditioners”, they can also replace your basic conditioners, but you can use both if your hair demands it. They are used on towel-dried hair once the basic conditioner is completely washed out. Leave-in hair conditioner cream is not washed out, once applied. Its leave-on-to-hair characteristic makes it extremely hydrated and moisturized for dry, brittle hair.
How Is Leave-In Conditioner Different From Rinse-Out Conditioner?
Leave-in conditioner creams are quite different from the standard rinse-out conditioners. For starters, leave-in conditioners are designed to leave in the hair, whereas a basic conditioner needs to be washed out thoroughly since it can damage the hair. Moreover, leave-in conditioners are more lightweight than rinse-out conditioners, as their task is not to make up for the loss of moisture, but to give a hydration boost. Also, basic conditioners are used right after shampooing to prevent dryness. A leave-in conditioner, on the other hand, is used right before styling as it helps in detangling the hair without any breakage.
Signs That Your Hair Needs A Leave-In Conditioner Cream
How would you know if your hair needs a leave-in conditioner cream, or just a basic conditioner is enough? Well, your hair does show some signs when it’s in need of extra moisture. Let’s have a look at those signs to figure out our hair needs:
Your Hair is Drier Than The Sahara Desert:
If your hair feels extremely dry and brittle even after your regular conditioner, there is a solid chance it needs extra moisture, as your basic conditioner is not enough to fulfill its moisture needs. In such a situation, a leave-in cream might come in handy.
You Can’t See Your Face Under All The Frizz:
Nothing is worse than frizzy hair, trust us! (People with no hair might disagree) No matter what you do to take care of it, there’s always something that triggers the frizz in the middle of the day, and there’s nothing you can do to tame it. Frizz originates from dryness and is an absolute sign that your hair is in desperate need of additional moisture.
You see, when even your damage repair shampoo fails to repair your hair damage, that’s a clear indication of the lack of moisture in your hair. Hair gets damaged due to many factors, such as unprotected heat-styling, chemical treatments, sun exposure, and environmental pollutants, all of which dry out your hair. So a quality hair conditioner cream might be helpful in coping with the damage and improving your hair health.
Curly hair tends to be drier than fine or straight hair. The reason is that since fine hair falls straight, natural oils produced at the roots have no difficulty traveling all the way to the hair ends. Curly hair, on the other hand, has a wave in it, which makes it difficult for the natural moisture to reach down the length. The result? Drier hair. Hence, if your hair is curly, it’s likely in need of a leave-in conditioner cream.
If you have been treating your hair with chemicals, your hair is likely dried out of moisture and could use some extra boost. Chemical experiments are extremely drying and can leave your hair dehydrated and damaged. Using a hair conditioner cream that has repair effects can make a big difference in the overall look of your hair.
Did you know hair shine has everything to do with hair moisture? Moisturized hair adds shine and reflects light, which makes it appear luminous and healthy. Hence, if your hair appears dull or lacks shine, it probably lacks moisture.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects?
Although not very common, leave-in conditioner creams might have a few potential side effects:
Most hair conditioner cream use hydrating ingredients to revitalize your hair. However, there’s a chance that your skin might be allergic to the ingredients present in your product, which can lead to burning, itching, and irritation. In such a case, thoroughly notice the ingredients before picking out a leave-in cream for your hair.
For people who have acne-prone skin, a leave-in conditioner (or even a basic conditioner) might cause an acne breakout, if they come in contact with facial skin. This is also a not-very-common situation, but the risk is there.
Leave-in conditioner cream might be overly moisturizing for people who have naturally oily hair. Since their hair already produces quite an amount of natural oils, their hair doesn’t have a need for extra moisture. Therefore, a leave-in conditioner cream is not optimal for greasy hair.
So, the question comes in again Are leave-in conditioner creams worth the hype? Our take? Yes, they are. Although the product has some potential risks as well, it all comes down to your skin condition. For people with dry, brittle, frizzy hair that just doesn’t tame at any cost, leave-in conditioner creams are definitely worth it.
How To Pick The Best Hair Conditioner Cream?
With so many leave-in hair products in the market marked by different brands, it’s very difficult to decide which one to choose for your hair. Since every hair has different needs, what works for your friend’s hair might not work as well for yours. Therefore, keep these points in mind while picking the best hair conditioner cream for your hair:
- Your pick should have natural ingredients, and should not contain any chemical your skin is reactive to.
- Make sure your pick should be suitable for all hair types and supports all textures, be it fine, wavy, curly, or coily.
- If your hair is prone to tangles, make sure your pick should act as a detangler as well.
Our pick for an ideal leave-in cream? Try GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream. This dual-action formula is particularly developed to nourish your frizzy, untamed mane while delivering perfect styling results. This cream is formulated with Juvexin and Natural Grain Extracts, which work together to provide hydration and weightless conditioning, leaving hair naturally soft, smooth, and frizz-free.
What’s Different?
Although similar in purpose, GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner has a few benefits over other leave in cream in the market. This unique formula is infused with Juvexin, an advanced signature keratin blend of GK Hair, which is optimized to restore hair to its natural youthfulness. GK Hair is the first and only brand to harness the power of Juvexin in its hair care products worldwide. Furthermore, not only does this Cream add moisture to your hair, but also helps in styling and keeping it frizz-free all day long. What’s more? GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream is free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, glutens, DEA, and TEA. Its cruelty-free and healthy formulation complements all kinds of hair, no matter the texture.
How To Use?
To use GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream, follow these steps:
- Wash your hair with the shampoo, and rinse it all out.
- Condition your hair with your regular conditioner and wash it off as well.
- Towel-dry your hair gently so that it absorbs dripping water.
- Take some amount of GK Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream (as much as your hair needs) and apply it to your hair lengths.
- Avoid applying the Cream to your roots as it will make your hair look greasy.
- Work it well into the hair lengths with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb.
- Style your hair as desired, or let it air-dry.