10 Best Deep Conditioners of 2024, Tested by Experts
Treat your hair to a boost of hydration.
Reviewed by Danusia WnekSenior Chemist
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When it comes to dry and damaged hair, sometimes a daily conditioner just doesn't cut it. Your hair may need a little extra boost of hydration and nourishment to get back to its healthy, shiny state. That's where deep conditioners come in. "Deep conditioners, also known as hair masks, are rinse-off products that are used a few times a week in place of a regular conditioner," says Danusia Wnek, senior chemist at The Good Housekeeping Institute. "They are specially formulated to provide intense hydration, repair damage and improve the health and appearance of the hair," says Meagan Ford, a hairstylist at Slate Salon in Belmont, California, "and are particularly beneficial for dry, damaged or chemically treated hair."
Our top picks:
Deep conditioners differ slightly from regular conditioners as "they are usually thicker and contain more hair conditioning and lubricating agents than traditional hair conditioners," says Wnek. Brendnetta Ashley, a hairstylist and curly and textured hair expert, adds, "They are also typically left on hair for a set amount of time (like 20 minutes) before rinsing to get the maximum effect."
To find the best deep conditioners, the GH Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab tested 25 products where the users evaluated the ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction of each; the top 10 were then tested thoroughly in the Lab. Keep reading for our Lab-tested winners, editor picks and top-rated formulas from our go-to sites. Be sure to round out your hair routine with the best shampoos, conditioners and hair serums.
it's a 10 miracle deep conditioner plus keratin
Pros
- Smooths strands
- Doesn't leave hair greasy
- Nice scent
Cons
- Can be hard to get all of the product out of the tube
The name truly says it all. It's a 10's nourishing formula earned a perfect score for its ability to condition hair and prevent damage in the GH Beauty Lab's deep conditioners and hair masks test. Testers also loved the scent and that it left hair silky, not greasy. “I like how smooth my hair was afterwards and how easy it was to get it to look that way," one tester says. A few reviewers did note that it was hard to get all of the product out of the tube, so squeeze hard!
| Key Ingredients | Keratin, aloe vera, apricot kernel oil, linseed oil, sweet almond oil |
| Size | 5 oz. |
Pros
- Softens hair
- Great value
- Adds shine
Cons
- A few reviewers felt it made hair frizzy
Our editors love this budget-friendly Pantene treatment for their wavy hair. "As soon as I rinse it out, my hair feels softer and more moisturized," says Catharine Malzahn, beauty assistant at Good Housekeeping. "I have thick, wavy, frizzy hair and this makes it more manageable, shiny and smooth." GH Beauty Director April Franzino is also a big fan and says "it leaves my hair unbelievably soft." Plus, Malzahn finds that it helps fight static in the winter months. While most reviewers swear by this deep conditioner, a few noted that it made their hair more frizzy.
| Key Ingredients | Lipids, antioxidants |
| Size | 8 oz. |
Pros
- Repairs damage
- Adds shine
Cons
- Jar may leak
When you bleach your hair, it may need a little extra help to stay healthy and shiny. "I love that this treatment repairs damage while adding shine and softening the hair," says Ashley. "Plus it has a special bond-building technology and cashmere protein complex to help strengthen and smooth." While it's great for bleached hair, it can be used on all hair types. Be careful when closing the jar after use; a few reviewers found that it leaks easily.
| Key Ingredients | Cashmere protein complex |
| Size | 500 mL |
PATTERN Beauty Intensive Conditioner For Tight Textures
Pros
- Super nourishing
- Helps to define tight curls and coils
Cons
- May not be ideal for all curly hair types
Pattern Beauty's rich formula contains a nourishing botanical oil blend, including safflower seed, jojoba and avocado, which is ideal to soften and define kinky and curly textures. The conditioner also helps protect against breakage and dryness. "This product, along with the corresponding line, have worked miracles for my 4c, tight, coily hair," says one Amazon reviewer. "Love these products and so happy I tried." This is specifically created for tight textures — if your hair is less curly or kinky, it may not be the right formula.
| Key Ingredients | Safflower seed, jojoba and avocado oils |
| Size | 13 oz. |
Kevin Murphy Hydrate Me Masque
Pros
- Extremely moisturizing
- Leaves hair soft
Cons
- Some felt it wasn't effective enough for the price
Ford recommends this deep conditioning mask for a variety of hair types that often are dry, including medium coarse to curly hair textures. "The formulation features vitamin-charged microcapsules that explode upon contact to deliver hydration and moisture, leaving the hair deeply conditioned from root to tip," she says. It has a stellar ingredient blend, including shea butter, kakadu plum extract and evening primrose oil. Many reviewers swear by this nourishing treatment, but a few didn't feel that it was that effective.
| Key Ingredients | Kakadu plum extract, shea butter, evening primrose oil |
| Size | 6.7 oz. |
Maria Nila Coils & Curls Finishing Hair Mask
Pros
- Moisturizing formula
- Works quickly
- Can help reduce frizz
Cons
- Could be too thick for fine curls
Created specifically for all types of curly hair, this Maria Nila treatment boasts a laundry list of nourishing ingredients including jojoba oil, rosehip oil, shea butter, aloe vera and vitamin E. It's super easy to use and can work quickly if you are short on time: apply to wet hair and let sit for three to 15 minutes and rinse to finish. "My hair has less frizz and is oh so soft," shares one Amazon reviewer. "But best of all, my curls clump better." Use sparingly if you have fine, curly hair; a few reviewers noted the super thick texture.
| Key Ingredients | Jojoba oil, rosehip oil, shea butter, aloe vera, vitamin E |
| Size | 8.5 oz. |
Pros
- Contains 26 healing minerals
- Doesn't compromise volume
- Great scent
Cons
- On the pricier side
Our GH Beauty Lab Director Birnur Aral swears by this mineral mud treatment from Saphira Hair. "Like the other products in this brand's line, this hair mask is infused with 26 of the Dead Sea's minerals," she shares. "The deep conditioner softens and smoothes my hair without compromising its volume — in fact, it actually gives it a little bounce and makes it feel supple." She also loves the "warm yet clean floral scent that transports me to a Mediterranean morning." This is another pricier conditioner option, so keep that in mind when shopping.
| Key Ingredients | 26 minerals |
| Size | 8.5 oz. |
Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Deep Conditioning Mask
Pros
- Helps reduce breakage, according to the brand
- Softens strands
Cons
- Some reviewers found it drying
A top seller on Amazon, Briogeo's mask has over 3,000 five-star reviews for good reason: the protein-rich formula helps decrease hair breakage with algae extract and vitamin B. It also targets frizz with rosehip oil and can be used on all hair types, according to the brand. "I thought I was going to have to cut two inches off my hair until I found this hair mask," says one Amazon reviewer. "It made my crunchy, tangly hair soft and smooth." Many reviewers found it nourishing and softening, but some online shoppers did comment that the mask dried out their hair.
| Key Ingredients | Algae extract, vitamin B, rosehip oil |
| Size | 8 oz. |
L'Oréal Paris Elvive 8 Second Wonder Water
Pros
- Won't weigh hair down
- Works quickly
- Good for all hair types
Cons
- May not be suitable for all hair types; a few reviewers thought it made hair knotty and frizzy
A lot of people steer clear of deep conditioners for fear that it will weigh their hair down. If that rings true, this L’Oréal Paris liquid deep treatment, a GH Beauty Award winner, is a good one to try. In GH Beauty Lab evaluations, 83% of users found that it made strands feel silkier; 88% reported that it didn’t weigh hair down. Win, win! “I couldn’t believe how incredibly shiny and smooth my hair was,” a tester marveled. While many testers and reviewers raved about this formula, a few noted that it made their hair more knotty and frizzy.
| Key Ingredients | Wheat protein |
| Size | 6.8 oz. |
FullyFyne THE FYNE MASK
Pros
- Nourishing but lightweight
- Adds volume and bounce
Cons
- Pricey
Volume is a big concern for those with fine hair, especially with conditioning treatments. According to Ford, this pricey mask treats hair and adds fullness at the same time. "Specifically designed for fine hair, Fully Fyne's treatment is great for adding hydration back into the hair without weighing it down," says Ford. "It’s loaded with a ton of nourishing ingredients — like elula oil and a rare fruit extract — that work together to smooth and add bounce while strengthening weak hair."
| Key Ingredients | Elula oil, phyllanthus emblica fruit extract, avocado oil, jojoba oil |
| Size | 6 oz. |
How we test the best deep conditioners
The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists test hundreds of the best hair products every year including the best conditioners, hair oils and bond repair treatments. To find the best deep conditioners, we tested 25 products and sent each one to 22 women. Testers used the label-blinded product at home at least four times over a two week period before completing a survey rating attributes such as ease of use, performance and overall satisfaction on a five point scale. The top 10 performing products were then tested in the Lab for their ability to condition hair using the Instron, a tool that measures how much force is needed to comb through a hair swatch in wet state.
In addition to our top tested products, we included picks from our Lab scientists, editors, professional hairstylists and top-rated online reviewed products.
What to look for when shopping for the best deep conditioners
When looking for an effective deep conditioner, stick with the following guidelines from our pros:
✔️ Focus on your hair's needs. "If you need moisture you want to see that is the main purpose of the deep conditioner," says Ashely.
✔️ Look for a specific hair type. "Not all hair reacts to products the same way and that’s due to density, texture and color," says Ford. If you have virgin fine hair, you would likely use a different deep conditioner than kinky, curly or bleached hair.
✔️ Consult with your hairstylist. "After working with and getting to know your hair, he or she can definitely help point you in the right direction," says Ford.
Do deep conditioners really work?
"Yes they really do work," says Ashley. "You have to allow time for the benefits to really show." Since you are only using these treatments a few times a week, it can sometimes take a few uses to see any changes in your hair. "Stay consistent with your hair routine and you will see results," she says.
"It's also important to choose a deep conditioner that suits your hair type and condition, and to follow the instructions for use provided by the manufacturer in order to reap the benefits," says Ford.
What’s the best way to use a deep conditioner?
First things first: "You should always shampoo before deep conditioning so the treatment can penetrate into the hair and won't be blocked by dirt," says Ashley. Then she recommends applying the conditioner to clean, towel-dried hair. "If there is too much water in the hair it could dilute the conditioner."
Start applying at the ends of the hair and move towards the scalp to ensure you have an even distribution of the product in your hair. "Typically deep conditioners sit on the hair for about 20 minutes, but it’s always best to follow manufacturing guidelines," she says.
The only time you may want to shampoo after a deep conditioner is if you sleep with a deep conditioner in, or have it in for an extended period of time prior to cleaning your hair, according to Ford. "In those cases, it may be beneficial to shampoo after, depending on your texture, to make sure excess product residue is free from the hair," says Ford.
Does deep conditioning help a dry scalp?
In a nutshell: yes. "Dryness of the scalp can be caused by factors such as environmental conditions, excessive heat styling, chemical treatments or a lack of moisture in the hair and scalp," explains Ford. "Deep conditioning treatments are formulated with moisturizing ingredients that can help hydrate the scalp, nourish the hair follicles and alleviate dryness."
She also notes that "if you have a specific scalp condition causing dryness, like dandruff or seborrheic dermatitis, it may be beneficial to use specialized treatments recommended by a dermatologist."
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Dori Price interviewed all of the experts for this article and compiled the top picks listed above. She has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, from shampoos, conditioners, treatments, styling products and tools to hair color, professional services and more.
Danusia Wnek provided all of the testing data and other important information about deep conditioners. She has spent seven years researching and developing testing protocols for haircare products for the Good Housekeeping Institute. These categories include cleansing conditioners, moisturizing and volumizing shampoo and conditioners, volumizing sprays, flat irons, hairdryer brushes and dry shampoos. Her favorite hair test so far has been evaluating blowdry accelerator sprays to see whether they actually work.
Dori Price is a New York City-based freelance writer and editor and beauty, style and wellness expert who was the Beauty & Fashion Director at Family Circle for 13 years before she joined Good Housekeeping, Prevention and Woman’s Day as a freelance beauty editor. She has also written for WomensHealthMag.com, Elle.com and HealthCentral.com.
Danusia (she/her) is a senior chemist in the Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute where she evaluates haircare, skincare, cosmetics and beauty tools. She holds a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Danusia has over 10 years of experience in the personal care industry including formulation, product development, claim evaluation and efficacy testing.
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