10 Best moisturizing silicone-free hair masks and conditioners

What do you need to know before buying a moisturizing hair mask or conditioner?

Best moisturizing hair masks and conditioners.

What do you need to know before buying a moisturizing hair mask or conditioner?

Conditioners cover the hair with films that smooth the cuticle and mask the damage. This makes the hair feel softer, smoother, and silky. Softness and smoothness are indicators that most of us perceive as moistened hair.

Hair masks and conditioners contain moisture-retaining components that bind water molecules, slowing evaporation. Film-forming agents (polyquaterniums, oils, fatty alcohols, silicones) can also prolong the moisturizing effect.

But the only thing that can significantly hydrate hair is water itself.

Water gives the hair moisturization.

Therefore it's necessary to add water to hair while conditioning.

Best moisturizing hair masks and conditioners

In this article I collected the top 10 best masks and conditioners without silicones, which have a moisturizing effect (make the hair noticeably smoother and softer).

Disclaimer: Silicones are not harmful to hair.

Silicones are good film-making agents, but they can weigh the hair down, which is especially noticeable on curly hair (curls can stretch and lose shape). But this is not a postulate. It all depends on the specific product and characteristics of the hair.

The list is based on a survey of my audience on Instagram and my personal experience.

Most of the products in the list below are concentrated and «heavy», suitable for damaged, dry hair. Their superpower is in untangling and softening the hair. The hair feels smoother and looks shinier after using such products.

1. Tresseme Botanique Nourish Replenish Hair Conditioner

Tresseme Botanique Nourish Replenish Hair Conditioner is based on fatty alcohols and coconut oil. It is the absolute winner of the survey.

Dense conditioner, well unravels the hair. However, some complain of excessive fuzz after this conditioner.

2. Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Kale Apple Replenishing Superfood Conditioner

Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Kale Apple Replenishing Superfood Conditionerwith a rich composition of fatty alcohols, different types of oils (both natural and synthetic), and polymers with a positive charge. All this contributes to efficient conditioning and gives the «moisturizing» effect.

3. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masque

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair Masqueis probably the heaviest one. It contains a high concentration of fatty alcohols, oils, and butters. This mask is great for deep conditioning. I recommend not to use it more than 2 times a month to avoid build-up.

4. DSD 5.3 Dixidox De Luxe Steel And Silk Treatment Mask

DSD 5.3 Dixidox De Luxe Steel And Silk Treatment Mask. In addition to the standard fatty alcohols and cationic surfactants, the mask is rich in proteins and lipids. Theoretically, it repairs damage in the hair cortex and cuticle.

5. Petal fresh Grape Seed & Olive Oil Conditioner

Petal fresh Grape Seed & Olive Oil Conditioner with grapes and olives. It has amazing untangling power due to the high concentration of fatty alcohols.

6. Yes To Scalp Relief Conditioner Tea Tree & Sage Oil

Yes to Scalp Relief Conditioner Tea Tree & Sage Oil is probably the most lightweight conditioner on the list. It also untangles well, but the conditioning effect can be less effective. Suitable for thin hair.

7. Garnier Fructis Hair Mask Superfood Banan

Garnier Fructis Hair Mask Superfood Banan is another simple and affordable, «heavy» product with glycerin and various oils. Of all the superfoods, this one is my favorite.

8. Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioner

Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioner feels a little bit «heavy» because of the butter and oils in the composition, but it gives an excellent moisturizing effect.

9. Tresemme Hyaluronic Mask

My Instagram audience highly recommends Tresemme Hyaluronic Mask.

10. Matrix Moisture Me Rich Conditioner

Matrix Moisture Me Rich does not weigh the hair and is suitable for frequent use.

So there's plenty of masks at the market. Let me know in the comments which one would you choose.

References

1. Testing Tactics in Hair: Consumer Perception Before Formulation, Trefor Evans, Ph.D. TRI Princeton, Princeton, NJ, Cosmetics and Toiletries, April, 2020.