12 Best Dry Conditioners In 2023 For Smooth And Silky Hair
Spritz on these amazing dry conditioners to smoothen and shine up your tresses!
Alexandro VasquezHairdresser
Expertise: Hairdressing & Hair Color
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Alexandro Vasquez has been a hairdresser since 1997 and has worked in various countries, including Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, and UAE. His experience spans salon brands such as Toni&Guy, Aveda, and Leekaja. He special... more
Shiboli ChakrabortiCertified Skin Care Coach
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Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more
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Choosing the best dry conditioner for shiny hair can be challenging, given the sheer amount of brands advocating to be the best for you. However, to make sure you choose the very best for your hair, you need to be a little mindful and not fall prey to the advertising gimmicks. To solve this problem, we’ve listed some of the best brands for dry conditioners from across major brands that are perfect for your shiny hair. Be sure to check out our list of the 12 top dry conditioners. Dry conditioners are very handy in tight situations like attending an office call immediately after a workout or if you have to head out to a party immediately after work. All you have to do is spray a few spritzes, brush your hair, and voila! You’re ready to steal the show!
In This Article
12 Best Dry Conditioners For Hair That Shines From A Mile Away
1. Best Anti-Static:Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner
Image: Amika This dry conditioner detangles, softens, and smooths hair between washes and instantly eliminates static. Its key ingredient, Provitamin B5 helps promote and restore your hair’s bounce-back ability and reduces damages and split ends. It is free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and artificial colors, making it a safe choice for color and keratin-treated hair. This conditioner is also infused with sea buckthorn extracts, which is high in fatty acids and vitamin E and promotes scalp health. Several reviewers have shared their positive experiences after testing it. They praised how it effectively helped reduce static in their hair, leaving it smooth and manageable.
Pros
- Detangles hair
- Anti-static
- Non-sticky
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Some may feel that it isn’t quite softening.
2. Best Heat Protection:CHI Dry Conditioner
Image: Chi The silk and ceramic elements in this dry conditioner protect your hair from the heat. It’s a waterless formula that adds shine and smoothness to your dry locks. The bottle comes with a sliding lock over the nozzle to prevent leakage. It contains vitamin A and sunflower seed oil to promote overall scalp health. If you like to straighten or curl your hair using hot tools like curling wands and blow dryers, you can rest assured that this dry conditioner can also be used as a heat-protectant spray. Numerous users have expressed their satisfaction with positive reviews. They emphasized on the fact that it provides excellent heat protection, shielding their hair from damage while adding a refreshing touch between washes.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Waterless formula
- Lockable nozzle
Cons
- Some may find the fragrance overwhelming.
3. Best Hydrating:Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner
Image: Drybar Like traditional conditioners, the Drybar Detox Dry Conditioner hydrates your locks while detangling stubborn knots. Infused with the goodness of argan oil, mango butter, and Tiare flower extracts, the conditioner rejuvenates dry ends, engulfs each strand to nourish it, and adds a healthy dose of shine to your hair. This product is free of parabens, sulfates, and phthalates and is not tested on animals. The best part is that it’s ideal for all hair types and promotes hair softness.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lightweight
- Cruelty-free
- Hydrating properties
Cons
- Some users felt that it made their hair feel slightly stiff after a day.
Pro Tip4. Best Lightweight:Eva NYC Forget Me Knot Dry Conditioner
This conditioner adds the perfect amount of moisture and shine without weighing your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you don’t need to wash your hair to make it tangle-free. It cuts brushing time by half as it reduces frizz by softening the cuticles and gets rid of static. It is enriched with nourishing ingredients such as vitamins B5 and C, along with fatty acids to help strengthen and repair your hair while making them soft, shiny and manageable. It is also suitable for color and keratin-treated hair.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Frizz-free
- Pleasant fragrance
- Cruelty-free
- Gluten-free
- No parabens
Cons
- It contains sulfates.
Quick Tip5. Best Frizz Control:CAKE Beauty The Locks Smith Dry Styling, Hydrating Dry Conditioner Spray
Image: Cake Beauty This conditioner is enriched with argan oil, coconut, and Crambe seed oil to make your hair smooth and voluminous. Hair-loving, nourishing ingredients like calendula, chamomile, and shea butter are also added to this conditioner to make your hair healthy and happy. These natural ingredients instantly help polish your hair, leaving it shiny and glossy. It can transform stubborn knots without the usage of harsh chemicals. This feather-light formula is cruelty-free and vegan-friendly. This video will provide you with added insights about the product and the reviewer’s experience of using it.
Pros
- Anti-frizz
- Conditions the hair
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Some may find the smell too pungent.
6. Best For Daily Use:Kardashian Beauty Take 2 Dry Conditioner
With this conditioner, you can take a break from your blow dryer or flat iron. Formulated with black seed oil, the conditioner adds an instant shine to your hair with just a few spritzes. Ideal for daily use, this lightweight conditioning spray adds a new lease of life to dull and damaged hair that looks lifeless. It contains tiny conditioning molecules, which actively work towards hydrating your locks and strengthening them from the roots.
Pros
- Ideal for daily use
- Hydrating
- Lightweight
- Formulated with black seed oil
Cons
- Some may find it slightly greasy.
7. Best Keratin Safe:Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Conditioner
Image: Kristin Ess The Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Conditioner is a weightless moisturizing and shine-boosting spray that also serves as a heat protectant. This dry conditioner is designed to soften hair and eliminate oil and odors without weighing it down. Its ultra-fine mist is perfect for detangling and restoring moisture and shine to hair, making it perfect for next-day hair styling.
Pros
- Color- and keratin-safe
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben free
- Phthalate free
Cons
- The scent is not pleasing to all noses.
8. Best Weightless:ARROJO ReFresh Dry Conditioner
Image: Arrojo The ARROJO ReFresh Dry Conditioner is a weightless leave-in spray that helps to restore fullness, moisture, and shine to your hair. This spray conditioner is specially designed to fight frizz, static, and flyaways, and it is packed with essential nutrients like keratin, vitamin E, and B5. This conditioner spray is perfect for dry and frizzy hair types.
Pros
- Weightless
- Contains natural ingredients
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Suitable for dry and frizzy hair types
Cons
None
9. Best For Damage Protection:Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner
Image: Serge Normant Formulated with argan oil, this dry conditioner makes your hair soft, shiny, smooth, and healthy. It is effective in reinvigorating your locks, days after a blowout. The conditioner softens and conditions the hair while protecting the cuticles from damage. Moreover, it is free from parabens and mineral oils. So, if you’re tired of finding the perfect conditioner to fight dull, dry, and frizzy hair, you can bank on this conditioner.
Pros
- Mineral oil-free
- Cruelty-free
- Anti-frizz
- Hydrating properties
Cons
- It contains sulfates.
10. Best Non-Greasy:Blowpro Essentials Faux Dry Conditioner
Image: Blowpro This dry conditioner packs a lovely fragrance along with some incredible qualities. It leaves your hair feeling fresh, soft, and shiny. It takes away all the frizz and combats humidity. A lightweight formula containing hydrolyzed wheat protein, it doesn’t weigh your hair down. With this conditioner by your side, you can skip washing your hair for a few days as it absorbs your scalp’s natural oils like a pro.
Pros
- Compact
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Pleasant scent
Cons
- Some felt that it leaves a chalky trail.
11. Best For All Hair Types:Waterless Dry Conditioner
This conditioner spray from Warerless is ideal for fine to medium hair and makes your hair soft and smooth. It is specially formulated to detangle your hair, condition your hair, and keep it hydrated. Just spray it on from the mid shaft to your hair ends and feel your hair thanking you! It moisturizes your split ends and is a great option to refresh your hair when you don’t have time. The spray protects your hair from harmful colors and environmental aggressors. You can spray this throughout the day to maintain the conditioning level. In addition, the conditioner doesn’t leave any residue.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Buildable
- Easy to use
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
None
12. Best Detangling:Kevin Murphy Young Again Dry Conditioner
Image: Kevin Murphy This conditioner not only hydrates your locks, but it also moisturises and conditions them. Enriched with ingredients such as Vitamin B5 and Immortelle (their signature ingredient), it seeps into the hair, making it easier to comb and style it. If you’re looking for ways to bring your limp and dry hair back to life, a few spritizes of this conditioner can do that for you to manage your hair comfortably without it feeling greasy or sticky.
Pros
- Contains vitamin B5
- Nourishing properties
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
Cons
- Slightly expensive.
If you are often in a situation where your hair needs a quick refresh, between work and a night out, or in a gym session, a dry conditioner is just what you need. Dry conditioner evaporates when it comes in contact with your hair. Therefore, it can moisturize your hair without wetting it. Check out our list of factors below to understand what you should consider before buying the best dry conditioners.
How To Choose The Best Dry Conditioner?
- Formula: Find a formula that works for your hair type. If you have fine or limp hair, a volumizing conditioner is ideal; a hydrating conditioner is suitable for dry hair; color-safe formula for colored hair; and if you heat-style your hair, choose one with heat protection.
- Cleansing and Moisturizing Ingredients: Look for cationic surfactants (positively charged) in your dry conditioner to help smooth down the cuticles. Two common ingredients in hair conditioners are cetyl alcohol and cetrimonium bromide which make your hair easier to comb and improve its look and shine. Additionally, choose a formula infused with hydrating ingredients like calendula, chamomile, shea butter, argan oil, mango butter, and vitamins B5 and C, along with fatty acids, to heal dry ends while adding a healthy shine to your hair.
- Texture: Look for a professional-grade dry conditioner with a non-greasy texture. Such a conditioner penetrates the hair quickly, making it easy to comb and style.
- Lightweight: Pick lightweight dry conditioners that are easy to spread. A formula containing hydrolyzed wheat protein does not weigh your hair down and feels heavy.
- Smoothening Agents: Look out for ingredients that tame frizz and flyaways and detangle the hair. Choose formulas infused with smoothening agents like argan oil, coconut oil, crambe seed oil, black seed oil, and Vitamin B5 to achieve tangle-free hair.
- Ingredients To Avoid: Choose a dry conditioner free of sulfates, parabens, sodium chloride, and artificial colors and dyes. They damage your scalp and cause split ends.
Now that we’ve taken a look at the 12 best dry conditioners in 2023 for beautiful and silky hair, here are a few things you should keep in mind before buying one.
How To Pick A Dry Conditioner According To Your Hair Type
- If you have fine or limp hair, opt for a conditioner that volumizes your hair.
- If you have wavy hair, look for something that is lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down.
- For those with curly hair, a hydrating and nourishing conditioner is the best choice.
- If you like to color your hair frequently, always look for a color-safe conditioner.
- For those you like to style their hair using curling wands and hair straighteners, a conditioner that doubles as a heat-protectant spray is the ideal choice.
How To Use A Dry Conditioner
Here’s a simple guide to get you started:
Step 1: Settle on a dry conditioner that is well-suited for your hair type.
Step 2: Hold the spray 6 inches away from the centre of your head.
Step 3: Start spraying starting from the centre.
Step 4: Use your fingers to spread the conditioner evenly.
Step 5: Repeat step 3 and 4 in other parts of your head.
Note: Avoid spraying your scalp.
Infographic: Dry Conditioner: Buying Guide And What Ingredients To Look For
Dry conditioners are time-saving and quickly condition and refresh your dry hair. They add moisture to dry hair and control frizz without going through the hassle of washing and conditioning. They also help in detangling messy tresses while making them soft, smooth, and shiny.
Check out the infographic below to understand all the factors that you should consider before buying dry conditioners. Keep scrolling! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Dry conditioners can be beneficial in bringing back your hair’s shine and shimmer. For daily use and to maintain healthy-looking hair, the Amika Silken Up Dry Conditioner is an amazing option, while the Kristin Ess Style Reviving Dry Conditioner, provides softness and manageability to the hair, making it an excellent choice for quick touch-ups between washes. For adding volume and texture to the hair without weighing it down, the Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner is an apt pick. These professional-grade conditioners also help in eliminating frizz, split ends, and unwanted damage. You can choose dry conditioners that are best for strengthening your curls and protecting your hair against external heat as well. There are many dry conditioners that nourish and revitalize each hair strand with utmost care. However, it is better to avoid these conditioners if they comprise harmful chemicals and toxins like parabens, sulfates, and phthalates.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Medha Deb, is a hair care enthusiast who believes in trying new products that make you feel pampered and luxurious. She has curated this list of the best dry conditioners to help you take your haircare game a notch higher. She has carefully reviewed several customer testimonials, checked product formulations to understand their efficacy and pick only the top-rated ones for the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a dry conditioner good for your hair?
Dry conditioners help retain moisture and detangle dry, frizzy hair. They also keep the hair hydrated and boosts shine, while adding volume..
Is a dry conditioner the same as a leave-in conditioner?
A dry conditioner is a dry formula in a spray form, while a leave-in conditioner is a liquid formula.
What is a dry conditioner?
Dry conditioners do not need water to act on the hair. They hydrate dry tresses, detangle knots, and tame the frizz.
Are dry shampoo and dry conditioner the same thing?
No. Dry shampoo absorbs the excess oil from the scalp and adds volume to your tresses, while a dry conditioner hydrates the hair and tames the frizz.
Can I use a dry conditioner every day?
No. Using a dry conditioner daily can lead to nasty product buildup. In addition, it will turn your hair brittle instead of nourishing the tresses.
Does dry conditioner cause hair loss?
No, dry conditioners are less likely to cause hair loss. Instead, they nourish the strands and promote hair strengthening. However, excessive usage of dry conditioners can irritate the scalp and cause infections.
Does dry conditioner help with dandruff?
Dry conditioners nourish your scalp and reduce dandruff. However, excess use of the dry conditioner can cause product buildup and increase the activities of dandruff.
Should you use dry shampoo and conditioner together?
Use dry shampoo and dry conditioner to achieve voluminous, tangle-free, shiny tresses. However, you can also use them separately as stand-alone products.
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