Don’t let conditioner be an afterthought on wash day; instead, make it one of the star products. Knowing the proper pH level of conditioner can protect your hair and improve shine. Here we’ll talk more about why the pH of your hair is important, how co-washing is not equal to conditioning, and how to find the right conditioner for you.
Key Points
- pH Importance: Healthy hair maintains a pH level between 4.0 and 5.5.
- Conditioner vs. Co-Washing: Cleansing with conditioner does not equate to co-washing, which is specifically designed for scalp health.
- Leave-In Benefits: Leave-in conditioners provide ongoing moisture and protection, unlike rinse-out options.
- Choosing Wisely: Selecting a conditioner with the right pH is crucial for maintaining hair health.
Understanding Your Hair’s pH
A healthy strand of hair ranges from a 4.0-5.5 on the pH scale, with zero being most acidic. When thinking about healthy hair, the more acidic a strand’s pH is, the shinier, softer, and less tangled it will be.
Hair’s acidity level is important to know because how acidic vs. how alkaline a hair strand is can determine how its outer cuticles are layered. If products with an alkaline pH (the opposite of acidic) are applied to hair, they cause the outer cuticles to lift open and expose the hair’s inner cortex. Clarifying shampoos, permanent hair coloring, bleach, and relaxers are just a few examples of alkaline products that come in contact with our hair.
On the other hand, a product with an acidic pH level of conditioner (4.0-5.5) helps to close and seal hair’s outer cuticle layers, protecting its inner cortex. Understanding the pH of conditioner can help you choose products that support long-term hair health. Conditioners and deep conditioners are a couple of examples of products that we use that have an acidic pH to seal our strands and keep them protected from outside elements.
When evaluating the pH of hair conditioner, especially for color-treated or damaged strands, choosing a formula within the right acidic range is key to maintaining softness and preventing frizz. What’s important to know is that hair that is damaged (split ends, over-processed, etc.) may still feel tangled or dry after hair is washed and conditioned because of missing cuticles and gaps along the strand. That is why trimming hair regularly, using quality deep conditioning treatments, and 100% natural oils can help prevent hair from becoming further damaged in the future.
Cleansing With Conditioner is Not Equivalent to Co-Washing
Shampoo’s sole purpose is to strip hair of excess oil and buildup. However, for some hair textures, shampooing too often can leave an undesirable effect on strands. Cleansing conditioners and co-washes became an alternative to traditional shampoo in the natural hair community within the last ten years because they can be used in between washings to refresh the hair while maintaining its moisture balance. These products are formulated with specific ingredients that target not only build-up on the strands but also any buildup on the scalp without leaving hair feeling dry. Because of traditional rinse-out conditioners’ acidic pH, it does not have the capabilities to cleanse the hair of product build-up and oils in the same way a product specified as a co-wash can.
Even though the pH level of conditioner benefits the cuticle, it doesn’t replace the cleansing power of a co-wash designed for scalp health.
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Letting Conditioner Sit Longer in Hair Does Not Replace Leave-In Conditioner
While rinse-out conditioner is great for your hair, leaving it on longer than the recommended time doesn’t ‘deepen’ the treatment. Most conditioners on the market have a 3-5 minute processing time, which is the manufacturer’s tested amount of time the product takes to be absorbed into hair. Letting conditioner sit for longer than the recommended period can cause excess buildup on hair, which can directly impact the results from your post-shower stylers. Remember, the pH of the conditioner is designed for short-term absorption, not extended use like a leave-in formula.
Hair still feeling dry? Enter leave-in conditioner; The perfect lightweight, acidic styler that is made specifically to layer well with other styling products. Leave-in conditioner is much more versatile when styling your hair because it can be used as an extra boost in softness, as a detangler for long hair or stubborn knots, and some are even formulated with heat protection to protect against heat damage caused by styling tools.
Finding the Right Conditioner for You
When choosing your conditioner, it is important to look for one best suited for your hair’s needs. Whether it’s a rinse out, cleansing conditioner, or a leave-in for styling, following these tips will lead you towards your best hair yet.
Choosing a conditioner with the right pH level of conditioner ensures your hair gets what it needs, moisture, protection, and balance. You can also explore our custom conditioner or leave-in conditioner made specifically for your hair type.