When you have gray hair, good conditioners act as a best friend. They work to smooth the rough patches and even add some color when you call on them. Here, we break down some of the best conditioners for gray hair, so you can find the best formula for your hair needs.
Why does gray hair need a special conditioner?
Gray hair whisperer Jack Martin, owner of Jack Martin Salon in Tustin, California, has done his fair share of gray restoration. And he’s adamant about conditioning these coarser hair types. “Gray hair is very porous and conditioning helps to fill in what’s missing to keep the gray vibrant and shiny,” he says.
Not to mention, if you skimp on conditioner, porous white and silver hair can absorb colorants found in products like argan oil, lending an orange or yellow cast to your grays. The best conditioners for gray hair will contain a violet, blue, or silver pigment-depositing formula to help neutralize those brassy undertones. And not only do they counteract this issue, but they also help seal your hairs’ cuticles, allowing the conditioner’s pigment to do its job with long-lasting results.
The Best Conditioners for Gray Hair
Let’s review some of the best conditioners for gray hair, so you can find the perfect product for you.
1. Clairol Professional Shimmer Lights Blonde & Silver Conditioner, $13.65
Consider this conditioner to be the gold standard for budget-friendly brass busting. This non-alkaline, violet-hued formula is so intense that the brand recommends only using it once or twice a week.
2. Pantene Pro-V Silver Expressions Conditioner, $14.99
This conditioner is formulated without sulfates, parabens, and mineral oil and contains hydrating lipids to help with elasticity. It also contains a light-purple pigment to tone down brassiness, and biotin and vitamin E to tame unruly frizz.
3. Redken Color Extend Graydiant Silver Conditioner, $22.50 for 8.5 oz.
Have you ever had a purple hair product leave behind patches of uneven color? If so, here’s a solution. This moisturizing conditioner fills in wiry hair’s gaps with amino acids to allow for even, seamless brightening.
4. Aveda Blue Malva Conditioner, $24
For eco-minded silver foxes, this blue pigment-depositing neutralizer uses wild-harvested Blue Malva to enhance hair’s cool tones and comes in a bottle made from 80% post-consumer recycled materials for the utmost in sustainability.
5. L’Oréal Paris EverPure Brass Toning Purple Sulfate-Free Conditioner, $7.99
Super-hydrating, free of sulfates and parabens, and brandishing a price that can’t be beaten, this vegan purple formula cancels unwanted yellow and orange tones as it leaves coarse hair soft and manageable.
6. Oribe Silverati Conditioner, $48
Sparkling blue and silver pigments revive dulled gray, but it’s the formula’s Signature Complex that takes it a step further. This conditioner contains a mixture of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower (all good for cocktails, too!), that protects aging hair from oxidative stress. It also features a natural keratin breakdown to keep it looking more youthful than ever.
7. Verb Purple Toning + Hydrating Hair Mask, $18
This treatment mask contains açai extract to provide extra moisture, along with pro-vitamin B5 to smooth and add vibrancy. And if you’ve been shopping for a good conditioner to treat sun damage, you’ll love this one. It also features sunflower seed extract for natural UV protection.
8. Sachajuan Silver Conditioner, $33
This unique formula features carrageenan, an algae extract, to nourish each strand while dimethicone shapes a smooth and silky texture. This conditioner also counteracts and neutralizes yellow and golden pigments while Ocean Silk Technology imparts an overall healthy shine.
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