Best Softening Conditioner of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 7, 2025

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Softening conditioner is a must-have hair care product for anyone who wants to keep their hair soft, manageable, and healthy. This type of conditioner is designed to hydrate and nourish the hair, making it easier to comb and style. It also helps to prevent breakage and split ends, which can be a problem for those with dry or damaged hair. Softening conditioners come in a variety of formulas, including those that are specifically designed for different hair types, such as curly, straight, or color-treated hair. With regular use, a softening conditioner can help to improve the overall health and appearance of your hair.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration Cover #TOP 1
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner Cover #TOP 2
Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner Cover #TOP 3
Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Softening Conditioner

SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration

764302231059
Gold
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration Cover
SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration for Dry, Damaged Hair Manuka Honey and Mafura Oil to Nourish and Soften Hair 13 oz

SheaMoisture Conditioner Intensive Hydration is a sulfate-free conditioner that instantly detangles damaged hair while infusing it with intense moisture. Blended with restorative oils, Manuka Honey, Mafura Oil, and Fig Extract, this conditioner helps to nourish and soften dry, damaged hair for a soothing hair care experience. Customers report that it leaves their hair soft, shiny, and manageable, and that it helps to repair split ends.

What We Like
Instantly detangles damaged hair
Nourishes and softens dry, damaged hair
Leaves hair soft, shiny, and manageable
Helps to repair split ends
Light pleasant scent
#TOP 2

Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner

MATRIX
0884486507013
Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner Cover
Matrix Food For Soft Conditioner | Hydrates & Detangles Dry, Brittle Hair | Moisturizes, Softens & Smooths | With Avocado Oil & Hyaluronic Acid | Suitable for Color Treated and Natural Hair | Vegan

Experience the ultimate hydration and nourishment for your dry and brittle hair with MATRIX Soft Conditioner. Infused with avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, this conditioner locks in moisture from root to tip, providing 72 hours of moisture retention. Say goodbye to frizz and hello to smoother, more manageable hair. With its soft finish and extra shine, this conditioner leaves your hair feeling hydrated and looking healthy. Suitable for color treated hair, MATRIX Soft Conditioner is part of the Food For Soft Collection, a curated range of salon-quality products that gently cleanse and hydrate your hair, leaving it damage-free and brilliantly shiny. For best results, use with the Food For Soft Shampoo and Oil. Treat your hair to the nourishment it deserves with MATRIX Soft Conditioner.

What We Like
Ultimate hydration
Smooth and manageable hair
Soft finish and extra shine

Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner

P1863900
9 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner Cover
Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner | Softens and Deeply Hydrates Dry Hair | For Medium to Thick Color Treated or Natural Hair | Sulfate Free Conditioner | Vegan

Pureology Hydrate Moisturizing Conditioner is a vegan, sulfate-free conditioner designed to deeply hydrate and moisturize all hair types and textures. It contains emollient Jojoba to leave hair feeling hydrated, Green Tea to support scalp health, and Sage to stimulate follicles. It is safe for color-treated hair and actively protects hair color. After shampooing with Hydrate Shampoo, apply a dime-sized amount to midlengths and ends, wait 1-2 minutes, and rinse. Customers love the minty scent and cooling sensation, and report that it leaves hair soft, shiny, and touchable.

What We Like
Vegan, sulfate-free, and safe for color-treated hair
Minty scent and cooling sensation
Leaves hair soft, shiny, and touchable
#TOP 4

Redken All Soft Conditioner: Moisturizes & Softens Dry Hair

3474636919970
golden color
Redken All Soft Conditioner: Moisturizes & Softens Dry Hair Cover
Redken All Soft Conditioner | For Dry, Brittle Hair | Moisturizes & Provides Intense Softness | With Argan Oil | 10.1 Fl Oz

The Redken All Soft Conditioner is a professional salon conditioner formulated with Argan Oil that softens, moisturizes, and conditions hair from root to tip. It leaves hair silky soft with increased manageability, suppleness, and a shiny look and feel. This gluten-free conditioner is perfect for fine to medium hair types in need of moisture and nourishment. It provides hydration, moisture, and softness for all dry hair types looking to condition. The conditioner replenishes the moisture balance of hair and conditions 15x more when used as a set with Argan Oil Conditioner as a full system. This moisturizing conditioner with argan oil is perfect for color-treated and non-color-treated hair types. It adds moisture and nourishes damage and dryness of hair. The sulfate-free formula ensures that color-treated hair stays protected, color looks vibrant, and hair stays soft and hydrated. The Redken All Soft Conditioner cleanses, restores, and softens dry brittle hair, while creating a soft, silky hair look.

What We Like
Moisturizes and provides intense softness
Thick and creamy texture
Leaves hair smelling and feeling luxurious
Hydrates and improves the health of the hair
Long-lasting and good value for money

SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner

764302290629
peach
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner Cover
SheaMoisture Curl & Shine Conditioner Coconut & Hibiscus, for Thick, Curly Hair to Moisturize & Soften, 13 oz

SheaMoisture's Coconut & Hibiscus Curl and Shine Conditioner is a lightweight hair care product that restores and smoothes dry hair cuticles without weighing your hair down. This moisturizing shine conditioner ensures you have no more knots, snarls or tangles – just soft, shining, easy to style hair wash after wash! Blended with Fair Trade Shea Butter, this conditioner provides nourishing hydration for beautiful, healthy looking curls. Great for natural hair.

What We Like
Restores and smooths dry hair cuticles without weighing hair down
Moisturizes and detangles dry, frizzy hair
Infuses curls and coils with intense moisture for natural shine
Blended with Fair Trade Shea Butter for nourishing hydration
No silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil or petrol
#TOP 6

Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Conditioner

I0093833
BROWN
Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Conditioner Cover
Kristin Ess Hair The One Signature Conditioner for Dry Damaged Hair - Moisturizes, Smooths, Detangles + Softens Hair Hydrates + Repairs - Vegan, Paraben Free + Color Safe

The Kristin Ess Hair One Signature Conditioner is a sulfate-free formula that deeply conditions and moisturizes hair, leaving it looking shiny and soft. Suitable for all hair types, it is weightlessly moisturizing, smoothing and softening, and shine renewing. The conditioner is cruelty-free, color and keratin safe, and free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates. To use, apply a dime to quarter-sized amount on wet hair, from the bottom to the top, and wait 3 minutes before rinsing thoroughly.

What We Like
Moisturizes and deeply conditions hair
Leaves hair looking shiny and soft
Suitable for all hair types
Cruelty-free, color and keratin safe, and free of sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
#TOP 7

Aunt Jackie's "Anti-Poof" Conditioner 15oz

1-697-15-1200
green
Aunt Jackie's "Anti-Poof" Conditioner 15oz Cover
Aunt Jackie's in control 15oz - "Anti-Poof" Moisturizing & Softening Conditioner

Aunt Jackie's "Anti-Poof" Conditioner is a moisturizing and softening conditioner that is perfect for brittle, frizzy, and hard-to-manage hair. The conditioner is made with natural extracts and proteins that nourish and deeply condition your hair.

What We Like
Natural extracts and proteins nourish and deeply condition hair
Softens brittle hair
Reduces frizz

Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Sulfate-Free Conditioner

4067313
BLUE
Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Sulfate-Free Conditioner Cover
Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Sulfate-Free Conditioner with Colloidal Oat for Dry Sensitive Scalp, Gentle Cleansing Conditioner for Fine, Fragile Hair, Paraben & Dye-Free, 12 Fl Oz

Aveeno Rose Water & Chamomile Blend Sulfate-Free Conditioner with Colloidal Oat for Dry Sensitive Scalp is a gentle cleansing conditioner for fine, fragile hair that is free of sulfates, dyes & parabens. It is infused with rose water and chamomile to help give you that soft-as-a-petal look. It is a trusted household brand since 1945 and is known for its skin & hair care products. It is perfect for those with sensitive skin and scalp, as it is blended in perfect balance with wholesome ingredients to help soothe your scalp and nourish your strands for beautiful hair from root to tip.

What We Like
Gentle cleansing conditioner for fine, fragile hair
Free of sulfates, dyes & parabens
Infused with rose water and chamomile
Perfect for those with sensitive skin and scalp
Blended in perfect balance with wholesome ingredients

SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner

0764302215844
Light Yellow
SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner Cover
SheaMoisture 100% Pure Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner For Damaged Hair and To Soften Detangle Hair 11.5oz

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave In Conditioner is a reparative leave-in conditioner that is perfect for those who regularly straighten, perm or heat style their hair, as well as kinky hair, curly or wavy natural styles. Formulated with Jamaican Black Castor Oil and fair trade Shea Butter, it helps to nourish, moisturize and support elasticity to resist breakage when detangling. It provides a protective layer that improves the appearance of dry split ends and is free of silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil and petrolatum. Customers have reported that it effectively tames frizz, leaves hair soft, and nicely curled. It is also a great product for those with thin hair as it does not weigh it down.

What We Like
Softens and detangles hair
Reduces frizz and improves hair texture
Moisturizes and adds shine to hair

Aveeno Oat Milk Conditioner with Almond Milk 12 Fl Oz

4067301
white
Aveeno Oat Milk Conditioner with Almond Milk 12 Fl Oz Cover
OGX Aveeno Scalp Soothing Oat Milk Blend Conditioner , Fresh, 12 Fl Oz

Promote a healthy scalp environment and rebalance the moisture in your hair with Aveeno Oat Milk Blend Conditioner. It contains oat as the first ingredient and almond milk to nourish, hydrate and soften your hair. This conditioner is free from sulfates, parabens, and dyes, making it safe for color-treated hair. It offers balanced moisture for daily use and all hair types, a perfect blend for an entire family. Aveeno is a trusted household brand that promotes healthy hair and scalp, and their products are blended in perfect balance with wholesome ingredients to soothe your scalp and nourish your strands for beautiful hair from root to tip.

What We Like
Suitable for all hair types
Sulfate-free, paraben-free, and dye-free
Leaves hair smelling good and feeling soft
Helps combat frizz
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Can I leave conditioner in my hair to soften it?

Leaving conditioner in your hair for too long can be damaging. While some conditioners are designed for overnight use, leaving them in longer than recommended can lead to product buildup, dryness, breakage, and split ends.

2. What does smoothing conditioner do?

Smoothing conditioner enhances your natural hair texture by locking in moisture and reducing flyaways. It contains amino acids that add shine, improve manageability, and help prevent damage, giving you smoother and healthier-looking hair.

3. How long do you leave in conditioner for softer hair?

In most cases, you don't need to leave conditioner in for more than a minute or two. While it's important to give the conditioner time to work, leaving it in for too long can be unnecessary. So, a short period of time is usually sufficient to achieve softer hair.

4. Why is my hair still rough after conditioner?

If your hair still feels rough after using conditioner, it could be due to not fully washing it out or having very damaged hair. Ensure you thoroughly rinse out the conditioner and consider getting a haircut to remove damaged ends and give your hair time to grow out and improve in texture.

5. What happens if you leave conditioner in your hair for 30 minutes?

Leaving a regular conditioner in your hair for an extended period, such as 30 minutes, can make your hair feel greasy or weighed down. This is because conditioners often contain moisturizing ingredients like oils, silicones, or proteins that can build up on the hair over time.

6. Why doesn't my hair feel soft after conditioner?

If your hair feels dry after deep conditioning, it could be due to improper cleansing or significant product buildup. Make sure to thoroughly cleanse your hair and consider removing any excess product buildup to help your hair feel softer and more hydrated.

Editor's Notes

During our softening conditioner research, we found 48 softening conditioner products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 396,535 customer reviews through our big data system to write the softening conditioner list. We found that most customers choose softening conditioner with an average price of $12.82.

The softening conditioner are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of softening conditioner, including SheaMoisture, MATRIX, Pureology, Redken, Kristin Ess. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.