14 Best Conditioners for Color-treated Hair to Maintain the Tint

Investing in coloring your hair does require time and patience, and when the results are fabulous, seeing the hard work fade away does give a little boo-boo to the heart. But no worries, those who ought to want the hair tint vibrancy to last more can invest in the best conditioners for color-treated hair that can prolong the hair color more than intended. Why? Well, for the most part, these conditioners harness softening and color-retention attributes that can improve the overall hair texture and color. They aren’t any ordinary picks, but well sort-after formulations intended to be used for chemically treated hair.

To assist you, our beauty experts have tried and tested various conditioners and cherry-picked them to create an assortment of the finest conditioners for color-treated hair. There's something on this list for everyone, whether you're searching for solutions to nourish and moisturize your locks, preserve color from fading, or improve your natural shine. 

Scroll and strap in for the best recommendations set below!

Our top picks

14 Best Conditioners for Color-treated Hair

Minimize color fading and maximize hair health with Color Protect Conditioner from Paul Mitchell. This nourishing formula is infused with sunflower extracts, which have conditioning extracts that moisturize hair and boost shine, protecting your locks from damaging ultraviolet rays that tend to disrupt color(1). Additionally, the white and creamy daily conditioner also harnesses rice protein and hydrolyzed wheat protein that claim to strengthen brittle strands that are over-color treated. We also appreciate that the cruelty-free conditioner includes refreshing notes of orange, apple, and bergamot, which leave your hair smelling like a dream!

Pros

• Provides UV protection
• Detangles locks
• Ideal for all hair types
• Vegan
• Paraben-free

Cons

• Might feel greasy

2

Best Conditioner for Fine Hair

Nioxin System 4 Scalp Therapy Revitalizing Conditioner

Seek professional hair care help for your unsupervised progressed thinning and color-treated hair with the scalp therapy conditioner by Nioxin. The System 4 formulation recommends its users apply the product from the roots to the tips evenly to hydrate the scalp and hair at once. This lightweight professional hair and scalp conditioner helps maintain moisture balance, provides hair resilience, reduces breakage, and leaves hair appearing fuller. When we tried the product, we found the smell to be not so appealing, but in return provided the optimal results of strength needed for our thin strands!

Pros

• Ideal for daily use
• Suitable for all hair types
• Reduces hair fall
• Dermatologist approved
• Lightweight formula

Cons

• Might cause dryness in the scalp

3

Best for Boosting Hair Shine

COLOR WOW Color Security Conditioner

COLOR WOW Color Security Conditioner has an incredible hydrating formula that seals moisture into the locks and repairs damaged hair. It contains the goodness of avocado oil that helps lubricate every hair strand, prevent hair damage, and make your tresses ultra smooth and silky. With its superb 3 levels of thermal protection feature, you won’t have to worry about dull and lifeless hair. This conditioner is best suited for dull, thick, and curly hair types. 

Pros

• Paraben-free
• Sulfate-free
• Nourishes hair strands
• Hydrates the scalp

Cons

• Poor packaging

4

milk_shake Color Maintainer Conditioner

This conditioner from Milk_shake brings all the girls in the yard as it nourishes color-treated hair in a jiffy. Formulated with hydrolyzed wheat protein for strengthening and milk-derived protein for conditioning, the daily conditioner softens and restructures the hair cortex and hair cuticles. And the lightweight conditioner comes with patented Integrity 41, a complex antioxidant that ensures the durability of hair color after every hair wash. After applying and washing the hair, we found this conditioner has a pleasant fragrance of sweet milk and leaves hair shiny, vital, and conditioned. 

Pros

• Ideal for extremely dry hair
• Easy to dispense
• Pleasant scent
• No harsh surfactants
• No sticky residue

Cons

• Unpleasant fragrance

5

Best for Dry Hair

VIRTUE Recovery Conditioner

VIRTUE Recovery Conditioner definitely deserves all the applause and praise it gets from its users. This luxe conditioner has a rich blend of hair-nourishing ingredients, including grapefruit extract, hydrolyzed quinoa, and baobab seed oil that infuses moisture and nutrients into the locks and boosts hair health. The antioxidant properties of this conditioner prevent the hair from damage, plus its hydrating features add shine to the hair. You can easily restore the vitality of your hair and nourish your scalp by adding this conditioner to your haircare regimen. 

Pros

• Dye-free
• Gluten-free
• Vegan
• Cruelty-free
• Loaded with hair-friendly ingredients

Cons

• Slightly expensive

6

Aveeno Blackberry Quinoa Protein Blend Conditioner

Aveeno is one such hair care brand that relies on natural goodness instead of falling back on harsh chemical additives. They introduced this scalp-soothing, farm-fresh-inspired conditioner combination enriched with blackberry and quinoa protein for color care and restoration. After putting this conditioner to the test, we noticed it helps keep the hair color going strong while soothing your scalp and nourishes your strands from root to tip. It's a treat and a must-have for those who enjoy the smell of fresh oats and blackberry fruits!

Pros

• Reduces scalp itch
• Makes hair more manageable
• Paraben free
• Delights your olfactory senses
• Sulfate-free

Cons

• May tangle long hair

7

Best Lean Formula

Herbal Essences Color Me Happy Conditioner

Keep your locks and strands radiant and fresh with Color Me Happy Conditioner by Herbal Essences. The conditioner is designed particularly to prevent color-treated hair from fading or damaging by utilizing a mix of pH-balanced formulations that guard the hair against environmental influences that might cause color fade. That includes scalp-invigorating fruit extracts which soften the strands inside out. Additionally, we noticed after trying the product that the corn silk extracts in the daily condition helped manage pesky hair strands. 

Pros

• Provides glossy shine
• Cruelty-free
• Lean formula
• Pleasant scent
• 100% recyclable bottle

Cons

• May tangle hair

8

Best for Thinning Hair

Pureology Professional Care Strength Cure Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Made for all hair types and textures that suffer from damage, the Pureology Duo with antioxidant-rich formulas mend breakage to result in softer, healthier hair. Loaded with moisturizing ingredients such as the plant-based protein Keravis and antioxidant Astaxanthin, this conditioner helps keep the hair hydrated, smooth, and frizz-free. All in all, the conditioner gets compliments for its scent, which features sweet raspberry and peach blended with fresh water flower notes that delight the nose.

Pros

• Ideal for sensitive skin
• Paraben-free
• Makes hair soft
• Easy to dispense
• Vegan

Cons

• Might feel a little greasy

9

Best for Curly Hair

Love Beauty AND Planet Sulfate-Free Shampoo and Conditioner Set

Considered one of the best-scented conditioners, Love Beauty And Planet delivers color protection from harsh chemicals. Formulated with Murumuru seed butter, it helps keep the tresses moisturized. On top of that, the 100% natural coconut oil locks in moisture and allows your strands to flow freely and lusciously. Lastly, this duo combo is infused with hand-picked Bulgarian rose petals, which provide a pleasant, long-lasting floral smell.

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Lean formula
• Natural ingredients
• Smells heavenly
• Leaves no residue behind

Cons

• Might make hair dry

10

Best Deep Conditioner for Color-treated Hair

L'ANZA Healing ColorCare Color Preserving Conditioner

Considered one of the best top-rated conditioners for color-treated hair, the color-preserving conditioner by L'ANZA is a must for amateurs with color-treated hair. The conditioner is crafted with a flower shield complex (echinacea, cornflower, calendula, and yellow rose) that provides fade protection and fights humidity. And the formula includes meadowfoam flower seed oil that helps replenish hydrating lipids and vital nutrients to keep your hair in optimal condition. As an added bonus, many reviewers laud that the product also detangles long hair without breaking a sweat and keeps unruly hair intact. 

Pros

• Promotes high shine
• Ideal for frizzy hair
• Paraben-free
• Cruelty-free

Cons

• Defective pump

11

Best Leave-in Conditioner

IL Salone Milano Spray Leave-in Conditioner

The premium leave-in hair conditioner by ILl Salone Milano delivers the finishing touch for retaining color and adding stunning shine to hair. Fortified with rice extracts, it nourishes the strands individually, sealing the color into the hair, making the follicle feel silky and appearing shiny after every wash. We tried the product and found it quite gentle compared to its competitors and easy to use for beginners. Encased in a spray-in bottle - this conditioner for color-treated curly hair is perfect for women on the go - being stylist-approved too!

Pros

• High street-friendly pricing
• Provides a glossy shine
• Travel-friendly
• Hydrates the hair

Cons

• Some complain about dry hair

12

Best Gentle Formula

Dove Color Protect Conditioner

Those who seek a gentle formulation that soothes the scalp rather than irritates it must choose the Color Protect Conditioner by Dove. This Dove conditioner for colored hair, formulated with Vibrant Colour Lock with keratin actives, provides you with longer-lasting hair color vibrancy and claims to extend it for up to 40 washes. Our findings show that it contains natural ingredients like coconut oil and hydrolyzed soy protein, that's so gentle, it's suitable for everyday use. 

Pros

• Cost-effective
• Cruelty-free
• Easy to store and dispense
• Gentle formula

Cons

• Unpleasant smell

13

Botanic Hearth Color Protecting Conditioner

Maintain the vibrancy of light colors shades such as blonde and blues, with Color Safe Set by Botanic Hearth. Enriched with green tea and aloe vera extracts, the conditioner soothes the scalp and promotes hair growth. Biotin, hydrolyzed keratin extracts, and vitamin E help strengthen hair follicles, thereby thickening the hair, while jojoba oil moisturizes the dry strands. After trying the scalp-invigorating formula, we found the all-natural shampoo and conditioner for color-treated hair worked undeniably well on flaky scalps and brittle strands. 

Pros

• Gentle formulation
• Cruelty-free
• Ideal for all hair types
• Leaves no residue

Cons

• Not ideal for dry hair

14

NUTRI-OX Fortifying Conditioner

The Fortifying Conditioner by NUTRI-OX protects your delicate color-treated hair from sun damage. How? It's enriched with sunflower seed oil that seals in color and keeps the harsh UAV rays away from the follicles. Not only that, it includes peppermint oil and Nutri-Essentials Complex (featuring biotin, vitamin B6, and ginkgo extract) that conditions hair from root to tip to help maintain the optimal scalp. All in all, the formulation is safe for color-treated, highlighted, and permed hair, making it one of the best deep conditioners for color-treated hair!

Pros

• Cruelty-free
• Vegan
• Easy to store and dispense
• Ideal for all genders

Cons

• Might be too strong for delicate scalps

Now that we have discussed the top choices, you need to know on what basis you should buy that particular conditioner. To easily distinguish the best from the rest, we mentioned a few points below to keep in mind before choosing the best conditioner for color-treated hair. 

How to Choose the Best Conditioner for Color-Treated Hair?

Scroll down for our keynotes on how to choose the best conditioner from the rest. 

• Key Ingredients: It's always sunny in haircare town when the ingredients tend to be on the natural side. With nourishing oils and hair growth essentials like coconut oil, argan oil, biotin, and keratin actives being present in formulas make the conditioner an ideal choice. It's a bonus when the product itself turns out to be plant-based ( vegan) and sustainably sourced as it's not only good for hair care but also the environment. 
  Sharing a piece of advice, our contributor William Slator, Product Developer at HairGuard - a brand specializing in hair growth products, says, “Individuals with sensitive skin may be allergic to certain ingredients like fragrance, preservatives, or specific botanical extracts found in conditioners. It's essential to patch-test new products and choose hypoallergenic or fragrance-free options if you have known sensitivities.”

• Hair Color: It is vital to remember that the appropriate products for you will be determined by the sort of color treatment you have. If you have highlights, search for products that can enhance your color, but if you have darker shades, look for products that will protect and moisturize your hair. 
  Our contributor Mr. Slator shares, “Conditioners designed for color-treated hair, often labeled as color-protect or color-safe, are suitable for global color treatments. These conditioners help maintain the vibrancy of the color, prevent fading, and provide essential moisture to keep the hair healthy.”

• Efficiency of Results: Also, when selecting your conditioner be sure to check out how long the conditioner helps to sustain the hair color on the strands. If the conditioner helps to increase the vibrancy and keeps the strands well-maintained without frizzing up, then you shouldn't skip out on it.

• No Nasties: We always recommend keeping an eye out for harsh chemicals like alcohol, allergens, synthetic fragrances, dimethicone, formaldehyde, and retinyl palmitate that can cause build-up at your hair roots, and irritate or burn your scalp. Always check your labels for these pesky chemicals and be sure to opt for lean formulas that don't involve these ingredients at all. 

Note: It always helps when the product is hypoallergenic, making it suitable for all hair types and delicate scalps.

Conclusion

Your color-treated locks deserve to be flaunted for a long period. The best conditioners for color-treated hair mentioned above are the right choice for all hair types. Moreover, don't forget to select your conditioner on the basis of what your hair really needs — it may be nourishment, growth or even thickening. Without further ado, go ahead and try these wonderful conditioners to bring back the pop of color to your old chemically-treated hair with a power-packed conditioner! 

Contributor: William Slator, Product developer - HairGuard

FAQ's

Do you need a special conditioner for color-treated hair?

Yes, if you don't use a special and specific conditioner for color-treated hair then the results would hardly change for you.

Is it OK to condition hair after coloring?

Yes, absolutely, conditioning your hair doesn't damage the color or the scalp.

Is sulfate-free conditioner good for colored hair?

Yes, sulfate-free conditioners are good for colored hair.

How often should I use a conditioner for color-treated hair?

Well, every time you decide you shampoo your hair, we recommend always following it up with the conditioner for color-treated hair.

Why Trust Pinkvilla

While dealing with her color-treated hair, Alvira, our hair expert, realized she needed the apt conditioner for better hair care. She then scoured the hair care aisle to test and try the various conditioners and see what works best for color-treated locks. After trying various products, she has curated this list of the best conditioners for color-treated hair that provide the ultimate nourishment to your tresses. 

Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

Author BIO

With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More

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