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Hair-care guide

How Long to Leave Conditioner and Deep Conditioner In

TheWashDay editorial · Updated · How we compare

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Where the maker gives a time, most everyday rinse-out conditioners stay on for one to three minutes, though Mielle asks for 10 to 15 with its Pomegranate & Honey conditioner. Masks and deep conditioners run from at least three minutes (Aussie) to 35 to 60 minutes without heat (tgin). The table sets out, in our words, what each maker says for every conditioner and mask we compare. Your own bottle’s directions come first: times differ by product, and longer is not automatically better.

At a glance

ProductStepWhat the maker says about time
As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner Deep conditionerCover with a plastic cap and leave it on for 15 to 30 minutes.
Aunt Jackie's Coco Repair Coconut Creme Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerAs a regular rinse-out treatment, leave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse. As an intensive treatment, the maker describes a plastic cap under a warm hooded dryer for 10 minutes before rinsing.
Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Curls Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerLeave it on for at least three minutes, then rinse.
Bouclème Intensive Moisture Treatment Deep conditionerAs a mask: after cleansing, apply it to soaking-wet hair, leave it on for 20 to 30 minutes, then rinse. Before shampooing: apply it to wet hair, leave it on for 30 minutes, then rinse and wash.
Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditionerLeave it on for at least ten minutes, then rinse thoroughly. For a deeper treatment, Briogeo suggests covering your hair with a plastic cap and sitting under a hair dryer for 30 minutes before rinsing.
Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask Deep conditionerLeave it on for 10 minutes, then rinse with cool water while detangling with a wide-tooth comb. For a longer treatment the maker describes a plastic cap and heat for at least 20 minutes.
Cantu Ultra Moisture Nourishing Mask Deep conditionerLeave on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse.
Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher Deep conditionerDistribute and detangle, leave for 10–30 minutes, then rinse well.
DevaCurl Melt Into Moisture Deep conditionerLeave on for 15 to 20 minutes; cover with a plastic cap for more intense hydration, or leave on overnight for maximum moisture.
Giovanni Curl Habit Curl Defining Deep Conditioning Hair Mask Deep conditionerLeave on for 5 minutes.
Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Hair Mask Deep conditionerLeave on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment Deep conditionerLeave it on for 30 to 60 minutes; for more intense conditioning, use heat or a heated cap.
Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask Deep conditionerLeave it on for 5 minutes, or longer if you have time.
Maui Moisture Heal & Hydrate + Shea Butter Hair Mask Deep conditionerLeave it on for 5 minutes, letting the shower steam work in, then rinse.
Mielle Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerUse a plastic cap for 15 minutes. The maker also describes a 30-minute option under a dryer.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Masque Deep conditionerLeave it on for 15 to 20 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Deep Hydration Mask Deep conditionerLeave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse.
PATTERN Intensive Conditioner Deep conditionerFor mask use, leave on for ten minutes, then rinse.
Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerLeave it in for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse.
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Masque Deep conditionerLeave it on for 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. For extra conditioning, cover your hair with a plastic cap and add moderate heat for up to 30 minutes; with a steamer, leave your hair uncovered.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Treatment Masque Deep conditionerCover your hair with a plastic cap and warm it with a blow dryer on low for about 15 minutes, or leave it up to half an hour without heat.
tgin Honey Miracle Hair Mask Deep conditionerWith a plastic cap, sit under a dryer for 10–15 minutes, or leave it on without heat for 35–60 minutes.
The Doux THAT’S DEEP 5-Minute Deep Conditioner Deep conditionerLeave it on for 5 minutes at most; a plastic cap is optional.
Aunt Jackie's In Control Moisturizing Softening Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerAs an everyday conditioner, leave it on for 3 minutes, then rinse. As a treatment, the maker describes a plastic cap under a hooded dryer for 10 minutes before rinsing; it also gives co-wash directions.
Aussie Miracle Curls Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Bouclème Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Bouclème Fragrance Free Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Camille Rose Curl Love Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 3 to 5 minutes, then rinse with cool water.
Cécred Hydrating Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 1 minute.
Curlsmith Essential Moisture Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerDetangle, leave for one to two minutes, then rinse well.
Curlsmith Fragrance-Free Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse well.
DevaCurl One Condition Original Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Giovanni Smooth As Silk Deeper Moisture Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Innersense Organic Beauty Hydrating Cream Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave on for 1 to 5 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Jessicurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerRinse after 3 to 5 minutes.
Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerWait 3 to 5 minutes.
Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 10 to 15 minutes, then rinse well.
Mielle Rosemary Mint Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 5 to 10 minutes, then rinse thoroughly.
Not Your Mother's Curl Talk Clean Slate Daily Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 1 to 2 minutes, then rinse.
OLAPLEX No.5 Bond Maintenance Strengthening Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave for one to three minutes, then rinse well.
Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for three minutes, then rinse.
PATTERN Medium Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.
SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 3 minutes, then rinse it out.
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerLeave it on for 3 minutes, then rinse and style as usual.
tgin Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner Rinse-out conditionerNo time given in the directions.

Download this table with each maker’s full directions, rinse and heat lines (CSV)

With or without heat

Seven of the masks give a separate time with heat: tgin, Briogeo, Mielle Babassu & Mint, Camille Rose, Aunt Jackie’s Coco Repair and SheaMoisture’s two masques, and Aunt Jackie’s In Control conditioner does too. Some heat times are shorter than the plain time and some longer, so read them as two different instructions. Use heat only when your mask’s own directions mention it, and follow that time rather than adding heat to a mask that doesn’t ask for it.

Heat caps and steamers, compared Heat cap or steamer: which to use

When the bottle gives no time

Some conditioners only say to apply, detangle and rinse. Leave them on while you detangle, then rinse; there is no stated time to wait for.

A mask usually replaces your conditioner

Briogeo and Curlsmith say to use their mask in place of the regular conditioner on the day you use it, not on top of it. tgin is the exception: its directions put its conditioner on before Honey Miracle Hair Mask. If your mask doesn’t say, use it in place of conditioner and compare the result.

When a mask replaces your conditioner Deep conditioners for curly hair, compared

Updated · The sources for this guide are on our Sources page. Report a changed detail.

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