Protein Conditioners vs. Moisturizing Deep Conditioners

One of the most critical parts of a healthy hair regimen is deep conditioning. Deep conditioning helps improve and maintain the moisture-protein balance of our hair. A healthy balance helps improve elasticity, which, in turn, helps reduce breakage because the hair is more flexible rather than brittle.

There are two main types of deep conditioners to choose between: protein and moisturizing deep conditioners. Both serve a purpose, but what is that purpose? Do you really need both? And how do you know when you should use a protein deep conditioner instead of a moisturizing deep conditioner, or vice versa?

Let’s dig a little deeper into these questions.

Why We Need a Balance of Both

Our hair needs both moisture and protein to thrive, retaining strength and elasticity. There are deep conditioners that focus on adding moisture, those that focus on adding protein, and some that do both. Our Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner infuses hair with protein and moisture to restore dry and damaged hair. This deep penetrating conditioner is made with complex amino acids from wheat, soy, and other natural ingredients that help restore moisture to damaged and dry hair.

When to Choose Moisture

When our hair is healthy and not damaged, or free of chemical processing like color treatments, then there is not as much of a need for protein deep conditioning. In fact, adding protein could do more harm than good. Why? Because protein overload is real. When excess protein coats the hair strand and hardens, it can cause the hair to break and block moisture from penetrating the hair follicle.

If you have low porosity hair, this can be even more of an issue because your hair follicle is already smooth and close, which makes it difficult to penetrate, leaving nowhere for protein to go. This is also known as protein sensitivity. What should you do if this is the case? Consider a moisturizing deep conditioner that is protein-free. Mielle’s Mongongo Oil Hydrating Conditioner is protein-free and deeply moisturizing, made with Sub-Saharan African mongongo oil for Intense Heat Defense™ and Curl Pattern Protection™. It’s perfect for protein sensitive hair.

When to Choose Protein

When your hair is damaged, color treated, or heat styled frequently, then you have plenty of reasons to a protein and moisturizing deep conditioner to your hair care regimen. Protein can also be helpful for high-porosity hair, “filling in the gaps” of your open or raised cuticle layer to help your hair retain moisture.

Regardless of your hair needs, Mielle Organics has a deep conditioner for you. Explore our collection today and let us know how a protein or moisturizing formula has helped you achieve healthier, more beautiful hair!