15 Best Conditioners for Color-Treated Hair in 2025

Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Moist scored 7.5/10 in our quick-testing for delivering fast, noticeable hydration and softness using avocado and jojoba oils, and we found the three-minute treatment is genuinely effective for dry or damaged hair on a budget. During our review it smelled pleasant and left strands silky, but our experience shows it can leave a greasy residue on some hair types and the fragrance may be overpowering for sensitive noses; it also doesn’t offer color-protecting claims.

Pantene Color Care Conditioner surprised us in our testing with a rich, thick texture and a pleasant scent that left hair smelling fresh; biotin, pro-vitamin B5 and antioxidants help fortify color-treated strands. We found it delivers a luxurious conditioning experience and boosts manageability, but during our review some users reported increased dryness and frizziness after repeated use. While it’s sulfate-free and budget-friendly at around $10, our experience shows those with very dry or damaged hair should pair it with a deeper treatment.

Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner earned an 8/10 in our testing for its ability to repair and strengthen damaged, color-treated hair, thanks to Bis-Aminopropyl Diglycol Dimaleate, panthenol and glycerin that restore softness and manageability while protecting color. We found it noticeably reduces breakage and improves texture, but our experience shows wavy hair types may need extra hydration and the $75 price tag is steep for routine use. If bond repair is your priority, it’s worth the investment.

K-PAK Color Therapy Conditioner preserves color vibrancy and brings in nourishing keratin with argan and manketti oils, which in our testing helped boost shine for treated strands. We found it’s an affordable option at around $6.30, but during our review its heavier formula can weigh down finer hair and even lean toward dryness for some users. Because it contains sulfates, our experience shows it’s less forgiving on already fragile or porous color-treated hair, so reserve this for thicker, resilient strands.

Color Radiance Daily Conditioner scored a respectable 7.5/10 in our testing for delivering immediate softness and shine thanks to its nourishing trio of avocado oil, rice bran oil and shea butter, and we found its sulfate-free formula helps protect color while retaining moisture. In our experience it strengthens strands and boosts gloss, but users with oily scalps or very fine hair may notice greasiness and limpness after repeated use, so apply sparingly at the roots. At $30 it’s on the pricier side, so weigh the organic ingredients against value.

In our testing ghost™ Conditioner proved to be a lightweight, budget-friendly option scoring 7/10 and worked particularly well for fine hair thanks to moringa oil, green tea extract and vegan proteins that boost shine without weighing hair down. We found it left hair silky and easy to comb with a subtle citrus scent, but our experience shows the bottle design can be fiddly to dispense from and it may not provide enough moisture or detangling power for very coarse or dry hair types.

Normcore Signature Conditioner left hair soft and hydrated in our testing, with shea butter and sea buckthorn delivering noticeable moisture and shine without immediately weighing strands down. We found the scent pleasant and long-lasting, which many users will enjoy, but during our review some testers experienced limpness or greasiness after repeated use. The sulfate-free formula helps protect color, yet our experience shows the awkward packaging can make dispensing messy — so factor that into your daily routine.

Hydrate Conditioner delivers noticeable hydration and smoothing thanks to jojoba, green tea, sage, soy protein and sunflower seed oil — in our testing it tamed frizz and improved manageability while helping retain color and boost shine. We found the sulfate-free formula locks in moisture effectively, but the peppermint-forward scent is strong and could overwhelm sensitive noses. The conditioner’s thick consistency gives rich coverage, though our experience shows it’s easy to overapply, so use sparingly to avoid weighing hair down.

During our review Color Control Conditioner earned an 8.5/10 by striking a nice balance between detangling performance and shine, largely due to bio-fermented arginine and a blend of apricot seed, shea, coconut and avocado oils that are also sulfate-free. We found it leaves hair smooth, manageable and smelling fresh, making it a go-to for regular color maintenance, but our testing shows it may not be deeply hydrating enough for highly dry or over-bleached strands. The moderate price makes it an attractive middle-ground pick.

Technician Color Shampoo scored a 6.5/10 in our review and does a solid job of maintaining color vibrancy and adding shine thanks to mirabelle plum seed oil and sunflower sprout extract, but we found it can leave some hair feeling dry and tangled after use. During our testing the pleasant fruity scent was a highlight, yet dryness and higher price than drugstore cleansers hurt its overall value, so pair with a richer conditioner if your hair needs more hydration.

L'ANZA Healing ColorCare Conditioner is our top-rated choice, earning a 9/10 in our testing for exceptional color preservation and deep hydration thanks to a botanical-rich blend including calendula, blue cornflower and meadowfoam seed oil. We found color retention impressive over repeated washes and that a little product goes a long way, making it cost-effective despite the higher price, but our experience shows the thick consistency can be hard to dispense and a few users reported increased shedding and an off-putting scent.

Color Conserve Conditioner by Aveda rated 7.5/10 in our review for effectively locking in color and adding shine through hydrolyzed wheat protein and panthenol, and we found its botanical trio of lavender, ylang-ylang and peppermint leaves hair looking vibrant. During our testing it performed well at preserving hue, but our experience shows the scent isn’t for everyone and it may lack the deep moisture some very dry or damaged hair needs, plus it contains fragrance and is not sulfate-free.

Color Lustre Conditioner from Shu Uemura scored a 7/10 in our testing and impressed us with luxe ingredients like musk rose oil and goji berry extract that aim to nourish and protect color. We found it can leave hair feeling softer and shinier for many users, but during our review performance was inconsistent across hair types and some testers reported it didn’t detangle well or deliver enough moisture — and at $64 the cost is a notable drawback compared with similarly marketed options.

Kerastase Reflection Chromatique Conditioner delivered noticeable shine and silkiness in our testing but earned a 7/10 because its thin texture can mean you use more product to get the effect you want. We found the zinc gluconate, rice bran oil and litchi extract leave hair glossy and color-safe, yet our experience shows the fragrance can bother sensitive scalps and the watery consistency may frustrate those expecting a richer cream. It’s a good choice if you prioritize shine, but factor in scent sensitivity.

In our testing Redken Color Extend Magnetics stood out as a reliable detangler that keeps color looking fresh thanks to amino acids and cranberry oil, and we found the citric acid and glycerin blend helps boost shine and moisture retention. While not the highest scorer at 8/10, it earned its rating for smoothing and color protection. That said, some users reported the formula can feel greasy or oily on finer hair, and a few noted the price per ounce feels steep.