Does anyone use conditioner as a leave-in?

[Kat]

In general I'd say, no problem, but... but! There are ingredients that "can" be in rinse-out products that you best not leave on the hair. I don't know exactly what those ingredients are.

Anyway why would you want to leave in plain conditioner when there are so many products designed for leaving in the hair. I guess I don't quite get it.

I'd not risk it, personally.

Not having to buy (and store) extra products is a big plus.

[Kalamazoo]

If it works for you, both thumbs up!

[The Lizard Wife]

Based just on "gut instinct," lately I've been not making the effort to thoroughly rinse out my conditioner at the end of washing. Just a very very quick rinse. My theory was, "surely it's the same general idea as using a leave-in except lazier??" So far I haven't had any issues that I'm aware of, and it's helped give my hair a little extra slip, so I'm pleased with the results. But it's only been a handful of months (so for me, a handful of washings) since I've started it.

[windyballoons]

Yup! Us curlies do this a lot; I started this technique years ago when I read Teri Laflesh's book, with some tweaking I got great results, and use regular conditioner as my leave-in and main styling product when my hair is curly.

Most "leave-in" conditioners are just normal conditioners that have been watered down a bit and packaged seperately (often at a markup!), selling more product. If your hair is thick, frizzy, thirsty or curly, these leave-in products are probably too lightweight for you.

If regular conditioner works as a leave-in for you- go for it! Listen to your hair

[windyballoons]

I just noticed your follow-up comment about using black hair products- if you have curly, coily or kinky hair, I really encourage you to check out Teri's web site or book! She has lots of advice specific to these hair types on growing long and strong- our hair needs often don't match up with "mainstream" (straight/wavy) hair advice. I altered her methods slightly to suit my own hair, but she was the single most helpful resource I have ever found for working with my hair type.

[ExpectoPatronum]

I personally don't see anything wrong with leaving conditioner in. If my hair was looking dry, my mom or aunt would tell me not to rinse conditioner all the way out so my hair would be moisturized. Surely it's the same concept.

[AutobotsAttack]

I actually ONLY just use conditioner as a leave in. I’ll mix it with some water in a spray bottle and moisturize my hair with it as needed. Been doing that for years now.

[Hexana]

I also use my conditioner as a leave in, but I diluted it add distilled water and Aloe Vera. I just spritz it over my hair (mostly ends) and then I seal it in with a tiny amount of oil. Works fine if I don't overdo it (I have finer hair).

[Stardreamer]

My contribution: I usually don't use products on my hair, and my hair's curly and dryish. I used leave-in conditioner for the first time and was happy with the results.
My hair smells gorgeous and it was a lot less frizzy and my Day 1 hair was actually more like day 2 hair! With the texture and how frizzy it was. My hair was weighed down a bit. It did use more conditioner than I'd normally use but I was pleased.
If I did leave-in condish I'd do it every 3-4 days at the least when I washed my hair, because my hair gets too oily after 3 or 4 days.

[Ylva]

My primary concern would be that the product contains methyl(chloro)isothiazolinone. They're preservatives that are banned from use in leave-on products in the EU. They give me a rash even in rinse-out products. I don't remember the US regulations regarding those preservatives but I think they were way laxer about it than the EU.

As for myself, I would love to try the Garnier Hair Foods as leave-ins, but then again, that's one of their intended uses so perhaps not the same thing. However, I have several leave-in-specific products in my stash, and I'm worried that if I liked the Hair Food too much as a leave-in, I wouldn't use those products up at all. So I won't even go there!