How Often To Use Conditioner Bars: The Definitive Guide

We all know how important conditioner is. It makes your hair soft and shiny. It rehydrates your strands after a deep clean. But are you actually getting the most out of your product? And do you know how often to use conditioner for the best effect?

At Bars Over Bottles, I have a conditioner bar for every hair type. These solid conditioners are specially formulated to give you your very best hair day – if you know how to use them properly. 

But why should you use a conditioner bar vs liquid in the first place? And are you using the right type of product for your hair type?

Today, I will dive into everything you need to know about choosing and using conditioner bars properly. And, if you’ve ever asked the question: “How often should I use conditioner?” you’ll find the answer here – tailored to your own lovely locks. 

Before I get into how often to use conditioner bars, let’s first discuss why I promote solid conditioner over liquid products. 

Why use conditioner bars?

Conditioner bars are better than liquid conditioners: for both your hair, and the environment. A conditioner bar doesn’t need any plastic packaging, and is also waterless – so you don’t need to worry about creating waste. 

Because conditioner bars are just concentrated product, you also get more for your money. One conditioner bar can last you for the same amount of time as three (6.7oz) bottles of traditional conditioner. 

In addition, my conditioner bars are natural, silicone-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free, so you don’t need to worry about your hair being weighed down by product build-up, or damaged by harsh chemicals. 

My sulfate-free conditioner bars help to restore your natural oils, improve your hair and scalp health, and repair damage from heat and chemicals.  

And conditioner bars make the best travel companions too. Because they don’t contain any liquid, you can use travel tins to take them on-the-go in your carry-on – and you’ll never have to worry about your product spilling in your bag. 

So now that you’re hopefully on board with conditioner bars, it’s time to answer the all-important question: “How often should I use conditioner bars?” 

Knowing how often to use conditioner bars really comes down to case-to-case basis. That’s because genetics, environment, lifestyle, and hair type can all play a role in how often to use conditioner bars. 

By and large, hair type plays the biggest role in your shower routine – so let’s examine how often to use conditioner bars based on hair type. 

How often to use conditioner bars – by hair type

Here is how often to use conditioner depending on your hair type:

Dry, coarse, or curly hair

People with dry, coarse, or curly hair usually need to condition more frequently, or more deeply, than those with other hair types. In fact, many people with these hair types prefer to condition every other day. 

You have to really listen to your hair to understand how often to use conditioner bars. If your hair feels dry, looks frizzy, or is becoming more tangly than usual, it’s probably time for more conditioner! 

If every other day isn’t cutting it for how often to use conditioner bars, I recommend using a deep conditioning hair mask bar once a week as well. 

You can also use a leave-in conditioner for curls to keep your hair defined and hydrated between washes. 

How often to use conditioner bars looks completely different for other hair types, however. 

Oily and fine hair 

If you have naturally oily or fine hair, you only need to condition two or three times a week at most. 

If you’ve been thinking: “Does conditioner make your hair oily?”, you probably need to reduce your conditioner use. That doesn’t mean you don’t need to shower at all. You can think of your shampoo and conditioner completely separately when learning how to wash oily hair. You don’t need to use one to use the other!

Some days, you may prefer to just shampoo your hair, and to only use conditioner a couple times a week. 

How can you tell if you’re over-conditioning?

There is such a thing as too much of a good thing. While conditioner is necessary and great for your hair, you don’t want to overdo it. Some signs you might be over-conditioning your hair include:

• Hair that is super shiny or greasy
• Hair that lacks volume
• Hair that is sticking to your head
• Hair that is difficult to style with heat tools 

If you are experiencing these symptoms, you may need to cut back on your conditioner usage or try a more lightweight conditioner bar. Also be sure to get 100% of your product rinsed out of your hair while showering! 

Of course, just like you can over-conditioner your hair, you can absolutely under-condition it. 

How can you tell if you’re under-conditioning?

Some signs you need to use conditioner more frequently include:

• Hair that tangles easily
• Dry strands that break easily
• Frizz
• Dullness

If you notice these signs in your hair, you may need to reexamine how often to use conditioner bars, or consider adding a weekly hair mask bar to your routine. 

Now, you hopefully know the answer to the question: “How often should I use conditioner bars?” And you can adjust your routine accordingly. But the frequency at which you use your conditioner is only one piece in the puzzle. You also need to have the right type of conditioner. 

Choosing the right conditioner bar

Different conditioners are better for different hair types and textures. Read on to learn the best conditioner bar for every hair type:

A lightweight conditioner bar

If you have oily or fine hair, you don’t want to weigh down your strands. That’s why you need a lightweight conditioner bar. This will help keep your hair fresh and volumized and prevent it from getting greasy so quickly. 

A deeply moisturizing conditioner bar

If you have dry or damaged hair, I recommend a heavier conditioning agent. The best conditioner for dry hair is one that will truly pack in the moisture – like my Ultra Moisturizing Conditioner Bar with hydrating shea butter!

A leave-in conditioner bar

If you have curly or coily hair, I suggest learning how to use leave-in conditioner ASAP!

Leave-in conditioner will keep your curls beautifully defined and hydrated between washes. And, the best thing about my leave-in conditioner for curly hair is that it’s actually a 2-in-1 product. You can use it as a leave-in, or as a regular conditioner during your shower! 

A conditioning hair mask bar 

If your hair still seems dry even with a hydrating conditioner or leave-in product, then it’s time for a hair mask bar. Hair masks work to truly saturate your strands with moisture and provide even more strength and hydration than a regular conditioner. 

People with fine and oily hair will most likely never need to use a hair mask. But if you have curly hair, you can greatly benefit from my curl defining hair mask bar. And if you have dry or damaged hair, then my hydrating hair mask will be your new best friend. 

So now that you know how often to use conditioner and what type of product to use, it’s important to ensure you know how to use a conditioner bar in the first place! 

How to apply solid conditioner 

The type of conditioner you use won’t matter if you don’t know how to use a conditioner bar. Luckily, learning how to use a conditioner bar is very simple. 

You just need to wet your hair and your conditioner bar. Then, move your conditioner bar around in your palms in small circles to build up a bit of product on your hands. 

You can use your hands to work the product through your hair lengths, or slide the bar itself down the lengths of your strands – whatever you feel works best for you. 

If you have fine or oily hair, focus more product on the tips and avoid your scalp area. If your hair is particularly dry, you can benefit from conditioner closer to your scalp. 

Once you’ve worked the product into your hair, you can use your fingers or a wide-toothed comb to distribute the conditioner evenly. Then, it’s time to let the product sit! Leaving the product in for a few minutes allows the vitamins, nutrients, and essential oils to work into your strands.

When you do rinse your hair out, try to use cold or lukewarm water, as it will help to keep the moisture locked in. 

So there you have it! You know now how to use a conditioner bar, how often to use conditioner bars, and precisely what product is best for your hair type. 

Shop my plastic-free conditioner bars

Are you ready to get the softest, shiniest – and grease-free – strands? I have a whole line of conditioner bars just waiting for you. And while you’re at it, feel free to browse my natural shampoo bars, facial cleansing bars, and more!