Protein conditioners are designed to help build up, repair, and overall make your hair stronger. Protein treatments help fill any empty gaps and damage that your strands may have. Protein treatments don't need to be left on for longer than the recommended time on the bottle - it would be total overkill and is not necessary. If you have generally healthy hair, you don't need to do it more than once a month. ALWAYS follow up a protein treatment with a moisturizing treatment afterwards. Protein treatments will cause it to break off if you overuse it or don't fully rinse it out. Use with caution. Example: Suave Natural Care Vanilla Almond & Silk Protein Conditioner.

Moisturizing conditioners are designed to make hair softer and add moisture to the hair by using humectants. Example: Pantene Pro-V Hydrating Curls.

Leave-in conditioners either adds light protein to the hair (in some cases), hold style, add luster, strengthens and protect hair throughout the day. Some leave in conditioners may also have moisturizing properties as well. Example: Infusium 23 Leave-In Treatment.

Reconstructors: A reconstructor treatment is used to strengthen the hair. It penetrates the cuticle and repairs the hair from sun, heat and chemical damage. These normally contain protein and hydrolyzed human hair keratin protein. Leave this product on between 2 and 5 minutes and use with heat. There is no need to keep this treatment on your hair longer. Great for people with chemicals on their hair. Example: Aussie 3 Minute Miracle Reconstructor.

Detanglers: Conditioners that aid in detangling the hair. They help to make the hair feel slippery, which helps the conditioner slide through your comb or brush. Make sure your hair is soaked with water first. Example: Biolage Detangling Solution.

Thermal Protectors: This type of product is made for use with blow dryers, curling irons and hot styling tools. It is formulated to protect and prevent hair damage during hot styling. Example: Thermasilk Intensive Conditioning Thermal Wrap.

Acidifiers: Also known as Clarifying Conditioners. Many of these types of conditioners contain citrus extracts, ascorbic acid/vitamin C, or apple cider vinegar in them. Example: V05 Kiwi & Lime Clarifying Conditioner.

Most conditioners should clearly say on the bottle or in the name of the product what type of conditioner it is. For example, "Suave Moisturizing Conditioner" or "Abba Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner".