What is the difference between balm and hair conditioner

The content of the article

• Why do you need air conditioning and balm
• Differences of balm from hair conditioner
• Composition and Consistency
• Operating principle
• Properties
• How to choose and use correctly

Cosmetics used after shampooing are often considered interchangeable. But this is not so. Balm and hair conditioner – products with different principles of action. They differ in composition, consistency, method of application, duration of effect.

Why do you need air conditioning and balm

The main objective of both remedies is to neutralize the alkaline effect after applying the shampoo. When washing the head, the scales open, making the hair dry, stiff. Even when using gentle shampoo options, additional care is necessary. Acid-base balance is disturbed due to impurities contained in water, staining, perms.

Conditioner and balm close scales, moisturize, soften hairs.

The conditioner facilitates combing, prevents mechanical damage, accelerates drying. Hair becomes more obedient, less electrified. Balm eliminates brittleness, gives shine. The tool saturates with useful substances, restores the structure from the inside.

Differences of balm from hair conditioner

Trichologists do not recommend buying 2-in-1 shampoos. Use nourishing and cleaning products separately..

The difference between balm and hair conditioner is the action, application methods, exposure time, composition, consistency.

Air conditioning:

• has an external effect;
• removes static electricity;
• gives a temporary result – the effect disappears the next day;
• do not apply to the roots;
• wash off after 1-2 minutes.

Balm:

• penetrates the hair shaft, nourishes, moisturizes, but does not cleanse;
• does not remove electrification;
• restores the structure of the hair from the inside, makes them healthy not only externally;
• can withstand up to 30 minutes.

Composition and Consistency

These cosmetic products perform different functions, complement each other’s work. Conditioner and hair balm have an acidic environment, under the influence of which hair scales are closed. The composition of the conditioner includes various organic compounds (surfactants – surfactants), silicones, conditioning additives. Fatty alcohols are added to obtain texture. Fragrances, dyes may be present..

Proteins, vitamins, minerals, natural extracts, oils of medicinal plants: jojoba, olives, lavsonia are added to balms to improve regeneration. Both products have a creamy consistency, more liquid in conditioners due to silicones in the composition.

Leave-in products come in the form of a spray.

Operating principle

Shampoo washes grease and other impurities. In this case, warm water opens the scales of the hair. Drying, they are shy, confused, poorly stacked. The conditioner glues and seals the flakes, fills in the damaged parts, and envelops with a protective film. Gives short-term smoothness and silkiness to the top layer.

The balm penetrates through open flakes into the shaft. Each individual hair gets nutrition, hydration from the inside and out. Regular use of the balm transforms the condition of the hair, gives a long-term result.

The product is recommended for weakened, overdried, dyed hair..

Properties

The conditioner retains moisture, is a good antistatic, improves combing, and promotes quick drying. It facilitates styling, protects against mechanical stress, environmental influences (hair dryers, irons, sun). The balm delivers vitamins, minerals, other beneficial substances deep into the hair, regenerates its structure. Damaged, dyed, brittle hair becomes healthy and shiny.

How to choose and use correctly

The care product must be selected in accordance with the type and condition of the hair. The package must indicate the composition and method of use. Conditioners are more suitable for all types of hair.

For greasy – use indelible conditioning sprays, for a long time keeping a fresh, well-groomed look of a hairdress.

Balms can be conditionally divided into groups:

• For damaged – restorative compounds.
• For dry, brittle – nutritious, containing a large number of vegetable oils. They retain moisture, make curly hair soft, docile.
• For thin – giving volume. They do not create weight, so the curls look thicker.
• For stained – waxes in the composition of the balm retain color pigments, add a natural shine.

The balm is applied to washed wet hair, starting from the roots, distributed over the entire length. Wash off with cool water after 3-30 minutes, depending on the instructions on the package. To achieve an early result, use 2-3 times a week.

The conditioner must be applied after washing (if balm is not used), starting from the tips.

So that the hairstyle does not lose volume when styling, you can not handle the roots. After 1-2 minutes, the product is washed off with slightly warm water. Air conditioner is used with every wash..

Shampoo and conditioner from the same series help to improve the result. Do not often use 2-in-1 products – they do not restore, do not nourish hair. This cosmetic product only closes the scales, sealing them with silicones, which makes the hair unkempt looking.