No matter what your hair care routine looks like, no two wash day routines are the same. There are countless products, trends, and techniques in the natural hair community that promise

healthy locks and bouncy curls for different textures and patterns. But a good deep conditioner is the one staple product that will help your hair reach its fullest potential. “It’s essential to keep textured strands moisturized, as it tends to get drier than other hair types. Deep conditioning is a great way to penetrate your strands with proteins that may have been stripped from your hair by heat styling, color treating, or excessive manipulation of your strands by styling,” says Unilever global haircare brand ambassador, and renowned hairstylist Lacy Redway.

With so many deep conditioners to choose from, it can be hard to know which ones are worth your money. Redway suggests looking for formulas with proteins and moisturizing ingredients such as oil. "These are key ingredients that you can feel confident if you use, your hair will be on its journey towards repair and left feeling soft and shiny,” says Redway Deep conditioning should come after your shampoo and basic conditioner and should be left on for at least 10 minutes to allow the ingredients to penetrate the hair shaft. Redway recommends keeping the product on while you continue to complete tasks around the house. “Add a shower cap on top of your hair to allow the natural heat of your body to warm up your scalp, which helps the product further penetrate your strands.”

If you’re ready to take your hair care routine to the next level, scroll down for the 13 best deep conditioners for natural hair, that will leave your curls hydrated, moisturized, and healthier than ever.