So what is in this stuff?
Conditioner is commonly used after shampoo for people with dry or damaged hair. It contains, firstly, water to allow it to be easily applied to hair instead of a thick paste. It also contains primary conditioning agents such as quaternary ammonium salts, cationic polymers, and silicones. Refatting agents are those that replenish the liquids in your hair and are also found in conditioners. These include fatty alcohols and waxes. The secondary conditioning agents include the natural oils. An emulsifier is a compound or substance that acts as a stabilizer, preventing the liquids from separating. These are also found in conditioner and include nonionic surfactants. The rest of the conditioner consists of proteins to rejuvenate the hair, dyes, thickeners, pH adjusters to prevent hair from becoming too acidic, fragrances and preservatives.
How Conditioner reacts with hair
Conditioners aid hair by preventing tangling by leaving a waxy coat on the hair shafts, smoothing the cuticles of the hair down and preventing split ends and damage. The chemicals in the conditioner are often absorbed by the hair, changing the surface energy and friction and creating that glossy look that you get after using conditioner. This prevents the hair from becoming brittle and decreases the chance of damage to the hair.