While there’s been greater emphasis on clean ingredients in our beauty products, I’m surprised that cruelty-free isn’t as equally emphasized. It’s still marketed, of course, but I wish more brands made it a priority.

There’s no downside to choosing cruelty-free products; there’s no dip in quality, packaging, or performance. I didn’t even realize that most of my hair products were already cruelty-free until I sat down and did the research, because I realized I didn’t want to contribute financially to testing on animals.

Below, I’m listing my favorite conditioners that are cruelty-free. They’re not my favorite because they’re cruelty-free; the quality really is there and you will not miss out on anything by choosing to shop cruelty-free. You obviously don’t need everything on the list; I just wanted to include everything I love to help create a comprehensive list of brands you can trust are cruelty-free and high-performing.

The majority of the conditioners on my list also have a Leaping Bunny certification (all but the last two). This means that they do not test products on animals at any stage of development; these brands also have to commit to monitoring their suppliers. It’s an extra step that can help you feel fully confident in your purchase.

best cruelty-free conditioners

ouai medium conditioner

This is probably my favorite conditioner; I used to use hair masks exclusively because I wasn’t impressed by many conditioners, but this won me over. It softens my hair without weighing it down, adds hydration without leaving a residue, and the scent is beautiful yet not too strong. It’s priced fairly, and I like that it makes it easier to brush my fingers through my hair in the shower to eliminate any leftover tangles. Side note: Ouai’s Fine and Thick conditioners are just as good; Medium is just easiest for me to auto-ship without worrying about stocking problems)

k18 DAMAGE SHIELD protective conditioner

My second favorite; it’s just as good as the Ouai conditioner but slightly more expensive. If you don’t like a floral scent, you’ll like this more than Ouai because it’s subtly fruity without being too sweet or overpowering. Using just the smallest amount still works out my tangles, and my hair is SO shiny afterwards; it looks like I had a treatment at the salon.

amika the kure intense repair mask

If you only buy one hair mask, make it this one. It feels like a hair treatment, rather than just a mask. I only leave it in for around 2 minutes, yet my hair is still so soft and tangle-free afterwards. It doesn’t leave a film, and my hair is noticeably shinier after (like I will get compliments from strangers asking what I use). One note: this does contain alcohol, so I’d be wary of using them as my only deep-conditioning treatment for an extended amount of time since alcohol can compromise the integrity of your hair, but it’s great for a 1x a month hair treatment.

ouai fine to medium hair treatment masque

This mask is deeply hydrating, but isn’t so heavy that it weighs my hair down, and detangles your hair really well. The scent isn’t overpowering, and the mask is easy to wash out, too - it feels more like a thicker conditioner than a rich mask. The brand is great about running sales, but now that Target has partnered with Ulta, I typically add this to my online order.

unite hair 7SECONDS detangler leave-in conditioner

If you’re looking for a leave-in conditioner that you can use daily, this one is your go-to. It’s extremely lightweight yet hydrating and also doubles as a heat protectant. I bring this with my anytime I travel, and it really helps reduce frizz and dryness that can come with using hotel water. I’ve also noticed less damage over time since incorporating it into my routine as a heat protectant pre-styling. What really makes this product a win for me is how it prevents tangles when I’m spending extra time outside, whether it’s at the beach or on a particularly windy day, so I always pack it when I travel.

k18 leave-in molecular hair mask

This is a miracle worker for dry hair and a little goals a long way so don’t let the price scare you. After testing a shampoo that led to lots of breakage, I credit this leave-in with preventing my split ends from getting any worse, even as I continued to use hot tools a couple times a week. To get the most out of it, I like to apply it to damp hair in the morning and leave it in all day, really letting it soak in and work its magic; it’s a great weekend self-care treatment that leaves your hair visibly stronger, shinier, and softer.

it’s a 10 miracle leave-in conditioner

This leave-in conditioner brings me back to middle school and it seems like it popped up out of nowhere, but it really has stood the test of time. I honestly think it’s my favorite cruelty-free drugstore product, if I had to pick only one. A little more expensive than you’d expect from the drugstore, but it’s a really great formula - no junk or filler ingredients, so it’s worth it. I love how lightweight it is; your hair doesn’t get crunchy, but you notice how much softer your hair is when you go to wash it out. This is a staple product for me whenever I travel; it really does go the extra mile to protect against environmental factors your hair might not be used to as well as the harsher hotel water.

dpHUE color fresh conditioner

It’s hard to find Leaping Beauty certified drugstore brands, but fortunately dpHUE is. This is a really underrated conditioner in general, and the best drugstore cruelty-free option. It’s lightweight yet nourishing, color-safe, makes your hair silky soft, and adds incredible shine. Every time I use it, I wonder why I don’t use it more often.

dae mirage mist leave-in conditioner

I loved dae’s old leave-in conditioner that was unfortunately discontinued, but their improved version works almost as well, and did fix some of the spray issues that the first bottle had. Dae’s in-shower conditioners are not my favorite and actually dry out my hair, but their leave-in conditioner is worth the price and does a great job of reducing frizz, adding hydration, and making my hair silky smooth. It also has their signature citrus scent, which feels like summer in a bottle without being too overpowering.

And while not Leaping Bunny certified, I also wanted to mention these last few conditioners, because the brands themselves have identified as cruelty-free:

davines heart of glass rich conditioner

This is a great brightening conditioner for blondes; it’s not specifically their toning product, but it brightens your blonde/ highlights really well. It’s hydrating, makes your hair silky soft, and while I’m not super crazy about the smell (t’s very floral), you only need a little bit so one jar will last you a long time. Unlike other toners, this never leaves a purple/ over-toned tint - I’m a huge fan.

kristin ess the one signature conditioner

This is a really underrated drugstore conditioner, and I love that you can get a huge bottle for under $25; Target also places it on sale quite often. This is color-safe, vegan, and free of sulfates, parabens + phthalates - you can’t ask for more, really. I can use it daily and my fine hair is still bouncy, shiny, and soft, but it also provides plenty of nourishment to prevent dryness or breakage, especially since I highlight my hair regularly.