Hair conditioners protect hair to retain their natural condition. They also help treated hair to regain its health. The molecules of most conditioning agents carry small positive electrical charges. Since the hair carry negative charges, they attract the positively charged molecules and deposit them on the hair. The positive and negative charges cancel out each other thus reducing the static electricity on the hair and the 'fly away' that is associated with it.

At a pH of 2.5 to 3.5 the cuticle layer of the hair is closed. This results in shiny, bouncy hair. The change in the hair surface enhances the depth and life of the hair colour too. This pH range will adjust the beta bonds to alpha bonds (hydrogen bonds). They do create shine, and add elasticity.

The smoothness of the conditioned hair simplifies the detangling and combing of dry and wet hair. The hair becomes softer and more manageable. This is particularly important for dry, damaged or permed hair, to stop their further deterioration.