Adding One Ingredient To Your Conditioner Bottle Can Help With Split Ends

Just like getting the occasional pimple once in a while, incurring split ends is pretty much inevitable. And unless you're completely bald, you can expect to get them every now and then through natural wear and tear — even more so if you have color-treated hair, do regular heat styling, or often braid or tie your locks.

Apparently, there are different ways split ends manifest on your hair, too. "From a scientist's perspective, there are an infinite number of combinations of split ends," Eric Spengler, SVP of Research & Development at Living Proof, told Marie Claire. There's the standard split end, where the strand splits in two separate directions and which, according to certified trichologist and celebrity hairstylist Helen Reavey, is caused by various treatments you subject your hair to. "​​They typically occur with excessive heat on the hair or overuse of chemical dyes and treatments," she shared with Mbglifestyle. She also noted other split end types, which can be caused by anything from dry hair to tresses that are simply in desperate need of a trim.

Whatever type of split end you have, there's no denying that they're unsightly and hard to manage. And while there are numerous ways to remedy split ends, the easiest option is often overlooked — adding drops of oil to your conditioner.

Applying oil on your hair has been considered standard practice since time immemorial, and it's all thanks to its incredible ability to help ensure your hair is healthy and moisturized. But instead of dousing pure oil on your scalp and strands, it may be better to add it to other hair products you use, like conditioner. "Oil is not a conditioner, only water-based products can truly moisturize your hair," hairstylist Gabrielle Corney explained to Mbglifestyle. "These oils have many hair benefits, but they work best when in conjunction with a water-based hydrating cream."

If your hair is prone to dryness, breakage, and split ends, it may be worth trying this hack out. A couple of drops of oil added to your conditioner bottle can help boost its moisturizing effect, so you don't have to use an additional product just to get the hydration your locks need.

In terms of the type of hair oil, you have a number of options, but coconut oil is at the top of the list because it can deliver ample moisture. "When applied on a regular basis, coconut oil can enhance hair's lubrication, making it easier to comb and manage, while increasing shine and preventing frizz," chemist Sabina Wizemann shared with Good Housekeeping.

Apart from conditioning with oil, there are other hacks you can resort to in order to avoid getting split ends, many of which don't require any additional investment. For starters, you can refrain from using hot water in washing your locks. "When showering, try to use lukewarm water or the coldest water you can stand," professional hairstylist Arsen Gurgov advised Byrdie. "Hot water is damaging to your hair since the cuticle swells, making it more prone to splits."

The way you dry and brush your hair apparently plays a part in preventing split ends as well. Celebrity hairstylist Mark Townsend told InStyle that drying with a cotton towel is a no-no because it has small loops that can zap out the moisture from your locks and cause tangles. Instead, he recommends using a microfiber towel or a shirt. And when it comes to brushing, Townsend advises against brushing from the roots to the tips too, saying "They turn what would have been a few tangles into a knot by combining them, and then rip through them."

Lastly, you mustn't forget to have your hair trimmed once in a while, but it doesn't have to be dramatic a cut. "I find that often when someone says they don't want a haircut, they mean they don't want to lose the length," celebrity stylist George Northwood shared with Woman and Home. "So I do what I call an invisible trim, which involves simply dusting off any split ends."