Can You Use Hair Conditioner As Body Lotion?

You may have heard many people use hair conditioner as a body lotion, but if you read the instructions on the conditioner bottle, it will say that you should rinse it with water afterwards. However, some people still choose to use it as body lotion, and it seems to work well for some leaving their skin soft (via Thrifty Fun). Using body lotion as a hair conditioner can help with frizz, but it cannot provide the same moisture for your hair the way it softens your skin (via The Hair & Makeup Collective). New York City-based colorist Cara Craig told Today, "I find most people don't rinse their shampoo and conditioner out properly and are left with product build-up," and added that rinsing is the most essential step. 

It doesn't look like most hair care and skincare professionals are fans of using hair conditioners as a body lotion. Skincare Vibes strongly recommends against using hair conditioner as a body lotion because most conditioners contain quaternary ammonium compounds (which irritate your skin) and comedogenic ingredients (which clog pores). It is understandable that during the rise of skinimalism and multitasking products, you want to use one product for multiple reasons. Still, in the case of hair conditioner, it might be safer and smarter to use it on your hair and not your body. However, you could get yourself a body conditioner that could do the work of a body wash and a body lotion.

If you feel lazy and do not want to spend time moisturizing your skin after taking a shower, you can invest in a good body conditioner. It cleanses and hydrates your skin in the shower, so you don't have to use lotion after, unless your skin is very dehydrated.

Allure is a big fan of Olay's Rinse Off Body Conditioner because it adds an extra layer of moisture to dry skin in the winter. Infused with shea butter and vitamin B3, it gives you super soft and smooth skin out of the shower. If you hate using lotion after taking a shower, the Strategist recommends Lush's Ro's Argan Body Conditioner loaded with almond oil and fair-trade cocoa butter that you put on in the shower and rinse off, and your skin stays moisturized. Byrdie recommends, among others, Dermalogica Conditioning Body Wash because it is infused with vitamin E and tea tree oil and feels like a spa. It is on the pricier side, though. Total Beauty calls body conditioners its favorite shower staple and loves Kiwi Botanicals Soothing Body Conditioner with Manuka Honey because it is affordable and is made of New Zealand manuka honey.

Also, be careful when you step out of the shower and make sure you don't slip. We love these multipurpose products, but if you have very dry skin, we do recommend moisturizing after you get out of the shower for better-looking, healthier skin.