South Dakota Cosmetology Practice Exam 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Leave-in conditioners are specifically formulated to provide extra moisture and nourishment to the hair after washing. Unlike traditional conditioners that are rinsed out, leave-in conditioners remain in the hair, allowing them to continue to hydrate and protect hair strands.

The hydration from a leave-in conditioner helps to smooth the hair cuticle, reducing frizz and enhancing manageability. It often contains ingredients that retain moisture, such as humectants that attract water molecules, thus helping to fortify dry hair against environmental stressors.

In contrast, hair gel primarily serves as a styling product that helps define and hold hairstyles but does not have the same moisture-retaining properties. Hair serum also serves more as a finishing product to add shine and reduce frizz, but its primary function is not to provide long-term moisture retention. Shampoo is designed to cleanse the hair and scalp, removing oils and dirt, but is not intended to add moisture and can sometimes strip the hair of natural moisture if not balanced with conditioning products.