Conditioners are usually gentler on the scalp and hair because they usually do not contain soaps. However, it can sometimes be tedious to put conventional moisturizers in a conditioner because they make things too watery. The Hydrating Conditioner from Firsthand uses the HoneyQuat and the saccharide Isomerate because they perform so well. Firsthand also uses jojoba oil, which fits almost perfectly with natural hair lotions, so that the jojoba oil is absorbed very quickly and easily by applying the conditioner. Unlike most vegetable oils, jojoba oil does not feel oily or greasy. It is much more of a silky feeling.
An important part of the moisture regimen for the conditioner is the inclusion of cetyl stearate and isostearyl isostearate. These are usually very greasy / oily compounds, but like the jojoba oil they do not feel oily / greasy to the touch. They are a kind of organic compound called ester and can form extended structures in water called liquid-crystalline structures. These liquid crystals contribute to a more effective water supply to the skin. Subsequently, the two stearate compounds penetrate the skin and replace / enhance the natural lipid barrier of the skin. This reduces trans-epidermal water loss (TEWL) and allows the skin to store more of its natural moisture.
