It is essential to have a proper hair care routine, especially for folks with curly hair. Since this hair type is prone to frizz and damage, it requires optimum care that conditioners for curly hair can offer. These conditioners are not your regular ones, as they are specifically formulated to correspond to various curly hair woes.
They do an excellent job of boosting your hair's moisture, taming frizz and tangles, and enhancing your curls for a more defined finish. However, you may find yourself unsure of what to choose with the several options available. To help you, we have jotted some recommendations below! We also included some guides and tips from Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz that will surely help you!
Quick List - Top Conditioners for Curly Hair
Briogeo
A Sulfate-Free Conditioner to Achieve Defined Curls With Less Frizz
SheaMoisture
An All-Natural Conditioner That Keeps Frizz and Tangle at Bay
Zenutrients
Features Wheat Protein and Organic Aloe to Tame Frizz and Boost Shine
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Rica is a writer and editor for mybest PH who first joined the team in October 2020. She mostly writes lifestyle titles, especially ones that tap into fashion, beauty, food, arts, and hobbies. Though she's someone who dabbles in whatever sparks her interest, Rica spends most of her free time fangirling, watching races, and playing with her dogs.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
To get the best conditioner for curly hair that will address your hair's needs, here are several factors you should consider:
Hair conditioners come in different kinds of formulas depending on your hair needs. So whether you need one that will simply moisturize, treat, or deeply nourish your curly hair, there is one for you.
If you're struggling with dry, damaged hair due to heat styling or chemical treatments, you can use deep conditioners to boost your hair's hydration and supply essential nutrients to make it healthier, softer, and more robust.
To use a deep conditioner, simply massage it onto your hair and leave it for 10-30 minutes for noticeable results. Since it tends to penetrate deeper and intensely nourish your hair, it is only advisable to use it just once or twice a week.
Deep conditioners are recommended for dry, damaged hair. Deep conditioners aim to restore the hair’s moisture, strengthen it, and reduce the damage caused by chemicals and the external environment. These are typically left on the hair for a longer period of time, enabling the hair to be restored to its previous healthy state.
This type of hair conditioner is used after shampooing to help close the hair cuticle and replenish moisture that may have been stripped away during the washing process. It usually has a thicker consistency than leave-in ones, as it's meant to provide some "slip" to your hair for calming frizz and easier detangling. Some of these rinse-off conditioners also contain ingredients that may protect your hair strands against future damage.
The most commonly used type of conditioner is rinse-off conditioners. These are good options for dry to normal hair but may not be as beneficial for those with dry, damaged hair given its short contact time only.
A leave-in conditioner has a lightweight and watery-like formulation that provides extra moisture and shine. With that said, you can use it even if you have low-porosity or finer hair, as it won't leave your curls greasy.
Unlike rinse-out ones, this type doesn't require water. To use it, simply apply it to your hair and comb it into the strands to lessen frizz and tangles along the way. You can also use it to make your hair more malleable before styling and shaping.
Leave-in conditioners can be used for a variety of reasonsーto provide hydration, heat protection, or to aid in styling too! Take note to only apply to the hair shaft only!
To ensure that you're buying a conditioner that will combat your hair curly problems, it is essential to know what ingredients should be in it. Learn more about the common ingredients found in conditioners for curly hair and what benefits they can offer your hair:
Curly hair is prone to frizz and dryness. And these hair woes typically arise when your hair lacks moisture. Thus, you'll want to look for conditioners containing moisturizing ingredients, like coconut and avocado oil. You can also find ones with oils or humectants that can hold in moisture to keep your hair hydrated and nourished.
If your hair strands are thick, you'll benefit from heavier emollients and oils, such as cocoa butter, castor oil, and shea butter. Meanwhile, if you need lighter oils for finer hair, look for jojoba oil, argan oil, grapeseed oil, sweet almond oil, sunflower oil, and soybean oil in your conditioner.
Studies have shown that applying hair oil is important in protecting the hair from damage. Some of the most commonly used oils in hair conditioners include olive oil, jojoba oil, and grape seed oil.
A balance of protein and moisture is crucial to keep your hair healthy and strong. Hence, aside from ensuring your hair is well-hydrated, you must also supply it with ample protein. This ingredient is especially beneficial for damaged hair, as it helps replenish nutrients, repairs damages, and reduces breakage.
In addition to protein, ceramides and gugo extracts can also strengthen your hair and improve scalp conditions. However, excessive use of proteins and ceramides can make your hair brittle and more susceptible to breakage. Therefore, unless your curls are damaged, it is best to use them sparingly.
Apart from knowing what ingredients to look for, it is equally important to know which ones to avoid. Ahead, we'll shed some light on the ingredients people with curly hair should steer clear of.
Sulfate has the potential to strip off your hair's natural oil, making it extra harsh to curly hair, which is already more prone to dryness and damage as is. It can also disrupt your hair's moisture balance, leading to dehydrated, frizzy, and unruly curls.
Check the ingredients list to ensure that the conditioner you're buying doesn't have it. Look for ones labeled as "sulfate-free," or watch out for ingredients like sodium laureth sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, ammonium lauryl sulfate, and other elements that end in "-ate," as this typically indicates that it is a form of sulfate.
Silicones are usually used in hair products because they provide slip to your hair and calm frizz. However, you might want to avoid them on your conditioner, especially the non-water-soluble ones, as they may cause buildup that can weigh down your curls and diminish their definition. Worse, they might even straighten your hair if you have looser curls or wavy hair.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | ||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Best for | Key Ingredients | Silicone-Free | Sulfate-Free | Conditioner Type | Net Weight | |||||
1 | Briogeo Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Leave–In Defining Cream | ![]() | A Sulfate-Free Conditioner to Achieve Defined Curls With Less Frizz | Curly, Wavy Hair | Rice Amino Acids, Avocado Oil, Tomato Fruit Ferment, Quinoa Extracts | unknown | unknown | Leave-In Conditioner | 170ml | |
2 | SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner | ![]() | An All-Natural Conditioner That Keeps Frizz and Tangle at Bay | Thick Curly Hair, Kinky Hair | Coconut Oil, Neem Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Silk Protein, Hibiscus | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 384ml | |
3 | Aveda Be Curly™ Conditioner | ![]() | Enhances Your Curls With a Blend of Wheat Protein and Organic Aloe | Curly, Wavy Hair | Wheat Protein and OIganic Aloe Blend, Sunflower Seed Oil | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 200ml | |
4 | Zenutrients Curls Avocado & Tea Tree Protein-Free Deep Conditioner | ![]() | Features Wheat Protein and Organic Aloe to Tame Frizz and Boost Shine | Dry, Damaged Hair | Avocado Oil, Tea Tree Extracts | unknown | unknown | Deep Conditioner | 300ml | |
5 | Kérastase Curl Manifesto Conditioner | ![]() | Detangle Even the Most Stubborn Knots With This Ceramide-Infused Conditioner | Curly, Wavy Hair | Ceramide, Manuka Honey | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 250ml | |
6 | OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Conditioner | ![]() | Hydrate and Enhance Your Curls With a Blend of Coconut Oil, Honey, and Citrus Oil | Medium to Coarse-textured Curly or Wavy Hair | Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil, Sweet Honey | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 385ml | |
7 | Be Organic All Natural Moringa Conditioner | ![]() | Moringa-Enriched Conditioner That Repairs Damaged Curls | Color-Treated, Curly, Wavy Hair | Moringa Extract | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 250ml | |
8 | Hask Curl Care | ![]() | Boosted With Curl-Activating Complex to Provide Added Definition to Your Curls | Curly, Wavy Hair | Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Vitamin E | unknown | unknown | Deep Conditioner | 198ml | |
9 | Davines Love Curl Conditioner | ![]() | Get Nourished and Voluminous Wavy and Curly Hair With This Conditioner | Curly, Wavy Hair | Protein, Vitamin B | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 250ml | |
10 | Luxe Organix Curl Define Intensive Hydration Daily Conditioner | ![]() | Daily Conditioner to Keep Your Curls Defined and Manageable | Curly, Wavy Hair | Moroccan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil | unknown | unknown | Rinse-Off Conditioner | 210ml |
For beautiful, hydrated curls with less frizz, try this leave-in conditioner by Briogeo. It has rice amino acids, which create a protective barrier to prevent frizz-inducing humidity from penetrating the hair shaft. Additionally, the conditioner contains avocado oil, known for its moisturizing and softening properties, as well as quinoa extract, which enhances the texture of your curls. To further improve moisture retention and achieve consistent curl patterns, tomato fruit ferment is also incorporated.
Another great thing about this conditioner is its sulfate- and silicone-free formula that won't weigh down your curls. Moreover, it has a light consistency that won't feel heavy, even for those with finer hair. Some reviewers with wavy hair also said this leave-in conditioner has helped bring out curls they didn't know they had!
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Rice Amino Acids, Avocado Oil, Tomato Fruit Ferment, Quinoa Extracts |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Leave-In Conditioner |
Net Weight | 170ml |
This conditioner by SheaMoisture targets your curly hair woes the natural way. Formulated with coconut and neem oil, it moisturizes your hair to control frizz and tangle. It is also a good pick if you want to get rid of tutchang hair that makes your tresses appear unruly, as it has organic shea butter that makes your hair more manageable.
Apart from that, it is also blended with silk protein and hibiscus to provide added definition to your curls while leaving them smooth, soft, and shiny. Another thing we love about it is that it is all-natural, sulfate-free, and even color-safe, so it is your best pick if you have color-treated curly hair! However, note that it has a rich, creamy consistency that might not be best if you have thin fine hair.
Best for | Thick Curly Hair, Kinky Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Neem Oil, Organic Shea Butter, Silk Protein, Hibiscus |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 384ml |
Struggling with frizzy, unruly, and dull curls or waves? This conditioner by Aveda may be the answer to your dilemma. Made with organic aloe and palm oil-derived conditioner, it hydrates and tames frizz to make curls more manageable. It also has organic sunflower seed oil to boost your hair's shine and let you say goodbye to dull hair.
Furthermore, this conditioner is blended with wheat protein that expands when the hair is wet and retracts once dry to give you defined and enhanced waves. It's indeed a must-have for those who wish to achieve intensified curls, so it's no wonder many reviewers have been using this product for years to maintain their curls.
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Wheat Protein and OIganic Aloe Blend, Sunflower Seed Oil |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 200ml |
Best for | Dry, Damaged Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Avocado Oil, Tea Tree Extracts |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Deep Conditioner |
Net Weight | 300ml |
While hair tangle is a common problem among all hair types, it is more evident in curly hair because its naturally drier nature causes its strands to mat altogether. Thus, it is vital to have hair products that help you detangle even the most stubborn knots and tangles, like this one from Kérastase.
Made with ceramide, it can strengthen weak hair strands by improving their ability to retain essential moisture so your hair strands won't get tangled. Thanks to its manuka honey ingredient, it can also boost your hair's moisture and shine, so they don't turn and appear unruly. What's even greater about it is its lightweight texture that won't weigh your curls down.
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Ceramide, Manuka Honey |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 250ml |
Staying true to its name, this conditioner indeed quenches your thirsty locks with its hydrating blend of coconut oil, honey, and citrus oil. It is an excellent hair care companion if you want to get rid of frizzy, dry, and unruly hair, as these ingredients work hand-in-hand to enhance your curly hair's innate softness and shine.
Its coconut oil content does an excellent job of softening and nourishing your hair, while honey helps define your curls. And when it comes to taming frizz and boosting your hair's shine for a healthier finish, citrus oil comes to the rescue. Reviewers even like that it's lightweight and not oily, perfect for the Philippine weather.
Best for | Medium to Coarse-textured Curly or Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Citrus Oil, Sweet Honey |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 385ml |
If you're dealing with hair dryness, frizziness, and damage, this conditioner is one of your best bets. It has moringa extract, which is rich in phytonutrients that can help you achieve healthier hair by repairing damage, reducing frizz, eliminating split ends, and strengthening your hair strands. With that said, it's best for those with damaged color-treated hair or unmanageable curly hair.
Apart from moringa, it has glycerin that can hydrate dry curls and moisturize the scalp for a more lustrous appearance. This conditioner's formula is also free of silicones and sulfate, so you won't have to worry about your curls getting weighed down. Moreover, reviewers love that it makes the hair very soft, too!
Best for | Color-Treated, Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Moringa Extract |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 250ml |
One way to embrace your curls is by maintaining their natural rings, coils, and bounce. To do that, Hask offers Curl Care, a deep conditioner that will let you maintain and protect your curls. It is enriched with a curl-activating complex that volumizes and defines your natural curl pattern.
In addition to that, it is infused with vitamin E to strengthen your hair and make it soft and shiny. It also contains coconut and argan oil that work hand-in-hand to provide moisturizing and conditioning benefits for frizz-free and hydrated hair. Just note that some reviewers said it has a thick consistency that might not be best if you have low-porosity hair.
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Argan Oil, Vitamin E |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Deep Conditioner |
Net Weight | 198ml |
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Protein, Vitamin B |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 250ml |
Best for | Curly, Wavy Hair |
---|---|
Key Ingredients | Moroccan Oil, Jojoba Oil, Argan Oil |
Silicone-Free | unknown |
Sulfate-Free | unknown |
Conditioner Type | Rinse-Off Conditioner |
Net Weight | 210ml |
If you've been actively looking for routines that will make your curly hair happy, it is likely that you have already come across the Curly Girl Method (CGM). It is a hair care routine that focuses on gentle cleansing, conditioning, and natural styling with less manipulation. Below, Byrdie and Real Simple share some essential dos and don'ts to keep in mind when doing the CGM.
Dos:
Don'ts:
Below, Dr. Katrina answers some of the web's most asked questions, so before you hit that check out button, have a read to make sure you make informed decisions!
It is best to always follow-up shampooing hair with a conditioner. Also, make sure to apply the conditioner till the ends of the hair strands as these typically tend to be more brittle and fragile.
Depends on how much hair you have. Just a sufficient amount to adequately spread and coat the hair from the scalp to the tips.
Knots, brittle, easily broken hair are common problems associated with curly hair. To address that, use a wide-toothed comb to prevent any additional friction or traction on the hair shafts. The unique appearance and structure of curly hair make it especially fragile and prone to injury and damage.
Conditioners are meant to restore softness, shine, and manageability to hair. Choose the right conditioner for your hair to reap the best results!
To achieve healthier hair inside and out, you will need more than just a hair conditioner. Instead, upgrade your crowning glory's overall appearance by trying some of our recommended hair care products that will not only repair damages but will also maintain your hair's natural beauty.
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Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Briogeo|Curl Charisma™ Rice Amino + Avocado Leave–In Defining Cream
No. 2: SheaMoisture|Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
No. 3: Aveda |Be Curly™ Conditioner
No. 4: Zenutrients |Curls Avocado & Tea Tree Protein-Free Deep Conditioner
No. 5: Kérastase|Curl Manifesto Conditioner
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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