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If you’re on the hunt for a new leave-in conditioner for your curly hair, you probably already know that, thanks to the oversaturated world of curly hair products, finding the right one can be...overwhelming. Not only are there truly zillions of leave-ins out there to choose from, but the needs of your own curly hair (like your curl type, coarseness, hair porosity, and ingredient preference) makes Googling “leave-in conditioner” and picking one at random a non-option.
But you can breathe easily now, bb, because we did all the hard work for you (see: testing, trying, and reviewing a bunch of these leave-ins, along with getting expert help throughout the process) to break down all the best leave-in conditioners for your very specific curls—including heavier moisturizers for dry 4c hair, and lightweight detangling conditioners for fine 3a hair. But before we dive in, a lil breakdown:
Meet the expert:
- Nubia Rëzo: Hairstylist, curl expert, and founder of both Rëzo Salon in New York City and Rëzo Haircare, a plant-based product line formulated for curls.
What to look for in a leave-in conditioner
Every head of curls has its own particular needs, so this is all going to depend on what you know about your own curly hair. “The best leave-in conditioners are the ones that are going to penetrate the cuticle, lock in the water and hydration, and won't feel heavy on your hair,” says Rëzo. Which means your selection process will come down to two factors: the ingredients and the formula.
The ingredients
Since the one thing all curls have in common is that they need moisture, you'll want to look for leave-in conditioners with lightweight hydrators (like glycerin, aloe, and hyaluronic acid) and moisture-locking oils. If you're prone to greasiness or have low-porosity hair, you'll want to avoid heavy oils (like coconut-oil based products) and instead look for a leave-in with lightweight jojoba, argan, grapeseed, or almond oils. Dealing with major dryness, or have coarse, damaged, or high-porosity hair? Look for a leave-in loaded with heavier oils (see: coconut, castor, and olive) and rich moisturizers, like shea butter.
You'll also need to decide how you feel about silicones (i.e., polymers, like dimethicone, that give your hair a super-smooth and slippery feel). Most silicones don't dissolve in water—and, in fact, require a clarifying shampoo to remove—which means they can quickly build up on your hair cuticle, leaving your curls dry, tangled, and limp until you strip them away. DW though, because most of the leave-ins below are silicone-free (though you can always double-check a product by running it through an ingredient checker like Is It CG?, which will tell you if your leave-in has silicones in it).
The formula
If you need a leave-in conditioner with slip to detangle your curls, look for a formula that specifically calls out detangling in its name (more on that below), since it'll be loaded with ingredients to give you that slippery texture, without the silicones. And if your super-fine curls get weighed down easily, the lighter the formula, the better—whereas thicker leave-in creams are ideal for type 4b or 4c hair that have a tendency to dry out quickly.
K, now that you're a leave-in expert, keep scrolling for the 23 best leave-in conditioners for curly hair, whether you're working with type 3a curls or 4c hair.
1
Best Fragrance-Free Leave-In Conditioner
Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Fragrance-Free Detangler
2
Best Leave-In Conditioner for High-Porosity Curls
TGIN Miracle RepaiRx Protective Leave-In Conditioner
3
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Heat Protection
JVN Complete Instant Recovery Leave-In Serum
4
Best Deep-Conditioning Leave-In for Curly Hair
Verb Curl Leave-In Conditioner
5
Best Leave-In Conditioner on Ulta
Pattern Leave-In Conditioner
6
Best Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In Detangler
7
Best Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave-In Conditioner
8
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Defined Curly Hair
Waterless Curl Milk Refresh & Redefine
9
Best Organic Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave-In Conditioner
10
Best Drugstore Leave-In Conditioner for Curls
OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Curling Butter Leave-In or Rinse Out
11
Best Multitasking Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Moroccanoil Curl Defining Cream
12
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Fine Curls
Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
13
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Frizz/Flyaways
Living Proof No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner
14
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Dry, Curly Hair
Suave Professionals Avocado and Olive Oil Leave-in Conditioner
15
Best Spray-On Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Not Your Mother’s Naturals Royal Honey & Kalahari Desert Melon Leave-In Conditioner
16
Best Detangling Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Pantene Gold Series Leave-On Detangling Milk
17
Best Leave-In Conditioner for 4C Curls
Shea Moisture Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
18
Best Volumizing Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
DevaCurl B’Leave-In Miracle Curl Plumper
19
Best Shine-Enhancing Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
The Mane Choice Soft As Can Be Revitalize & Refresh 3-in-1
20
Best Heat-Protectant Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Mielle Organics Leave-In Conditioner White Peony
21
Best Softening Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-In Product
22
Best Lightweight Leave-In Conditioner for Curly Hair
Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Treatment
23
Best Leave-In Conditioner for Fine, Dry Curly Hair
Leonor Greyl Paris Tonique Hydratant Leave In Mist
Sami Roberts Sami Roberts was the previous beauty assistant at Cosmopolitan.
Ama Kwarteng Ama Kwarteng was previously the associate beauty editor at Cosmopolitan.