Natural leave in conditioner for curly hair

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.

Water based moisturizers maintain your hair's moisture. They also prove to seal the moisture into your hair throughout days and even weeks. Finding the right leave-in conditioner can be a long, tedious journey. It can be difficult to find one that is right for your hair texture and flatters your curl pattern. In our experience, it is sometimes even impossible!

At KinkyCurlyYaki, we have found that it is often easier (and more cost effective) to make  leave-in conditioner at home. As you learn more about your hair and ingredients you can tailor your moisturizer to your own hair’s needs and texture. Here are 9 of the best leave-in conditioner recipes. Remember that all these ingredients can be added or reduced according to your hair’s need.

Shop Natural Hair Extensions in your texture >

Liquid Leave-in Conditioner Recipes

Coconut Honey

If you have extra dry and brittle hair Coconut Honey is your saving grace. Every ingredient is designed to protect your hair from breakage. The amino acids in avocado sooth your scalp while the proteins work to rebuild your hair’s follicles naturally. Plus, these ingredients add shine to hair and prevent breakage.

• 1 oz. coconut oil
• 2 oz. aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. avocado oil
• ⅓ cup water

Mix coconut and avocado oil in a small cup. Pour aloe vera gel and water in a small spray bottle. Then add your coconut and avocado mix to the spray bottle. Shake well prior to every application. Keep in mind that coconut oil is a solid at room temperature. Thus you may need to warm it slightly. 

Soothing Herbal Water

The base of this mixtures consists of olive oil and shea butter. They are heavy moisturizers that are ideal for thick or coarse hair textures. Rosemary and thyme are essential oils that are packed with antiseptic properties. They have been found to reduce dandruff, soothe inflamed scalp, and balance estrogen in the body, which promotes hair growth.   

• 1 cup water
• ½ cup aloe vera gel
• 1 tbsp. coconut oil
• ½ cup coconut milk
• 1 tbsp. shea butter
• 1 tsp rosemary oil
• 1 tsp olive oil
• ½ tsp thyme oil

Melt coconut oil. Mix water, coconut milk, and aloe vera gel in small spray bottle. Mix oils in a small bowl. Combine coconut oil and water mixture, and then add oils to spray bottle. Shake well prior to every application. If you find the fragrance to be to pungent, dilute solution with more water.

Jojoba Hydrator

Jojoba oil mimics your hair’s natural oil. It produces a natural shine while promoting strength, manageability, and softness. This leave-in is a lighter mixture that is ideal for fine or wavy hair textures. Jojoba oil prevents dandruff and flaking. Aloe vera juice is known to promote hair growth, reduce shedding, and restore the natural pH balance of your hair and scalp.

• 1 ½ cups aloe vera juice
• 2 cups coconut water
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil

Combine aloe vera juice, coconut water, and jojoba oil in a small spray bottle. Pour ingredients into a spray bottle and shake prior to each application.

Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Formula

To promote softness, reduce breakage, and combat frizz try the Ylang-Ylang Anti-Breakage Formula. This solution prevents hair loss and promotes growth. Honey has been known to soothe split ends, promote healthy roots, and restore damaged hair shafts. Ylang-ylang is an essential oil derived from leaves of the Cananga tree. It is known for its antibacterial qualities and promoting hair growth.  

• 4 oz. water
• 6 drops essential oil of your choice (consider rosemary, thyme, or tea tree oil)
• 2 tsp. aloe vera juice
• 2 tsp. coconut oil
• 2 tsp. ylang-ylang oil
• 2 tsp. coconut water
• 2 tsp. honey

Combine aloe vera juice and coconut water in a small cup. Add water and honey. Mix well. Combine oils and mix. Add oils to the water solution. Shake well prior to each application and apply liberally. Coconut oil is a solid at room temperature, warm it to create your recipe.

Lavender Silk Leave-In

This leave-in is designed to aid in locking in moisture and style. It is ideal for use with heatless overnight styles such as braids, twists, or bantu knots. It is also recommended for wash-n-go styles. Lavender oil promotes hair growth, volume, and thickness. Its healing therapeutic properties are also ideal for calming inflamed scalps and relieving stress.

• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 3 tsp. shea butter
• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• 5 drops lavender essential oil

Combine coconut milk and melted shea butter. Add oils. Pour mixture into a small spray bottle. Apply liberally. Warm prior to application as needed.

Creamy Leave-in Conditioner Recipes

Honey Butter Balm

Shea butter and coconut oil are renowned for their moisture providing properties. Each hydrates and restores your hair’s natural oils. Lavender oil promotes growth and stress relief when massaged into the scalp. Honey is an all natural emollient that promotes softness and manageability as well as restores damaged hair shafts.  

• 1 oz. shea butter
• 1 oz. coconut oil
• A few drops of essential lavender oil
• 1 tsp honey

Melt shea butter and coconut oil together. Mix well. Add honey and lavender oil. Mix them together and refrigerate until it is the consistency you desire.

Tea Tree Hair Pomade

This pomade is a medium weight conditioner that is ideal for reinforcing moisture and fighting scalp conditions such as psoriasis or seborrheic dermatitis. Tea tree oil has all natural antifungal, antibacterial, antiseptic, and antiviral properties. Thus, it promotes a healthy and clean scalp and also helps with hair strength and growth.

• 2 tsp. jojoba oil
• ½ cup shea butter
• 2 tbsp. aloe vera gel
• 2 tsp. tea tree oil
• ½ cup coconut milk

Melt shea butter. Add jojoba oil, aloe vera gel, tea tree oil, and coconut milk. Mix well and refrigerate until it is your desired consistency.

Healing Hibiscus Hair Cream

This moisturizing cream prevents hair loss and reduces dandruff and frizz. The hibiscus powder also helps to balance your hair’s pH. Hibiscus has also been proven to prevent dry and itchy scalp as well. Grapefruit seed extract is a natural immune system stimulator. It is also a natural preservative that relieves many skin and scalp conditions.

• 1 tbsp. hibiscus powder
• 4 oz. shea butter
• 8 oz. water
• 2 oz. aloe vera gel
• 1 tsp. lavender essential oil
• 1 tsp. grapefruit seed extract

Melt shea butter. Combine water, aloe vera gel, and melted shea butter. Add lavender and grapefruit see extract. Mix well. Sprinkly in hibiscus powder. Let stand or refrigerate until firm.

Avocado and Rosemary Hair Mask

This is a good conditioner if you need to return your scalp to a healthy condition. It is also recommended to stimulate hair growth. Avocado is full of natural proteins that promote healthy hair shafts. Rosemary is stimulant that promotes healthy scalp and reduces inflammation to aide in hair growth.  

• 1/2 cup raw shea butter
• 2 tsp. avocado oil
• 6 drops of rosemary essential oil

Melt shea butter. Mix avocado and rosemary oil. Combine ingredients. Refrigerate until firm. Apply liberally.

Finding a leave-in conditioner that enhances your curl pattern takes time and testing. Explore with various combinations of these ingredients or stick to the recipes themselves to discover the best leave-in conditioner for your curl pattern. If you need to leave your conditioner in overnight consider a protective style such as a

What can I use as leave in conditioner for curly hair?

Is leave in conditioner good for curly hair?

Can you make homemade leave in conditioner?