Health September 8, 2023

Health

Beauty

The 15 Best Products to Tame Frizzy Hair

 

These top products can repair damaged hair and stop frizz

When the weather heats up, it can feel like your luscious locks are becoming an untamable frizz ball. And it’s not just the weather. Dehydrated hair and less-than-ideal haircare products can also contribute to frizz. But quality products can make a world of a difference in getting your frizz under control. These can include moisturizing shampoos, conditioning treatments, oils, serums, and more. 

When shopping for a product for frizzy hair, in general, leaning towards natural ingredients will leave your hair and skin happier and healthier. There are also some key ingredients to avoid: sulfates can exacerbate rosacea, paraphenylenediamine and triclosan can cause skin irritation, and formaldehyde may contribute to ear infections and other illnesses.

We spoke with experienced hair stylists about what to look for in products for frizzy hair. Then we researched the best options on the market with their expert guidance in mind. Here are the best products for frizzy hair based on criteria like ingredients, price, and, of course, frizz control.

Best Overall
Olaplex Anti-Frizz Trio

Why We Like It: It includes three awesome products to fight frizz: an oil, serum, and leave-in treatment.

It’s Worth Noting: It’s especially meant for damaged hair, so if you have pretty healthy hair you may not need to invest in this full kit.

Olaplex is a well-known and highly-regarded brand in the hair care market and for good reason. Their products are designed to bring damaged hair back to life. Since frizzy hair can be a result of damaged, dehydrated hair, repairing your hair could help reduce frizz. We love that this trio includes three products to fight frizz (an oil, serum, and leave-in treatment) that work for any hair type. They can be used in combination or individually based on your needs on a given day. 

Start by applying the serum to damp hair, add the leave-in treatment next, and finish with the oil, which can be used on damp or dry hair. Before using, be sure to check the specific directions for each product, as they vary.

This trio is free from sulfates (which can exacerbate rosacea) and parabens (which can dry out your hair). It is also nut-free in case you have a severe nut allergy. 

Price at time of publication: $90 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Oil, serum, leave-in treatment
Size: 1 oz oil, 3 oz serum, 3.3 oz leave-in treatment
Key Ingredients: Sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, moringa oleifera seed oil
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Budget
Shea Moisture Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Shampoo

Why We Like It: This shampoo is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones, making it a great first step in a frizz-fighting hair care routine.

It’s Worth Noting: It’s designed for wavy or curly hair, so it may leave straight hair feeling too heavy.

You may overlook the value of a good shampoo, but it can be an important base for hair hydration. Shea Moisture’s Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Shampoo is our favorite budget-friendly anti-frizz product because it is free from common harmful ingredients and can form the foundation of a nourishing hair care routine without breaking the bank. It features natural ingredients like papaya, elderflower, neroli, and shea butter.

This shampoo is designed for moisturizing wavy or curly hair, so if you have straight hair you may find it leaves your hair too heavy. For optimal frizz-reduction, follow this up with a hydrating conditioner and frizz-reducing styling products. 

Price at time of publication: $15 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Shampoo
Size: 13 oz
Key Ingredients: Shea butter, papaya, neroli, elderflower
Best for: Wavy, curly hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best for Curly Hair
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel

Why We Like It: Gels can cause crunchy, stiff hair but this one accentuates curls and combats humidity without the crunchiness. 

It’s Worth Noting: This product is only meant for curly hair.

Ouidad has a great reputation in the curly hair world, and their Advanced Climate Control Heat & Humidity Gel is their most popular product. Hot, humid weather can exacerbate frizz, but this gel is designed to weather the storm. It helps define curls and fight frizz for beautiful, frizz-free hair regardless of the humidity level. It’s designed for all curl types, so if you have straight or wavy hair you may want to skip this and opt for a product designed for straight hair.

There’s no need to worry about harmful ingredients when using this product because it’s free from silicones, sulfates, and parabens. It even provides UV protection! It does have some fragrance added (both natural and artificial), so if you’re sensitive you may need to test a small amount before fully investing. 

Price at time of publication: $21

Product Details:

Type of Product: Gel
Size: 8.5 oz
Key Ingredients: Ceramides, shea and murmuru butters, wheat and soy proteins
Best for: Curly hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best for Fine Hair
Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave In Conditioner

Why We Like It: It provides lightweight hydration to moisturize fine hair without weighing it down.

It’s Worth Noting: Those with thick, curly hair may not find this product to be heavy enough.

Innersense’s Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner is a lightweight leave-in conditioner that helps moisturize and detangle hair. While some leave-in conditioners are thick and add too much weight for those with fine hair, this one is a spray that works much better for fine-haired folks. It’s best used on damp or dry hair. Simply spray it evenly and use a comb or your fingers to evenly distribute it throughout your hair. The hydration boost can help reduce frizz.

This leave-in spray is free from artificial fragrances, and instead includes a variety of essential oils to provide a gentle, pleasant aroma. It’s also free from harmful silicones, parabens, and sulfates that can dry out hair and irritate the skin.

Price at time of publication: $29 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Spray
Size: 10 oz
Key Ingredients: Tamanu oil, organic rice proteins, rosemary oil, honey, lavender, rooibos tea, oregano
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: Yes

Best for Thick Hair
Ouai Thick Hair Conditioner

Why We Like It: Designed specifically with thick hair in mind, this conditioner provides hydration to fight frizz.

It’s Worth Noting: For some, part of the appeal of this product is the fragrance, but if you’re sensitive to strong scents it may not work well for you.

Thick hair sometimes benefits a thicker product for optimal moisturization. That’s where Ouai’s Thick Hair Conditioner comes into play. Designed specifically for thick hair, it penetrates hair to provide moisture and reduce frizz. In addition to these benefits, it can help add shine and strength. 

As far as ingredients go, this conditioner is free from sulfates, silicones, and parabens—a plus when it comes to preventing skin irritation. It relies instead on shea butter, avocado oil, marshmallow root, and hydrolyzed keratin. It does have a fragrance added, so if you’re sensitive to strong aromas the scent may be too strong for you.

Price at time of publication: $32

Product Details:

Type of Product: Conditioner
Size: 10 oz
Key Ingredients: Marshmallow root, shea butter, avocado oil, hydrolyzed keratin
Best for: Thick hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Styling Cream
Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream

Why We Like It: It tames frizz and adds definition to curls without weighing them down.

It’s Worth Noting: For best results, you may want to pair this with Ouidad’s Climate Control Gel.

If you have curly hair, there may be times where you want a product that will help define your curls that isn’t as heavy as gel. That’s where Ouidad’s Advanced Climate Control Featherlight Styling Cream comes into play. It defines curls and reduces frizz while still being lightweight. For best results, particularly on super hot and humid days, it can even be used as a base layer underneath gel.

Since curly hair is prone to dehydration, this cream helps add moisture, definition, and shine while tamping down frizz. It’s specifically designed for those with curly hair.

Free from harmful ingredients like silicones, parabens, and sulfates, this cream can promote skin and hair health. It does contain fragrance, though, so be mindful if you’re sensitive to scents. 

Price at time of publication: $21 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Cream
Size: 5.7 oz
Key Ingredients: Sericin, meadowfoam seed oil, olive oil, soybean oil
Best for: Curly hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Serum
Kérastase Nutritive 8H Magic Night Serum Hydrating Treatment

Why We Like It: This serum helps prevent frizz from developing overnight.

It’s Worth Noting: There’s no heat protection, so before blow drying your hair you’ll want to use a product with heat protection. 

Among the hair stylists we interviewed, Kérastase is a popular brand for frizz-prevention. This 8H Magic Night Hair Serum was recommended by Dina Xhelo to prevent frizz from developing overnight. It can be used on all hair types, but it’s specifically intended for dry hair. It provides overnight hydration to get to the root of frizz. Simply apply it to dry or damp hair before bed, lightly secure your hair in a bun, ponytail, or braid, and wake up with better-hydrated, softer hair. 

Not only is this a frizz-fighter, but it can help detangle hair. There’s no need to rinse it out in the morning either. However, because it’s intended for overnight use, it does not have heat protection. You can use it during the day, but if you put heat on your hair, you may want to use a heat protectant along with this serum. 

Price at time of publication: $59 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Serum
Size: 3 oz
Key Ingredients: Iris rhizome extract, 5 blended vitamins
Best for: Dry hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Spray
Oribe Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray

Why We Like It: It provides a protective layer against climate-induced humidity.

It’s Worth Noting: You’ll still want to use your normal styling products before or after applying this spray.

Hair stylist Raven Hurtado recommends using Oribe’s Imperméable Anti-Humidity Spray for an extra shield against humidity. She says, “I like to think of this product as an umbrella from the humidity.” It is a finishing spray that can be used after a blowout or other heat-styled hairdo. The hold is considered to be natural, so it leaves your hair feeling lighter and more flexible than other hair sprays out there.

This spray is free from sulfates, parabens, and silicones, which is a bonus when it comes to hydration and health. It does contain alcohol, though, so be mindful of whether this is impacting your hair for the worse. That being said, if you’re looking for a product to set your style, this spray is expert-approved.  

Price at time of publication: $42 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Apray
Size: 5.5 oz
Key Ingredients: Copolymer, vitamin E
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Hair Oil
Arrojo Frizz Control Hair Oil

Why We Like It: You can use it for natural curls or blowouts to add shine and reduce frizz.

It’s Worth Noting: This product is primarily designed for those with medium to thick, wavy or curly hair.

Hair stylist Dina Xhelo considers Arrojo’s Frizz Control Hair Oil to be one of her top anti-frizz hair products. It can be applied to damp hair, whether you’re going to let it air dry or blow dry it, to add shine, detangle hair, and manage frizz. That’s all thanks to its key ingredients—jojoba and avocado oils. 

This hair oil is meant for medium to thick, curly or wavy hair, so if you have fine and/or straight hair this may be too heavy of a product for you. 

Price at time of publication: $26 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Oil
Size: 5.1 oz
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, avocado oil, oat proteins
Best for: Medium to thick, wavy and curly hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Shampoo
Hidden Crown Luxe Argan Shampoo

Why We Like It: It’s infused with argan oil to moisturize hair from the very start of your hair care routine. 

It’s Worth Noting: This product is especially great for those with extensions.

Recommended by celebrity hair stylist Bradley Leake, Hidden Crown’s Luxe Argan Shampoo, “will add weightless moisture and protection to your hair, a perfect combo for frizzy hair.” This brand is most widely known for their hair extensions and have since grown to offer hair care products as well, including this shampoo. If you have extensions, this product would be especially great; however, it will work for all hair types—extensions or not. 

As Leake raves, this shampoo hydrates and protects hair to get to the root of frizz issues without any sulfates, parabens, or silicones. Many may overlook shampoo when it comes to fighting frizz, but promoting hydration in all aspects of your hair care routine can only help! 

Price at time of publication: $16 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Shampoo
Size: 8 oz
Key Ingredients: Plankton extract, wheat, aloe vera gel, argan oil
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Conditioner
Rizos Curls Deep Conditioner

Why We Like It: It uses natural ingredients to add hydration and fight frizz.

It’s Worth Noting: This brand designs products specifically for curly-haired folks.

Climate neutral certified and cruelty-free, Rizos Curl is an awesome brand especially for curly-haired folks. The various oils–olive, sunflower, coconut, and argan–in this conditioner, along with the shea butter provide moisture for healthy, frizz-free hair without sulfates, parabens, or silicones. 

After shampooing your hair, apply the conditioner, detangle your hair, and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. After getting out of the shower, you may want to apply an oil, serum, and/or styling gel or cream to continue the hydration process and reduce frizz throughout your day.

Price at time of publication: $20

Product Details:

Type of Product: Conditioner
Size: 10 oz
Key Ingredients: Olive oil, sunflower oil, coconut oil, argan oil, shea butter
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Leave-In Conditioner
Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In

Why We Like It: It restores damaged hair and split ends.

It’s Worth Noting: It does contain some sulfates, but they’re intended to add softness. 

Living Proof’s Restore Repair Leave-In helps add shine, strengthen hair, and reduce frizz, while also providing UV protection. It can be used on straight or curly hair alike. Plus, it’s safe for colored or chemically treated hair. 

This product’s benefits lie largely in preventing split ends, which can contribute to frizz. And it does this without any harmful silicones or parabens. It does contain some sulfates, but Living Proof explains that the sulfates in this leave-in help promote smoothness and softness without stripping the hair of important oils like a sulfate-containing shampoo would.

To use this product, simply apply it to damp hair and then style your hair as usual. You can follow it up by blow drying it or adding a cream or gel and letting it air dry. This product is light enough to use after any wash for regular hair restoration benefits.   

Price at time of publication: $31

Product Details:

Type of Product: Leave-in conditioner
Size: 4 oz
Key Ingredients: Hemisqualane, cupuacu butter, vegan amino acids, marine algae extract
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best for UV Protection
shu uemura Essence Absolue Nourishing Oil-In-Cream

Why We Like It: It’s perfect for those with thick, curly hair and it protects your hair before heat styling or a day in the sun.

It’s Worth Noting: This product is not meant for those with fine, straight hair.

Just like our skin, our hair also benefits from UV protection. Regular heat and UV exposure can damage hair and lead to frizz. Shu Ueumura’s Essence Abolue Oil-In-Cream adds moisture and strengthens coarse, thick hair from root to tip. The main ingredient, camelia oil, is quickly absorbed and adds shine and moisture. 

This cream’s UV and heat protective qualities allow you to apply heat or spend a day out in the sun without worrying as much about the damage to your hair. Just be careful if you’re sensitive to scents because this does have added fragrance.

Price at time of publication: $34 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Cream
Size: 5 oz
Key Ingredients: Camelia oil
Best for: Thick, coarse hair
Fragrance-Free: No

Best Hair Mask
DevaCurl CurlBond Mask

Why We Like It: This mask effectively repairs curls damaged from chemical or mechanical treatments.

It’s Worth Noting: It’s meant to repair curls, so those who wear their hair straight or have naturally straight hair probably won’t need this product.

Many things can ruin your curls, from chemical damage from color treatment to mechanical damage from heat or brushing. When your curls have gone limp or lost their definition, it can be disheartening. That’s where DevaCurl’s CurlBond Mask comes into play. Formulated with dermatologists, DevaCurl’s CurlBond Mask repairs damaged curls for renewed, frizz-free definition.

The proteins lysine and arginine work in combination with succinic acid and naturally derived guar to fortify curls and repair damage. There’s no harmful silicones, sulfates, or parabens. Simply apply this mask for 15 to 20 minutes once a week to restore curls and reduce damage-induced frizz.

Price at time of publication: $44 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Cream
Size: 8 oz
Key Ingredients: Succinic acid, arginine, lysine, naturally derived guar
Best for: All curl types
Fragrance-Free: No

Best for Shine
Leaf and Flower CBD Phyto-Molecular Oil

Why We Like It: It can be used on all hair types to add shine without adding greasiness.

It’s Worth Noting: CBD has a lot of potential for hair health, but more research is needed to understand its full impact. 

Leaf and Flower’s CBD Phyto-Molecular Oil uses a newer product to the hair care market, CBD, to add shine and restore dry and damaged hair. While more research is needed on the potential benefits of CBD on hair and scalp health, there is some emerging research that CBD may help promote hair growth.1

In addition to CBD, this product also uses avocado and hemp seed oils to fight frizz and add hydration. You can apply the oil to your hair before regular styling to add extra shine without sulfates, parabens, or silicones. 

Price at time of publication: $45 

Product Details:

Type of Product: Oil
Size: 4 oz
Key Ingredients: CBD, hemp seed oil, avocado oil
Best for: All hair types
Fragrance-Free: No

How We Selected Products for Frizzy Hair

To select the best products for frizzy hair, we interviewed three hair stylists: 

  • Dina Xhelo, master stylist with 20 plus years experience in the industry, specializing in curly and textured hair at J Walker Salon
  • Raven Hurtado, stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago with over a decade of experience in the field
  • Bradley Leake, LA-based celebrity hair stylist with over a decade of experience in the field

They shared their insights on what causes frizz and how to tame it. This included sharing their favorite products, how and when to use different products, and ingredients to look out for. After speaking with these stylists, we researched and selected the best hair products out there, considering the stylists’ favorites and others that meet their recommendations. 

What to Know About Anti-Frizz Hair Products

Product Types

There are so many products out there for frizzy hair, you won’t fall short on options. The best types of products for frizzy hair include:

  • Moisturizing shampoos
  • Moisturizing creams
  • Oils 
  • Serums 
  • Conditioners (leave ins or reparative treatments)
  • Heat-protectant sprays

Hurtado says, “If your hair is fine, wavy or straight with frizz, use a lightweight leave-in moisturizer on damp hair. With coarse, curly, unruly hair you can also use a hydrating leave-in product or an oil.”

A combination of a few of these products can help you tame frizz, but you’ll probably want to speak with your personal hair stylist to decide a regimen that works best for your unique hair.

Use of Product

Speaking with your personal hair stylist allows you to receive individualized recommendations for the best amount and frequency of a product to use. For the best results, you’ll also always want to check the manufacturer’s instructions. That being said, our experts offer a few useful recommendations. 

Before applying products, Hurtado recommends drying your hair with a microfiber towel or an old t-shirt, which can help prevent frizz. Applying moisturizing creams, oils, and conditioning masks should be done after shampooing your hair. 

Xhelo recommends applying a small amount of night serum to dry hair in the evening and sleeping with your hair on top of your head secured with a soft scrunchie. 

In the summer months, Leake suggests being extra proactive about frizz-prevention. Sun, salt water and chlorine can exacerbate frizz, so it’s especially important to use good products and take care of your hair.

Ingredients

With a shift towards more natural skin care and hair care products, it can be tough to comb through all the claims and understand what ingredients you really need to avoid. According to our experts and the current research, the following ingredients are probably worth avoiding:

  • Alcohol can strip the natural oils from your hair and open the cuticle, which can cause frizz.
  • Formaldehyde can cause ear infections and severe illness.
  • Triclosan can cause skin irritation.
  • Sulfates can contribute to rosacea flare-ups and lead to dry, damaged hair.
  • Parabens and silicones can strip natural oils from the hair and result in dry, damaged hair.
  • Paraphenylenediamine can lead to a dry and itchy scalp and cause skin damage.

Another ingredient, dimethicone, has gotten recent press about its potential harms, but a 2019 Cosmetic Ingredient Review determined it is safe as the polymers are unlikely to actually be absorbed into your skin.”6

Your Questions, Answered

How do you get rid of frizzy hair?

Frizzy hair can be frustrating, but there are a bunch of ways to tame the frizz. Using products that moisturize your hair and repair it if there is damage can make a world of a difference. Other stylist-approved tips include drying your hair with a microfiber towel or old t-shirt, using a wide tooth comb to brush your hair while it's damp, rinsing your hair with cool water before getting out of the shower, and getting your hair trimmed regularly.

Can you use an anti-frizz product daily?

Absolutely! Many anti-frizz products are intended to be used daily, like night serums or sprays. How often you need to use these products will depend in part on how often you wash your hair and the climate you live in.

Do products for frizzy hair expire?

In general, hair products tend to stay good for at least a year after opening. Expiration dates for hair products are not regulated by an outside agency, but you may want to check the packaging to see if there is an expiration date provided by the manufacturer. If you’re concerned about a hair product being expired, inspect it for things like mold, cloudiness, or a change in texture or color.

Who We Are

Isabel Vasquez RD, LDN is a registered dietitian and freelance health and nutrition writer whose work is especially focused on helping individuals connect with their body’s unique needs. As someone with thick, curly hair, she understands how frustrating frizzy hair can be and how much good products can help.


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