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13 Best Conditioners for Curly Hair, From 3a to 4c Curls

 

Um, we're talking your best curls yet.

ash day is already a ~whole thing~ when you have curly hair: You’ve got your shampoo process, your five-step styling products routine, your methodical plopping/air-drying/diffusing timeline, etc. But the one product that can really make or break a good-hair day? Your conditioner. Seriously—if you don't create the right foundation before stepping out of the shower, you'll be left with dry, tangled hair, or greasy, limp curls. So to help you find the best conditioner for your specific curl type, from looser type-3 curls to tighter type-4 hair, I chatted with trichologist Shab Reslan and hairstylists Amy Stollmeyer, Jenna Spino, and Naeemah LaFond for the down-low on how to choose the best conditioner for all curly hair.

And because nobody wants to waste their money on a product that sucks, you can rest assured that these curly hair conditioners were handpicked with all of your ~curl preferences~ in mind, like your hair porosity (this one is hella important; more info below), your Curly Girl Method limitations (meaning no silicones, waxes, or mineral oil in the formula), and your texture’s dryness and damage levels.

But before we break it all down, check out a few of our favorite conditioners for curls below.

Now keep reading for the best conditioners for curly hair, whether you’ve got soft 3a curls, 3c ringlets, 4c coils, or anything in between, plus what to look for in a curly hair conditioner, and how to actually choose one for your curl type, porosity, dryness, and damage. Get ready for some ~impeccable~ hair days.

BEST CONDITIONER FOR FINE CURLY HAIR

Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Conditioner

PROS: REVIEWERS LOVE THE LIGHT HIBISCUS SCENT

CONS: CONDITIONER CAN BE HARD TO SQUEEZE OUT OF THE BOTTLE

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES* (*contains a negligent amount of isopropyl alcohol that shouldn't affect hair)

You’ll notice that tons of curl conditioners rely on heavy butters and oils for maximum moisture retention, which is great…unless you’ve got super-fine hair. If you can basically count the number of hairs you have, try this lightweight conditioner that uses a mix of aloe vera, coconut water, and glycerin to hydrate curls without leaving them stretched out or weighed down.

THE REVIEWS: “I have really thick, curly hair (I think my hair type is a 3A),” writes one review. “ It gets frizzy and dry really easily, so I needed something good... on a college student budget. Enter this conditioner. AMAZING. After showering, I instantly noticed a difference: more definition to my curls and overall super soft and healthy-looking.”

BEST CONDITIONER FOR THICK CURLY HAIR

SheaMoisture Curl Shine Silicone-Free Conditioner
 

PROS: REVIEWERS SAY THIS MAKES THEIR HAIR EXTREMELY SOFT

CONS: CONDITIONER IS SO THICK, IT CAN BE HARD TO GET OUT OF THE PUMP BOTTLE

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES 

Um, if the 12,000 (!) five-star reviews don’t convince you this conditioner is the GOAT for thick, coarse curls, then maybe this little tidbit will: The coconut oil in this formula actually soaks into your hair shaft (rather than just sitting on top) to help lock in hydration, while the shea butter, mango butter, and soybean oil act as a seal to prevent moisture loss. The result? Curls that feel soft as hell, even after rinsing.

THE REVIEWS: “I have really thick, curly hair (I think my hair type is a 3A),” writes one review. “ It gets frizzy and dry really easily, so I needed something good... on a college student budget. Enter this conditioner. AMAZING. After showering, I instantly noticed a difference: more definition to my curls and overall super soft and healthy-looking.”

BEST LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

L'Oreal Paris Dream Lengths Curls Leave-In Cream

 

PROS: SILICONE-BASED FORMULA HELPS PREVENT KNOTS

CONS: CAN BUILD UP ON LOW-POROSITY HAIR OVER TIME (SEE: CASTOR OIL AND SILICONES)

Curly Girl Method-approved? NO 

So, you have to be out the door asap and can’t subject yourself to a bajillion-step curl routine? Allow me to introduce you to this ultra-hydrating leave-in conditioner. It’s filled with shea butter and castor oil that work together to moisturize and soften your curls, all while adding a bit of shine, without requiring a cocktail of curl creams, custards, and milks. And thanks to lightweight silicones in the formula, this leave-in will also give your hair tons of slip to make your braids or twists thatmuch easier to style.

THE REVIEWS: “I use this leave in cream on my lengths in the morning to add definition and moisture and before bed to prevent frizziness and detangle,” writes one tester. “My curls feel softer and bouncier after using this.”

BEST DETANGLING CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino and Shea Curl Defining Conditioner
 

PROS: REVIEWERS RAVE ABOUT THE FRESH LAUNDRY SCENT (YES, REALLY)
SILICONE FREE

CONS: CONTAINS HEAVIER OILS AND BUTTERS THAT CAN WEIGH DOWN LOW-POROSITY HAIR

Curly Girl Method-approved? NO 

If your curls have a habit of knotting up every time you try to detangle (love it), you’ll <3 this conditioner. It’s full of curl-loving moisturizers (hello, shea butter, almond oil, and sunflower seed oil) that leave your hair with a ton of slip, so you can easily—fine, slightly more easily—finger-comb or detangle your hair in the shower without risking as much breakage.

THE REVIEWS: “This works amazingly on my type 4c hair,” writes one tester in a review. “It provides so much slip and a little goes a long way. My hair always feels soooo good after rinsing this out. Shockingly this is the best curly conditioner I've ever used for my super coily texture.”

BEST MULTI-USE CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

Curlsmith Multi-Tasking Conditioner

 

PROS: LOW IN PROTEINS, SO IT’S FINE FOR PROTEIN-SENSITIVE HAIR
HAS A LIGHT SCENT THAT DOESN’T LINGER

CONS: 8 OZ. JAR IS A LITTLE SMALL FOR THE PRICE

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES 

If your bathroom is overflowing with curly-hair products, it’s time to transition to this three-in-one product (consider it the antithesis to a three-in-one body wash/shampoo/conditioner—*shudders*). This conditioner is technically a rinse-out conditioner, but thanks to its oil-based formula (see: castor oil, shea butter, and jojoba oil), it can also be used as a deep conditioner or as a leave-in conditioner. So even if you’re not sure if your porosity or curl type can handle it as a leave-in, you’ll still be safe to use it as a rinse-out formula. Win-win, tbh.

THE REVIEWS: “I have tried this conditioner all three ways,” writes one reviewer. “My personal favorite way is as a deep conditioner when my hair feels overly-moisturized. It brings back strength and moisture balance by helping to define my natural curl pattern without drying it out.”

BEST LIGHTWEIGHT CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner

 

PROS: FRAGRANCE-FREE AND OIL-FREE

CONS: ISN’T MOISTURIZING ENOUGH FOR MOST CURL TYPES

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES 

If you have super-fine, very low-porosity hair that gets easily weighed down, greasy, and pulled-out, listen up: This conditioner is as lightweight as humanly (ahem, chemically) possible. Seriously. The gel formula has only seven ingredients, including a mix of fatty alcohols and mild conditioners, to give you just enough slip and hydration to keep your thin, fine hair healthy, without any of the oily aftermath.

THE REVIEWS: “This conditioner is very lightweight, but it detangles shockingly well,” writes one reviewer. “I had no problems getting through every awful knot in my tentacle curly hair. It left it with pretty and fairly-defined curls when air dried also.”

BEST CONDITIONER FOR 4C HAIR

Pattern by Tracee Ellis Ross Intensive Conditioner

 

PROS: HAS A THICK, BUTTERY CONSISTENCY THAT WON’T DRIP OFF HAIR

CONS: CAN BE A LITTLE PRICEY FOR THE AMOUNT YOU GET

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES

If your curl conditioner isn’t giving your 4c hair enough detangling slip, lemme intro you to A+ this conditioner. It’s loaded with thick butters and oils (hi, avocado oil, shea butter, and safflower seed oil) that coat your strands like a protective hug to help make detangling a bit easier. Smooth a palm-full of conditioner, section by section, through your soaking wet hair, detangling then re-twisting each section as you go to minimize knotting. You can rinse this one out, or slap on a shower cap and hang out in your robe for an hour to really let the formula penetrate your strands before rinsing.

THE REVIEWS: “Absolutely love this product,” writes one reviewer. “It is super thick, so it actually sticks to the hair as you massage it through, and it melts in and softens my 4b/c hair. The product provides a great amount of slip, allowing me to finger detangle and then brush detangle. It's now my favorite conditioning product of all time!”

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BEST DEEP CONDITIONER FOR DAMAGED CURLS
Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner
COURTESY IMAGE
$13 AT AMAZON

PROS: EASY TO SCOOP OUT ONLY THE AMOUNT YOU NEED

CONS: SOME REVIEWERS SAY THE MINTY SCENT IS STRONG

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES

Whether you’re transitioning from relaxed to natural, or you’re working with bleached or color-treated curls, you already know your hair needs some major TLC. Enter: this deep conditioner that uses amino acids (a super-small protein that’s less likely to build up) to help fill in and strengthen the damaged gaps in your hair shaft. Work it through your damp, clean hair, letting it sit for up to 15 minutes to give the smoothing oils—hi, babassu and sunflower seed oil—time to really soften and moisturize.

THE REVIEWS: “I only use protein every so often on my 3c hair, so I am very happy that this made my hair feel strong yet soft,” writes one tester. “Other protein treatments I’ve tried in the past tend to make my hair crunchy and dry if I’m not careful but not this product. ”

BEST CONDITIONER FOR LOW-POROSITY CURLY HAIR

Giovanni 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Calming Conditioner
 

PROS: RINSES CLEAN WITHOUT LEAVING RESIDUE

CONS: CONTAINS PROTEIN, WHICH MAY BUILD UP ON PROTEIN-SENSITIVE HAIR

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES

Your low-porosity curls need moisture too—just not from heavy oils and butters that tend to build up and leave you greasy. Instead, try this cult-favorite conditioner that uses lightweight sunflower oil (an MVP for low-porosity hair) and humectants (e.g., glycerin and panthenol that pull water into your hair throughout the day) to help push moisture into your curls and seal it in, without feeling heavy.

THE REVIEWS: “I have fine hair and many conditioners are just too heavy for it,” writes one reviewer. “This 50-50 conditioner moisturizes and detangles my hair without weighing it down.”

BEST CONDITIONER FOR HIGH-POROSITY CURLY HAIR

Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
 

PROS: ONLY HAVE TO USE A SMALL AMOUNT OF PRODUCT TO COAT CURLS

CONS: SOME REVIEWERS SAY IT CAN LEAVE A HEAVY FILM

Curly Girl Method-approved? NO

If your hair is super high-porosity, damaged, or a naturally very defined curl pattern, a conditioner with silicone (stay with me here) might actually help your hair retain some hydration. This conditioner uses amodimethicone, a silicone that tends to bond specifically to damaged strands (science, y'all) to seal in moisture and add some tangle-preventing slip. It still has a risk of building up though, so make sure to rinse with a clarifying shampoo once a month to “reset” your hair and dissolve any product residue.

THE REVIEWS: “My hair has always needed hydration, but almost every product I have tried ruins my curls and drags them down,” writes one tester. “This product doesn't make me compromise hair look over hair health.”

BEST CONDITIONER FOR COLOR-TREATED CURLY HAIR

Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner
 

PROS: DOESN’T CONTAIN PROTEIN, SO IT’S SUITABLE FOR FINE-TO-MEDIUM HAIR TYPES

CONS: NOT MOISTURIZING ENOUGH FOR COARSE, DRY HAIR

Curly Girl Method-approved? NO

Curly hair is already prone to breakage, so when you throw color or chemical treatments into the mix, you’re basically creating a delicate, picky lil flower. Enter: Olaplex’s conditioner that's one of the only products on the market that doesn't just temporarily "strengthen" damaged strands with proteins, but actually re-forms and repairs the broken bonds within your hair shaft. Basically, it hits the "undo damage" button a bit. To keep your hair strong and healthy, smooth this treatment throughout your hair, roots to tips, twice a month (and after every chemical treatment).

THE REVIEWS: “I have curly hair that I’ve damaged over the years with bleaching and dyeing,” writes one reviewer. “No product has ever worked so well, made my hair so silky, frizz-free, and defined!”

Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner
 

PROS: HAS A LOT OF SLIP TO HELP DETANGLE IN THE SHOWER

CONS: SOME REVIEWERS SAY IT SOMETIMES DOESN'T COMPLETELY RINSE OUT

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES

Let’s get one thing clear: There is nothing wrong with frizzy hair (and tbh, I love a ~windswept~ curl look). But if you’re looking to smooth your flyaways, whether due to damage or humidity, try this smoothing conditioner from Living Proof. The formula is filled with two all-star ingredients: hydrolyzed wheat protein (which not only strengthens damaged hair so it feels smoother, but helps your hair better retain moisture) and OFMPA, a proprietary molecule that works to repel humidity and reduce friction, leaving your hair smoother, silkier, and less prone to frizzing up.

THE REVIEWS: “Love this for my curly hair,” writes one reviewer. “It felt clean and kept my curls hydrated! Super excited to continue using it for the humid summer months since it seems to get better with each use!”

BEST CLEANSING CONDITIONER FOR CURLY HAIR

As I Am Coconut CoWash Cleansing Conditioner
 

PROS: LARGE TUB THAT SHOULD LAST 8-12 WASH DAYS

CONS: A BIT PRICEY

Curly Girl Method-approved? YES

A regular shampoo (even the sulfate-free kind) might be too stripping if used every time you wash your curls, which is where this cleansing conditioner comes in. A handful of mild cleansing ingredients help break down scalp oils, while coconut and castor seed oil leave your curls smoother and more moisturized. Rake it through your ends before massaging it into your scalp to lightly cleanse away greasiness, dirt, and oil.

THE REVIEWS: “This cowash is so gentle on my hair with a very light, pleasant fragrance,” writes one tester. “It has good slip and also rinses clean. It leaves my dry, fragile spiral curls soft and bouncy with shine and no frizz!”

According to the very popular hair-typing system originally developed by hairstylist Andre Walker, there are two main curl types: curly (type 3) and coily (type 4), which break down even further into three sub-categories each (so technically six curl types total). Type-3 hair gets progressively curlier from 3a to 3b to 3c (think loose curls to tight spirals), while type-4 hair gets tighter from 4a to 4b to 4c (think tiny coils to springy zig-zags).

Regardless of your curl type, moisture is king. “Typically, any hair that is more textured or curlier will require more moisturizing products to help seal the cuticle and reduce frizz when drying,” says Reslan, but how much moisture is dependent on your hair. Each hair type progressively needs more moisture as you go through the scale, with 4b and 4c being the most likely to experience moisture loss, so you should look for heavy oils and butters to hydrate.

Just remember that most people naturally have a mix of curl patterns on their head, which is totally normal. And if you're just starting your natural-hair journey, or your hair is severely damaged from heat or color treatments, your curl pattern will likely have a mix of textures, ranging from straight to coily, and potentially everything in between. Sound confusing? Check out this curl types guide to find the curl type that matches yours.

What is the best conditioner for curly hair?

The best conditioner for curly hair depends on your unique curl pattern, porosity (more on that below), hair texture, your hair’s damage and dryness level, and your general product routine. I know—it’s a lot, but I’ve gotchu. For example: If you have fine type-3 curls that require mousse, gel, or cream for styling, you may prefer a lightweight conditioner to keep your hair from looking stringy or heavy.

But if you have 4c or high-porosity hair, you already know that your BFF is a heavy conditioner, which Spino says can help retain hydration. Trial and error is (unfortunately for my wallet) a ~thing~, as the best conditioner for your curly hair depends so much on knowing your porosity and ingredient preferences, which brings us to…

How to choose the best conditioner for curly hair
 

Know your curl porosity

Remember: Your curl porosity is all about how much water your curls can absorb and hold onto, like a sponge. Low-porosity hair tends to have tight, flat cuticles that repel water, meaning products sit on top and don’t sink in. Curls with low porosity require lightweight products (like a lightweight conditioner) to not feel heavy or stretched out.

Meanwhile, high-porosity hair has open, raised cuticles (whether naturally, from damage, or from chemicals), meaning it soaks up every bit of moisture it can get and loves conditioners with rich butters and oils and tons of proteins to keep hair soft and healthy. Not sure about your porosity? Nbd, just take this porosity quiz.

Go easy on "strengthening formulas"

Formulas that claim to be good at repairing—like “strengthening” shampoo, “damage-repair” conditioner, “split-end-repairing” leave-in creams, or leaving on a protein-filled mask for longer than recommended—can lead to protein build-up on your hair. A lil bit of protein in your conditioner helps to strengthen damaged hair by “filling in tiny holes or cracks within the hair strand” after you shampoo, according to Stollmeyer.

But too much of a good thing might be hurting your hair. “If your hair is healthy, using conditioners with protein regularly can cause protein overload and lead to breakage,” says hairstylist Naeemah LaFond, because the protein build-up acts like a suffocating shield that dries out hair, leading to damaged, brittle, dull curls, adds Reslan.

To identify proteins, scan the ingredients list for “hydrolyzed,” “protein” (duh), or amino acids. One or two proteins won’t have a major effect on your hair, especially if they’re lower on the list, but unless your hair is super damaged, you should avoid loading up on protein-rich formulas on a regular basis. And even if your hair does love protein, you’ll still only want to use a protein treatment once or twice a month to prevent build-up.

Look at the oils in the ingredients list

Oils give conditioners a lot of “slip,” meaning your hair will feel coated and slippery while wet, which is necessary for avoiding breakage when detangling in the shower, whether with your fingers or a detangling brush. But choose your oils wisely: Heavier oils, like castor oil, coconut oil, and olive oil lock in hydration, making them an excellent choice for dry, high-porosity hair that needs major moisture. But if your hair gets easily weight down, look for conditioners with lightweight oils, like argan, jojoba, almond, avocado, and grapeseed, which won’t leave your hair greasy.

Decide your stance on silicones

Silicones are polymers that coat your hair and temporarily “glue” your cuticles down, making your hair look shiny and smooth. But, says Spino, “too much silicone can overly coat the hair, causing build-up” that leaves your curls undefined, weighed-down, and stringy over time. Why does this matter? Because a wall of built-up silicone around your strand can prevent moisture from penetrating your hair, leading to dryness and damage over time.

Using silicones occasionally is fine (unless you’re following the Curly Girl Method, obvs), but you’ll need to rinse out twice a month with a sulfate-based clarifying shampoo to lift off the build-up on your hair. Tbh, most of the products on the list above are silicone-free (except where noted), but always double-check the ingredients list before purchasing a product, and don’t be afraid to do a little trial and error. Some people find their curls love silicones, while others hate them.

Meet the experts:

Shab Reslan is a trichologist and hair health expert based in New York, NY, and is an expert in hair extensions, haircare routines, and haircutting. She is also the host of Hair Like Hers, a hair health and wellness podcast.

Amy Stollmeyer is a hairstylist based in Toronto, Ontario, CA. She is the co-founder of DesignMe Hair, a line of hair products for all hair textures from 1a to 4c.

Jenna Spino is a hairstylist at the Maxine Salon in Chicago, IL, with expertise in haircuts and styling. She trained with salon owner, Maxine Kroll, and also regularly attends hairstyling classes to build upon her skills.

Naeemah LaFond is a celebrity hairstylist and the global artistic director for Amika Haircare based in New York, NY, where she focuses on statement hair for runways, editorial campaigns, and advertisements. Her clients include Whitney Peak, Quannah Chasinghorse-Potts, and Bethany Chasteen.

 

Why trust Cosmopolitan?

Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with four years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair stories that range from the best wavy hair products to how to make your hair healthier. She’s an authority in all hair categories but is an expert when it comes to the best conditioners, thanks to years of trial and error on her own fine hair. She regularly tests and analyzes hair products on her own hair for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top hairstylists and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.