If you want to keep your natural hair smooth and soft, check out our list of the best leave-in conditioners for natural hair to choose the right one. These leave-in conditioners protect hair from heat, detangle it, prevent hair fall and breakage, moisturize the hair and scalp, and make the hair smooth and nourished. Over time, they can also improve the natural health of your tresses and promote good hair growth. Choosing the right leave-in conditioner could be challenging given the many options. So, explore our list to choose a product suitable for your hair type and get shiny, silky hair.
15 Best Leave-In Conditioners For Natural Hair
1. Best Hydrating: Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Moisture Growth Leave-In Conditioner
Moisturize your hair deeply with this Okay black Jamaican castor oil hydrating leave-in conditioner. It provides effective treatment to all hair textures. This cream strengthens your scalp’s natural oils while also structuring your roots and hair follicles for achieving manageable hair. This product, rich in Vitamin E, omega 6, and 9 fatty acids, stimulates blood circulation to the scalp and promotes healthy hair growth. This conditioner is rich in emollients and is infused with the goodness of shea butter and argan oil. It does not contain parabens, sulfates, and silicones. Pros
Adds luster Restores damaged hair Eliminates frizz Non-greasy formula
Cons
Scent may be overpowering May be slightly thick in consistency
2. Best Moisturizing: ArtNaturals Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner
ArtNaturals’ argan oil leave-in conditioner is a natural hair moisturizer that can effectively repair dry, brittle, and damaged hair. This lightweight leave-in conditioner is suitable for men and women and works well on all hair types. The product, rich in organic and natural components, can keep your hair nourished, soft and hydrated. Before buying the product, have a look at this video for more details. Pros
Infused with shea butter Safe for color-treated hair Cruelty-free and certified vegan Prevents hair damage from heat-styling Free of harmful chemicals
Cons
May be a bit waxy May be slightly thicker than expected
3. Chi Keratin Leave-in Conditioner
Strengthen the hair’s cuticle with the Keratin infused Chi Leave-in Conditioner. The conditioner, rich in jojoba and argan oil, works to improve the suppleness of your hair and prevents it from breakage. This product is suitable for everyday use and delivers deep hydration to your hair, leaving it exceptionally smooth and lustrous from the roots to the ends. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video. Pros
Improves hair elasticity Restores shine Makes the hair manageable for styling Free of gluten, sulfate, and paraben
Cons
May leave residue May have a strong fragrance
4. Best Anti-Bacterial: Mixed Chicks Curl Defining Leave-In Conditioner
Manage your hair with great ease with the Mixed Chicks non-toxic, comedogenic leave-in conditioner. It is rich in jojoba oil, has anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great product for people with a dry or itchy scalp. You can solve several hair problems with this product, such as tangled knots, unruly curls, and dryness. When used daily, this replenishing formula makes your hair smooth and lustrous. The product provides intense nourishment to the scalp and hair roots. Pros
Safe for color- and chemical-treated hair Suitable for all hair types Preserves barrier against tough hair styling Defines curls Alcohol-free Cruelty-free
Cons
May be slightly greasy May not control frizz very effectively
5. Best Nourishing: Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner
The green tea super hydrating leave-in conditioner, rich in argan oil, penetrates deep into the scalp to nourish the roots and promotes hair growth. It detangles complicated knots, and repairs split ends and cuticles while eliminating dryness and hair damage. The lightweight product restores your hair’s natural oils, making it bouncy, smooth, and shiny. Check out this video and find out more about its features. Pros
Does not cause buildup Reduces scalp inflammation Controls flyaways Prevents hair loss
Cons
Consistency may be watery May be less suitable for 4C curls
6. Best All-Natural: Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Briogeo leave-in conditioner is an active product rich in natural ingredients, such as rosehip oil, argan oil, and coconut oil, that combat hair damage. The lightweight composition is suitable for all hair types and effectively fights frizziness and tangles. This all-natural hair care product works well to treat chemical-treated hair. It has never been tested on animals and does not contain parabens, artificial colors, sulfates, and SLS. Pros
Safe for color- and keratin-treated hair Adds shine to the hair Protects hair from free radicals Seals moisture
Cons
Pump may be a bit fragile May have an overpowering smell
7. Best Botanical: Design Essentials Natural Kukui & Coconut Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner
The Kukui & Coconut hydrating leave-in conditioner from Design Essentials is an intense formulation that works well on dry and coarse hair textures. This lightweight leave-in conditioner, infused with botanical extracts, improves the shine of the hair, prevents excessive hair fall, and leaves your hair feeling soft. You can use it every week for effective results. Pros
Prevents hair breakage Revitalizes hair Cruelty-free Free of gluten
Cons
May be slightly sticky
8. Best For Split Ends: Tgin Miracle Repairx Protective Leave-In Conditioner
Infused with Biotin, this conditioner strengthens your hair. The protective leave-in conditioner is a high-performance hair care product rich in black castor oil, which helps fight split ends and promote hair growth. With this mild formula, you can replenish the hair’s natural oils. It hydrates and conditions your hair by penetrating deep into the cuticles. It has never been tested on animals and does not contain parabens, sulfates, petrolatum, lanolin, and artificial colors. Pros
Infused with vitamins and antioxidants Leaves no residue Define curls Restores damaged hair
Cons
May be slightly thicker than expected
9. Best For Dry Hair: Living Proof Restore Repair Leave-In Conditioner
Living Proof’s repair leave-in conditioner is a corrective formula that transforms dry, damaged hair into smooth and lustrous locks. Regular use of this product can help prevent split ends. This conditioner adds gloss and polish to your hair without any buildup and shields you from the sun’s harmful UV rays. The zesty smell of this mild leave-in conditioner lingers for a long time. Pros
Safe for chemically-treated hair Leaves hair feeling silky Free of silicones and parabens Cruelty-free
Cons
May be less suitable for fine hair May be a bit greasy
10. Best For Detangling: African Pride Coconut Milk & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
African Pride’s moisture miracle coconut milk and honey leave-in conditioner is a naturally formulated product that replenishes, softens, and moisturizes your hair while adding shine. It effectively detangles your hair while allowing easy styling and reducing frizziness. The all-natural combination of honey and coconut milk is free from parabens, mineral oils, sulfates, and petrolatum. Pros
Contains vitamin E and avocado oils Lightweight formula Makes hair manageable suitable for curls and coils
Cons
Scent may be overwhelming May not be as moisturizing for longer durations
11. Best For Frizz Control: Dr. Miracle’s Leave-In Conditioner
Dr. Miracle’s leave-in conditioner is a potent mixture of natural ingredients, such as aloe vera, honey, coconut, jojoba oil, and olive oil that promote healthy hair growth. You can quickly tame tangled hair while nourishing, hydrating, and repairing your scalp and natural hair. The uniquely formulated keratin complex product makes your hair smooth and minimizes frizz and split ends. Pros
Rehydrates the hair Protects the hair against breakage Safe to use on dry hair Supports length retention Suitable for curly hair
Cons
May be less suitable for color-treated hair May have a runny consistency
12. Best Non-Greasy: Vitamins Leave-In Conditioner Cream
The keratin leave-in conditioner cream is an ultra-hydrating hair moisturizer that restores your hair’s natural moisture while nourishing it. This smooth and gentle protein booster formula detangles hair quickly and leaves it soft and manageable. It also works well against brittle, frizzy, chemically-treated, and colored hair. The non-greasy product revitalizes your hair and ensures luxurious and silky strands. It does not contain parabens and sulfates and has never been tested on animals. Pros
Defines the curls Restores damaged hair Heals split ends Suitable for thick hair
Cons
May be slightly sticky
13. Best Lightweight: Stream2Sea Leave-In Hair Conditioner
The Stream2Sea hair conditioner is a lightweight, non-greasy product that strengthens the scalp while helping in managing knotted hair. This sunscreen moisturizer efficiently restores the natural shine of your hair while protecting it from UV rays. This product, made of biodegradable components, is safe for water bodies and environmentally friendly. Green tea, tulsi, wakame, and olive oil combine to create an antioxidant-rich conditioning treatment for dull, dry, and damaged hair. Pros
Protects hair from environmental stress Free of parabens Sulfate-free Vegan-friendly
Cons
May be less suitable for tangles May not control frizz effectively
14. Best Strengthening: Just Nutritive Leave-In Conditioner
The nourishing and creamy leave-in conditioner, rich in rice and jojoba protein, strengthens your natural hair from roots to tips. This treatment, which contains babassu oil, provides shine to brittle, dry, and damaged hair. The hair conditioner contains natural oils from avocado and meadowfoam, which penetrate deeply to deliver moisture and nourishment to your scalp. This hair care product is devoid of parabens, and other potentially dangerous ingredients. Pros
Prevents split ends Provides healthy shine to the hair Helps detangle Rich, creamy consistency
Cons
May be less suitable for fine hair
15. Best For Breakage Protection: Suave Natural Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioner
Bid farewell to dry hair with the rich leave-in conditioner that contains the advantages of raw shea butter and pure coconut oil to nourish your hair while also providing breakage protection. This creamy mixture detangles knotted hair and gives you beautiful, manageable curls while preventing extreme frizz and restoring your hair’s natural shine. The hydrating leave-in conditioner nourishes your scalp while promoting hair growth. Pros
Color-safe Delivers long-lasting moisture Softens frizzy coils Spreads smoothly
Cons
Consistency may be watery Fragrance may not last long
How To Choose The Right Leave-In Conditioner For Natural Hair?
Below is the list of parameters to consider when purchasing a high-quality leave-in conditioner for natural hair.
- Ingredients: Choose a product with natural ingredients, such as jojoba oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, which can strengthen and nourish your hair. Dr. Schwarzburg, a renowned dermatologist in New York and owner of Skinly Aesthetics, says, “Products that contain too many chemicals can dry out your scalp and strip it of its natural oils, which is why products with natural ingredients are ideal.”
- Purpose: Various leave-in conditioners cater to different requirements. Choose a product that meets your needs and assists you in combating brittle hair and dry scalp while restoring color-treated and damaged hair.
- Scent: Pay attention to the scent before finalizing a product. Some conditioners have a mild fragrance, while other products have an overwhelming scent.
- Chemical-free: A leave-in hair conditioner devoid of hazardous chemicals, parabens, sulfates, mineral oils, and artificial fragrances is suitable for all hair types and also provides protection.
Why Trust MomJunction?
Poulami Nag, our in-house writer and reviewer of hair care and skin care products, leaves no stone unturned in recommending the best products to her readers. Here, she has listed the best leave-in conditioners for natural hair after going through the ingredients list of several products and considering the customer reviews. Moreover, she also gives you handy tips on choosing the right product to give your hair the love it deserves.
After shampooing, pat your hair dry. Take a small amount of the leave-in conditioner (as specified on the bottle). Apply the conditioner by massaging it through the hair strands. Now comb or brush your hair and style them as desired.
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