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The 11 Best Moisturizers for Hydrated and Soft Natural Hair
Bouncy and beautiful curls and coils.
When it comes to hair hydration, many different products on the market are catered to combating dryness. While we have hair oils, hair masks, and leave-in treatments that can alleviate and treat many of these issues, sometimes the simplest solution is best. Just like our skin, a moisturizer is an essential part of any successful hair care routine. “A good hair moisturizer is important because it not only adds moisture to the hair, but it also reduces frizz, breakage, and brittleness,” says celebrity hairstylist, Alexander Armand, who has worked with stars like Marsai Martin, Serena Williams, and Quinta Brunson. When our face feels dry, we apply moisturizer.
Whether it’s labeled as a moisturizer or a leave-in conditioner, it’s a holy grail product that rehydrates and shields your hair from the brisk winds, rough towels, harsh ingredients, and touchy-feely hands it encounters daily (cue: Solange). With the expansive variety of textures, finding the perfect moisturizer for your hair can be a task; it’s not a one size fits all. Natural hair is beautifully unique with every curl, coil, and kink requiring something different to ensure maximum hair health. “It’s important to be mindful of the suggested hair texture the moisturizer says it’s best suitable for. For example, if the product is marketed for medium to fine hair and that’s your hair type, then it’s best to use that,” says Armand. To make the search a bit easier, we did some of the heavy lifting for you, consulting hair experts and thousands of customer reviews. Ahead, find the 11 best hair moisturizers.
Pantene Gold Series Pro-V Hydrating Butter Cream
Pantene Gold Series Pro-V Hydrating Butter Cream
Pros
- Affordable
Cons
- Can cause build-up
A little goes a long way with this thick cream from Pantene’s Gold Series. The butter-soft blend melts into the shaft for manageable and soft hair.
Walmart rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Walmart reviewer says: “This is the perfect moisturizer for my hair, not too light or too heavy, absorbs easily with a nice sheen.”
| Hair Type | For natural, transitioning, and relaxed hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 6.8 oz |
| Ingredient Callouts | Sulfate Free, made with the key ingredient, Argon Oil |
| What It is | Pantene Gold Series Pro-V Hydrating Butter Cream is a nourishing styling cream that provides moisture and shine. |
Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Moisturizer
Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Moisturizer
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Not recommended for fine hair
All of your favorite hair care ingredients—shea butter, sweet almond oil, argan oil, coconut oil, and more—are blended to perfection and topped off with a yummy, citrus scent.
Walmart rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Walmart reviewer says: “Keeps hair soft and manageable. I love it.”
| Hair Type | Textured |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz |
| Ingredients Callouts | Coconut Oil and Argon Oil |
| What It Is | Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Moisturizer lightweight cream-based moisturizer. |
As I Am Double Butter Rich Daily Moisturizer
As I Am Double Butter Rich Daily Moisturizer
Pros
- Softens hair
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
As I Am’s Coconut CoWash is every naturalista’s holy grail, but the DoubleButter Cream is coming for the top spot. Enriched with the finest butters (shea and cocoa) and a slew of essential oils, this blend helps to retain moisture and leaves hair soft for days.
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I’ve noticed that as well as my hair feeling moisturized, I’m also retaining length. I’m very happy with this product and will definitely keep this as part of my hair care regime.”
| Hair Type | Curly and Coily Textures |
|---|---|
| Size | 8 oz. |
| Ingredient Callouts | Shea Butter and Cocoa Butter |
| What It Is | As I Am Double Butter Rich Daily Moisturizer is a leave in styling cream best used to lock in moisture. |
Suave Professionals Shea Butter & Pure Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
Suave Professionals Shea Butter & Pure Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner
Pros
- Nourishes damaged hair
Cons
- Can leave residue
Suave Professionals collaborated with over 5,000 women to deliver a moisture-rich collection for women with natural curls, coils, and waves. The Nourish and Strengthen Leave-In Conditioner feels like butter when applied to hair. Thanks to its star ingredient, shea butter, the deeply nourishing formula leaves hair smooth from root to tip.
Target rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Target reviewer says: “My hair looks more moisturized, defined, and the best part is that it doesn’t get frizzy! I am more confident showing off my curls and it smells amazing.”
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
|---|---|
| Size | 13.5 oz |
| Ingredients Callouts | Shea Butter and Coconut Oil |
| What It Is | Suave Professionals Shea Butter & Pure Coconut Oil Leave-In Conditioner is a detangling moisturizer used to strengthen your hair. |
Curl Rehab Retention/Strength Dual Treatment
Pros
- Multi-use
Cons
- Packets are not reusable
We love a multi-use product! This treatment can be used as a detangler, conditioner, or leave-in hair mask. Hydrating coconut milk and avocado de-frizz curls and restore moisture for extra bounce.
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Amazon reviewer says: “I love how it moisturizes my hair and leaves my hair feeling soft before I style my curls!”
| Hair Type | Curly, Dry hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 4.8 oz |
| Ingredients Callouts | Coconut Milk and Avocado |
| What It Is | Curl Rehab Retention/Strength Dual Treatment is a hair mask used to revitalize dry dull hair. |
PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner
PATTERN Leave-In Conditioner
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Not great for tight, kinky, coils
You can trust Tracee Ellis Ross's Pattern Beauty to deliver the softest, most hydrated curls. Bonus points for the delicious jasmine, bergamot, and sandalwood scent.
Ulta Beauty rating: 4.7/5 stars
An Ulta Beauty reviewer says: “This product made my hair, so soft and manageable.”
| Hair Type | Curly hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 9.8 oz |
| What It Is | Pattern's Leave in Conditioner is a daily moisturizer and styler used to hydrate and define natural curls. |
Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray
Pros
- Lightweight
Cons
- Pricey
Spritz on this lightweight conditioning spray made with rosehip, argan, and coconut oils to eliminate frizz and detangle coils.
Sephora rating: 4.2/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “It makes my hair feel really soft and definitely has helped with frizz.”
| Hair Type | Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coily |
|---|---|
| Hair Texture | Fine, Medium, and Thick |
| Size | 1.75 oz/ 52 mL |
| Ingredient Callouts | This product is vegan and cruelty-free. |
| What It Is | A lightweight leave-in conditioner that locks in hydration and locks out humidity that causes frizz. |
| What Else You Need To Know | This leave-in conditioner is formulated with rosehip, argan, and coconut oils to seal the hair cuticle, minimizing frizz and enhancing smoothness, shine, and manageability. Itâs also perfect for nourishing and detangling hair right out of the shower and formulated with 98 percent naturally derived ingredients. |
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Some dislike the smell
Jamaican black castor oil is the star of this intensely nourishing leave-in conditioner, formulated to revive color-treated and permed hair.
Ulta Beauty rating: 4.5/5 stars
An Ulta Beauty reviewer says: “This product provides so many benefits. My hair has some SERIOUS strength after long term use of this conditioner.”
| Hair Type | Natural, Chemical Processed, Heat Styled |
|---|---|
| Size | 11.0 oz |
| Ingredient Callouts | Jamaican Black Castor Oil |
| What It Is | A leave in conditioner that strengthens and hydrates your hair |
adwoa beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream
adwoa beauty Baomint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
- Pricey
Customize your curls thanks to the buildable formula found in Adwoa’s curl cream. Apply the product based your hair's density and desired volume.
Sephora rating: 4.6/5 stars
A Sephora reviewer says: “The product helped define my curls and left my hair feel soft. My hair felt hydrated and moisturized.”
| Hair Type | Wavy, Curly, and Coily |
|---|---|
| Hair Texture | Fine, Medium, and Thick |
| Size | 16 oz/ 453 g |
| Ingredient Callouts | Free of sulfates SLS and SLES, parabens, formaldehydes, formaldehyde-releasing agents, phthalates, mineral oil, retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, coal tar, hydroquinone, triclosan, and triclocarban, and contains less than one percent of synthetic fragrances. This product is also cruelty-free, and gluten-free, and comes in recyclable packaging. |
| What It Is | A creamy, rich styler that detangles while leaving your strands shiny, silky, and smooth with a soft hold. |
| What Else You Need To Know | This cream is formulated to be buildable. Based on the density and the desired volume of your curls, use more or less product. It is packed with superfoods, omega 6 and 9 fatty acids, and vitamin E to provide a soft to medium hold and work well as a wash and go styler on wavy or curly hair textures. |
Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter
Camille Rose Curlaide Moisture Butter
Pros
- Defines curls
Cons
- May not be suited for fine hair
Packed with natural ingredients like green tea, organic rice milk, and jojoba oil, this moisture butter smooths and softens hair for pillow-soft curls.
Ulta Beauty rating: 4.9/5 stars
An Ulta Beauty Reviewer says: “This is my favorite styling cream. It provides so much moisture and hold.”
| Hair Type | Curly Hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 8.0 oz |
| Ingredients Callouts | Green Tea and Jojoba Oil |
| What It Is | An everyday moisturizer that softens hair and defines curls. |
| What Else You Need To Know | This product is vegan |
It's a 10 It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner - 10 fl oz
It's a 10 It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner - 10 fl oz
Pros
- Softens hair
Cons
- Can weigh hair down
“Offers great moisture which contributes to the overall health of the hair and making sure each strand is infused with moisture!” says celebrity hairstylist, Alexander Armand
Target rating: 4.8/5 stars
| Hair Type | All Hair Types |
|---|---|
| Size | 10 oz |
| Ingredients Callouts | Sunflower seed and green tea leaf extract and silk amino acids |
| What It Is | A lightweight water-based moisturizer that offers extreme hydration and seals and protects hair |
Ouidad Coil Infusion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner
Ouidad Coil Infusion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner
“Recently, I got my hair done at the Ouidad salon in New York City and the deep treatment they gave revived my curls in a way I’ve never seen before. While that’s only an in-salon treatment, Jessica and Daphne, my stylists, recommended that I use the Coil Infusion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner for similar results. The apple cider vinegar and peppermint refresh the scalp while the avocado and coconut oils are like a tall glass of water for your curls.” - Danielle James, Digital Beauty Director
| Hair Type | Coily Hair |
|---|---|
| Size | 12.5 oz |
| Ingredient Callouts | Olive Oil and Castor Oil |
| What It Is | A deep conditioning treatment |
| What Else You Need to Know | This product is cruelty free. |
Meet The Expert
Rachel Eisenlohr, hairstylist at the Mark Ryan Salon
Alexander Armand, Celebrity Hairstylist
Jessica O’Brien, Ouidad Stylist & Educator
What kinds of products can you use to moisturize dry hair?
“There are so many products you can use to moisturize hair, depending on your exact needs,” says Eisenlohr. “Masks, leave-in conditioners, heat protectors, oils, and creams are all great. But you really shouldn’t settle for one moisturizing product and hope that it does the trick. You really need a combo starting from inside the shower all the way through heat styling and finishing products. If your hair is truly dry and in need of serious help, you need to take a look at all your products and involve several steps to further moisturize your hair.” - Rachel Eisenlohr
What causes dry hair?
“Dry hair can be a result of your natural hair texture,” says Eisenlohr. “Curly hair is, of course, at the top of the list for being dryer from the get-go. But also fine color-treated hair is always going to be in need of some regular moisturizing as it is weakened easily, even by everyday wear and tear. Your hair type will play a big role in dryness, with types 3 and 4 (very curly hair) taking the lead. Because the follicle doesn’t lay flat, it’s prone to breakage and dryness more than other types.” - Rachel Eisenlohr
What ingredients work best for tight textures?
“Honey is a great ingredient for 4c texture hair. The thickness of the ingredient helps add a great amount of moisture. Aloe Vera is also an amazing ingredient for curly hair especially,” - Alexander Armand
What ingredients should people look for in a good moisturizer?
“The products should have lead ingredients that support moisture such as aloe Vera, Shea butter, Jojoba oil, coconut oil, honey, and etc,” - Alexander Armand
Why is hair dry even with moisturizer? How can you help prevent this?
“If you regularly use a conditioning product in your wash day routine and are finding that your hair still feels dry, it may be because the product is only providing a surface level cosmetic repair rather than allowing the moisturizing properties to penetrate through the hair cuticle as they should be. This can be caused by a variety of factors, including low-quality ingredients that cause product build-up on the hair strands, or frequently using protein-heavy products that can over-proteinize hair over time.
To prevent this, it’s important to choose formulas that contain high quality ingredients and are formulated for your hair type. Curly hair, for example, requires a delicate balance of moisture and protein so curls can keep their ideal shape and look healthy. Unbreakable Bonds™ Shampoo and Conditioner have a very low amount of protein and contain highly moisturizing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides to provide curls with the hydration they need while also helping repair and build bonds.” - Jessica O'Brien
How do you best treat dry, brittle hair that is falling out?
“If hair is falling out directly from the scalp, always consult a doctor or dermatologist to get a professional medical opinion. But if you’re experiencing breakage from the mid-shaft of the hair or towards the ends, it may be because the products you’re currently using have too much protein, which can make hair feel more brittle and drier. To treat this, I recommend adding more moisture into your routine. It’s important to identify what your specific hair needs. Dry hair needs products that provide increased hydration and help with elasticity to prevent breakage, while damaged hair is usually caused by excess heat styling or chemical services and needs products that help to strengthen strands over time. Ouidad specifically formulates products to give you the perfect balance between protein and moisture.” - Jessica O'Brien
What is the best treatment for dry and damaged hair?
“At the salon, I always recommend Ouidad’s Deep Treatment Curl Restoration Therapy. This is a great professional-strength deep treatment that helps replenish moisture and essential nutrients, which reinforces the strength of hair and helps restore elasticity as well. For an at-home option, my favorite is the Curl Therapy Lightweight Protein Foam Treatment. This is a gentle strengthening treatment that also replenishes hair with essential moisture, so you can use it at home to help prevent breakage and future damage without the risk of over-proteinizing the hair.” - Jessica O'Brien
Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). She has a penchant for sneakers and nude lip glosses, and spends way too much time re-watching 90s sitcoms.
Ariana Yaptangco oversees all #content across ELLE's social media platforms and covers beauty news. When she isn't staring at a screen, you can find her drinking tea, trying new skincare products, or yelling about the New York Mets.
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