Gone are the days when we picked up any random shampoo and conditioner duo off the shelves. We’re now obsessed with our haircare routines and you’ll find a conditioner for every hair type, moisture need, and concern — including curly hair types.
If you’re looking for the latest conditioner to add to your curly hair routine, then you’ve come to the right place. Whether you’re a die-hard fan of the curly girl method or are just starting on your curly journey, we’ve got the best conditioners for curly hair.
But one thing to note first — not all curls are created equally, so there are some general rules to follow. Typically, the tighter the curl pattern, the more hydration you’ll need, so you want to make sure that you’re not applying too much moisture to wavy hair and too little to coily patterns.
Here are the best conditioners for curly hair.
1) By BEAUTY BAY Nourish + Cleanse Co-Wash
Designed for curly and coily hair, the By BEAUTY BAY Nourish + Cleanse Co-Wash is one of the best curly hair products out there. The nourishing formula gently cleanses the curls to prevent over-stripping, which can cause frizz. The addition of lactic acid, chia seed, and shea butter softens and hydrates, leaving you with your best curls yet. It’s a conditioner and shampoo rolled into one.
2) Bumble and bumble BB.Curl 3-in-1 Conditioner
If you ask us, Bumble and bumble can do no wrong. They’ve created some of our most-coveted formulas and the BB.Curl 3-in-1 Conditioner is set to be the latest. Formulated with avocado, coconut, jojoba, shea, and cocoa oils and butters, this conditioner de-frizzes, detangles, and softens curls all at once. It’s also suitable for all curl types, making it a great all-rounder.
3) Pattern Heavy Conditioner
The Pattern Heavy Conditioner is everything you could ask for, and more. Thanks to its super hydrating and curl-loving formula, it’s easily one of the best conditioners for curly hair. The thick and buttery texture smooths over every single curl for their trademark ‘Pattern Slip’ — easy detangling and curl clumping. Avocado oil, shea butter, and safflower oil intensely hydrate and nourish, leaving you with healthy-looking curls in just one wash.
4) Davines Love Curl Enhancing Conditioner
The best conditioners for curly hair are vegan, paraben-free, sulphate-free, and include natural ingredients — the Davines Love Curl Enhancing Conditioner ticks every box. Formulated to condition and enhance your natural curl pattern, this conditioner gives hydration to the hair without being too heavy for wavier curl types. Enriched with proteins and vitamin D to strengthen and repair, we have no notes for this one.
5) Les Secrets De Loly Smoothie Moisturising Milk
For thirsty kinky and coily hair, the Les Secrets De Loly Smoothie Moisturising Milk is the one. Inside this ultra-hydrating formula, you’ll find aloe vera, mango butter, sweet almond, and jojoba oils, which all work extra hard to infuse moisture deep into the hair cuticle. The result? Hydrated, happy curls with no dryness insight! That’s why it’s one of the best curly hair products.
6) Design.ME Bounce.ME Curl Conditioner
Need a cleansing conditioner in your life? Then look no further than the Design.ME Bounce.Me Curl Conditioner. This cleansing formula uses a blend of curl-loving ingredients that cleanse as they hydrate. Caprylol glycerin and sebacic acid provide shine, kukui nut seed oil hydrates, mango maintains elasticity, and vitamin A strengthens. It’s one of the hardest-working conditioners for curly hair out there.
7) Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
Mielle Organics is one of our fave curl-approved brands, so it only makes sense that the Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner features on our list of best conditioners for curly hair. If you need an extra hit of hydration, then leave-in formulas are the answer. Babassu oil and citrus locks in moisture long after you step out of the shower. Type 4 curls, this one’s for you.
8) Shea Moisture Argan Oil & Almond Milk Smooth & Tame Conditioner
Shea Moisture — our OG curly hair brand. One of the biggest challenges when it comes to styling your curly hair is tangles. That’s why you need the Argan Oil & Almond Milk Smooth & Tame Conditioner in your life. The detangling formula is weightless, making it ideal for all different curl types that need to tame frizz and flyaways. Formulated with organic shea butter, argan oil, and marshmallow root extract, there’ll never be a dry curl in sight.
9) Umberto Giannini Thirsty Curls Moisture Surge Curl Hydrating Conditioner
Give your curls the moisture surge they need with the Umberto Giannini Thirsty Curls Moisture Surge Curly Hydrating Conditioner. Enriched with hyaluronic acid, snow mushroom, and black oat extract to deeply nourish and hydrate, your natural curl pattern will be restored, without any of the frizz to match.
10) KeraCare Humecto Cream Conditioner
Don’t let the unassuming vibe of this bottle trick you, the KeraCare Humecto Cream Conditioner is one of the hardest-working best conditioners for curly hair out there. Designed to correct moisture imbalances within the hair, this nourishing conditioner uses humectants to correct, perfect, and protect your curls. It’s pH-balanced and suitable for all hair textures, so you can get your glossiest, healthiest curls yet.
11) Cantu Avocado Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner
Want to look after your curls without breaking the bank? That’s where Cantu’s Avocado Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner comes in. They’re one of the go-to brands when it comes to curly hair products and this one can be used as a conditioner, hair mask, or styling treatment. The formula includes shea butter, avocado oil, olive oil, and aloe to minimise breakage, reduce split ends, and add manageability.
