15 Best Air Dry Products Of 2024, According To A Hairstylist
Provide your hair that much-deserved care with anti-static and lightweight formulations.
Simon Constantinou is an accomplished hairstylist with over five decades of experience. He is the proprietor of an award-winning hair and beauty salon, renowned for its comfortable ambiance and a team of innovative hairdressers and beautici... read full bio
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... read full bio
Krati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... read full bio
Medha Deb is a commerce editor with a master's degree in applied linguistics from the University of Hyderabad, which has allowed her to develop a deep understanding of language and its application in ... read full bio
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Regular usage of styling tools and blow dryers may damage your hair. And air-drying is an ideal way to prevent hair damage. You can flaunt your natural hair using the best air dry hair products. These hair products help to maintain your hair texture without damaging it. They keep your hair healthy and save a lot of time in the process. They protect your hair roots and shaft and prevent hair loss and hair thinning. In this article, you will find the 15 best air dry hair products that you can use to give your hair a break from heat tools and keep your hair beautiful and lustrous.
In This Article
Which Hair Types Are Best Suited For Air-Drying?
You can air-dry your hair irrespective of the texture, length, and type. However, air-drying is best for frizzy hair as styling tools can increase frizziness.
These products can help you say goodbye to frizz. Check them out now!
15 Best Air-Dry Hair Products To Improve Hair Texture Naturally
1. Best Anti-Static: MOROCCANOIL Hydrating Styling Cream
The MOROCCANOIL Hydrating Styling Cream is a leave-in product formulated with argan oil that is rich in antioxidants and essential fatty acids to replenish the hair and make it silky smooth with its moisture-lock technology. It also contains behentrimonium chloride that provides anti-static control while conditioning the hair. The cream provides frizz control, prevents flyaways, and hydrates the hair to make it healthy and smooth. Several reviewers praise this low-maintenance product as it offers a light hold and prepares the hair for further styling. It can also be used to refresh day old hair. The product has not been tested on animals, which makes it ideal for those looking for cruelty-free options. Hairstylist Simon Constantinou says, “This cream is fantastic and does not provide a crunchy finish.”
- Anti-static control
- Light hold
- Contains dimethicone
- Contains added fragrance and color
- May make hair oily
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
The overwhelming 1,603 positive reviews on Amazon show how popular this product is with happy users.
2. Best Lightweight: Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair
The Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair is a lightweight moisturizing spray that defines and hydrates curls. This spray provides a smoothing effect and frizz control to keep the hair smooth and silky while imparting a natural gloss. It contains a patent-pending Tri-Polymer Elastaflex that provides the combined benefits of cream, serum, and gel without making the hair stiff, clumpy, or limp. Click here to check out a tester’s experience of using the product in this YouTuber’s unbiased review.
- Lightweight
- Non-stiffening
- Contains propylene glycol and ethanol
- May not tame frizz
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
Almost 7,930 happy users have mentioned the value and quality of this product.
3. Best UV Protection: Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Shape Perfecting Lotion
The Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Shape Perfecting Lotion enhances curl definition and structure while preventing frizz and hair detangling. It can be used as a base for other hair care and styling products. The lotion contains a Curl Memory Complex infused with sugar crystals, moringa oil, and UV filters to create long-lasting curls and prevent UV damage to deliver effortless beauty. It sets your curls in the desired shape when paired with other hair styling products and makes them healthy, soft, and smooth. Here’s a personal review video detailing a tester’s experience to help you get a better understanding of the product
- Contains UV filters
- Defines curls
- Pleasant fragrance
- Contains alcohol, SLS, and sodium chloride
- Contains added fragrance
- May weigh down some curl types
MOROCCANOIL Hydrating Styling Cream Best Anti-Static | Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair Best Lightweight | Redken Curvaceous Ringlet Shape Perfecting Lotion Best UV Protection | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | Color Treated, Curly | Curly |
| Dimensions | 2.75 x 2.75 x 6.5 inches | 2.6 x 1.4 x 7 inches | 3.43 x 1.51 x 5.01 inches |
| Weight | 10.2 Ounces | 6.4 Ounces. | 7.76 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 1,603 | 7,930 | 829 |
| Price | $36 | $24.0 | - |
4. Best Color-Safe: OGX Strength & Length + Golden Turmeric Air Dry Cream
The OGX Strength And Length + Golden Turmeric Air Dry Cream prevents heat damage from styling tools and fortifies the hair strands. It is inspired by Ayurveda and is formulated with turmeric and amla extracts that make the hair healthier and stimulate hair growth. Golden turmeric smooths and conditions the hair while amla infused with coconut milk replenishes the hair to make it healthy. This cream provides salon-quality results for frizz control, is safe for colored hair, and has a rich coconut milk fragrance. Reviewers highly recommend this product for its delicious smell and dentangling properties.
- Color-safe
- Contains natural ingredients
- Coconut milk fragrance
- Contains phenoxyethanol, sodium hydroxide, and starch
- Contains added fragrance and color
- May dry out some hair types
"This cream has a lovely scent and a thick texture that does not weigh my hair down. It works better after a night's sleep rather than immediately after a shower. It doesn't leave my hair greasy and it helps with tangles, making my hair manageable and soft. My hair health seems to have benefited immensely."
Quick Tip5. Best Quick Air Drying: Kenra Platinum Air Dry Crème
Kenra Platinum Air Dry Crème makes your hair shiny and frizz-free, reducing air drying time by about 60 percent. It makes hair styling fast and easy and makes your hair strands look more voluminous. It is lightweight, non-greasy, and dries your hair within minutes. It contains traces of nourishing ingredients like castor oil and glycerin, which add shine to your hair. The texture-enhancing cream is suitable for most hair types.
- Dries hair fast
- Lightweight and gentle
- Enhances hair shine
- Adds volume
- Gives frizz-free hair
- No side effect
- Clinically tested
- Not ideal for oily hair
"I adore the scent and appearance of my locks after using this air dry cream. It boosts overall volume significantly. It doesn't weigh down my strands, tames flyaways, and delivers a smooth, polished look. This is an ideal pick for those who adore a simple hair care regimen."
6. Best Lightweight Formula: REDKEN No Blow Dry Just Right Cream
The REDKEN No Blow Dry Just Right Cream makes it easy to manage and style medium length hair without a blow dryer. These multi-purpose products offer frizz control and reduce hair drying time. It has a lightweight formula that contains quick-dry polymers and flex polymers to improve hair drying time and keep the hair flexible. It is ideal for straight-wavy hair.
- Lightweight formula
- Reduces drying time
- Contains alcohol, paraffin, and SLS
- Contains added fragrance
"Applying a small portion post-shower nurtures my hair into even curls without stickiness. Second-day hair requires a bit of water scrunching but nothing too bothersome. It helps tame my hair and gives a nice texture. It encourages a smoother, frizz-free air-dry. Definitely a thumbs up from me."
7. Best Non-Sticky: Schwarzkopf got2b Be Twisted Air Dry Curl Foam
The Schwarzkopf got2b Be Twisted Air Dry Curl Foam provides flexible hold for curly and wavy hair. It lets the hair air-dry without any frizz and provides 96-hour frizz control. The anti-humidity foam sets the hair without heat styling tools and enhances curl and wave definition without any residue and stickiness. It is safe for color-treated hair.
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Color-safe
- Flexible hold
- 96-hour frizz control
- Non-sticky
- Contains alcohol
- Contains added fragrance
"The product helps manage frizz, without making the hair feel heavy. I love how it keeps my hair under control even in humidity. It helps me maintain a defined wave pattern, while adding a subtle, enjoyable scent to my tresses."
8. Best Frizz-free: R+CO Cool Wind pH Perfect Air Dry Crème
The R+CO Cool Wind Air Dry Crème eliminates hair frizz and dullness. It ends the need for blow-dry and adds smoothness to your strands. The crème adds long-lasting moisture and helps you achieve versatile styling with ease. The air dry crème is pH balanced and contains rich nourishing ingredients such as mango butter and soya oil, detangles the hair, gives it softness, and makes it manageable. These frizz-taming creams are also infused with rich extracts of apricot and watermelon to strengthen the hair. Ethically conscious hair care enthusiasts also recommend this formula as it does not undergo animal testing. Reviewers on Amazon have noted that the cream works well on all hair types and shows visible results even after a few usages. It also protects your hair follicles from UV radiation. You just need to apply a small amount to obtain great results.
- Detangles hair stands
- Makes hair manageable
- Adds shine to your hair
- Easy hair styling
- Effective air drying
- SLS-free
- Gluten-free
- Vegan ingredients
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Strong smell
"I enjoyed using this R+Co product and even loved its strong scent because it lasted on my hair. It improved my hair texture, while allowing it to air dry without frizz. It's particularly handy for my hair, making it feel softer, lighter, and more manageable. While it requires a generous amount for my hair, I believe it's worth it given the excellent results."
9. Best For Wavy Hair: fave4 Hair Up for Air
The fave4 Hair Up For Air is formulated with quinoa, flax, abyssinian oil, and heliogenol. These ingredients make the hair smooth and provide a light, flexible hold for comfortable styling. They also prevent the hair from becoming frizzy. The anti-frizz product is ideal for textured and wavy hair as it enhances its structure. Additionally, it is not tested on animals, making it ideal for those looking for cruelty-free options.
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Artificial color- free
- Phthalate-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- Ideal for textured and wavy hair
- Contains alcohol and added fragrance
- May not tame frizz completely
"I love this product for its stellar scent. It miraculously detangles and leaves my hair silky when damp. Surprisingly, it didn't stiffen or leave my hair sticky. It's truly a fantastic product, especially for summery, carefree waves."
10. Best Non-Aerosol: SexyHair Fresh Hair
The SexyHair Fresh Hair mousse is a lightweight, non-aerosol styling product that accentuates the natural hair texture without heat styling tools. It is formulated with mimosa flower extract and moonstones that improve hair manageability and prevent frizz. This dry mousse protects the hair from humidity, keeps it from lying flat, and gives it a natural tousled look. It provides humidity protection, a flexible hold, and volumizes the hair to make it appear thicker and fuller.
- Lightweight
- Non-aerosol
- Volumizes the hair
- Contains added fragrance and sodium
- Leaves residue
"I love how this product credits volume and control without any stickiness. It also adds some zest and softness to my hair. The light fragrance pleasantly lingers. This wonder, while providing volume and frizz control, leaves the hair non-stiff. It's a lovely addition to any hair care routine."
11. Best Sodium Chloride-Free: Ouai Haircare Air Dry Foam
The Ouai Haircare Air Dry Foam is a lightweight styling foam that air-dries hair into waves without styling tools, braids, clips, or other accessories. This natural hair care product is formulated with kale and carrot protein extracts that condition and shield the hair to keep it soft and smooth while maintaining the style. It prevents frizz, makes your hair shiny, and gives you smooth waves. Apply the foam and scrunch hair to get beachy waves.
- Paraben-free
- Sodium chloride-free
- Cruelty-free
- Lightweight
- Contains protein extracts
- Contains added fragrance and cocamidopropyl betaine
- Not suitable for fine hair
"My hair loves this product. Just two pumps of it post-wash transform my dull, frizzy locks to something miraculous. It even works in humid weather. The secret: apply, scrunch, style, and leave it to dry on its own!"
12. Best For Medium Hair: Joico Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Creme
The Joico Zero Heat Air Dry Styling Creme accentuates the natural hair texture while boosting shine and combating frizz. It allows the hair to be styled within seconds and provides lasting hold. Once the quick-drying creme is applied, simply scrunch and twist the hair to form waves and enhance hair texture and leave it to air-dry. The styling crème is suitable for fine and medium hair. Hairstylist Simon Constantinou says, “I love Joico products for professional use, and I always recommend using their products at home to maintain healthy and stylish hair between salon visits.”
- Reduces breakage
- Color-safe
- Contains alcohol and added fragrance
- Does not reduce drying time
"This styler is a part of my hair care routine. It tamed my frizzy hair without any crunch, letting my natural texture shine. It can even style and hold my hair in high humidity, which is quite impressive. Plus, it leaves my hair feeling smooth, not greasy, with a pleasant floral vanilla scent."
13. Best For Touch Ups: Sahag Air Power Mystifying Hairspray
The Sahag Air Power Mystifying Hairspray is a revolutionary product that adds volume to the roots. The spray is formulated with rich vitamins that nourish and condition your hair, making them smooth and healthy. It also contains UV absorbers that protect the hair from thermal and environmental damage. This product is great for quick touch-ups and brush-outs and does not leave any residue. Incorporating the spray into your healthy hair routine also speeds up hair drying time and provides flexible hold for hairstyles.
- Volumizes the roots
- UV filters
- No product residue
- May weigh the hair down
"I was thrilled with the light, natural hold this spray gives my hair when I first used it. Later, I noticed its effectiveness on my thick hair- it held it perfectly in place. This is why I definitely recommend using it."
14. Best For All Hair Types: Virtue Moisture-Defining Whip
The Virtue Moisture-Defining Whip is a moisture-boosting mousse. One of the best hair care essentials, the lightweight formula combines Virtue’s patented alpha keratin with nourishing oils to moisturize the hair and enhance its structure. It does not dry out the hair and is suitable for all hair types. The patented alpha keratin contains nourishing ingredients like gotu kola to boost hair strength and shine, baobab seed oil for deep moisturization, and panthenol to make the hair softer and shinier.
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Cruelty-free
- No synthetic dyes and colors
- Phthalate-free
- Lightweight
- Contains alcohol and sodium hydroxide
- May make some hair types rigid
15. Best Lightweight Formula: TRESemmé Air Dry No Blow Dry Cream
The TRESemmé Air Dry No Blow Dry Cream lets you get smooth, silky, and shiny hair without needing heat styling. This easy-to-use formula is ideal for all hair types and perfect for days when you run short of time to blow dry your hair. This lightweight cream smoothens flyaways, controls frizz, and manages hair for long hours without weighing them down, delivering professional-grade results. Its hydrating formula makes your soft and touchable hair look bouncy and enhances the natural pattern of hair, be it curly, straight, or coarse.
- Quick hair drying
- Hydrating
- Smoothens hair
- Adds volume
- Tames flyaways
- Gentle formula
- Lightweight
- Mild fragrance
- Might dry out hair
"The product works well when I leave it on my hair and let it air dry, reducing frizziness. It’s especially handy when I'm rushed and need to style without blow drying. I am pleased that it doesn't leave my hair greasy - a common issue with other products I've tried. Overall, it's quite effective for managing and styling my hair."
The Bottom Line
Repeated usage of heating tools like flat irons and blow dryers can cause heat damage, resulting in thinning hair. You need the right hair care products like air dryers. They offer restorative care and penetrate deep into the roots to prevent hair loss. They also help in maintaining the hair texture and keep them healthy and flowing. The drying products act as heat protectants and prevent them from excessive heat. For its hydrating and frizz-controlling qualities, choose the MOROCCANOIL Hydrating Styling Cream. The ideal product for accentuating and defining curls is the Color Wow Dream Coat For Curly Hair. For quick and simple styling when air-drying hair, try the Kenra Platinum Air Dry Crème. These products are lightweight, paraben-free, and are color-safe. However, some products contain added fragrances hence are not suitable for sensitive hair types. Consult your doctor before investing in one.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, has a keen interest in hair care. She explores and reviews various hair care products and brings the best compilation for the readers. After in-depth research and reading many customer reviews, she curated this list of the best air-dry hair products. They manage hair damage, frizz, and dryness effectively and save you a lot of time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is air drying the best for your hair?
Yes. Air drying lowers the risk of heat styling, helps improve moisture retention, and restricts hair breakage.
What does air dry cream do for your hair?
An air dry cream adds a buildable, soft, hold to your hair and accentuates your natural texture. Air dry creams are suitable for all hair types.
How long should you let your hair air dry?
It usually takes 2-4 hours for your hair to air dry.
Is it better to let your hair dry naturally?
Yes, letting your hair dry naturally can be an excellent way to give your locks a much-needed break from heat styling.
Which is better – air drying or heat drying?
It is better for the hair to be gently blow-dried with the hairdryer on the lowest heat and speed settings until it is 90% dry. Completely air-drying the hair takes a long time and can be more damaging than using a blow dryer at low heat.
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