12 Best Alcohol-Free Mousses
Enhance your frizz-free, smooth curls with the help of the right hair care essentials such as these.
Yvey ValcinHair Stylist
Expertise: Hair Styling
Experience: 12 years
Yvey Valcin is a celebrated master stylist based in Seattle, WA, and was one of the highest rated stylists at the flagship Gene Juarez salon in Seattle. He is known for his superior cutting technique and has styled for top editorial and fas... more
Shiboli Chakraborti Certified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
Shiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with three years of experience. As an editor, she ... more
From reducing frizz to enhancing curl structure for curly and wavy hair, mousse plays a crucial role in the hairstyling side of things. But since alcohol is the most common ingredient in it, it can also cause damage to the hair by drying it. This is why you need to set your heart on the best alcohol-free mousse that’s available. Yvey Valcin, a celebrated master stylist says, “Organic mousses can be tricky, so it is important to use an oil or moisture based product before applying any kind of mousse.” Check out our list of the 12 most effective options we have listed below.
In This Article
12 Best Alcohol-Free Mousses
1. Scruples Creme Parfait Volumizing Styling Foam
The Scruples Creme Parfait Volumizing Styling Foam is a styling hair foam with a cream texture suitable for all hair types. It is designed to create volume and give definition to your hair. This weightless foam not only holds any hairstyles but can also be used as a heat-protectant or serum without feeling greasy. In addition, the styling foam nourishes your hair and conditions it without making it dry and frizzy, giving you softer, shiner hair.
Pros
- Gives a shiny finish
- Lightweight formula
- Non-greasy
- Free of fragrance and harmful chemicals
- Moisturizes hair
Cons
- The dispenser can be faulty
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2. No Nothing Very Sensitive & Strong Mousse
The No Nothing Very Sensitive & Strong Mousse contains no common sensitizing or irritating ingredients, which makes it a good choice for sensitive skin. It does not contain any fragrances and chemicals. This styling mousse gives a strong hold and makes the hair look voluminous. It improves hair elasticity and makes it shine. It provides UV and humidity protection. It does not contain perfume, parabens, colorants, and harsh, irritating ingredients.
Pros
- Imparts shine
- Adds volume
- Reduces frizz
- No residues
- No sticky feeling
- Softens hair
- Long-lasting hold
- Hypoallergenic
- Gluten-free
- Soy-free
- Fragrance-free
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- May cause allergic reactions.
- May cause static hair.
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3. Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse
The Maui Moisture Flexible Hold + Coconut Milk Curl Foam Mousse is a hydrating and nourishing styling foam suitable for curly hair. The hair foam is free of alcohol and has natural ingredients such as aloe vera, coconut milk, and mango butter, providing intense nourishment to your curls without making them feel rough. In addition, this lightweight foam provides a flexible hold, prevents frizz, and adds volume to your hair without any harsh chemicals that can endanger your hair quality.
Pros
- Suitable for curly hair
- Light formula
- Vegan and gluten-free
- Free of silicone, sulfate, and paraben
- Easy to style
Cons
None
4. Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam for Volume
The Nexxus Mousse Plus Volumizing Foam is a lightweight, alcohol-free hair mousse that helps you achieve voluminous hair and hold hairstyles all day long without damaging your hair. The mousse is formulated with keratin protein and ceramides, providing moisture and strength to your hair and ensuring a smooth, frizz-free, natural finish. Suitable for all hair types, this mousse lets you have salon-like hair from the comfort of your home.
Pros
- Alcohol-free formula
- Suitable for all hair types
- Cause no flaking or buildup
- Lightweight
Cons
- Can make hair feel sticky
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5. TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse with Coconut and Avocado Oil
The TRESemmé Flawless Curls Mousse is a curly-girl-friendly, alcohol-free mousse enriched with coconut and avocado oil. It provides a powerful hold to your hair that is flexible enough to style and enhance your natural hair texture for a smooth and defined look. This lightweight hair mousse is also formulated with gelatin protein and keratin that helps improve your hair’s quality and make it silky-smooth. The mousse is suitable for color-treated hair as well and protects your hair from heat-styling tools.
Pros
- Suitable for textured hair
- Suitable for colored hair
- Can be used as heat-protectant
- Provides strong hold
- Has a pleasant smell of coconut
Cons
- Can make detangling difficult
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6. Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17
The Kenra Volume Mousse Extra 17 is suitable for achieving a firm hold to keep your hairstyle intact all day. This unscented styling mousse provides intense thermal protection for up to 450°F, which allows you to style your hair without worrying about damage, frizz, or stickiness. In addition, the hair mousse has a rich formula that is easy to apply and helps you achieve full and shiny hair, even in very humid conditions.
Pros
- Provides a firm hold
- Suitable for all hair types
- Protects hair against heat damage
- Silicone free
- Unscented
- No flaking
- Cruelty-free
- Non-drying formula
Cons
- Can make hair feel stiff
7. Vigorol Mousse Curl Super Hold
The Vigorol Mousse Super Curl Hold is a distinct daily styling foam. It is a creamy, rich foam containing argan oil, which enhances curl definition. It helps style your hair without leaving it stiff or sticky. It is an alcohol-free mousse that helps detangle hair. It also makes dry and brittle hair healthy. It helps control frizz and leaves hair shiny.
Pros
- No flakes or residue
- Long-lasting hold
- Adds volume
- Adds shine
- Softens hair
- Suitable for curly hair
Cons
- Does not define curls well.
- May make the hair frizzy.
8. Best Kid-Friendly: Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse
Style your 2A to 4C curls with beautiful sheen with the Design Essentials Natural Curl Enhancing Mousse before any event. The lightweight formula dries quickly with a non-greasy finish while eliminating all frizz from curls. The mousse contains almond oil, avocado oil, olive oil, Vitamin D complex, and wheat protein that penetrate the hair shafts to add nourishment and moisture while strengthening them. With this moisturizer, you can achieve a soft, pliable hold to enhance curl definition while getting ready. Gently comb through with your fingers to achieve an eye-catching hair look and use a diffuser to make the mousse disappear, creating a natural look.
Pros
- Kid-friendly
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Paraffin-free
- Petroleum-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- Mild smell
9. Great Lengths Volume Care Mousse
The Great Lengths Volume Care Mousse provides extra volume and elasticity. It nourishes and revitalizes the hair, providing long-lasting volume and improved elasticity. It also shelters the hair from humidity. It contains special ingredients that make the hair more manageable when styling. It provides a lasting hold for hairstyles and does not dry out hair.
Pros
- Long-lasting
- Adds volume
- Adds shine
- Reduces frizz
- Suitable for all hair types
Cons
- May cause breakouts.
- Might leave hair a bit crunchy.
10. GIOVANNI Mousse Air-Turbo Charged, Hair Styling Foam
The GIOVANNI Mousse Air-Turbo Charged Hair Styling Foam is a lightweight, curly-girl-friendly hair styling foam that provides medium to strong hold. The hair foam is infused with vitamin E, aloe vera, and lavender, which helps nourish your hair and give definition and volume without damaging the natural texture. In addition, it is made safe for color-treated hair, meaning it won’t fade your hair color. With the goodness of natural ingredients and recyclable packaging, this hair foam is a good choice for your hair and the environment.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Environment friendly
- No harmful chemicals or dyes
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Suitable for colored hair
Cons
- Can have a strong smell
11. Keranique Thickening & Texturizing Mousse
The Keranique Thickening & Texturizing Mousse is a multitasking product that gives bouncy hair while adding definition to the curls, waves, or any other hairstyle. This product helps control frizz, adds shine, and reduces the appearance of flyaways. It is a lightweight formula enriched with biotin, which straightens the hair strands. It also conditions dry, damaged hair without weighing them down. It does not leave a white cast or any greasy, sticky residue.
Pros
- Adds volume
- Reduces frizz and hair loss
- Softens hair
- Safe for chemically treated hair
- Dye-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Does not add much volume
12. Suave Professionals Mousse
The Suave Professionals Mousse is alcohol-free and prevents frizz. It also helps define and hold curl patterns. It softens curls and enhances their natural movement. You can apply the mousse to wet hair. Shake the can, turning it upside down. Blot out any excess water with a towel using a squeezing motion. You can use a blow dryer but on a low setting. Use the mousse, depending on your hair length and texture. Click here to check out this YouTuber’s unbiased review.
Pros
- Imparts shine
- Reduces frizz
- Softens hair
- Long-Lasting hold
- 24-hour touchable curls
- Meets CA and NY Clean Air Standards
Cons
- Might not suit all hair types.
- Might leave hair sticky.
A good-quality hair mousse adds life to your hairstyle. A quality hair mousse, treats your locks with love, adds definition, and prevents dryness or frizz. Here is a detailed buying guide to help you choose the best alcohol-free mousse for your strands.
How To Choose The Best Alcohol-Free Mousses
- Ingredients To Avoid
If you are shopping for a mousse for your hair, make sure that the formula does not contain the following ingredients:
- Mineral oils And Silicones:Silicones offer the silky slip to your hair, but with regular use can weaken your strands and cause dullness. They also cause buildup on your scalp.
Mineral oils are not recommended to people with sensitive scalp, as they are known to cause allergic reactions and irritation.
- Alcohols:Alcohol can dry and ruin your bouncy hair. Stay away from alcohols like ethanol, isopropyl alcohol, benzyl alcohol, and ethyl alcohol which can strip your hair off its natural oil and moisture.
- Sulfates: Sulfates can cause dryness and brittleness in your hair, along with irritation and inflammation of the scalp.
Natural ingredients like coconut milk, argan oil, panthenol, or vitamins also nourish and fortify the hair.
- Type
There are different types of hair mousses in the market and you can pick the right one, depending on the type of styling you need.
- Fix A Hairstyle:If you want your hairstyle to stay in place throughout the day, opt for stronghold fixation mousses, which add definition to your hairdo while keeping the most complex hairstyles intact.
- For Volume:For fine or thin hair, choose volume adding mousses. These hair mousses are perfect to apply on the base and offer a voluminous, lush hair.
- Hold
Some mousses offer a ‘natural hold’ so that your hair looks natural and not stiff or crunchy. ‘Light hold’ creates a breezy but defined look. Products that offer ‘stronghold,’ ‘extreme grip,’ or ‘sky high volume’ set your hairstyle in place for a long time. This is particularly useful for elaborate hairdos, wedding hairstyles, or fashion runway looks.
- Additional Features
There are certain additional features to look for in hair mousses, like the finish. If you want a shiny effect, go for a glossy finish hair mousse, and to enhance the texture of your hair choose mousses with a matte finish. In case you have coloured hair make sure that the hair mousses are specifically formulated for prolonging the shine and color of your strands.
Infographic: A Guide On Buying And Using An Alcohol-Free Mousse
If you have sensitive skin and scalp and curly hair, you might want to say no to products with alcohol. This is why you need an alcohol-free mousse – a hair product that can make your hair more manageable and easy to style while being gentle on your scalp. Choosing the best alcohol-free mousse gets you closer to having good hair every day. And what’s more, it also helps reduce frizz and flyaways.
Here’s an infographic that lists the factors worth considering when buying an alcohol-free mousse and how to use this product the right way for the best results. Check it out! Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
Save the high-quality PDF version on your device now.
Download Infographic
Try out the best alcohol-free mousses if you want to show off your curls while protecting your hair from any damage. These mousses will help you achieve your dream hairstyle without causing any damage to your tresses. The reviewed options in the curated list are lightweight, offer a long-lasting hold, do not leave your hair stiff, and are devoid of all the harsh chemicals. In addition, they do not leave any residue or weigh your hair down. These handpicked options will work well for both thick and thin hair.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a dedicated hair care enthusiast who constantly endeavors to provide the best products for her readers. She sifted through numerous customer testimonials in trusted online forums and assembled this list of the choicest alcohol-free mousses available on the market. These mousses add volume, reduce frizz, and soften your hair, making them a must-have in one’s collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if you use mousse on dry hair?
Using hair mousse on dry hair can make its appearance dull and mat. The amount of product you use will depend on your hair length.
Can you leave mousse on wet hair?
Yes. Wash your hair and towel-dry it. Apply a generous amount of mousse on damp hair before going to bed. The next day you’ll wake up with natural curls.
Is it OK to use mousse every day?
Using hair mousse excessively may dry out the hair strands, especially at the ends leading to hair breakage, split ends, and frizziness. Overusing mousse may affect permed and colored hair. Some formulas are made for daily use while some others are to be used 1-2 times a week. Check the label of the product for proper instructions.
Can mousse damage your hair?
No. Using hair mousse moisturizes and nourishes the hair and provides, fullness and shine to the tresses. However, if you use mousse too frequently without shampooing your hair, it can dry out your hair, making your tresses dry and brittle.
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