13 Best Drugstore Conditioners For Curly Hair
Pamper your hair with the perfect conditioner for bouncy curls that last for long.
Yvey ValcinHairstylist
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: 4 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 four years of experience. As a commerce edito... more
Aditi NaskarDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Health & Wellness
Experience: 5 years
Aditi Naskar has a postgraduate degree in English literature from Presidency University, Kolkata, a bachelor’s degree in education from WBUTTEPA, Kolkata, and a diploma in health and wellness. She i... more
Ramona SinhaCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 11 years
Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Beng... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Curly hair tends to need that extra TLC to keep the curls soft, smooth, and bouncy. Getting your hands on the best drugstore conditioner for curly hair is essential in such a haircare routine. Conditioners, especially the ones formulated for curly hair, have nourishing oils and rich ingredients that keep your curls moisturized and healthy.
In This Article
Top 13 Drugstore Conditioners For Curly Hair
1. Best For Defined Curls:Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
Image: Ouidad This protein-rich, moisturizing conditioner infuses intense moisture, vitamins, and botanicals into your hair strands. It hydrates your curls without any heaviness. It defines curls and makes them look uniform. This conditioner is an extra moisturizing treatment for dry and messy curls. It seals in moisture and protects weak and damaged hair. It is safe to use on color-treated, permed, or straightened curls. It detangles curls and leaves them nourished and moisturized. Apply the conditioner to your hair in sections and comb through it with a wide-toothed comb to detangle it. After this, rinse it off your hair completely.
Pros
- Defines curls
- Strengthens hair
- Softens hair
- Anti-frizz
- Easy to style
- Does not drag down curls
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May dry out hair.
- Packaging issues
Pro TipSimilar products:
2. Best For Soft Curls:Unite Boing Curl Conditioner
Image: Unite Hair The Unite Boing Curl Conditioner contains calendula and rosemary. These nourishing ingredients condition the hair and help it retain long-lasting moisture. The conditioner also contains aloe vera juice and plant source oils that hydrate and enhance curls. It also contains chamomile that soothes and moisturizes hair and stimulates hair growth. It is an intense moisturizing conditioner, perfect for all types of curly hair. It is designed to deeply penetrate the hair shaft to restore and lock in moisture. Apply the conditioner from the roots to the tips of your hair. Use your fingers to detangle your hair. Leave the conditioner on for 3 minutes and then rinse it off.
Pros
- Softens curls
- Lightweight
- Deep conditioning
- Anti-frizz
- Moisturizes hair
- Easy to style
Cons
- The smell may not suit everyone.
Quick TipSimilar products:
3.Best For Frizz Control:Pacifica Pineapple Curls Curl Defining Conditioner
Image: Pacifica Beauty The Pacifica Beauty Curl Defining Natural Conditioner has premium vegan ingredients that hydrate and thicken hair strands by sealing moisture. The pineapple in the conditioner reduces frizz and promotes healthy hair growth and the hyaluronic acid along with other nourishing oils softens your hair while enhancing its shine. This conditioner helps detangle curly hair and improves its manageability. This lightweight curl-defining conditioner adds definition and provides frizz resistance to your curls without weighing them down. The heavenly pineapple scent of the conditioner imparts tropical vacation vibes every time you enter the shower. The conditioner is suitable for all curly hair types and is free of harsh chemicals like parabens, phthalates, silicone, mineral oil, and petrolatum.
Pros
- Suitable for all curl types
- Lightweight
- Pleasant smell
- Easy application
- Free from animal testing
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Silicone-free
- Mineral oil-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
Sticky
Pro TipSimilar products:
4. Best For Colored Hair:Morrocan Oil Curl Enhancing Conditioner
Image: Moroccanoil The Morrocan oil Curl Enhancing Conditioner was specially formulated for the needs of curly hair. It intensely moisturizes curls, making them healthy and beautiful with improved curl definition and volume. It also helps fight frizz and adds shine. It improves hair manageability and elasticity. This conditioner contains a blend of argan oil, Abyssinian oil, and vegetable proteins that helps nourish, protect, and strengthen hair. The argan oil boosts hair elasticity and keeps hair moisturized. This makes curly hair smoother, softer, and well-defined. It has the signature Moroccan oil scent, which is a blend of spicy amber aromas and sweet floral notes. This conditioner nourishes hair and keeps it tangle-free.
Pros
- Strengthens hair
- Protects hair
- Safe for colored hair
- Sulfate-free
- Phosphate-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- Very strong fragrance
- May make hair greasy.
- No long-lasting anti-frizz protection.
Similar products:
5. Best Vegan-Friendly:Devacurl One Condition Daily Cream Conditioner
Image: Deva Curl The Devacurl One Condition Daily Cream Conditioner contains olive oil and botanicals that moisturize hair and make it soft, shiny, frizz-free, and healthy. It works well for all curly hair types. It gives your hair a dose of essential moisture, which locks in hydration and makes the curls soft and manageable. This conditioner improves the overall hydration of hair. It is infused with the refreshing scent of lemongrass. It is free of sulfates, parabens, silicones, and wheat. It is vegan-friendly and cruelty-free. This video featuring the reviewer’s experience will give you more insights into the product.
Pros
- Nourishes hair
- Makes hair softer
- Tames frizz
- Reduces flyaways
- Easy to style
- Paraben-free
- Silicone-free
- Sulfate-free
- Wheat-free
- Vegan-friendly
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May cause buildup.
- May not hydrate very dry curls.
Similar products:
6. Best Lightweight:OGX Quenching Coconut Curls Curling Hair Butter
Image: Ogx The OGX Coconut Curls Hair Butter is infused with nourishing ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, soybean oil, honey, and citrus oil. The lightweight formula imparts a light yet refreshing smell and keeps your curls bouncy, moisturized, smooth, and shiny. It also helps keep frizz and flyaways at bay. You can leave this versatile hair butter in for a moisturizing treatment or rinse it out for use as a deep conditioner. Leave it in for 3 minutes and rinse. If you want to use it as a leave-in conditioner, apply it to damp hair and use a wide-toothed comb or your fingers to detangle your curls. Style your hair as usual. This hair curl cream is perfect for curly hair, coarse hair, damaged, and frizzy hair types. To make an informed decision before buying, you can check out this tester’s experience video.
Pros
- Hydrates and defines curls
- Tames frizz and flyaways
- Nourishes hair
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons
- May be heavy for thin hair.
- Issues with the pump.
- May make hair greasy.
7. Best Paraben-Free:Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Leave-In Treatment
Image: Garnier The Garnier Fructis Curl Nourish Leave-In Treatment is a curl-strengthening leave-in conditioner. It contains coconut, jojoba, and macadamia oils that replenish the hair, lock in moisture, and control frizz. This conditioner also contains Active Fruit Protein™, which is made of citrus protein, fruit and plant-derived extracts, and vitamins B3 and B6. These ingredients help in making your hair stronger and healthier. This conditioner helps shape and define your curls and keeps the hair hydrated, conditioned, smooth, and frizz-free.
Pros
- Defines curls
- 24-hour frizz control
- Moisturizes hair
- Strengthens hair
- Easy to style
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Does not work well for fine hair.
- Some people may find the smell overwhelming.
8. Best Silicone-Free:Novex My Curls Super Curly Leave-in Conditioner
Image: Novex This leave-in conditioner is specially developed to shape and define curls. It helps style curls in twist-outs and other curly hairstyles. The conditioner contains a mix of seven oils – argan, coconut, monoi, moringa, Ojon, olive, and shea butter. These oils nourish, hydrate, and protect your curls, tame frizz, and lend shine. It also contains cranberry that helps shape your curls and imparts shine. You can use this leave-in conditioner to detangle, refresh, or style your voluminous curls.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Restores and moisturizes curls
- Controls frizz
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Silicone-free
Cons
- May leave hair feeling greasy.
- Has a strong smell.
9. Best Shine:Vitamins Argan Hair Leave-In Conditioner Cream
Image: Vitamins Hair Cosmetics This repairing leave-in conditioner cream hydrates, nourishes, moisturizes, and volumizes hair. It provides high concentrations of antioxidants, fatty acids, and vitamins that make your hair healthy and manageable. The hydrating conditioner makes frizzy curls soft and smooth and improves the hair’s bounce, health, and shine. It is a sulfate-free texturizing conditioner that provides intense hydration and enhanced texture to curly hair. It helps detangle and defrizz hair and works well for naturally curly hair. It can be used for thick, coarse, curly, wavy, kinky, 4c coiled, or straight hair types. It can also be used as a styling cream for damaged and broken hair. It helps repair hair damage due to coloring and also reduces split ends. This rich and concentrated conditioner that can be used by men and women.
Pros
- Makes hair bouncy and healthy
- Enhances shine
- Tames frizz
- Reduces split ends
- Has antioxidant effects
- Color-safe
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Salt-free
Cons
- Has a strong smell.
- May dry out hair.
- May leave a sticky residue.
10. Best Non-Greasy:SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner
Image: Sheamoisture This conditioner helps restore oil balance to curls. It keeps hair naturally hydrated. It is formulated with coconut oil, hibiscus, and shea butter. Shea butter contains fatty acids that replenish moisture and keep your curls soft, tangle-free, and frizz-free. Hibiscus contains vitamin C which increases collagen production, which strengthens hair and stimulates hair growth. Coconut oil contains essential fatty acids that protect your hair from dryness, infections, and pollution. The combination of coconut oil and hibiscus helps fight frizz and softens hair with regular use. This conditioner is lightweight and doesn’t leave hair sticky. Flaunt your well-defined curls with this wonderful formula!
Pros
- Non-greasy
- Lightweight
- Hydrates and rejuvenates hair
- Softens hair
- Controls frizz
- Detangles hair
Cons
- Might make hair matted.
- Does not work for thick hair.
- Very thick (difficult to squeeze out of the bottle).
11. Best Petrolatum-Free:The Mane Choice Easy On The Curls Detangling Hydration Conditioner
Image: The Mane Choice The Detangling Hydration Conditioner from The Mane Choice is instilled with unique detangling components that will help cut the wash and detangling process in half. It will leave your hair feeling soft and shiny. The conditioner promotes natural growth and curl retention. The anti-breakage formula is enriched with biotin and avocado oil that promote healthier, longer, and thicker hair. The vitamin E in the conditioner nourishes and hydrates hair and promotes hair growth. This conditioner gently hydrates and moisturizes hair without any product buildup or leaving your hair greasy.
Pros
- Promotes natural growth and retention
- Minimizes damage and breakage
- Hydrates and moisturizes hair
- Reduces hair breakage
- No buildup
- Mineral oil-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Petrolatum-free
Cons
- Does not work for 4b and 4c hair types.
- May not detangle all hair types.
12. Best For Kids:Curly Q’s Coconut Dream Moisturizing Conditioner
Image: Curls Curly Q’s Coconut Dream Moisturizing Conditioner softens even the kinkiest and most loose curls. It moisturizes and detangles dry curls and works well for all hair types, including damaged, dry, and chemically treated curly hair. This conditioner contains virgin coconut oil, chamomile extracts, white tea extracts, and arnica flower extracts. These natural ingredients hydrate, nourish, soften, and strengthen hair. Apply a good amount of the conditioner to wet hair. Begin from the tips, moving up to the roots. Detangle your hair with a wide-toothed comb and leave the conditioner in your hair for about 5 minutes. This allows the conditioner to penetrate the hair shaft and nourish it from within. After five minutes, rinse your hair.
Pros
- Detangles curls
- Good for kids
- Tames frizz
- Makes hair soft and manageable
- Washes out easily
Cons
- The smell may be too strong for some people.
- Packaging issues
- May cause hair to shed.
13. Best For All Curly Hair Types:Truss Curly Conditioner
Image: Truss The Truss Curly Conditioner restores and repairs dry and damaged curls. It also reduces the effects of damage from heat, sunburn, and chemicals. It seals the cuticle layer of hair and increases the hair’s elasticity. This improves curl bounce and gives it more movement. The conditioner’s repair formula gives your curls good shine and body. It rehydrates and rejuvenates hair and makes dry curls soft and bouncy. This conditioner helps detangle curly hair without any breakage or damage even when combing. It also restores the hair’s pH balance and blocks humidity. It provides curls with intense hydration, which gives them a uniform pattern even in humid conditions.
Pros
- Contains keratin
- Defines curls
- Restores hair elasticity
- Restores curl pattern
- Makes hair soft and silky
- Provides heat protection
- Provides humidity protection
- Controls frizz
- Maintains shine
- Detangles hair
- Suitable for all curly hair types
- Long-lasting results
Cons
- May dry out hair.
Infographic: 5 Conditioner Hacks For Frizz-Free Curly Hair
We all know how a hair conditioner works. But did you know that it can render many more benefits for your curls if you simply used it differently? Check out the infographic below to know 5 cool ways of applying conditioner for soft, manageable curls.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Conditioners can be used to retain moisture and reduce frizz. Using a deep conditioning treatment with nourishing ingredients at least once in two weeks keeps your curls naturally healthy. To get well-defined and bouncy curls, use nourishing protein-rich moisturizers with proven efficacy. Some moisturizers also work wonders in color-treated, permed, or straightened tresses. For instance, the Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner is effective in retaining moisture and defining curls, while the SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner nourishes and adds shine to curls, and the Devacurl One Condition Daily Cream Conditioner reduces frizz to make way for healthy curls. However, if your goal is hair growth, you should opt for moisturizers with the main component as chamomile. Opt for formulas with natural and hair-healthy ingredients such as hydrolyzed silk, wheat protein, and more. Avoid using moisturizers that tend to cause allergic reactions or itching, swelling, and inflammation in your scalp. Yvey Valcin, a celebrated master stylist says, “What is really tricky about curly is that bad products can really change the curl patterns, and it’ll take some time to get the curls back to their initial state.”
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, has a deep interest in hair care and discovering and sharing hair products that can enhance and nourish all hair types. In this article, she lists the best conditioners to replenish curly hair. She browsed through many products and their reviews on multiple forums, researching thoroughly before settling on this list. These conditioners not only moisturize hair but also enhance curl definition, provide anti-frizz benefits, strengthen strands, improve softness and more.
Frequently Asked Questions
What drugstore conditioner is good for curly hair?
The Truss Curly Conditioner is a great drugstore conditioner for curly hair. It increases hair elasticity, prevents sun damage, and balances out the pH level of your tresses.
Should I use a drugstore conditioner every day for curly hair?
Yes. Daily conditioning of your curly hair can be harmful. Washing and conditioning your hair daily will leave your tresses dry and brittle. It can also lead to excessive hair loss.
How long should you leave the conditioner in curly hair?
Leave the conditioner in your tresses for two to five minutes and rinse it out. The conditioner will hydrate and set your frizzy strands in the meantime.
How often should I wash my curly hair?
Curly hair tends to dry out fast. So, do not wash it too frequently as it will draw out moisture from the hair strands. Wash your hair two to three times a week. If your hair is parched, limit washing it only once a week.
Recommended Articles
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- Best Leave-In Conditioners For Curly Hair
- The Best Hair Care Tips For Curly Hair
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- What Happens If You Leave Conditioner In Your Hair?
