15 Best Hair Smoothing Creams Of 2023
With these nourishing formulas, dry, damaged, and frizzy hair will be a thing of the past.
Jessica ShultsLicensed Hairstylist
Expertise: Hairstyling & Hair Coloring
Experience: 20 years
Jessica is an expert hairstylist with over 20 years of experience. She specializes in all areas of hair color and is exceptionally skilled at balayage and best-in-class gray blending techniques. After two decades of hairstyling, she launche... 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
Arshiya SyedaDiploma In Health & Wellness
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle, Health & Wellness
Experience: 7 years
Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... more
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Wondering how to choose the best hair smoothing cream for yourself? We can help you select the one made for your hair needs. Hair creams hydrate your tresses while repairing the cuticles and making your hair shine. If you have been struggling with frizz and damaged hair as an outcome of regular wear and tear and styling tools, a good smoothening cream will work on making your hair stronger and healthier from the roots. Here is a list of 15 top hair creams crafted for your everyday hair needs.
In This Article
What Is A Smoothing Cream?
A smoothing cream’s main purpose is to straighten the hair. It is like a moisturizing lotion for your hair that hydrates and nourishes each strand. It also protects your hair from heat damage, tames frizz, and adds shine. This product needs to be applied after a shampoo to towel-dried hair. It may also be used on dry hair to add some bounce and shine.
Let’s now take a look at the 15 best hair smoothing creams available online.
15 Best Hair Smoothing Creams
1. Best Overall:L’Oreal Paris Thermal Smoother Cream
Image: L'oreal The L’Oreal Paris Thermal Smoother Cream is a dual-purpose formula that controls frizz and provides heat protection. Powered with fibralock technology, this lightweight formula conditions your hair strands, minimizes breakage, and imparts an incredible shine and improves hair manageability. The product volumizes your hair and works well for all hair types.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting
- Diary-free
- Pleasant fragrance
- Easy to apply
Cons
- Expensive
Pro Tip2. Best Heat Protection:CHI Straight Guard Smoothing Styling Cream
Image: Chi The CHI Straight Guard Smoothing Styling Cream is infused with Ionic and Catatonic Hydration Interlink Technology that protects the hair from heat damage. It also strengthens, moisturizes, and improves the elasticity of your hair. The easy brush glide formula helps in gently detangling your hair without causing any breakage. The smoothing cream also promises straight hair in just one application and can be used on dry hair to add an instant bounce. Many reviewers on Amazon were impressed with the product’s ability to provide smooth and frizz-free results.
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Heat protection
- A little goes a long way
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Might be slightly sticky.
Pro Tip3. Best For All Hair Types:Fave4 Smooth For Sure Blowout Cream For Shine & Heat Protection
Image: Fave4 This concentrated gel is formulated with patented polymers to offer superior protection to your hair from heat styling. It is made with hydrolyzed protein that improves hair elasticity by forming a barrier on the hair shaft and increasing its moisture retaining ability. Many reviewers also recommend this cream to tackle hair breakage and aid in easy detangling. This product can be used with different styling tools on all hair types to achieve your desired look. The hair smoothing cream is enriched with fragrant notes of agave pear for all-day freshness. Plus, this hair care brand’s products are not tested on animals, making it an ideal as a cruelty-free option.
Pros
- Smells good
- Non-greasy
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Artificial color-free
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May weigh the hair down.
4. Best Lightweight:GK Hair Cashmere Hair Cream
Image: Gk Hair Proffestional The GK Hair Cashmere Hair Cream is enriched with Juvexin, a keratin protein blend. It has anti-aging and hair repair properties that restores the youthfulness of the hair and protects it from free radicals, UV rays, and pollution damage. The formula contains nourishing ingredients like argan and other natural plant oils that add shine, tame frizz, repair split ends, and make your hair manageable. This hair smoothing cream can be used daily as a styling or finishing product for the perfect salon-styled look.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Petroleum-free
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
Cons
None
5. Best Color-Safe:GK Hair Leave-In Cream
Image: Gk Hair The GK Hair Leave-In Cream contains the goodness of Juvexin, which creates a protective shield on each hair shaft and hydrates the cuticles, making your mane healthy and shiny. It is enriched with natural ingredients that improve hair health, repair split ends, and prevent future damage. The formula also offers deep nourishment while doubling up as a styling aid for frizz and tangle-free hair. Jessica Shults, a licensed hairstylist, says, “This is my favorite leave-in cream! It is so weightless, but also so conditioning. This cream will lock the moisture into your hair, leaving it hydrated and silky smooth. It can help protect the hair from heat damage if used before a curling or flat iron. The anti-aging properties that Juvexin provides make it feel like Botox for the hair!”
Pros
- Color-safe
- Lightweight
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Phthalate-free
- DEA/TEA-free
Cons
- May be slightly sticky.
6. Best Hydrating:Keracolor Keep It Tame Blowout Cream
Image: Keracolor This hair smoothing cream from Keracolor is fortified with keratin to enhance the elasticity of your hair strands and seal the cuticles to lock in moisture and helps give glossy hair. The castor and coconut oils in the formula hydrate and strengthen the hair, control frizz, and minimize hair breakage. This cream also protects hair from heat damage while considerably reducing the styling time and helps taming unruly hair.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Thermal protectant
- Color-safe
- Cruelty-free
- Vegan
- Gluten-free
- Paraben-free
Cons
- May leave a film on your hair.
7. Best For Hair Strengthening:Keratherapy Daily Smoothing Cream
Image: Keratherapy This heat activated smoothing cream from Keratherapy is enriched with keratin to provide the perfect balance of protein and moisture to your hair. It protects the hair from damage by environmental factors and harsh chemicals present in styling products. This smoothing cream is packed with hair nourishing ingredients such as wheat germ oil and vitamin E-rich argan oil that coat the hair shafts to prevent dryness and tame frizz. The combination of collagen and amino acids in the formula strengthens the hair and protects it against the harmful free radicals and helps get a silky textured hair.
Pros
- Easy to use
- Mild, pleasant scent
- Lightweight
Cons
- Greasy for fine hair
8. Best Lightweight Formula:GK Hair Leave-In Bombshell Cream
Image: Gk Hair The GK Hair Leave-In Bombshell Cream is specially formulated for blonde hair to eliminate undesirable yellow and orange tones. It is enriched with a unique blend of natural smoothing ingredients that moisturize the hair and tame flyaways and frizz. The formula contains hydrolyzed keratin that heals damaged hair, reduces breakage, and increases elasticity and shine. It also contains coconut oil, acai, and natural fruit extracts that shield the hair follicles from free radical damage and prevent hair fall. Multiple reviewers recommend this smoothing cream to remove brassy tones and make your blonde hair look shiny and lustrous.
Pros
● Lightweight
● Smells good
● Sulfate-free
● Paraben-free
● Chemical-free
Cons
- Expensive
- May be slightly sticky.
9. Best Anti-Frizz Formula:Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream
Image: Color Wow The Color Wow One Minute Transformation Styling Cream is an on-the-spot frizz-control cream that provides proper nourishment to your hair for a silky smooth texture. Infused with the goodness of avocado oil and Omega 3’s, this smoothening cream delivers essential nutrients to make your hair shine and depuffs swollen tresses. It erases any dents created by clips or rubber bands and reduces static. The product does not leave any greasy buildup on your scalp and eliminates bedhead. This vegan formula also protects your hair against heat damage.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Pleasant fragrance
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Dairy-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Thick consistency
10. Best For Heat Protection:John Frieda Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Styling Creme
Image: John Frieda The John Frieda Frizz-Ease Straight Fixation Creme helps you achieve straight, silky smooth tresses. The rich cream formula is enriched with sweet almond oil and milk protein that control frizz, moisturize your hair, and leave it soft and shiny for at least 24 hours. What more is that its gentle formula is suitable for both natural and color-treated hair. The cream is powered by thermal guard technology, which protects your tresses against heat damage.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Gentle
- Non-greasy
- Long-lasting effect
- Easy to use
- Value for money
Cons
- May not work on brittle hair
11. Best Pleasant Fragrance:TIGI Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream
Image: Bed Head The TIGI Bed Head After Party Smoothing Cream makes detangling frizzy hair an easy task. This rich, conditioning formula can be applied to both wet and dry hair to improve hair texture, prevent static build-up, and tame flyaways. Enriched with castor oil and powered by an Anti-Frizz Complex, this smoothing cream protects your hair from humidity and gives it an instant salon-like shine. Further, its enchanting fruity fragrance is a total mood booster that keeps your hair feeling fresh all day. Additionally, it does not weigh your hair down.
Pros
- Suitable for all hair types
- Lightweight
- Humidity-resistant
- Long-lasting effect
- SLS-free
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Gluten-free
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- None
12. Best For Curly Hair:OGX Moroccan Curling Perfection Defining Cream
Image: Ogx This smoothing cream by OGX is enriched with a special blend of cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil that penetrates deep into hair shafts to tame frizz and flyaways. This professional-grade product is specially designed for curly hair and helps to define and sculpt it. It also safeguards your hair against harmful heat styling and UV ray damage while improving its strength and elasticity. The argan kernel oil in the formula moisturizes the hair follicles and reduces hair fall and breakage. This cream has a citrus-fresh woody fragrance that lasts all day.
Pros
- Pleasant scent
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- May feel sticky.
13. Best Keratin-Treatment Safe:Oribe Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream
Image: Oribe The Oribe Straight Away Smoothing Blowout Cream is formulated with fruit and plant extracts to protect your hair from sun damage, depletion of natural keratin resources, and environmental damage. The heat-activated protein formula offers 450°C heat protection to defend the hair against the drying and damaging effects of heat styling tools.
The mullein flower extracts in the formula make your hair manageable, mend split ends, and enhance shine. This cream is fortified with a hair straightening copolymer blend that makes your hair smooth and enhances its ability to fight frizz and humidity. It also contains hydrolyzed quinoa and yacon root juice that strengthen, nourish, and protect the hair.
Pros
- Smells good
- Heat protection
- Color-safe
- Keratin treatment-safe
- Dermatologically tested
- No residue
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Sodium chloride-free
Cons
- Expensive
- May be slightly greasy.
14. Best Sulfate-Free:OUAI Haircare Finishing Crème
Image: Ouai The OUAI Haircare Smoothing Cream is a lightweight formula packed with the goodness of artichoke leaf extract and keratin. The artichoke fights free radicals by forming a protective layer on the hair surface and makes the hair smooth and frizz-free. The keratin in the formula nourishes the hair cuticles to improve the overall health of your hair. The cream also has high levels of antioxidants that protect your hair against heat and UV ray damage. It is ideal for soft wavy hair and adds a subtle reflective shine. The hair smoothing cream has a refreshing fragrance of gardenia, violet, ylang-ylang, and white musk and gives salon-quality results.
Pros
- Refreshing scent
- A little goes a long way
- Lightweight
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Phthalate-free
- Formaldehyde-free
Cons
None
15. Best Vegan:Surface Hair Bliss Smoothing Cream
Image: Surface The Surface Hair Bliss Smoothing Cream is infused with babassu, coconut oil, and flaxseed oil that moisturize your hair and boost its shine. It helps control your frizzy strands while protecting your hair from damage caused by heat styling and other treatments. This humidity-resistant formula makes your hair look shiny and healthy after each application. It can be applied to wet or dry hair.
Pros
- Lightweight
- No sticky residue
- Cruelty-Free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Gluten-free
- PVP/VA Plastic-free
- DEA-free
- TEA-free
- Phthalate-free
Cons
- None
Now that you know what the best hair smoothing creams are, keep scrolling for answers to other questions you might have.
What Does Smoothing Cream Do For Your Hair?
Smoothing creams are formulated with nourishing oils that help repair damaged hair and offer deep hydration to each hair shaft. They are your one-stop solution to combat frizz, control flyaways, and add volume to your hair. Prime your hair with a smoothing cream before a blowout to protect it from heat make your hairstyle last longer. For a quick on-the-go fix, you can also use the cream on dry hair to add instant shine.
How Do I Use Smoothing Cream?
Step 1: Read the instructions on the label since some products are meant for damp hair while others work just fine on dry hair.
Step 2: Shampoo your hair so that it is clean and ready for the smoothing cream. Towel dry your hair to remove excess water. Proceed to gently detangle your mane.
Step 3: Pump a small amount of the cream on your palm. Rub your hands together to activate the cream.
Step 4: Starting from mid-length, distribute the cream evenly until the ends. Work your way from the back of your hair to the front.
Step 5: Part your hair into sections and blow dry it. Since the cream is heat-activated, it will straighten your hair as you work your way through the sections. It will also tame frizz and allow you to style your hair as you please.
Is Smoothing Cream Good For All Hair Types?
Yes, smoothing cream is good for all hair types. Since almost all hair textures are prone to damage and frizz, these creams can prove beneficial in all hair care regimens. Smoothing creams not only smooth and soften the hair but also hydrate the cuticles to protect and repair each shaft.
Can I Use Smoothing Cream Before Or After Blow Drying?
It is usually recommended to apply smoothing creams before a blow dry on towel-dried hair. The cream prepares the hair for the blowout by coating each shaft to protect it from heat damage. If blow drying makes your hair frizzy and curly, apply the cream as the first step of your hair care routine to get a sleek and shiny blowout.
Some creams are lightweight and can be used on dry hair as well to smooth down overnight flyaways. They don’t weigh your hair down and add a fresh bounce to your hair on the second day after a blowout.
How Do I Stop My Hair From Frizzing?
The basic cause of frizz is lack of moisture in your exposed hair cuticles. The cuticles try to absorb water from the atmosphere, which makes the hair swell up and frizz. The more the moisture in the air, the frizzier your hair is. The right hair care products can effectively eliminate frizz from your hair. Here’s what you need to do:
- Skip The Sulfates: Shampoos that contain sulfates are a big no. They strip your hair of natural oils and make it dry. Replace your shampoo with a sulfate-free option with hydrating ingredients like glycerin.
- Hydrate: Frizz is a sign of parched hair. Make sure to hydrate your hair with a moisturizing conditioner after every wash. You can also hydrate your hair with coconut oil massages and deep-conditioning masques.
- Blow Dry Carefully: Blowouts are the easiest way to tame frizzy hair – but they can also damage your hair and lead to more dryness and frizz. Air dry your hair until it is almost dry before you pick up the dryer. Use the lowest heat setting that works for your hair and apply a heat protectant cream to reduce damage.
- Hairspray: Hairspray can help tame the few stray hairs that frizz up even after your blowout. Touch up your hair with a lightweight hairspray for a subtle shine.
- Smoothing Cream: Most importantly, for ultra-smooth and frizz-free hair, apply a smoothing cream before a blowout. A smoothing cream can also work on dry hair when you have no time for a blowout. It also tames flyaways and gives your hair renewed bounce and shine.
Is Smoothing Cream Bad For Hair?
Yes, smoothing cream is good for all hair types. Since almost all hair textures are prone to damage and frizz, these creams can offer restorative care and prove beneficial in all hair care regimens. Smoothing creams not only smooth and soften the hair but also hydrate the cuticles to protect and repair each shaft.
The Bottom Line
Hair smoothing creams tame your frizzes while moisturizing your tresses to their very core. Many creams help maintain the bounce and shine of your hair while maintaining the strength and quality of your mane. What’s more? Many suitable smoothing creams are also available for people with colored hair. However, pleasantly scented hair smoothing creams that comprise heat protection formula and are devoid of paraben, gluten, and sulfate are your best bet. If you frequently use heat styling tools, try the L’Oreal Paris Thermal Smoother Cream while the GK Hair Leave-In Bombshell Cream is an ideal solution to achieve smooth and nourished hair. Get the Keracolor Keep It Tame Blowout Cream if you desire to add shine to your tresses. Finally, avoid using creams that might be greasy or weigh your hair down. Also, remember to conduct a patch test before application to check for allergic reactions.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a certified skin care coach. She browsed online to check the user feedback and reviews to provide you with the best hair smoothing cream. The products listed above are non-greasy and free of harsh chemicals. These creams can straighten, hydrate, nourish the hair and improve its elasticity. Also, the cream can keep your hair tangle-free.
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