11 Best Silicone-Free Conditioners To Buy In 2023
Keep your hair healthy, hydrated, and safe from damage, and make it smooth and lustrous.
Alexandro VasquezHairdresser
Expertise: Hairdressing & Hair Color
Experience: 24 years
Alexandro Vasquez has been a hairdresser since 1997 and has worked in various countries, including Brazil, Spain, Ireland, Indonesia, Singapore, and UAE. His experience spans salon brands such as Toni&Guy, Aveda, and Leekaja. He special... more
Expertise: Skin & Hair Care
Experience: 2 years
Pooja is a Mass Communications and Psychology graduate from St. Francis College for Women, Hyderabad, and has two years of experience as a content writer. Her education has helped her develop the perf... more
Krati DarakCertified Skin Care Coach
Expertise: Skin Care & Hair Care
Experience: 3 years
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 o... more
Shiboli ChakrabortiCertified 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
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Silicones are synthetic polymers present in hair products that coat your hair strands and add a temporary “glue” to your hair cuticles that make your hair look super smooth and shiny. Whether silicone is good or bad for your hair is tricky. So, it is best to avoid confusion and switch to the best silicone-free conditioners.
Silicones build up on your hair, which can eventually weigh down your tresses while leaving them limp and undefined. They may also make your hair look greasier. Ironically, it can even cause hair dryness.
Alexandro Vasquez, a hairdresser, says, “Nowadays have increased a lot the searching for products with a organic approach and silicone-free products are on rising. It will definitely be the best for your hair to search for organic, sulfate-free and silicone-free products.”
So, are you looking forward to incorporating silicone-free conditioners? Keep reading this article to explore our top picks that have garnered numerous positive reviews online!
In This Article
Top 11 Silicone-Free Conditioners To Buy Right Now
1. SheaMoisture Silicone Free Conditioner For Dry Hair
Image: Sheamoisture This shine-enhancing conditioner for dry hair by SheaMoisture bears sugarcane, marshmallow root, and meadowfoam extracts. It is silicone-free and works wonders by restoring your natural moisture and softening the hair hassle-free. Several reviewers have recommended this conditioner for soft, defined curls. Also, the conditioner is free from animal testing, suitable for colored hair, and makes it manageable and ready to style. If you are looking for ways to experience silky smooth salon-worthy results, this product is a must-buy!
Pros
- Sulfate-, paraben-, and mineral oil-free
- Hydrates the hair
- Restores the shine
- Cruelty-free
- Sustainably produced materials
- Color-safe
Cons
- May not be suitable for oily hair
- Fragrance may be overwhelming
Quick Tip2. Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner
Image: Aveda This aromatic hair conditioner has extracts of organic rosemary and peppermint that deliver intense shine and softness to your hair. It contains polyquaternium, fatty acids, and coconut and mixed plant oils that make your hair look fresh and healthy. This weightless conditioner helps prevent tangles and static in your hair. It also balances moisture levels in your scalp, so you can wash your hair multiple times without overdrying. This video showcases the tester’s experience and offers a more detailed explanation of the product.
Pros
- Soothes dry and itchy scalp
- A little product goes a long way
- Nice creamy texture
- Lingering aroma
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- Diluted formula
3. St. Botanica Moroccan Argan Conditioner
Image: St. Botanica This conditioner contains a blend of nourishing ingredients like vitamins B5 and E, cold-pressed Moroccan argan oil, cold-pressed avocado oil, wheat protein, cold-pressed extra virgin olive oil, and silk protein. All these ingredients repair and strengthen damaged hair. The unique formula of this conditioner restores moisture, reinvigorates the hair follicle, protects your hair from UV rays, and keeps it nourished. You may check this video detailing the reviewer’s experience for a better understanding of this product.
Pros
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Contains DHT blockers
- Mineral oil-free
- Contains only pure oils
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- May not suit all hair types.
Pro Tip4. Puracy Citrus & Mint Natural Conditioner
Image: Puracy This silicone-free conditioner contains a blend of botanical extracts and vegetable emollients that leave your hair soft, shiny, and manageable. It provides intense and weightless moisture that helps eliminate static, friction, and tangles in your hair. Ingredients like soapbark, ivy, black walnut leaf, and ginseng extracts restore nutrients to your hair. It contains a hint of eucalyptus and peppermint fragrance that delivers a lingering aroma to your hair.
Pros
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Suitable for all hair types
- Keeps your scalp moisturized
- Strengthens your hair
- Safe for sensitive scalp
- Hypoallergenic
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Can weigh your hair down
5. Not Your Mother’s Naturals Tahitian Gardenia Flower & Mango Butter Curl Defining Conditioner
Image: Not Your Mother's This nature-inspired conditioner contains 98% naturally derived ingredients. It moisturizes your hair without weighing the curls down. Tahitian gardenia flower and mango butter help preserve the natural curl and restore bounce to enhance and define the curls. This curl defining conditioner helps eliminate tangles and prepares your hair for defined and vivacious styles. It tames flyaways and makes your hair more manageable.
Pros
- Gentle for daily use
- Creamy consistency
- Imparts shine to your hair
- Great for sensitive scalp
Cons
- Not as hydrating as it claims
6. Living Proof No Frizz Conditioner
Image: Living Proof This award-winning hair conditioner is specially formulated to fight humidity, so your hair stays frizz-free, soft, and healthy for days. It nourishes and conditions your hair and improves the texture of dry and damaged cuticles. Many reviewers have recommended this product for hydrating their scalp and balancing its moisture levels. It also adds volume to your hair and lends long-lasting shine to it. It has a light citrusy fragrance, which is quite soothing.
Pros
- Eliminates tangles
- Tames unruly hair
- A little product goes a long way
- Reduces damage and breakage
- No animal testing
Cons
- Not suitable for oily hair
7. Tree To Tub Relaxing Lavender Argan Oil Conditioner
Image: Tree To Tub This gentle conditioner contains a blend of moisturizing botanicals like argan oil, coconut oil, aloe vera, shea butter, soapberry, and growth-promoting pomegranate. This is an ideal conditioner for dandruff treatment as its ingredients deeply hydrate your hair and scalp to give you soft, silky, healthy, and frizz-free hair. It clears residues and keeps your scalp squeaky clean. This pH-balanced conditioner fights humidity and promises to keep your hair fresh and oil-free.
Pros
- Gentle for dry and oily hair
- Free of harsh chemicals
- Fights dandruff
- Treats scalp inflammation
- Not tested on animals
Cons
- Can dry out your hair initially
8. Maple Holistics Argan Conditioner
Image: Maple Holistics This pure argan oil hair conditioner contains therapeutic argan, jojoba, pomegranate, shea butter, buckthorn hibiscus, green tea, and aloe vera. These nourishing ingredients add volume to your hair and strengthen each hair strand to give you long, thick, and silky hair. It rejuvenates dry and brittle hair, making it soft and smooth with body and radiant shine. This silicone- and paraben-free conditioner is ideal for sensitive and itchy scalp.
Pros
- Controls frizz
- No animal testing
- Detangles your hair
- Doesn’t weigh your hair down
- Adds volume and bounce to your curls
Cons
- Not suitable for coarse hair
Pro Tip9. Acure Curiously Clarifying Lemongrass & Argan Oil Conditioner
Image: Acure This gentle and clarifying conditioner is infused with organic oils and lemongrass extracts that cleanse your scalp by washing away impurities. It leaves your hair feeling super moisturized and is a great product for co-washing. This plant-based and lightweight formula of this organic conditioner smoothes your hair and adds shine to it. It is free of harsh chemicals and is gentle for daily use.
Pros
- Adds volume and bounce to your hair
- Great for oily hair
- A little product goes a long way
- No animal testing
Cons
- Overwhelming fragrance
10. L’Oreal Paris Ever Strong Sulfate-Free Thickening Conditioner
Image: L'oreal Paris L’Oreal Ever Strong Thickening Conditioner contains rosemary leaf that helps in removing build-up and excess oils to promote thicker and stronger hair. It gently cleanses and purifies your scalp and induces strength into hair from the first wash. Experience luxurious lather and a rich aromatic fragrance with this gentle conditioner. This strengthening and moisturizing conditioner soothes dry strands and gives you damage-free and volumized hair. This heat-protectant conditioner protects hair from UV rays and heat styling. This video review of a tester’s experience will help you learn more about the product.
Pros
- Great for thin and brittle hair
- Clears build-up and hard water residue
- Treats itchy scalp
Cons
- Can weigh your hair down
11. L’Occitane Intensive Repair 5 Essential Oils Conditioner
Image: L'occitane This natural conditioner features 5 essential oils – angelica, ylang-ylang, lavender, geranium, patchouli, and sweet almond oils that are blended to strengthen and soften dry and damaged hair. The nourishing oils in this repairing conditioner stimulate, and rejuvenate your hair, making it smoother and healthier. This is a highly effective conditioner with essential oil that helps restore capillary fiber and improves the texture of your hair.
Pros
- Suitable for daily use
- Delivers quick results
- Ideal for dry and brittle hair
Cons
- Medicinal smell
If you have read about the damage silicone does to your hair, you must be thinking of jumping on the ‘only silicone-free hair care products’ wagon! But, before you do so with your conditioner, make sure you keep the following pointers in mind.
What To Look For When Buying A Silicone-Free Conditioner
Ingredients
While it is a good start, it simply isn’t enough to go just silicone free. Avoid products that have sulfate, paraben, and mineral oil in them. If your hair’s on the drier side, opt for conditioners that have nourishing ingredients, such as argan, jojoba, coconut, or olive oil in them. Those with avocado oil are also a good option. A chemical-free all-natural conditioner is the best for providing restorative care to your brittle hair as its nourishing formula restores hair health without damage.
Hair Type
Some silicone-free conditioners are not a great fit for those with dry, damaged hair as it doesn’t provide adequate hydration. In such cases, look for hair conditioners that contain extra conditioning oils/butters.
Fragrance
Don’t go for products with added scents in them. They tend to dry out and damage your hair over time. However, if going fragrance free is not practical for you, opt for those with mild scents over overpowering ones.
Hair Concerns
When you first start using silicone-free products, it may appear that your hair is drier after washes. If you have frizzy, dry or curly hair, this could be an issue. To combat this, you could start pre-oiling your hair before shampooing and follow it up with a silicone-free conditioner.
Those having to shampoo their hair in hard water know the struggle as the hair never feels clean! If you are facing this issue, go for clarifying conditioners that remove build-up and hard water residue from your mane.
Infographic: Tips To Choose A Silicone-Free Conditioner
Less is always (maybe mostly!) more, especially when it comes to the chemicals that you expose your body to – through cosmetics. In the process of getting shiny, smooth hair, we often avoid the negative outcomes of silicone on its health. While we can’t absolutely do away with conditioners, we can surely do away with buildup-causing ingredients like silicone. Check out the infographic below for some tips to choose the best silicone-free conditioner.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Silicone-free conditioners can make your hair strands appear smoother, silkier, and shinier. The SheaMoisture Silicone Free Conditioner For Dry Hair hydrates and enhances manageability, while the Aveda Rosemary Mint Conditioner prevents tangles and static. The St. Botanica Moroccan Argan Conditioner restores moisture and provides UV protection. These conditioners help in adding extra volume to your tresses while removing excess grease from the deeper layers of your hair without making your tresses dry. Make sure your conditioner does not contain harmful substances, including parabens, sulfates, and mineral oil. To get a clear idea, it is better to browse through the ingredients on the products before purchasing. Also, remember to conduct a patch test to check for skin irritation.
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author, Pooja Karkala, is a hair care enthusiast who enjoys trying out new products, tools, and formulations. She has an in-depth knowledge of different ingredients that boost hair growth and leave it feeling healthy and nourished. She has done her share of research and reviewed several customer feedback before curating this list of the best silicone-free conditioners. These are cruelty-free, suitable for all hair types, and make your hair more manageable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is silicone-free conditioner better?
Yes, a silicone-free conditioner helps to nourish and hydrate the hair naturally and define your curls and waves. When you use a silicone-free conditioner, you do not run the risk of it building up in your hair pores over time. Silicones also prevent moisture from going into your hair strands.
Why are silicones used in conditioners?
Conditioners have silicone in them because it makes your hair look shiny and soft. It also helps in smoothing, detangling, and adding volume.
What happens to hair when you stop using silicones?
Not using silicone on hair will allow moisture to penetrate deeper into your hair, making it healthy from within.
Do silicones dry out hair?
Yes, overusing silicone-based products can cause buildup on your hair, making it appear dull and dry.
Is silicone-free the same as sulfate-free?
No, silicone and sulfate are not the same. If a product is silicone-free, it does not mean it is free of sulfate as well. Sulfates are cleansing agents, whereas silicones are used to make your hair look shinier.
