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LoadingSomething is loading. For curly hair types, using a leave-in conditioner is a crucial next step
after cleansing and conditioning. It's also a great first product to use when styling. Leave-ins don't just give hair definition and pop — they hydrate, lock in moisture, strengthen, and reduce frizz. "Leave-in conditioners are typically distinguished by containing some protein, some element of hydrolyzed protein, something that strengthens the hair," certified trichologist Dr. Kari Williams explains. Leave-ins also contain moisturizers like butters, oils, and humectants. When finding the best leave-in conditioner for you, consider what your hair needs based on your curl pattern, porosity, and texture. All of these characteristics help determine what ingredients you should look for and what consistency is
best for your hair. Generally, the curlier the hair, the more moisture it needs, and the differences between curly and coily hair has to do with how loose or tight your ringlets are. If your hair is a mix of loose curls and ringlets, check out the products we've defined for curly hair, which is categorized by the number "3." If your hair is made of mostly tight, coiled ringlets, you'll benefit most from the products we've called out for coily hair, which is categorized by the number
"4." The best leave-in conditioners for curly hairAlyssa Powell/InsiderThe following leave-in conditioners are best for those whose hair texture is defined as 3A, 3B, or 3C. Your hair is a mix of tight ringlets and looser curls. The circumference of most of your curls is about the size of a piece of sidewalk chalk. Kinky-Curly Knot Today Leave In DetanglerKinky-Curly; Insider
Kinky-Curly's Knot Today leave-in is cruelty-free and made with only nine ingredients. But those ingredients are highly moisturizing, including mango extract, slippery elm, and marshmallow extract. This leave-in also adds lots of shine, and it can be used daily depending on your hair needs. TGIN Rose Water Leave-In ConditionerThank God It's Natural (TGIN); Insider
This creamy, floral-scented leave-in focuses on moisturizing the hair. The Rose Water Leave-In Conditioner contains five oils and three butters, including cocoa butter and almond oil, as well as aloe for ultimate hydration. Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-In-CreamCurlsmith; Insider
Curlsmith's Curl Conditioning leave-in contains shea butter and a bevy of oils for a leave-in that also defines curls. It's vegan, silicone-free, and full of highly moisturizing ingredients, including carrot seed oil and aloe. Pattern Beauty Leave-in ConditionerPattern Beauty; Insider
Fortified with honey, jojoba oil, biotin, and tea tree oil, this leave-in may be lightweight, but it's powerfully hydrating. But if you're looking for some serious moisture, Pattern suggests adding a few drops of jojoba or argan oil to give the leave-in a boost. As I Am Classic Leave-In ConditionerAs I Am; Insider
This vegan leave-in is one of As I Am's most popular products — and for good reason. A fruit-scented classic, this leave-in is a moisturizing and lightweight cream that works alone or as a great base to additional styling products. The best leave-in conditioners for coily hairAlyssa Powell/InsiderIf your hair is composed of mainly tight ringlets, it's likely coily. This texture is identified as either 4A, 4B, or 4C hair, and it typically has much more volume than length. Because of how tight your coils are, you probably don't need to wash your hair all that often. In fact, you may find yourself using these products once every 10 days or so. Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength Castor Oil Leave-In ConditionerCarol’s Daughter; Insider
Carol's Daughter created a Goddess Strength recipe especially targeting breakage and dryness. Made with castor and black seed oil, this leave-in conditioner avoids breakage and helps with detangling. It's also incredibly hydrating, thanks to the castor oil and black seed oil in the formula. Just note that this formula also contains dimethicone (a silicone), which seals in moisture, so keep an eye out if you're trying to avoid the ingredient. Uncle Jimmy Curl KickerUncle Jimmy; Insider
Unlike most products on this list, this creamy leave-in conditioner relies chiefly on sesame oil — and emollient which can aid in hydration. With a mix of shea butter, coconut oil, and honey, Uncle Jimmy's Curl Kicker delivers moisture while also defining curls. Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-in ConditionerDesign Essentials; Insider
Made with shea butter, coconut milk, and almond oil, this lightweight formula actually works for most curl patterns and textures. Though it defines the hair, this leave-in from Design Essentials can also be used as a base for heavier styling products. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In ConditionerSheaMoisture; Insider
Shea Moisture's Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner gets its strength from its shea butter, pure Jamaican black castor oil, and peppermint oils. These ingredients— as well as a trio of proteins — help this leave-in deliver moisture, prevent breakage, and ease detangling. Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In ConditionerMielle Organics; Insider
This lightweight leave-in was especially created for coily hair, or type 4 hair. Infused with various fruit extracts, oils, and butters, this leave-in penetrates the hair shaft to deliver moisture while preventing frizz and making it easy to detangle. tgin Miracle RepaiRx Protective Leave In ConditionerThank God It's Natural (TGIN); Insider
This curl-defining leave-in conditioner was created to promote growth and reduce breakage via ingredients like raw black honey and coconut oil. If you're trying to avoid silicone, you may want to steer clear, though. This lightweight formula includes a small amount of dimethicone — a silicone which helps seal in moisture.
Andrea Bossi is a freelance writer at Insider Reviews who primarily covers beauty and style. She is also a published poet and Forbes contributor who covers music, especially, hip-hop and r&b. If she's not writing, you can probably find her exploring on her bike, trying new vegan recipes, or dancing with friends (virtually, for now). Although born and raised in Chicago, she went east to study Cognitive Neuroscience and a minor in African American Studies at Harvard. Between what she studies and what she writes about, it's clear Bossi remains fascinated by the ways in which so many things are unexpectedly connected. Follow her on Instagram at @BossiBB or Twitter at @Bossi147 Read more Read less Sign up for Insider Reviews' weekly newsletter for more buying advice and great deals. You can purchase logo and accolade licensing to this story here. Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at . More... How do I keep 3C hair moisturized?Your 3C hair needs lots of moisture
Water is the best form of moisture for your hair. You should spritz your hair with water daily or use moisturizing creams on your ends daily. A good moisturizing routine is a key to getting long luscious 3C curls, and protection against hair breakage and split ends.
What helps type 3C hair grow longer?WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GROW 3C HAIR TYPE LONG? Always keep your 3C hair type hydrated for growth to occur. All type of 3C hair needs extra moisture and immediate care because of its fragile nature. Besides, avoid subjecting it to stress so that the hair breakage rate is not as fast as growth.
How can I make my 3C hair healthy?3C Hair Type Care Guide. Step 1: Wash and condition thoroughly. SULFATE-FREE.. Step 2: Deep-condition. For Dry Hair.. Step 3: Choose a curl cream. For Natural Hair.. Step 4: Apply a curl refresher. It isn't recommended for curly or natural-textured women to wash their hair daily.. What type of porosity is 3C hair?Type 3B hair has medium porosity, so both frizziness and dryness are common struggles. A lightweight leave-in conditioner will help keep your ringlets moisturized while fighting back frizz. Last but not least, type 3C hair is low porosity, leading to a lot of shrinkage and breakage.
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