How do I Choose the Best Conditioner for Curly Hair?

Choosing the best conditioner for curly hair depends on your hair’s texture and condition and how you want to style it. However you style it, keep in mind that curly hair tends to be dry, and it needs conditioner to help restore its moisture. Curly hair is drier because oil from the scalp does not travel to the ends of curly hair as easily as it does with straight hair.

Overall, the best conditioner for curly hair is one that is rich in moisturizers. If your hair is particularly dry, look for conditioners with ingredients such as olive oil, shea butter or wheat germ oil. It also is a good idea to use a once-a-week deep conditioner on curly hair, along with a once-a-month hot oil treatment.

Also consider your hair’s texture before selecting a conditioner. Fine, curly hair fares better with a lightweight conditioner. Heavy, oily conditioners will flatten and weigh down fine hair. Thick, coarse hair is better equipped to handle rich, creamy conditioners that are loaded with oils.

Price is another consideration when choosing the best conditioner for curly hair. Conditioners sold in salons are a little pricier, but the ingredients generally are more concentrated, so you have to use less product. Price is not always the only factor, however, and some people get good results with store-bought conditioners. Sometimes, a little experimenting is needed to find the best conditioner.

In some cases, people with curly hair want to relax or straighten it without using chemicals or flat irons. Hair that is not excessively curly usually can be tamed with straightening conditioners. These conditioners typically contain castor oil, glycerin and other smoothing agents that weight down the hair and give it a smoother appearance.

A good complement to any curly hair conditioner is a leave-in conditioner specifically designed for this purpose. A leave-in conditioner helps lock in moisture for curly hair and leaves it more resistant to humidity. A leave-in conditioner for curly hair also can make it more manageable and easier to pick or comb.

Be careful to avoid conditioners that cause excessive product buildup on the hair. This is caused by products that heavily coat the hair and are not easily washed away. When products build up on the hair, conditioners cannot get into the hair shaft to moisturize it. To combat buildup, occasionally use a clarifying shampoo or a cleansing conditioner treatment.

To get the greatest benefit from your conditioner for curly hair, try to not wash your hair too often. Washing your hair every day can dry it out too much. When you do wash it, try to let your curly hair dry naturally instead of using a blow dryer.