The 25 Best Products for 4C Hair That'll Make Your Curls Thrive
We've combed through enough YouTube tutorials and Amazon reviews to know that finding the best products for 4C hair is no easy task. Especially since this close-knit curl pattern has very specific needs, from oils that actually penetrate the hair to organic ingredients that provide protective moisture. But with so many natural hair care products out there, how do you know which ones are the real deal?
Allow us to introduce the best options that actually work for kinky hair types, from edge control pomades to deep conditioning masks. But before we get down to business, here’s what you should look for in products for 4C hair:
- Hydrating ingredients: The texture of coils make it difficult for the natural oils from your scalp to travel down the shaft of your hair. So, as you read the labels on products, look for moisture-enhancing ingredients that'll keep your kinks hydrated. For example, olive oil is good for minimizing moisture loss, shea butter reduces breakage and aloe vera boosts moisture and soothes an itchy scalp.
- Growth stimulators: Healthy hair starts with a healthy scalp, which will in turn help with hair growth. Coconut oil and black seed oil are great options because they penetrate your hair follicles. (Bonus points if they also include any antioxidants, anti-inflammatory or antibacterial ingredients like lavender, peppermint and vitamin E.)
Here’s what to skip:
- Sulfates: They may be effective when it comes to removing buildup, but some components that are found in sulfates can irritate your skin and strip the scalp of its natural oils. (Keep an eye out for sodium lauryl sulfate dodium and laureth sulfate sodium, which are among the most commonly used sulfates in shampoos.)
- Parabens: Parabens are chemical preservatives that you'll find in many shampoos. Try to avoid them whenever possible, as research has shown that they can cause dryness, irritated scalp, fading hair color and hair loss.
- Petroleum/Petrolatum: Yes, it can be useful for treating rashes and dry, cracked skin. But when used on the scalp, it creates a thick barrier that makes it difficult for moisture to get in or out.
RELATED: The 35 Best Natural Styles for 4C Hair, from Twist-Outs to Butterfly Locs
1. Nae Nae’s Naturals Hair Boost
- Best for: Dryness, Eczema, Thinning, Chemically treated hair
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, Argan Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil
2. Melanin Multi-Use Softening Leave-In Conditioner
- Best for: Adding shine, Detangling, Dryness
- Standout Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Jojoba Seed Oil, Argan Oil, Wheat Amino Acids, Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Mentha Viridis (Spearmint) Leaf Oil
3. 4C Only Too Slick Styling Cream
- Best for: Detangling, Twist-outs, Bantu knot-outs, Styling
- Standout Ingredients: Grape seed oil, shea butter, hempseed oil, rosehip oil, jojoba oil, aloe vera extract
4. Eden Bodyworks JojOba Monoi Deep Conditioner
- Best for: Repairing damaged/brittle hair, Reducing breakage, Dryness
- Standout Ingredients: Jojoba Seed Oil, Carrot Seed Oil, Camomile Flower Oil, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Vitamin E, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract
5. Cantu Sulfate-Free Cleansing Cream Shampoo
- Best for: Removing buildup, Retaining moisture
- Standout Ingredients: Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter
6. Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant
- Best for: Heat styling
- Standout Ingredients: Sweet Almond Oil, Sacha Inchi Seed Oil, Argan Kernel Oil, Mongongo Kernel Oil, Grape Seed Oil
7. Curls Dynasty Pumpkin Mint Deep Treatment Masque
- Best for: Restoring moisture, Preventing breakage, Length retention
- Standout Ingredients: Organic Aloe Juice, Peppermint Leaf Extract, Yucca Leaf Extract, Horsetail Leaf Extract, Nettle Leaf Extract, Organic Pumpkin Seed Oil, Shea Butter
8. CurlDaze Curl Styler with Kuku Curl Enhancer
- Best for: Curl definition, Wash and Gos, Twist-outs
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Kukui Seed Oil, Brazil Nut Seed Oil, Sunflower Seed Extract, Theobroma Cacao Extract, Vitamin E
9. The Mane Choice Alpha Multi-Vitamin Scalp Nourishing Growth Oil
- Best for: Conditioning/moisturizing the scalp
- Standout Ingredients: Castor Seed Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Rosemary Extract, Tea Tree Leaf Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Biotin
10. Aunt Jackie's Curls and Coils Curl La La Defining Curl Custard
- Best for: Frizz, Curl definition, Adding moisture
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Soybean Oil, Olea Europaea Fruit Oil,
11. Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Twisting Souffle
- Best for: Curl definition, Twists
- Standout Ingredients: Pomegranate extract, Honey, Babassu oil
12. Yadain Olive Oil, Sage & Tea Tree Hair Treatment
- Best for: Frizz, Buildup, Split ends, Length retention
- Standout Ingredients: Olive oil, Sage, and Tea tree oil
13. Carol's Daughter Black Vanilla Edge Control
- Best for: Detangling, Twist-outs, Bantu knot-outs, Styling
- Standout Ingredients: Aloe Barbadenis Leaf Juice, Shea Butter, Sweet Almond oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract
14. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
- Best for: Detangling, Controlling frizz, Processed hair
- Standout Ingredients: Organic Shea Butter, Peppermint, Jamaican Blacl Castor Oil
15. Ouidad Coil Infusion Soft Stretch Priming Milk
- Best for: Fighting frizz, Minimizing shrinkage
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Rosemary Leaf Extract, Sunflower Extract
16. dpHUE Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Rinse
- Best for: Removing buildup, Dull hair
- Standout Ingredients: Argan Oil,Argan,Aloe Vera
17. Camille Rose Algae Renew Deep Conditioning Mask
- Best for: Brittle hair, Preventing breakage
- Standout Ingredients: Vitamin E, Jojoba Oil, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Cocoa Butter, Mango Seed Butter, Green Tea Extract, Peppermint Oil
18. Curlsmith Curl Quenching Conditioning Wash
- Best for: Co-washing
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Resurrection Flower Extract, Coconut Oil, Avocado Oil, Sage Leaf Extract
19. Design Essentials Natural Honey & Shea Edge Tamer Hair Gel
- Best for: Edge control, Styling
- Standout Ingredients: Honey, Shea Butter, Castor Oil
20. Carol's Daughter Goddess Strength Scalp and Hair Oil
- Best for: Breakage, Brittle hair
- Standout Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Oil, Olive Oil, Black Cumin Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Linseed Seed Oi
21. As I Am Curl Clarity Shampoo
- Best for: Removing buildup, Hydration, Shine
- Standout Ingredients: Coconut, Alma, Tangerine Extract
22. NaturAll Strengthening Fresh Frozé Treatment with Carrot + Moringa-Monoixa
- Best for: Dryness, Over-processed hair
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Carrot Root Extract, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil
23. Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
- Best for: Heat styling
- Standout Ingredients: Shea Butter
24. Glammed Naturally Braid Oil
- Best for: Braids, Dandruff, Dry scalp, Itchy scalp
- Standout Ingredients: Olive Oil, Jojoba Oil, Rosemary, Sesame Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil, Tea Tree Oil, Lavender Oil, Vitamins E & B
25. TGIN Miracle Repairx Curl Protein Reconstructor
- Best for: Heat damage, Hair growth, Removing buildup
- Standout Ingredients: Avocado Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil, Coconut Oil, Raw Black Honey, Black Castor Oil, Biotin, Burdock Root Extract, Monoi Flower Extract, Moringa Seed Oil
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