People with curly hair know that it can be both a blessing and a curse. While curly locks are often coveted by those with straight hair, traditional hair care products can leave them dry, dull, and frizzy. That’s why it’s important to use products specifically designed for curly hair.
The right shampoo is the foundation for a healthy scalp and healthy hair. It should cleanse without stripping all of the natural oils from your scalp or leaving behind buildup. However, finding the right shampoo, conditioner, and styling products for curly hair can be challenging. On top of that, you have to figure out the optimal timing for washing and refreshing your curls. It can be a lot to manage, but it’s worth it for healthy, beautiful curls.
Top 10 best shampoo and conditioner for curly hair：Our choice
| Best Overall | L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sulfate Free Shampoo |
| Best For Hair Elasticity | tgin Rose Water Sulfate-Free |
| Best for deep cleansing | HASK COCONUT MILK |
| Best for defining curls | L’Oreal Paris EverCurl |
| Best for a healthy scalp | Design Essentials |
| Best for adding shine | Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Set |
| Best for frizzy hair | SheaMoisture Shampoo |
| Best for texture | Luseta Curl Enhancing Coconut Oil Shampoo |
| Best leave-in conditioner | Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydrating Shampoo |
| Best Affordable | Pantene Sulfate Free Shampoo |
Keeping your curly hair looking its best can be a challenging task, and using just any old shampoo won’t cut it. You need products that are specifically formulated to meet the unique needs of your curly hair. These shampoos and conditioners are designed to tackle the complexities of curly hair texture and patterns and help you control your unruly curls. To discover the best shampoo and conditioner options for your curls, keep reading this article and explore our top ten list.
Top1.Best Overall：L’Oreal Paris EverCurl Sulfate Free Shampoo
If you’re someone who wants to maintain the vibrancy of your hair color while keeping your locks healthy, there’s a great sulfate-free shampoo that you should try out. This shampoo contains coconut oil as its key ingredient, which promises to keep your curls soft and moisturized for up to 48 hours without causing any damage to your color. According to one reviewer, this product is an absolute must-have for curly-haired gals like her. She absolutely loves L’Oreal products, but she thinks that this one is a keeper because it keeps her hair moisturized without making it greasy after use. She also mentioned that her hair feels soft, and she only has to use a small amount of shampoo each time.
Top2.Best For Hair Elasticity：tgin Rose Water Sulfate-Free
If you’re looking for a shampoo that can cleanse your scalp and hair without taking away too much moisture, Tgin’s Rose Water Shampoo might be a great option for you. This shampoo uses a gentle surfactant to eliminate dirt and oil while keeping your hair hydrated. Moreover, it contains rose, acai, and ginger extracts, which make your hair smell delightful.
Top3.Best for deep cleansing：HASK COCONUT MILK
Pros
- Define curls
- Gentle
- Gluten-free
- Alcohol-free
- Paraben-free
- Phthalate-free
- Rejuvenating scent
- Ideal for colored hair
Cons
- May make the hair crunchy
If you’re looking for a solution to soften your dry and frizzy curls, the Coconut Milk and Organic Honey Curl Care Shampoo and Conditioner from HASK might just be what you need. This hair care set has a deep conditioning formula that includes coconut extract, organic honey, shea butter, and Memory Curl Complex to provide nourishment and definition to your curls. By controlling frizz, adding moisture, and boosting bounce, this set can help you achieve healthier-looking coils.
The shampoo effectively removes product buildup without causing any damage to your curls and without stripping them of their natural oils. Meanwhile, the conditioner locks in moisture, seals split ends, and makes your hair more manageable. It’s worth noting that this hair wash set is free of preservatives, gluten, and alcohol, making it suitable for use on various types of hair, including wavy, curly, kinky, and super-coily hair. If you’re interested in learning more about this product, you can check out a YouTuber’s video for additional details.
Top4.Best for defining curls：L’Oreal Paris EverCurl
Pros
- Gentle
- Lightweight
- Long-lasting frizz control
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Lather well
- Gluten-free
- No synthetic dyes
Cons
- Overpowering scent
The L’Oréal Paris EverCurl Hydracharge Shampoo and Conditioner are specifically designed for hair types 3 and 4A, B, C that require lightweight, anti-frizz hydration. The formula contains a blend of coconut oil, orange peel oil, and grapeseed oil that gently restores moisture to the scalp. These essential oils work together to hydrate and condition the curls without making them feel heavy.
Moreover, this shampoo and conditioner set contains hibiscus seed extracts that help address dry scalp issues while keeping the hair fibers healthy. With a luxurious lather and a lingering fragrance, this combo can help you achieve salon-style curls that are manageable and frizz-free for up to 48 hours. If you want to learn more about this product, there’s a helpful video on YouTube that can give you a better understanding of its benefits.
Top5.Best for a healthy scalp：Design Essentials
If you’re someone who usually feels like most shampoos leave your hair dry and lifeless, you might want to check out the Honey Crème Moisture Retention Shampoo. This product is infused with honey and humectants, which help to infuse moisture into your hair while effectively removing dirt and oil.
Top6.Best for adding shine：Shea Moisture Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Pros
- Nourishing and hydrating formula
- Restores hair shine
- Reduces breakage
- Leaves hair soft and bouncy
- Reduces frizziness
Cons
- Conditioner may not smell pleasant
- May not rinse away silicone buildup
The Shea Moisture curl & shine shampoo and conditioner set is specifically designed to gently cleanse your curly hair while providing deep nourishment for defined curls that are free from frizz. The conditioner is particularly effective in preventing tangles, knots, and snarls without weighing down your hair. With this duo, you can expect hair that is not only soft, smooth, and shiny but also free from snapping and split ends. If you’re interested in learning more about this product, there’s a helpful review available that can provide additional information.
Top7.Best for frizzy hair：SheaMoisture Shampoo
Shea Moisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo is one of the brand’s most sought-after hair products, thanks to its ability to target the scalp specifically. With ingredients such as shea butter and Jamaican black castor oil, this shampoo helps promote healthy hair growth. Additionally, the inclusion of peppermint oil stimulates the scalp, which can further encourage hair growth.
Top8.Best for texture：Luseta Curl Enhancing Coconut Oil Shampoo
Pros
- Prevent breakage
- Gluten-free
- Mild formula
- Cruelty-free
- Easy to wash
- Long-lasting
- Don’t weigh the hair down
Cons
- Overpowering scent
The Luseta Curl Enhancing Coconut Oil Shampoo is a lightweight cleanser that effectively removes buildup while remaining gentle on your hair. With deep moisturizing coconut and argan oils, this shampoo penetrates deeply into your scalp, cuticles, and hair fibers to provide essential nourishment and strength.
In addition to these enriching ingredients, the Luseta Curl Enhancing Coconut Oil Conditioner also includes lavender and rosemary oils to provide further nourishment to your scalp, strengthen hair anchorage, and give your curls a boost of volume and shine. This conditioner is specially formulated to keep your hair frizz-free without weighing it down, and with regular use, the essential fats and vitamins help to prevent premature graying and scalp flaking.
Top9.Best leave-in conditioner：Briogeo Curl Charisma Hydrating Shampoo
Briogeo’s shampoo is a true multi-tasker, providing cleansing, strengthening, and moisturizing benefits all in one. This is thanks to a powerful combination of protein and oils that work together to nourish and revitalize your hair.
What’s more, Briogeo is committed to clean beauty, and all of their products are free from sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, artificial dyes, and diethanolamine. So, you can feel good about using this shampoo knowing that it’s both effective and safe for your hair and scalp.
Top10.Best Affordable：Pantene Sulfate Free Shampoo
Pros
- Fast-acting formula
- Color-safe
- Sulfate-free
- Subtle fragrance
- Easy to rinse
- Gentle on chemically treated and permed hair
Cons
- Greasy
- May cause flaking
The Pantene Complete Curl Care Shampoo and Conditioner set is enriched with pro-vitamin B5 and vitamin E-rich jojoba oil, making it the perfect solution for dry and frizzy hair. The pro-vitamin B5 penetrates deep into the hair shaft, providing nourishment and strengthening your hair to protect it from damage.
The shampoo creates a luxurious lather, eliminating any product buildup, while the jojoba oil moisturizes and restores your hair’s natural moisture balance. The conditioner revitalizes your curls, giving them a natural shine and bounce. It also detangles and smoothens your hair, providing volume and fullness when left loose. These products are safe to use on permed, chemically treated, and color-treated hair.
Also read：The Best Shampoo For Curly Hair Sulfate-free in 2023
How often should curly hair be washed?
Dryness is a common problem for those with tight curls, as the natural oil secreted by your scalp (known as sebum) struggles to travel through them. Try adding moisture by “co-washing” your hair (using conditioner only and massaging it into your scalp) every three days. Sprays, gels and mousses can help, too. Shampoo at least once a fortnight to remove any product and sebum build-up and reduce the risk of dandruff and itchiness.
If you have looser curls, aim to wash your hair every three days, or every other day if your scalp gets greasy. This should ensure that the oils and butters in your hair products do not build up and drag your curls down, making your locks look limp and lacklustre. If you’re sporty, or simply too busy for frequent shampooing, try co-washing in-between full washes to freshen up your mane.
Fine curls are prone to looking oily, especially if you use hair products regularly. Give co-washing a go or try water-only washing (using nothing but water) in between shampooing every three days or so.
What shampoo should I use for curly hair?
Commandment number one in the curly-haired world is to use a 100% sulphate-free shampoo, unless you need to ramp up the definition of your curls and remove any buildup (known as “clarifying”).
In general, steer clear of products containing sodium lauryl sulfate, a harsh salt and detergent that can strip hair of its oils and increase frizz by lifting the hair cuticles. Shun alcohol, too – it leaves curly hair looking and feeling crispy. Instead, look for hydrating shampoos that are packed full of natural butters and essential oils, and any that claim to detangle.
Consider trying a cleansing conditioner – essentially a gentle shampoo/conditioner – if your curls need more moisture.
Don’t expect curly hair shampoo or conditioner to lather up much, if at all (boring, we know!), but do expect your curls to look a lot shinier and healthier than they would have, had you used traditional “all hair types” products.
What is the best way to dry curly hair?
Regardless of your curly hair type, remember to blot and gently squeeze out any excess water using a gentle microfibre towel – this will help your hair dry faster and minimise frizz. Do not rub and ruffle! If you must use a hair dryer, use a diffuser to dry curls evenly and leave the more fragile ends to air dry.
How we test
We asked over 160 curly-haired women of all curl types, from 2A (light waves) to 4C (strong kinks or coils), to put 12 shampoo and conditioner duos to the test. They trialled them for a two-week period, giving us feedback on curl enhancement, hydration, lather and product texture, where applicable.
Why does curly hair need special shampoo?
Curly hair needs different things than straight hair from shampoo. Here’s why: sebum is the natural oil our scalps produce. Curls slow down how fast that oil travels down our hair. Because of this, curly hair thrives from a shampoo that cleanses the scalp without stripping the hair of its needed moisture.
This is why most curly shampoos have moisturizing ingredients as well as cleansing ones. On top of that, it’s helpful to avoid harsh chemicals that may cause scalp irritation like synthetic fragrances, especially when there are a lot at a time.
How often should curly hair be washed?
How often you wash your curly hair depends on how quickly your hair gets oily. Curly hair takes longer than straight hair, for example, to get oily.
For some, it’s better to wait a few weeks in between washing. This is all to say, develop your wash schedule based on your hair. If you want to refresh in between washes, you can co-wash or rinse with plain water.
Is it better to wash curly hair at night or in the morning?
There’s no right or wrong answer for this because it depends on the drying time. Ideally, after doing your wash routine and styling, there’s time for your hair to dry. Since wash routines can take a few hours, it’s probably best to start earlier than later since you don’t want to sleep with a head full of cold, wet hair. There’s also a bonus with washing in the morning: You get a whole day to flaunt your fresh, day one curls.
How often should curly hair be washed?
Washing your curly hair every day can remove the natural oils of your curls. It could be difficult to retain moisture, texture, and nutrition. Some experts recommend washing curly hair once every 2-3 weeks. However, the washing frequency entirely depends on your hair texture, porosity, exposure to pollutants and heat, styling needs, and water quality in your neighborhood.
How do you moisturize curly hair?
A simple way is to gently rub traces of hair oils only to the ends. This is because massaging the roots with heavy oils often can result in product buildup and hair falling flat. Not using leave-in conditioners often is another tip to retain moisture and natural oils in the scalp. Use protein-rich products to build the porosity of hair fibers. They can help hold moisture for a longer time.