Best Leave-In Conditioners for Frizzy Hair: Reviews & Guide (2018)

Updated 6 years ago

If you struggle with frizzy hair, you need a leave-in conditioner. Frizz is caused by hair that’s too dry, whether from styling or color-treating or just genetics. Wavy, curly, and kinky hair easily frizz when there is a lot of humidity, which seems odd because hydration is what they need.

The best leave-in conditioners help hydrate hair and strengthen it. The top formulas are lightweight, not greasy, but still able to smooth down flyaway curls and make detangling a breeze. For best results, wash with one of the best shampoos, then use regular conditioner, too.

The top leave-in conditioners for frizzy hair

We researched to find the best leave-in conditioners for frizzy hair and reviewed them here for you. We usually avoid formulas laden with chemicals that are known to be damaging to hair and skin.

Maple Holistics Silk18 Natural Hair Conditioner with Argan Oil

Silk18 from Maple Holistics is a powerful leave-in conditioner for dry, damaged hair. It contains 18 different amino acids derived from silk to tame frizz, eliminate static, and moisturize hair. It also contains keratin, jojoba oil, and Argan oil to strengthen hair.

Silk18 is safe for color-treated hair because it has no sulfates. Both men and women say the conditioner leaves their hair soft and tangle-free, plus the vanilla scent is pleasant. One last note: the formula is cruelty-free, not tested on animals.

Living Proof No Frizz Leave-in Conditioner

Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein and Polyfluoroester give the Living Proof No Frizz Leave-In Conditioner its power to tame curls and leave hair soft and relaxed. This is a brand you’ll see in some salons.

Klorane Leave-In Cream with Papyrus Milk for Frizzy Hair

A little goes a long way with the Klorane Leave-In Cream. They recommend applying two or three pea-sized amounts to the ends and lengths of your hair after you wash and towel-dry it (or on dry hair, too).  Users say it has a lovely freshly cut grass scent, and it’s very light, but does a good job controlling frizz.

Art Naturals Organic Argan Oil Leave-in Conditioner for Hair Loss

Art Naturals’ Argan Oil Leave-In Conditioner repairs heat and color-damaged hair and encourages new hair growth. Besides the organic Argan oil that stimulates hair roots and scalp, it contains Awapuhi White Ginger that makes hair shiny and soft all the way to the tips.

The label also lists other natural ingredients like Vitamin E, aloe vera, and witch hazel. There are no parabens or sulfates, and it was not tested on animals. You can use it on any hair type, and use it every day if you like.

Renpure Coconut Whipped Crème Leave-In Conditioner

People with types 2, 3, and 4 love the Renpure Coconut Whipped Crème Leave-In Conditioner because it’s lightweight, not greasy, it tames frizz nicely, and it smells fantastic. The formula is based on coconut water and oil, so hair absorbs it quickly, flattening down the cuticle and soothing it so it becomes shiny and smooth. This conditioner does not contain salt, parabens, gluten, or sulfates. It’s safe for all hair types as well as color-treated hair.

Aussie Hair Insurance Leave-In Conditioner

Aussie Hair Insurance won the Reader’s Choice Beauty Award from Teen Vogue because it’s very good at what it does, and it’s not very expensive, either. This conditioner doesn’t contain parabens or sulfates. Instead, it has ginseng, aloe, and a silicone derivative to calm down frizz and make hair manageable.

Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Intensely Smooth Leave-In Conditioning Cream

Garnier’s Fructis Sleek & Shine Conditioning Cream is another inexpensive and popular leave-in conditioner. It’s based on Argan oil and apricot derivatives to smooth down frizz even in conditions with very high humidity. You can use it every day, or wait up to three days if you don’t wash your hair in-between.

Rene Furterer Karinga Hydrating Styling Leave-In Cream

The Karinga Styling Leave-In Cream from Rene Furterer is a rich, smooth blend of Argan oil, shea butter, and Moringa extract that moisturizes dry hair and makes it shiny and soft. Users say it makes their curls look perfectly smooth.

Verb Leave-In Mist

If you’re impatient with detangling, try the Verb Leave-In Mist. Its formula is paraben, gluten, and sulfate-free. It’s designed to repair split ends, add shine, and tame frizz. They even recommend it for use on children. If you want something a little heavier, check out their Ghost Oil below.

Verb Ghost Oil - Argan Plus Moringa

Users with fine hair are in love with Verb’s Ghost Oil. It keeps frizz under control, adds shine to dry hair, and stops flyaway strands. Users with coarse hair report that Ghost Oil hydrates their hair without making it greasy.

La Brasiliana Dieci All In One Treatment

If you’ve ever heard of the “Permanent Blow Dry,” this All-in-One Treatment from La Brasiliana Dieci is the “Semi-Permanent Blow Dry.” It straightens hair, adds shine, eliminates frizz and static, cures split ends, and protects hair from the heat of curling irons and blow dryers. It’s based on keratin and collagen, two natural ingredients that strengthen and protect hair.

SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Reparative Leave-In Conditioner

If you have coiled and kinky hair, you can use the SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner every day if you like. It’s sulfate-free so it’s good for color-treated hair, and there are no parabens.

The formula contains shea butter, coconut oil, fatty alcohols (the moisturizing kind, not the ones that dry out your hair), Panthenol, glycerin, Jojoba and Castor Seed oils, keratin, aloe, Vitamin E, rice protein, and more.

SUDZZ Zenyth Frizz Eliminator

SUDZZ Frizz Eliminator is alcohol-free and non-greasy. It hydrates hair and protects it from UV overexposure and other environmental dangers. Users love it. They say it’s very light and has no residue.

Aveeno Nourish+ Condition Leave-In Treatment

The popular Aveeno Nourish+ Condition Leave-In Treatment uses the power of wheat protein and wheat germ oil to strengthen hair and make it shiny. It does contain sulfates, however, which is unfortunate in a leave-in product. If you have sensitive skin, you may want to try another product.

Hair Detangler Spray for Kids from Little Roseberry

Kids get frizz and tangles, too. This spray from Little Roseberry is safe for children and adults because it’s free of parabens, fulfates, fragrances, dyes, formaldehyde, and petrochemicals, plus it’s cruelty-free.

The main ingredient is aloe vera to protect hair and help it grow strong. The formula also contains vitamins, folic acid, and amino acids to hydrate and repair dried-out hair.

More ways to manage frizz

If you suffer with serious frizz, you may need to give your hair a little more TLC than just a leave-in conditioner. Try these tips, too.

Take care of your hair while you sleep—Get a silk pillowcase or cover your hair with a silk scarf at night. Cotton pillowcases suck moisture out of hair. Those winter flannel pillowcases can cause you to lose enough strands to send you into a panic. Try this silky hypoallergenic case that comes in a variety of colors:

ALASKA BEAR - Natural Silk Pillowcase

In winter months, use a hair mask—Get a glycerin-based hair mask or cream and apply it once a week to keep hair hydrated and healthy. Here’s a very good one that many users love:

RUSK Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Deep Penetrating Treatment

Air-dry your hair most of the way before you blow dry or style—Dehydrating too soon with a hot blow dryer is a recipe for more frizz.

Avoid alcohol-based products on your hair—Alcohols will just dry out your hair instead of helping it. That goes for gels, mousses, and hair sprays—be careful which products you use. Try this alcohol-free mousse to shape your curls:

L'Oreal Paris EverStyle Volume Boosting Mousse

If you don’t have leave-in conditioner on hand—Use a little of your regular conditioner on your tips, a little olive oil, or even a little lotion.

Don’t use a regular towel on your hair—Vigorous towel-drying may get the job done faster, but it roughs up the cuticle of your hair. Instead, be gentle, pat your hair dry, and use a microfiber towel like this one:

DuraComfort Super Absorbent Anti-Frizz Hair Towel

Try using a detangling brush or comb instead of your regular brush—These are made to avoid breaking and tearing your hair. Here’s a popular one:

Detangling Brush - Glide Thru Detangler Hair Comb or Brush from Crave Naturals

If you like to blow-dry your curls into straight hair, use an ionic hair dryer—ionic hair dryers emit negative ions that keep hair cuticles calm, plus this dryer below has multiple heat settings and protection against burning hair:

Remington D3190A Damage Control Ceramic Hair Dryer

Conclusion

We want to help you discover the top hair care products and more. Check back with us soon to see new reviews of the best in cosmetics and personal care.