Looking for non-toxic curly hair products? I’ve got some awesome options for you! Thanks to Lorraine Massey and her Curly Girl Method, I was aware of what was in my hair products long before I made the conscious switch to clean beauty overall. And though my curl care methods have evolved, my commitment to sulfate-free, paraben-free curly hair products has only grown.
I’ve tried an embarrassing amount of hair care products over the years. With curly hair in particular I think it just comes with the territory — we’re always looking for that miracle product that gives us our idea of beautiful curls. Luckily non-toxic curly hair products have come a long way in the past 20+ years, and we now have way more options than we did back in 2001 when Massey’s book dropped.
If you’re a curly gal, one of the things you’ve consistently gotten asked about or had commented on is your hair. The usual question being along the lines of “How do you make it look like that?” My response for the last 25 years has been: genes, a LOT more product than you’d think (thank you to the stylist that did my hair for my wedding day!) and proper diffusing technique. Oh, and a silk pillowcase. And pineappling at night. And not washing too often. And — you get the idea. But mostly it’s the genes and good combo of products.
All that to say, it’s been pointed out to me that it’s ridiculous that I haven’t posted about my favorite curly hair products, and I agree. So I’m here to rectify!
What I’m working with: 3A curls, and fine hair with low porosity that’s easily weighed down and doesn’t love protein all that much. I used to have a TON of hair (thus my all-time-favorite stylist’s nickname for my hair: ‘the Beast’), and while midlife has done me dirty in that regard and it’s thinned out a bit, I still LOOK like I have a lot of it. One blessing of having curls!
So given that, here is a list of my favorite non-toxic curly hair products that work for my curls. These are all currently in my arsenal (or will be repurchased shortly!). As always I’m providing my favorite places to shop for each…gotta have options so we can find the current best deal. Please comment below with any questions, or any product recommendations you think I should try!
Jump to: SHAMPOO | CONDITIONER | GEL | FOAM/MOUSSE | HAIRSPRAY | OTHER STYLERS | REFRESHERS | DEEP CONDITIONER | OTHER TREATMENTS | TOOLS
SHAMPOO
INNERSENSE | Color Awakening Hairbath
This is by far my favorite color-supporting clean shampoo. Gently but thoroughly cleanses, leaving hair feeling soft but not weighed down (having fine hair, many conditioning shampoos make my curls droopy). Smells wonderful, hair is shiny and healthy, and the tone of my highlights stay truer longer. I also believe this has helped my scalp to be healthier and happier (I struggle with dryness)!
SHEAMOISTURE | Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen and Restore Shampoo
This has been my go to clarifying shampoo for years now. It was initially difficult to find a sulfate-free clarifying shampoo that really worked! But this oremoves buildup and leaves hair feeling squeaky clean without drying or stripping it, all while smelling great. Castor oil being deeply moisturizing, it strengthens your strands to help reduce split ends, tames frizz and leaves you shiny. With the peppermint and apple cider vinegar (and castor oil), my scalp gets lots of love too! Works great on my daughter’s 3C curls as well (and she uses WAY more product on her hair, including oils). Target runs a Sheamoisture sale quite often, and I tend to stock up there.
GIOVANNI | Eco Chic Smooth as Silk Deep Moisture Shampoo
I’d used Giovanni’s Tea Tree ‘poo and ‘dish for years for times when my scalp was acting up (so cooling, love it!!), but somehow never explored their other shampoo offerings. When I was grabbing their conditioner (coming up!) at Whole Foods, a lovely gal recommended it to me. It quickly became part of my regular rotation! Moisturizes without weighing down my fine hair, I use it after highlighting and any time I can tell I’m starting to get dry. Love it!
CONDITIONER
CURLS | Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner (but I rinse it out!)
Yes, this is a leave-in conditioner, and if you check the description it also says for 4A curls. But here’s the thing…I don’t leave in conditioner, it’s far to weighty for fine hair. But I’ve never found a rinse-out conditioner that kicked ass at detangling…they just don’t provide enough slip. So I finally began playing with leave ins that were touted as being great detanglers, and just rinse them out! This one right here is a GREAT detangler. Rinses out beautifully, provides just the right amount of conditioning and moisturizing before doing so, and while it smells great it doesn’t linger (even on the rare occasion when I scrunch a pea-size into my hair before stylers when I’m particularly dry). I typically purchase this at Target, though for some reason it’s not showing on their site right now….
GIOVANNI | Direct Leave-In Weightless Moisture Conditioner
Same as above, I rinse this out. This conditioner is a wonderful detangler and is hydrating and moisturizing without weighing down fine hair. And you simply can’t beat the price! Along with the websites below, you can find this and other products in the Giovanni line at your local Whole Foods.
GEL
TRÉLUXE | Hi! Definition Gel FRAGRANCE-FREE
This is an aloe-based strong hold gel that I love to use a bit of when it’s particularly humid (basically all summer around here). I scrunch in a small amount after I’ve applied my lighter hold gel, and it helps to create a nice strong cast. It makes a HUGE difference in any frizz that might try to battle its way through…a lifesaver in the summer! I almost hate to love this as the fragrance-free version is only available on their website (the original is available a few other places, including Amazon, but the fragrance is STRONG and not ‘clean’). But it’s definitely a great gel, and the price is also great — even more so since a little bit goes a long way for me.
BOUCLÈME | Super Hold Styler
This is another one I hate to love, because this England-based brand has not hit mainstream over here so it’s harder to come by. It’s also a bit spendy (so I wait to get it on sale)…. But gosh is it a wonderful medium-strong hold gel with great ingredients and no nasties! I can use this all on its own, but I also used it as a finisher like the TréLuxe. Great cast, great definition, bouncy curls and no stickiness when scrunching it out. I was a fan of their original gel, the Curl Defining Gel, and while I still dig it it doesn’t give me the strong cast I’ve grown to like…but I still recommend it as it’s also a terrific option, especially for those not wanting a strong hold/cast.
GIOVANNI | L.A. Hold Styling Gel
Yep, another product from Giovanni! A strong hold gel that leans medium-strong like the Bouclème. For non-toxic curly hair products under $10, you can’t beat it! Aloe-based, makes a great cast, good definition, scrunches out beautifully. My daughter loves this one too on her 4A curls! As with the other gels listed here, no flaking either. And again in addition to the sites below, you may be able to grab this at Whole Foods.
INNERSENSE | I Create Volume
If you have fine curls that are easily weighed down (though it also works great on my daughters’ super tight curls), this is a must try. I’ll be forever grateful that my hairstylist @ajstain introduced me to this! I’d already tried much of the Innersense line at the time, but ICV never hit my radar because it’s labeled as a ‘volumizing lotion’ — and history shows that cream and lotion stylers do NOT work on my beast. But here’s the thing…I Create Volume (IMHO) is no lotion. It’s a lightweight, liquid GEL. And when applied to WET hair (praying hands or rope-style), scrunched first with your hands to help distribute, and then with a t-shirt or microfiber towel to get out excess water, you get gorgeous, defined, bouncy curls. No flaking, hardly much SOTC needed. It’s the goodies ladies and gents, get you some. I’ve been in love with it since we met in 2021 and I named it a best of!
FOAM/MOUSSE
INNERSENSE | I Create Lift Volumizing Foam
I don’t know about y’all, but I walked away from mousse back in the 90’s, and have only recently begun revisiting in the past couple of years. The foams of today are totally different animals though, and I’m so glad I’ve re-embraced them! This one is definitely a lightweight styler, but don’t let the ‘lightweight’ fool you. The magic of I Create Lift is truly in the volumizing factor. I love to scrunch this in at my roots before I apply my gel, and it makes a HUGE difference in volume at the top of my head. Then after I’ve diffused my hair about halfway dry, I’ll gently scrunch in a couple of pumps of this all over, then continue diffusing — it gives me tons of volume (and scrunches out the crunch a bit), which I would NEVER have on day 1 hair. If you’re looking to add volume to your routine, this is the magic.
BOUCLÈME | Super Volumizing Foam
If you’re ordering direct from Bouclème, go ahead and throw a bottle of this in too! Sadly for now it’s only available direct, but it is a fabulous foam. A little goes a very long way with it, so you get bang for your buck here. And while I don’t get quite the root volume that I do with the Innersense, I can use this as my primary/base styler with just a bit of a lightweight gel over it, and I get great volume ALL OVER. Lovely bouncy curls. Especially good on wash days when I need my hair to look/perform like day 2 or 3 hair, know what I mean? Also great as a refresher…just a wee bit glazed over slightly dampened hair then gently scrunched.
DEEP CONDITIONER
HOLY CURLS | Curl Mask
I’ll admit it, I’m terrible about deep conditioning. Part of the issue is it’s hard to find one that doesn’t OVER condition my fine hair. But this one has been my go-ever since it hit my radar when I was making a Detox Market order for some other goodies. Smells just lovely, and it’s a terrific light-midweight moisture treatment that never weighs my fine curls down.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION! Keep checking back…this list will be updated. And subscribe below so you don’t miss any new scoop!
Disclaimer: This page includes some affiliate links (including Amazon – as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases), and I will earn a commission if you purchase through these links. Please note that I’ve linked to these products purely because I recommend them and they are from companies and brands I trust and have tried myself. There is no additional cost to you.
Tracey is the founder and writer of Life in the Happy Medium. She’s also a freelance graphic designer, Mom to 2 college kids, Wife, and Friend to a tribe she holds dear, who’s prone to some fairly serious car singing and dancing much to her family’s chagrin (old school R&B is where it’s at!).
From cleaner beauty to healthy-ish eating, she’s blogging here to share favorite finds that keep her happy in the middle.
