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10 Best Moisturizing Deep Conditioners For Brittle Dry Hair

One of the challenges of 4c natural hair is dry hair that feels brittle and harsh on the hands. To combat dry hair, it’s crucial to maintain a protein-moisture balance so that your hair stays healthy and growing.

That’s why in this post, I will be recommending ten popular deep conditioning treatments you can use to restore moisture back into your hair.

Before I do that though, I’d like to answer a few frequently asked questions about deep conditioning dry natural hair.

Why is my hair so brittle and dry?

There are many factors that contribute to brittle and dry hair. A few include your environment, hair regimen, hair products, the condition, and state of your hair, and how much you really know about your natural hair. Your hair might also be dry because it’s lacking some protein, which means that it needs a thorough protein treatment.

How do you stop dry brittle hair?

To stop dry hair, you will need to have a moisturizing hair regimen that will help you to nurse your hair back to health. To do this, I recommend a weekly deep conditioning routine that you religiously follow for at least a month.

You should also strive to maintain a protein-moisture balance whereby you alternate between a protein-rich deep conditioning treatment and a moisture-based deep conditioning treatment every week.

During the week, you will also need to apply a leave-in conditioner to your hair a few times a week. To ensure your hair stays moisturized for several days at a time, you should keep your hair in a protective style such as two-strand twists or flat twists.

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For more hair products tips, please check out our product recommendations posts here.

Should I deep condition overnight?

Deep conditioning overnight isn’t necessary as most deep conditioners are formulated to work within 20 minutes. However, should you feel that your hair gets the most benefit from overnight deep conditioning treatment, you can leave the deep conditioner in your while you go to bed.

There isn’t a great danger to leaving a deep conditioner in your hair longer than the recommended time provided on the product.

Do you deep condition before or after shampoo?

Technically and scientifically speaking, it makes sense to apply a deep conditioner to your hair after shampooing.

Shampoos are meant to cleanse your hair of product build-up, grease, and other particles that can prevent product absorption. While deep conditioners are formulated to repair your hair and fill in any nutrients it may be missing.

This means that if you shampoo after deep conditioning, you will be washing off the nutrients that are supposed to stay in your hair.

You will also be applying the deep conditioner on hair that is dirty and full of product build-up thus, preventing the deep conditioner from absorbing into your hair in order to do the job it’s meant to do.

In simple terms, deep conditioning before shampooing would have rendered your wash day a wasted effort and you would have wasted a good deep conditioner. Not only this, you may be tempted to conclude that the deep conditioner wasn’t effective and it was a waste of money. When in reality, you didn’t follow the instructions on the product.

Why does my hair feel so dry even after deep conditioning?

Your hair may be dry even after using the best deep conditioner because you may have product build-up in your hair which will need to be removed with a clarifying shampoo such as the ones I recommended in this post.

Another reason could be due to not following recommended product instructions. You may also be using the wrong conditioner (leave-in or deep conditioner) to begin with, which means that you will need to try another product. For top-rated natural hair products, please check out our product recommendation vault HERE.

Your hair may also be lacking some proteins, if so, you will need to do a protein-deep conditioning treatment using one of these protein conditioners. You should also have a consistent routine you follow on a weekly basis, that will ensure your hair stays healthy. This means that you should have an adequate protein-moisture balanced routine, which involves rotating between protein and moisture-based products on a weekly basis.

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What’s the difference between deep conditioners and leave-in conditioners?

Deep conditioners are applied to your hair after shampooing and it’s rinsed out after a few minutes. Whereas, leave-in conditioners are applied after deep conditioning and are formulated to stay in your hair. Think of leave-in conditioners as a lotion for your hair.

How often should I deep condition my hair?

If you have brittle dry hair that’s breaking, you should deep condition your hair every week. If you want to quickly restore your hair back to health, I recommend keeping a healthy protein-moisture balance. This means alternating the products you use every wash day to protein or moisture-based.

For example, one week, you will use a protein deep conditioning product and the following week, you will use a moisture deep conditioning masque, such as the ones recommended in this post.

best deep conditioners for natural hair

What are the best moisturizing deep conditioners for brittle dry 4c natural hair?

This post contains affiliate links which means that I make a small commission at no additional cost to you if you make a purchase with my link. Should you have additional products you would like to add to the list, please let me know in the comments section. Also if you find a discontinued product on this list, please do let me know so I can keep this post updated.

I’d also like to inform you that brands change their product packaging from time to time, which means that the product picture in this post might look a bit different from the retailers website at the time you decide to make a purchase. 

1. Uniqurl Aloemint Moisturizing & Silkening Deep Conditioner

Uniqurl - moisturizing deep conditioners for 4c hair

Product Claim: This scientifically advanced formula is infused with biotin and peppermint to stimulate your scalp and promote healthy hair growth. The nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, sweet almond oil, and shea butter help to soften hard and thirsty strands and promote moisture retention.

Guarsilk has been added to this formula to define and silken strands by loosening knots, tangles, and webbing with little to effort on your part!  Wheat Protein is also infused to promote strength and prevent/stop breakage!

5 Star Review:This product is truly amazing! I was skeptical at first but when the conditioner touched my hair I knew this was my new fave deep conditioner! Buy it you won’t be disappointed!

2. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Hair MasqueShea Moisture - best deep conditioners for natural hair

Product Promise: Infuses hair with a powerful dose of moisture and nutrients. Smoothes and fortifies follicles for stronger, healthier frizz-free hair.
Customer Review:It just melts my tangles and leaves my hair feeling moisturized.”

3. TGIN Honey Miracle Hair MaskTGIN - moisturizing deep conditioner for 4c hair

Product Promise: Instant makeover for dry, damaged or colored treated hair. This luxurious deep conditioner contains raw honey for softer, shinier tresses and jojoba and olive oils, which nourish and heal strands in need of repair.
Customer Review:My hair was super moisturized and smelled so good. I love it.

4. Camille Rose Naturals Jansyn’s Moisture Max ConditionerCamille Rose - moisture rich deep conditioner for curly hair

Product Promise: This super-rich conditioner is packed with vitamins to strengthen your hair and regenerate cells for growth. Exotic oils are blended to improve shine, detangle and prevent split ends naturally.
Customer Review:I see why they call it Moisture Max. It makes my hair feel so rich and full of moisture.

5. Pattern Intensive Conditioner For Tight Textures

Pattern - Intensive Conditioner For Tight Textures

Product Promise: Perfect for low porosity hair struggling to get moisture to penetrate into the strands. Our powerful formula is packed with decadent oils such as Avocado Oil, Shea Butter, and Safflower Oil to help protect against breakage & dryness while leaving definition behind after rinse-out.

Customer Review: “This conditioner was perfect. My hair feels great the first time I used it. Even after rinsing out all the conditioner, my hair stayed soft and moisturized.”

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6. Cantu Deep Treatment Masque

Cantu - deep treatment masque for natural hair

Product Promise: Penetrates deep into the hair shaft for an intense treatment to repair and replenish over-processed, damaged hair.

Customer Review:My curly hair is typically very dry, and I feel like I’ve tried all of the expensive products. I bought this product and noticed a difference as soon as I washed out this deep conditioning mask. It also has a lovely coconut smell! I would recommend this product to anyone trying to embrace their natural curls.”

7. MIZANI Moisture Fusion Intense Moisturizing Mask

Mizani - moisturizing deep conditioner for 4c hair

Product Promise: Mizani Intense Moisturizing Mask is a creamy intensive moisturizing mask that improves the conditions of hair without adding weight and is infused with cupuaçu butter, argan oil and honey. Use with our Moisture Rich Shampoo for more manageable hair that feels soft, healthy, conditioned, detangled, and visibly transformed.

Customer Review: “I have super fine hair that likes to frizz up in the humidity. It’s hard to find hair products that not only combat this but make my fine hair look fuller and thicker. This Mizani Intense Moisturizing Mask is absolutely amazing! My hair is so soft, damage-free, not frizzy, and best of all – smells like I just got it done at a salon! Talk about feeling pampered! It is super easy to use. I can not wait to tell all my friends about this product.”

8. As I Am Long and Luxe Conditioner Strengthening And Hydrating TreatmentAs I Am - moisturizing deep conditioner for dry hair

Product Promise: Moisturizes hair, scalp, & strengthens hair. Smooths cuticle layers and promotes shine.

Customer Review:It softens my hair and allows a smooth comb through. I am seeing improvements in sheen and so far less hair in my comb too. Do not hesitate to get this conditioner it’s great!

9. The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Anti-Breakage & Repair Antidote Conditioner

The Mane Choice - hydrating deep conditioner for 4c hair

Product Promise: Ancient Egyptian anti-breakage & repair antidote conditioner strengthens the hair and protects it from potential damage. Combats the effects of dryness, softens hair and reduces frizz. Fortifies the strands to improve elasticity and minimize breakage.
Customer Review:This conditioner is very moisturizing. It smells wonderful, and it makes my hair smell so good. I use it after using the Ancient Egyptian shampoo. It makes my hair so soft, and I can run my fingers through it.”

moisturizing deep conditioner for 4c natural hair

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10. Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioner

Camille Rose - moisturizing deep conditioner for 4c hair

Product Promise: Our Algae Renew conditioner is handcrafted with amazing blue-green algae which are rich in vitamin B. Improves hair cell regrowth, and stops shedding/breakage resulting in stronger, longer hair. Deeply penetrates and re-moisturizes dry and brittle hair. Increase body and shine the natural way!

Customer Review:The smell is great and it leaves your hair very moisturized especially if you have 4c hair.”

CONCLUSION

Now that I’ve provided a list of deep conditioning treatments for your natural hair, I’d like to know which deep conditioning product you’ve tried? Which one will you be trying? Let me know in the comments section.

10 Best Deep Conditioners for dry hair