(Last Updated On: June 6, 2022)

Protein overload hair can set you back in your natural hair journey. So if you have protein-sensitive hair or protein-overload natural hair, I will be recommending ten protein-free deep conditioners you can try in your natural hair on your next wash day.

How do I know if I have a protein overload in my natural hair?

Protein-overload hair feels hard and stiff to touch. It will also dry out faster than usual. So even if your hair products have always given you the best results in the past, you will notice that they will suddenly start to give unexpected results.

To solve this problem, you may wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo to get a fresh start, and if this doesn’t work, it means that you might have protein overload. Since you can’t avoid hair products, you can use one of the products in this post to relieve your hair of the excess proteins in it.

How do I know if I have protein-sensitive hair?

If you have protein-sensitive hair, you will notice that your hair often feels stiff and dry, no matter how often you wash and deep condition your hair. So if you find your hair feeling hard, after applying the best hair product, you should check the ingredients list to see if there are proteins in the product.

Why should I use protein-free products?

Even though our hair needs protein, and a protein-moisture balance is so crucial for healthy hair, the dangerous truth is that if there’s an overload of protein in your hair, it can cause more harm than good.

That’s because a lot of hair products are formulated with some form of protein. So by the time you’ve added the shampoo, deep conditioner, leave-in conditioner, styling product, gel, and serum, you might end up piling way too much protein in your hair without knowing.

Therefore whenever you can, try to use a protein-free product until your hair bounces back to health.

Can low porosity hair benefit from protein-free hair products?

Low porosity hair has tighter cuticles which means that ingredients in your hair products will take longer to absorb. When you use hair products with too much protein in them, you can experience hair that feels hard and tough.

This is because proteins repair the structure of your hair, so it’s less susceptible to breakage and damage. Therefore, if you have low porosity hair, you should add some protein-free hair products to your hair regimen, so that you can maintain an adequate protein-moisture balance in your hair. may benefit from protein-free hair products once in a while.

What ingredients should I look out for when choosing protein-free products?

There are different sources a hair product company can source proteins from. To help simplify things, here’s a quick list of popular proteins found in hair products to watch out for.

• Amino acids
• Hydrolyzed keratin
• Hydrolyzed oat flour
• Hydrolyzed silk
• Hydrolyzed silk protein
• Hydrolyzed soy protein
• Hydrolyzed wheat protein
• Hydrolyzed collagen
• Quinoa protein
• Rice protein

Does Coconut Oil Contain Proteins?

Coconut oil does not have proteins in it. I encourage you to go to your local grocery store and check the nutritional facts of every single coconut oil product in the store. You will find that each jar says there are ZERO grams of protein in the product. If you’re still not convinced, you can do an active search online and look up reputable sources to see if there are any trace amounts of proteins in coconut oil.

I also took it upon myself to look up the database on the U.S Department of Agriculture and I can see that coconut oil has zero grams of proteins.

Why does my hair act like it has too much proteins when I use products with Coconut Oil?

It’s possible that you are allergic to coconut oil or another ingredient in the hair product. If you find that your hair absolutely does not like coconut oil, regardless of the product brand used, then I will suggest you do away with coconut oil for a while.

Your hair product may also be conflicting with a particular ingredient in the other hair products you have layered in your hair. So before you write off coconut oil, I will recommend pairing different products together to see if you get a better result.

Why Does My Hair HATE Proteins?

I’ve read on many platforms where some women talk about how much their hair hates protein. This is absolutely NOT true and I’ll encourage you to do away with that false thinking. Your hair is made up of proteins, so it doesn’t make sense for your hair to hate itself.

What may be happening could be product build-up which happens when you layer too many products in your hair. This is why I recommend shampooing your hair at least once a month so that your hair can start on a clean slate.

Coconut Oil Behaves Like Proteins is Junk Science

As a long-term naturalista with a science background, I’ve read and come across a lot of “scientific claims” about hair products that are nothing but junk science. In fact, the majority of these claims have disappeared with time due to the fact that they are unrealistic and false.

So in response to all the comments I get about coconut oil being a protein, I’d like to request a piece of scientific evidence that proves this point from Science journals or a researcher. 

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• E-Books, Courses and Programs

Ten Best Protein-Free Deep Conditioners For Protein-Sensitive 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. I strive to update posts on the blog. If any product below is discontinued or you come across a broken link, please do let me know so I can update the post. 

It’s also worth noting that brands sometimes change their product formula for reasons best known to them. This means that the product formula might have changed by the time you decide to make a purchase. If such happens, please let me know so I can keep the post updated.

1. Curlsmith Double Cream Deep Quencher

Product Claim: Curlsmith double cream deep quencher is a deep conditioner created specifically for ultra-dry and dull hair. This nourishing mask has a thick, buttery texture, which will deliver intense moisture without weighing the hair down. It will melt onto every strand, leaving curls shiny, silky-soft and completely transformed.

Customer Review: “I love this line! Curlsmith makes great products and this mask is no exception. I have thick, slightly coarse, wavy hair and I am always looking for new products that make my hair soft and manageable. I only leave this on for 10-15 minutes and it makes my hair so soft and moisturized!” 

2. As I Am Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner

*This product contains coconut oil (which is not a protein). This post is about “protein-free products.”

Product Claim: This deep conditioner moisturizes deep within the hair shaft. Smooths and aligns cuticle layer. Repairs split ends and strengthen weak areas to promote shine. 

Customer Review: “This product made my hair so soft. It felt like silk! I love this product.”

3. TGIN Honey Miracle Hair Mask

Product Claim: 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. The result is hair that never looked so good.

Customer Review: “My hair was super moisturized and smelled so good. I love it.”

4. Camille Rose Naturals Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard 

*This product contains coconut oil (which is not a protein). This post is about “protein-free products.”

Product Claim: Moroccan Pear Conditioning Custard is a culinary cocktail blend of nourishing oils to soften and protect the hair’s moisture barrier. It’s infused with sweet Moroccan pear and cherry kernel oils crafted to nurture dry strands and promote accelerated hair growth with potent B vitamins.

Customer Review: “Best conditioner I’ve used in a long time. Instantly smoothing. My hair is shiny, smooth, and hydrated from the inside.”

5. Alikay Naturals Avocado Moisture Repairing Mask

Product Claim: Avocado cream moisture repairing hair mask comes to the rescue by providing deep, much-needed nourishment to each individual hair strand from root to tip. The result is moisturized hair that feels soft and is more elastic. Increased elasticity means less hair breakage, more length retention, and stronger healthier hair.

Customer Review: “Really improved my detangling experience and made my hair feel soft!”

6) Kreyol Essence Haitian Black Castor Oil Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Product Claim: Kreyol Essence’s moisturizing Deep Conditioner Hair Mask is specifically designed to replenish and soften curly or coily hair. This mask adds intense moisture to dry/damaged hair while smoothing the hair cuticle so healthy hair can grow.

Customer Review: “After 30-minute deep conditioning under the dryer your hair feels so soft and smooth and it smells really good.”

7. Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Hydrating Conditioner

*This product contains coconut oil (which is not a protein). This post is about “protein-free products.”

Product Claim: This protein-free conditioner is great for softening and silkening your hair from root to tip. The perfect conditioner for those who are protein sensitive.

Customer Review: “Love this product!!! It is so moisturizing and the slip makes for easy detangling. I look forward to wash days with this conditioner. I am a fan of all Mielle products.”

8. Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment

Product Claim: This thick conditioner uses cocoa butter and shea butter to add some serious moisture to your hair. 

Customer Review: “Jessicurl deep conditioning treatment is the #1 deep conditioner that I have found in my 5-year natural hair journey. It gives me soft and manageable hair.”

9. Eden BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner 

*This product contains coconut oil (which is not a protein). This post is about “protein-free products. Also, this product has high amounts of coconut oil in it, since it’s one of the main ingredients and it’s listed towards the beginning of the product list.”

Product Claim: A fan-favorite mask that restores and strengthens the hair through its botanical blend of Coconut, Jojoba, and Monoi Oils. Formulated to replenish the hair’s natural moisture levels. Excellent treatment for those experiencing dryness or damage, especially due to color treatments or over-processing. This is a very thick, creamy deep conditioner built to provide lasting hydration.

Customer Review: “I used this as a deep conditioner under a hooded dryer. I have 4c hair and this is the best deep conditioner I have ever used. I will continue to buy this product. I am100% satisfied.”

10. TPH By Taraji Mask On Moisturizing Conditioning Mask

*This product contains coconut oil (which is not a protein). 

Product Claim: Turn washday into a spa day with this decadent conditioning repairing hair mask that infuses your hair with the moisture and nutrients it deserves. A color-safe hair mask, the rich formula reduces the appearance of split ends, while helping to fortify and hydrate for healthier, stronger hair. Your hair will thank you.

Customer Review: “I love it! It’s thick and smells great. I honestly didn’t even want to wash it out! My hair hasn’t looked this good in a while!”

Conclusion

As mentioned earlier, you will need to choose the best product for your hair. If you find that your hair is coconut-oil sensitive, then I suggest choosing another product from the list that doesn’t contain coconut oil.

You can also try these products in combination with a product from the same line, to ensure the best results. Sometimes mixing up products from a different brand may cause a conflict in your hair which may provide negative results.

What deep conditioner have you tried for your protein sensitive or low porosity hair? Which one will you be trying? Let us know in the comments section.