You’ve heard it time and time again, “silicones are bad for natural hair and you should stay away from them“. As a 4c hair specialist myself, I don’t agree with this statement 100% because silicones actually serve an important role in your hair care routine.
One of the benefits of silicones in hair products is that it closes the cuticles to provide a smooth surface, which then reduces tangles, knots and breakage. However, a long term use of silicone-based hair products can end up doing the opposite, thus causing dryness and breakage.
That is why in this blog post, I will be recommending 10 hair conditioners that are silicone-free and more friendly to your hair.
Are silicones bad for natural hair?
Silicones are not necessarily bad for your hair because they act as a protective barrier to protect your hair against damages such as heat damage. They also improve the combability of the hair, and this is why conditioners have silicones in them so that you can easily detangle your hair with little breakage and pain.
The only reason why women with 4c hair steer clear of silicones is that it can dry out the hair overtime if used excessively. Because silicones seal the hair cuticles, it means that it prevents further moisture from absorbing into the hair. And if you have high porosity hair that dries out very quickly, it will be in your best interest to opt for silicone-free hair products.
Do silicones dry out natural hair?
Silicones can dry out your hair if you excessively use products with silicones. You see, natural hair needs to be moisturized frequently in order to retain moisture. But if you are using a lot of hair products with silicones in it, it can block your hair follicles to prevent additional moisture from absorbing deep into the cortex. As a result, you may start to feel your hair drying out soon after applying hair products.
Excessive silicones on the hair cuticles can also lead you to believe that you have low porosity hair or that you have product build-up. This is why it’s recommended to clarify your natural hair once a month, so that you can remove excess build-up.
Picture on the left represents what happens when you use silicone-based hair products.
How do you remove silicone from the hair?
To remove excessive silicone from your hair, you will need to use a clarifying shampoo such as the ones recommended in this blog post.
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10 Best Silicone-Free Natural Hair Products
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 to add to this list, please feel free to add it in the comment section below.
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. Camille Rose Coconut Water Penetrating Hair Treatment
Product Promise: A moisturizing treatment for dehydrated strands that blends the tropical essence of coconut.
Customer Review: “My hair absolutely loved this product. Detangling was a lot easier and faster than normal as it had lots of slip. I added 20 minutes of heat and my hair feels moisturized and soft.”
2. The Mane Choice Ancient Egyptian Anti-Breakage & Repair Antidote Conditioner
Product Promise: This anti-breakage and repair conditioner counteracts dryness, protects and repairs the hair. Gentle enough for daily use and powerful enough to repair and restore your tresses. Add this conditioner to your healthy hair regimen and watch your hair become stronger, shinier, and healthier.
Customer Review: “This conditioner is very moisturizing. It smells wonderful, and it makes my hair smell so good. It makes my hair so soft, and I can run my fingers through it.”
3. Mielle Organics Mongongo Hydrating Conditioner
Product Promise: Our hydrating conditioner is ultra-moisturizing and protein-free for softening and silkening the hair. Formulated with Sub-Saharan African Mongongo Oil for Intense Heat Defense™ and Curl Pattern Protection™, restoring health and shine. Perfect for protein sensitive hair.
Customer Review: “This conditioner made all my tangles melt like butta. The slip is out of this world and my hair is wonderfully moisturized.”
4. Miche Beauty Prime Smoothing & Detangling Conditioner
Product Promise: This silicone-free formula does an excellent job at detangling stubborn knots and tangles.
Customer Review: “I absolutely love this product! ❤ It literally melts the tangles away like butter on hot bread! It makes my hair soft and manageable too!”
5. Jessicurl Aloeba Daily Conditioner
Product Promise: This conditioner uses coconut, jojoba and avocado oils to moisturize the hair without being too heavy.
Customer Review: “Great as a conditioner after gentle shampoo or co-wash day. Hair is soft, not frizzy.”
6. True by Made Beautiful Intense Treatment Masque
Product Promise: This rich deep treatment masque, restores and repairs dry, damaged hair. deeply moisturizes and repairs dry, damaged or over-processed hair. Free of sulfates and parabens, shea butter and coconut penetrates hair to nourish.
Customer Review: “This masque is very moisturizing and I am able to comb through my hair. It smells really nice and not too strong.”
7. Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Conditioner
Product Promise: Our new Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing collection, enriched with a unique Raw Shea Butter blend, satisfies your thirsty curls’ and coils’ moisture needs. Our beloved Conditioner makes dry hair feel softer and delivers 9X more moisture**. Perfect for those transitioning from chemically treated to natural hair.
Customer Review: “Love this it makes my hair feel so soft and healthy it doesn’t have bad ingredients also it smells amazing I definitely recommend”
8. TGIN Triple Moisture Replenishing Conditioner
Product Promise: The perfect pick-me-up for even the driest, damaged hair. Our special formula is enriched with shea butter and sweet almond oil to hydrate, smooth, and repair strands with every use.
Customer Review: “I use this along with the leave-in conditioner and moisturizer cream and it makes my hair soft and I can actually feel the difference when I comb through my hair.”
9. Koils by Nature Ultra-Moisturizing Coco-Aloe Deep Conditioner
Product Promise: Excellent for retaining moisture, preventing breakage, and is a natural conditioning agent that provides a protective barrier that will add luster, body, & manageability to provide extra moisture so that the hair feels soft and smooth.
Customer Review: “This deep conditioner has a great slip and it leaves your hair feeling moisturize.”
10. Curls Coconut Curlada Conditioner
Product Promise: Super hydrating and luxurious rinse-off conditioner contains certified organic ingredients. Contains no silicone or mineral/petrolatum oil, paraben-free, sulfate-free. Effortless, frizz free curls for multi-ethnic women and girls. This conditioner softens, detangles, moisture and hydrates your dry curls in a snap. Coconut Curlada conditioner is the most moisturizing curl conditioner on the market.
Customer Review: “This conditioner is a quick and easy way to hydrate, condition, and soften my hair. Not only does it help detangle my tresses, but it smells so good too!”
There you have it, a list of ten silicone-free conditioners for your natural hair. Now I’d like to know which silicone-free conditioners have you tried? Which one will you be trying? Let me know in the comments section.