13 Best Moisturizers For Natural 4C Hair
1. Best Overall: Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk
The Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Style Milk is a non-rinse, hydrating styling cream formulated with silk protein, coconut oil, aloe vera leaf juice, algae extract, carrot root extract, hibiscus extract, soybean oil, sage leaf extract, and neem oil. This smooth-textured curly hair styling lotion hydrates, detangles, and adds definition and shine to hair. It also helps combat frizz. Regular application of this moisturizer makes hair strong, soft, nourished, and manageable. Check out this detailed review to know more about the product. Pros
Formulated with natural ingredients like aloe vera, coconut oil, carrot root extract, etc. Contains silk protein for extra shine. Hydrates and nourishes dry and brittle hair. Coconut oil strengthens hair. Makes hair soft, defined, and manageable. Reduces frizz. Suitable for all types of curly hair. Suitable for daily use. Paraben-free Sulfate-free Phthalate-free Cruelty-free No mineral oil No petroleum
Cons
May not be suitable for oily scalp. May not be suitable for people with soy allergy.
2. Best In Natural Ingredients: As I Am Double Butter Cream
The As I Am Double Butter Cream is formulated with hydrating shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil, jojoba oil, wheat germ oil, wheat protein, and vegetable glycerine. It is among the best moisturizers for 4C hair. It nourishes and moisturizes dry, brittle, and naturally supercoiled hair. It locks moisture to make hair soft, manageable, and tangle-free. The provitamin B5 strengthens the hair shaft and hair follicles and repairs split ends. If you are new to hair moisturizers, this video review might be useful. Pros
Formulated with natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and jojoba oil. Repairs dry and damaged hair. Provitamin B5 strengthens hair shaft and follicles. Repairs split ends. Makes hair soft, manageable, and tangle-free. Adds shine to curly hair.
Cons
Not suitable for sensitive scalp.
3. Best Petroleum-Free Formula: Design Essentials Rosemary & Mint Moisturizing Conditioner
Design Essentials Rosemary & Mint Moisturizing Conditioner is formulated with nourishing botanicals and vitamin E that help rejuvenate and hydrate dry, coarse, and damaged curly hair. This powerful leave-in conditioner makes curls shiny, soft, tangle-free, and healthy. This hair moisturizer is suitable for all types of curly hair, including 4C hair. It also works as a styling product and is enriched with hydrating avocado and almond. Coconut milk helps make the curls smooth, and the shea butter repairs split ends. Pros
Formulated with nourishing botanicals and vitamin E. Coconut milk detangles hair. Shea butter repairs damaged and dry hair. Repairs split ends. Makes curls soft and tangle-free. Adds shine. Avocado and almond hydrate hair. Paraben-free Petroleum-free Cruelty-free
Cons
Contains mineral oil.
4. Best Affordable Option: tgin Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer
The tgin (Thank God It’s Natural) Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer is enriched with shea butter and vitamin E that provide intense hydration. This hair-styling product moisturizes hair strands and increases blood circulation in the scalp. The hair cream helps combat frizz, adds natural shine, makes hair softer, and keeps hair from becoming greasy. The lightweight formula is easy to apply and does not weigh your hair down. It helps detangle and add definition to your curls. Pros
Formulated with shea butter and vitamin E. Hydrates and moisturizes dry and coarse curly hair. Combats frizz. Detangles curly hair. Makes hair soft, smooth, and shiny. Adds definition to curls. Lightweight formula. Does not weigh hair down. Suitable for daily use. Affordable Can be used as a setting cream.
Cons
Not suitable for people with soy allergy.
5. Best Mineral Oil-Free Moisturizer: Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Cream
The Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Cream from Carol’s Daughter is one of the best moisturizers for curly, tightly coiled hair. It is formulated with a moisturizing blend of cocoa butter, shea butter, and soybean oil. This hair cream helps strengthen brittle hair, moisturizes dry curly hair, and restores natural shine. It also contains beeswax and works great for textured hair. It leaves hair feeling soft, smooth, bouncy, and healthy. This awesome moisturizing cream does not contain silicones, parabens, artificial colors, mineral oil, or petroleum. Go through this video to check out the detailed review of the Carol’s Daughter Marguerite’s Magic Restorative Cream. Pros
Formulated with a moisturizing blend of cocoa butter, shea butter, and soybean oil. Hydrates and nourishes coarse hair. Formulated with beeswax and works great for textured hair. Makes hair soft and shiny. Detangles hair Makes curls manageable. Paraben-free Silicone-free Mineral oil-free Petroleum-free No artificial colors.
Cons
Has a strong smell.
6. Best Non-Sticky Formula: Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream
The Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream is a non-sticky, non-greasy, herbal hair cream that helps moisturize and revitalize dry and coarse curly hair. This hair product adds a natural shine to the curls and makes them frizz-free and soft to the touch. It is suitable for a variety of textured hair, including wavy, curly, kinky, and coiled hair. The moisturizer washes off easily and does not cause any residue buildup. Pros
Non-sticky and non-greasy. Moisturizes and revitalizes dry and coarse hair. Adds natural shine to hair. Makes hair shaft smooth. Makes coarse hair soft. Suitable for all types of hair texture. Washes off easily.
Cons
May leave flakes.
7. Best Artificial Color-free: Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter
The Carol’s Daughter Coco Creme Coil Enhancing Moisture Butter is formulated with coconut milk, coconut oil, mango butter, and murumuru butter. This blend of nourishing botanicals helps condition and improve the health of curly hair. It has a buttery texture, applies evenly, and leaves hair feeling hydrated, detangled, and soft, making them manageable. In addition, it adds lasting definition and shine to curly and coily hair and does not weigh them down. Pros
Made with natural ingredients Helps maintain curls Paraben-free Mineral oil-free Artificial color-free Petroleum-free Silicone-free Adds shine Provides long-lasting definition Makes hair soft and manageable
Cons
May have a strong smell Leaves residue
8. Best For Frizz: Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream
The Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream is a great hair product for curly, coiled, permed, and color-treated hair. This creamy blend is formulated with shea butter and other natural oils. It strengthens fragile and brittle hair, repairs split ends, detangles coiled hair, adds shine and definition to 4C hair, and makes all types of curly hair manageable. In one application you can feel reduced frizz and softer hair. This leave-in conditioner washes off easily and does not leave a residue behind. It distributes evenly and makes hair strands smooth and healthy. Pros
Formulated with shea butter and other natural oils. Moisturizes and hydrates coarse and coiled hair. Makes curly and coiled hair manageable. Detangles hair. Combats frizz. Adds shine and makes hair soft. Makes hair smooth and defined. Does not weigh hair down. Washes off easily. Does not leave a residue. Suitable for all types of curly hair. Color-safe Perm-safe
Cons
Quantity is less.
9. Best Long-Lasting Formula: Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer
The Alikay Naturals Shea Yogurt Hair Moisturizer locks moisture and rejuvenates dry, damaged, brittle, and coarse 4C coiled hair. This hair reviving cream is enriched with nourishing vitamins and minerals. It enhances hair elasticity, makes hair shiny and lustrous, retains curls, and makes the curls more manageable. This moisturizing formula helps detangle coiled hair and adds definition to curls. It applies evenly throughout hair and leaves your curls feeling soft and smooth. Pros
Formulated with hair-enriching yogurt. Seals moisture. Suitable for low-porosity hair. Rejuvenates dry, damaged, brittle, and coarse 4C coiled hair. Vitamins and minerals enhance hair elasticity. Makes hair shiny and lustrous. Adds definition to the curls. Makes coiled hair more manageable. Makes hair smooth and soft. Reasonably priced.
Cons
May leave a residue. Has a strong smell.
10. Best For Low-porosity Hair: Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer
The Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Original Leave-In Moisturizer is specially formulated for curly, coiled, kinky, and wavy hair. It is enriched with nourishing shea butter, soybean oil, and Agave nectar. This creamy blend of botanicals helps hydrate, nourish, and moisturize low-porosity hair (like the 4C hair type). This leave-in conditioner seals moisture and prevents hair drying or breakage. The formula fights frizz, softens and defines curls, and does not leave a crunchy residue. The creamy, rich texture absorbs quickly into the hair and makes it soft, glossy, and smooth. The beeswax also helps retain the curls. The lightweight formula prevents excess product buildup and does not weigh down the curls. This product is also good for styling your hair for a special occasion. Pros
Enriched with nourishing shea butter, soybean oil, and Agave nectar. Beeswax helps retain the curls. Hydrates and moisturizes coarse hair. Protects dry and brittle hair from further damage. Nourishes low-porosity hair. Creamy rich texture. Lightweight formula. Does not weigh the curls down. Makes hair soft and glossy. Adds definition to the curls. Washes off easily. Good for styling hair. Affordable
Cons
May have an off-putting smell.
11. Best Lightweight Texture: The Roots Naturelle Bouncy Curls Hydrating Crème
The Roots Naturelle Bouncy Curls Hydrating Crème energizes your curls by hydrating and adding definition to the kinky coils. This rich, creamy hair moisturizer strengthens hair strands and fights frizz. It adds bounce and shine to dull and lifeless curls. It is infused with enriching grape seed oil and olive oil. This styling product nourishes hair from the root to the tip. It leaves your hair feeling light, bouncy, shiny, soft, and super-healthy. Pros
Infused with natural ingredients. Rejuvenates dull and lifeless curls. Strengthens hair from root to the tip. Controls frizz. Olive oil and grape seed oil nourish and hydrate hair. Adds bounce and shine. Makes hair super-soft. Good for styling hair. Adds definition to curls. Affordable
Cons
Not suitable for people with a dry and sensitive scalp.
12. Best For Damaged Hair: EDEN BodyWorks Natural Deep Conditioner
The EDEN BodyWorks Natural Deep Conditioner is formulated with ultra-hydrating ingredients like jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and castor oil that help strengthen hair strands. The conditioner protects brittle and dry hair from breakage by sealing moisture and repairing unhealthy and damaged hair. It seals split ends and makes hair shiny, soft, and bouncy. It makes the coily 4C hair more manageable and defined. Pros
Formulated with jojoba oil, tea tree oil, and castor oil. Protects brittle and dry hair from breakage. Defines curls. Makes hair soft and shiny. Seals moisture and prevents drying of hair. Seals and repairs split ends. Paraben-free Sulfate-free Reasonably priced.
Cons
Has a strong smell.
13. Best For Hair Growth: Fro Butter Jamaican Castor Oil Hair Thickener Treatment
The Fro Butter Jamaican Castor Oil Hair Thickener Treatment is an amazing hair product for dry and damaged hair. It is infused with powerful oils, nourishing vitamins, and botanical extracts like Jamaican castor oil. This hair treatment helps make hair soft with defined curls and extra bounce. It stops excessive hair breakage, speeds up hair growth, and keeps the hair strands and scalp healthy and nourished. Pros
Formulated with Jamaican castor oil. Infused with powerful oils and vitamins. Speeds up hair recovery. Protects brittle and dry hair. Moisturizes extremely coarse hair. Strengthens hair. Keeps the scalp healthy. Makes hair super-soft. Adds shine and bounce to curls. Promotes hair growth.
Cons
May have a strong smell.
These are the 13 best hair moisturizers for 4C hair. Before you decide your pick, here are a few tips that can help you make a better purchase decision.
What To Look For In A Good 4C Hair Moisturizer?
Natural Ingredients – Check if the ingredients list contains moisturizing botanicals like shea butter, mango seed butter, olive oil, avocado, aloe vera, cocoa butter, coconut oil, etc.
Vitamin E – Check if the hair moisturizer has vitamin E (botanical sources are olive oil and avocado oil). Vitamin E helps the product gets absorbed quickly. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Porosity – If you have low-porosity hair or rough hair that does not absorb moisture quickly, avoid moisturizers with added protein. The extra protein will only make your hair stiffer and straw-like.
Daily/Weekly Moisturizer – Check if you want a leave-in moisturizer for weekly use or a daily moisturizer. Make sure the daily moisturizer does not strip your hair off the natural oils and the weekly moisturizer does not leave a residue.
Harsh Chemicals – Avoid using products containing parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, and artificial colors.
Before we come to a close, here are a few tips on how to keep your 4C hair coils moisturized all the time.
How To Moisturize Your 4C Hair?
Spritz water before styling. Use a deep conditioner after using a moisturizing shampoo. Use a leave-in conditioner every two days. Use a hair moisturizer. Apply moisturizing hair masks once a week. Keep yourself hydrated. Avoid heat treatment. Use a thermoprotectant if you want to straighten your hair. Go for a hair spa twice a month. Take hot oil treatment at home every week. Use a silk bonnet before going to sleep. Wear protective hairstyles.
Why Trust Stylecraze
The author of this article, Oyendrila Kanjilal, is a certified skin care coach with a keen interest in hair care. She loves to research various hair care products to bring the top list for the readers, making their choices easy. After extensive research and reading many reviews online, she has curated the list of best moisturizers for 4C hair type. These moisturizers hydrate, nourish, and impart shine to the hair. They also reduce frizz and are suitable for daily use. How often should you moisturize your 4C hair? Use a moisturizer every two days. How do you know if your 4C hair is moisturized? Your hair will start to feel soft, smooth, and look shiny and gorgeous. That’s when you know that your 4C hair is moisturized. Is it bad to put body lotion on your hair? Body lotion is not formulated to be used on hair. It will not get absorbed and will leave a residue. Is moisturizer good for 4C hair? Yes. Since 4C hair is coarse and may have a rough texture, it is important to provide it with good moisturization. How do I keep my 4C roots moisturized? Here are a few things to help you keep your 4C roots moisturized: • Hydrate yourself • Invest in a suitable moisturizer • Avoid heat exposure • Use a satin bonnet while sleeping • Deep condition on a regular basis. How can I moisturize my 4C hair at night? The best way to moisturize 4C hair overnight is by using a leave-in nourishing conditioner. Should I comb my 4C hair wet or dry? It is best if you comb your hair in a damp state. However, if you want to wait until it completely dries up, ensure to apply a suitable product to provide a good slip for easy detangling. Should you wash 4C hair with hot or cold water? Since hot water penetrates into the strands better due to having more energy, it helps the hair retain moisture at a greater level. It adds more flexibility to the texture and adds softness. How do I know if I have 4B or 4C hair? You can figure out your hair type by noticing some stark differences in its appearance. 4B hair tends to look more cottony and has a fluffy texture, it has a z-shaped pattern. On the other hand, 4C hair, with a similar texture, is more tightly coiled.
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