The 13 Best Detanglers To Smooth Out Your Curly Strands (2023)
Detangling is now made easy with these hair care products that boost hair manageability.
Danielle Wilkinson BrucklacherLicensed Cosmetologist
Expertise: Bridal Hair & Makeup, Hair Color, Cutting, and Facial Wax
Experience: 14 years
Danielle obtained her cosmetology license from MTI College and continued with her education in Makeup Artistry at Bellus Academy. She then began session styling for weddings and special events, including celebrity occasions. With 14 years o... more
Expertise: Beauty & Lifestyle, Health & Wellness
Experience: 7 years
Arshiya Syeda is a senior editor at StyleCraze with 7 years of experience. Prior to that, she was a content writer and combined her writing and research skills to write over 200 high-performing articl... more
Image: From Shutterstock
Regardless of its texture, healthy hair needs maintenance to look its glorious best. Curly and wavy hair needs that extra bit of love and care as you need to detangle it to make it manageable. For this, you need some of the best detangling products available.
A good detangling routine involves regular brushing and combing to make your hair knot-free and more manageable. In this article, we have shortlisted 13 of the best detangling products that will make your hair manageable and give it the shine, bounce, and glow it deserves.
In This Article
Top 13 Products To Detangle Your Curly Hair
1. Best Gluten-Free Formula:The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler Spray
Image: The Honest Co.
You can use this detangler spray for curly hair every day as it is mild and gentle on hair and scalp. The product contains natural plant-based ingredients such as argan oil, shea butter, jojoba protein, vanilla fruit extract, and quinoa extract, making it easy for detangling. It softens and smooths the hair and is easy to use. All you need to do is spray it liberally on damp or dry hair, and brush or comb through. It has a sweet and citrusy scent of orange and vanilla and also works well on thin hair. The spray also improves the luster of your hair and offers soft and silky strands. If you want to know more about the benefits of this product, check out this quick review on YouTube.
Pros- Gluten-free
- Vegan product
- Designed for all hair types
- Detangles wet or dry hair
- Separates hair strands easily
- Contains no animal by-product
- Helps soften and smooth your hair
Cons
- May not be suitable for all hair types
2. Best Alcohol-Free Formula:Garnier Fructis Style Curl Renew Reactivating Milk Spray
Image: Garnier The Garnier Fructis Style Curl Renew Reactivating Milk Spray is a coconut-oil rich formula that transforms frizzy hair into well-defined, voluminous curls. This hair spray can be your ultimate one-stop solution for gorgeous tresses. It is suitable for naturally curly hair and aids in improving hair texture. It delivers intense hydration and conditioning and turns your coarse, dry strands smooth and shiny.
Pros- Suitable for wavy to coily hair
- Enhances shine
- Alcohol-free
- Cruelty-free
- Non-crunchy
- Non-drying
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Some may find the coconut scent overpowering
Quick Tip3. Best Lightweight Formula:MIZANI 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
Image: Mizani
This detangler conditioner for curly is one of the best products you can get your hands on. Detangling matted natural hair can take hours and hours, yet this lightweight leave-in conditioner penetrates deep into the follicle and protects and moisturizes your hair to help detangle and hydrate the locks. It contains a blend of natural ingredients such as fennel seed oil that strengthens and nourishes your hair. Fennel seed oil also prevents breakage and coconut oil moisturizes your hair and makes it soft and shiny. You can apply this conditioner to clean, damp hair whenever you need to detangle and style it. Here’s an honest review of the product.
Pros- Controls frizz
- Enhances curls
- Offers quick and efficient detangling
- Protection against heat damage
- Soft and shiny hair
Cons
- Might leave a heavy and sticky build-up on your hair
4. Best Anti-Frizz Formula:Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Curl Refresher Spray
Image: Carol's Daughter
If you are looking for a good detangler for curly hair, you should consider this one. This lightweight water-based mist spray hydrates and rejuvenates your hair. Enriched with almond oil, sunflower seed extract, pro-vitamin B5, and agave nectar, these natural antioxidants aid in locking in moisture and controlling frizz to soften and controls frizz to soften and detangle your hair. The wheat protein in the hair detangler for curly hair helps condition and strengthen your hair while the sweet almond oil improves manageability. All you need to do is spray it evenly on dry hair to reactivate curls and reshape and scrunch curls back into place with your fingers. Here’s a video featuring a detailed review of the product.
Pros- Adds shine to hair
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Ideal for naturally curly hair
- Locks in moisture and controls frizz
- No artificial color
- Petroleum-free
Cons
- May not hold moisture in your hair for a long time.
Quick Tip5. Best Non-Greasy Formula:Pantene Gold Series Leave-on Detangling Milk
Image: Pantene
This detangler was developed by scientists and stylists after studying African ancestry hair for over a decade. They found that distinctive twists and curves make delivering moisture, shine and strength to your hair a challenge. A moisturizing cream designed to make your hair stronger, this detangler is great for styling your hair with soft curls. It helps tame frizzy hair for easy combing. Infused with milk and argan oil, the detangling product is sulfate and dye-free.
Pros- Tames frizz
- Softens curls
- Locks in moisture
- Strengthens your hair
- Sulfate-free and dye-free
- Non-greasy
Cons
- The detangling milk and oil may solidify in your hair.
6. Best For Children:Aunt Jackie’s Girls Knot Havin’ It – Leave-In Ultimate Detangling Moisturizer
Image: Aunt Jackie's
This detangler for curly hair can loosen knots and moisturize your hair instantly. It makes your hair tangle-free with easy combing and managing. Infused with natural oils, it helps strengthen your hair and provides a long-lasting effect. It is most effective when applied to damp and clean hair. The humectants refresh your hair by locking in moisture for a long time. After applying it to your hair, do not pull through tangles when you comb with a wide-tooth comb upward towards the roots.
Pros- Easy combing
- No tears for baby
- Moisturizing properties
- Keeps your curls soft, defined, and hydrated
Cons
- Contains sulfate
7. Earth Vibes Natural Hair Detangler Spray
Image: Earth Vibes
Moisturize your hair with this natural detangler as it is effective against tangling. This all-natural detangler spray is ideal for long, wavy, and curly hair. Infused with organic ingredients, the detangling hair product restores the health of hair cuticles. The brand claims to make your hair healthier with vitamins and other nutrients in avocado oil, green tea leaf extract, and essential oils. It improves the luster of your hair and makes combing and styling easy.
Pros- Controls frizz
- Repairs split ends
- Increases hair volume
- Made for all hair types
- Adds moisture and shine to your hair
Cons
- Contains sulfate
8. Best UV Protection:Sun Bum Curls & Waves Detangler
Image: Sun Bum This lightweight detangler uses natural ingredients such as kukui nut oil and monoi coconut oil to provide a protective conditioning layer. It helps soften, tame, and smoothen curls and helps control frizz while refining your hair and restoring luster. It also helps prevent discoloration of your hair. The seaweed protein marine extracts strengthen your hair. Spray the moisturizer on your damp hair. Work it through your hair with your fingertips or a wide-toothed comb and undo the tangles.
Pros- Vegan
- Controls frizz
- Provides heat protection
- Tames and smoothes curls
- Provides UV protection
Cons
- Some may find the scent of bananas too strong.
9. Best For Color-Treated Hair:Sustainable Glam 13 in 1 Epic Leave-in Conditioner Detangler
Image: Sustainable Glam Detangle and nourish your hair with the Sustainable Glam 13 in 1 Epic Leave-in Conditioner Detangler. This hair spray is formulated for curly, thick, fine, color-treated, short, long, and damaged hair. You can use this hair spray directly on wet or dry hair. This leave-in spray is infused with macadamia oil, argan oil, olive oil, seaweed, and fruits & green tea extract that nourish your hair deeply, detangle and control your hair, prevent frizz, and add moisture and shine to your hair.
Pros- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
- Cruelty-free
- Colorant-free
- Sodium chloride-free
Cons
None
10. Best For Low Porosity Hair:Maui Moisture Detangler Hibiscus Water
Image: Maui Moisture
If you are looking for lightweight hydration, this detangler might be the right product for you. Formulated with ingredients commonly found on tropical islands like Maui, it includes hibiscus water, passion fruit, and watermelon to help hydrate your scalp and hair. It penetrates through the hair shafts and moisturizes your hair, while adding shine and controlling frizz. The detangling product also contains aloe vera juice and coconut water, which repairs split ends and makes your hair stronger and healthier.
Pros- Sulfate-free
- Repairs split ends
- Suitable for low porosity hair
- Lightweight hydration
Cons
- Some may find the coconut scent too pungent.
11. Best For Split Ends:Sauce Beauty Leave In Conditioner And Detangler
Image: Sauce Beauty
Detangling could not have been simpler. Spray this leave-in conditioner throughout towel-dried hair and comb and style your hair as per your choice. This detangling hair product helps prevent split ends in all hair types. You can also replace your regular conditioner with this product if you have fine hair but if your hair is coarse and oily, use it as a leave-in conditioner. The ingredients cucumber water, coconut oil, yogurt, and mint help smoothen your hair instantly.
Pros- Controls frizz
- Smoothes hair
- Works on all hair types
- Minimizes hair breakage
Cons
- It may not work on dyed hair
12. Best Sulfate-Free Formula:Sustainable Glam 15 In 1 Benefits Leave-in Mask Detangler
Image: Sustainable Glam
This detangling product is made from the best of certified organic ingredients like coconut oil that conditions and repairs your hair, argan oil that controls the frizz, avocado oil that works as an antioxidant and gives you soft hair, chia that protects your hair from structural damage and UV radiation, and olive oil that locks moisture in your hair. The leave-in detangler also adds shine to your hair and helps nourish and condition your hair without affecting the color of your hair. It can be used on both wet and dry hair and comes in sustainable bioplastic bottles made from sugarcane.
Pros- Vegan
- Enhances hair elasticity
- Gluten-free
- Frizz-free hair
- A non-GMO product
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free.
Cons
- May not be suitable for oily hair
- Some may feel that it does not retain moisture in their hair for long.
13. Best pH-Balanced Formula:Curl Keeper Slip 30 Second Detangler
Image: Curly Hair Solutions
Your hair will never look dull again with this hair detangling product as this gentle, non-greasy formula works on all types of curly hair and restores the pH balance of natural hair and scalp to give you strong and healthy hair. It enhances the volume of your hair and helps loosen the knots and tangles and is silicone-free. It is water-based and contains ingredients like aloe vera, chamomile, silk proteins, panthenol, calendula retains moisture in your hair, giving it a smooth look and feel. It works as a leave-in conditioner as well. With this product, you do not have to worry about any change in your hair color.
Pros- Silicone-free
- Reduces hair loss
- Safe for children
- pH balanced
- Cruelty-free
Cons
- May not work well on thick and curly hair
Infographic: Tips To Choose The Right Detangling Product As Per Your Curl Type
Curly and wavy hair needs extra care and attention to stay hydrated and healthy. These hair types tend to get tangled easily, which alters their look and texture. This is where detangling products, such as conditioners and sprays, come into play. Check out the infographic below for some essential tips to consider while choosing a detangling product as per your curl type.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
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The Bottom Line
Curly hair tends to knot and get matted very quickly, and that is why you need the best detangling products to loosen those stubborn knots. A good detangling hair product will make your hair manageable and enhance your curls’ beauty. The products reviewed in the curated list help control frizz, lock in moisture, and offer UV protection. The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler is a hypoallergenic formula that is lighweight and absorbs quickly, while the MIZANI 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner hydrates your hair and offers effective heat protection. The Aunt Jackie’s Girls Knot Havin’ It – Leave-In Ultimate Detangling Moisturizer is ideal to loosen the toughest knots and refreshes your hair. You can apply these products to easily detangle and style your hair. While applying these products, we recommend you divide your hair into sections to make it easier for you to undo the tangles. In addition, these products are free from any chemical additives and keep your curls soft, hydrated, and well-defined.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author of this article, Medha Deb, has a deep interest in hair care. After in-depth research and consulting reliable user reviews online, she has picked the best detangling products for curly hair for her readers. The shortlisted products help deal with stubborn knots effortlessly, keep your hair manageable, and add shine and life to them till the next wash.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is detangling good for curly hair?
Yes, it is good to detangle your hair. If you do not do it, it can lead to breakage and damage to your hair.
Should I detangle my curly hair every day?
It is not necessary. You can detangle your hair whenever you clean or condition your hair. But the process can take some time depending on the texture of your hair. So, it’s recommended that you detangle your hair at least once a week.
Should you detangle your curly hair wet or dry?
It is best to detangle your hair while it is wet. Coat hair with conditioner and use a wide-tooth comb to loosen your tangles gently. Be extra careful when detangling your dry hair as the strands can break and the cuticle can get damaged due to lack of flexibility.
Why does curly hair get tangled easily?
As curly hair tends to be drier, it gets tangled easily. Avoid tangles by washing your hair in sections using a gentle hair detangler.
Do I start detangling from the root to the tip?
No. Do not start from the roots as it can cause tension and stress to your roots and lead to pain and hair breakage.
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- Best Silicone-Free Hair Products To Detangle Soften Your Hair
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