I Tried 21 Non-Toxic Products for Curly Hair. These Are My Favorites!

Growing up, I heavily resonated with Hermione Granger (and not just because I’ve always been a bookworm). I, too, had bushy brown hair that felt entirely unmanageable and was always three times the size of my head. My mom had gorgeous spiral curls, while my lack of knowledge on how to treat my 2C waves left me with a frizzy, giant ‘do on the regular. 

I vied after my classmates who were “blessed” with pin-straight hair, and I spent countless hours meticulously straightening (aka, frying) every last strand on my head to look “normal”.

Over a decade later, I wouldn’t trade my hair texture for anything. I adore my mix of curls and waves. 

Thanks to the right products and techniques, I’ve nailed down a solid routine that allows  me to embrace my natural locks confidently. My curl routine protects my hair, saves me time in the morning, and has taught me how to live with and cherish my natural hair texture. 

This guide contains product recommendations and we may receive compensation if you purchase through certain links. As always, we only make recommendations that are genuine!

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My Search for the Best Non-Toxic Products for Curly Hair

With an emphasis on using the right products and kicking out the wrong methods, my hair has become one of my greatest assets. After trial and error (and then more trial, and then more error…), I thought I had perfected my routine. 

But then: the day came when I learned about toxins in personal care products. I was horrified to discover how many chemicals were in my products. Not just my haircare, but also my skincare, makeup, and pretty much everything else I used was toxic, too. 😩

With all the products that line store shelves, finding safe and effective hair products can feel like a tall order. 

But here’s the good news: just because you make somewhat “crunchy” consumer decisions doesn’t mean you need to feel crunchy. Non-toxic curly hair products don’t mean you’re doomed to an unruly mane decorated with frizz and flyaways. There are so many awesome hair products to nurture your curls without threatening to disrupt your hormones or increase your risk of cancer. Stay tuned to discover my honest review of the best non-toxic products for curly hair. 

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First: Kick These Toxic Hair Care Ingredients Out of Your House

It’s no secret that most big-brand personal care products are filled with not-so-great ingredients. Nowadays, ingredient transparency is more important than ever so that we consumers can protect our health. Before we dive into the best products for curly hair, here are some key toxic ingredients to kick out of your hair care routine (and your home): 

• Undisclosed “fragrance” (which can contain phthalates)
• Parabens
• Ethoxylated ingredients like Sodium Laureth Sulfate
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate
• Formaldehyde-releasers like DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, and Polyoxymethylene Urea
• Behentrimonium Methosulfate (This ingredient is VERY difficult to avoid in haircare products, especially conditioners. We need more research on it (there is not much), but it is a “quat” that may be associated with endocrine disruption/reproductive effects. This is according to the EWG; however, I haven’t actually been able to find the scientific evidence to back this up. This is one you may want to avoid out of the ‘precautionary principle.’ 

The list doesn’t end there, but these are some of the most commonly used ingredients you’ll want to watch out for.

(But don’t worry! We’ve taken a lot of the work out for you by vetting safe haircare brands below!)

Curly Hair 101

Before I dive into the best natural products for curly hair, let’s cover the basics of how to treat curly hair. (After all, the best non-toxic products won’t do you any good if you don’t know how to treat your hair right!) 

Here’s what to do (and what not to do) to make embracing your curls easier:

Drop the towel

To eliminate frizz, avoid drying your hair with a standard bath towel. Terry cloth tends to draw out too much moisture, and the rough texture messes with curl patterns. To help your curls form frizz-free, swap out your bath towel for a microfiber cloth (or if you’re like me and don’t own a microfiber cloth, just use a t-shirt). 

Abbie recommends the organic cotton Sunrise Bliss hair towels—she’s been using those for her wavy hair for years!

Diffuse, diffuse, diffuse

If you’re going to blow dry your hair and want to keep your curls intact, make sure to use a diffuser. This will help break up some blowing power to reduce frizz levels and maintain your curl pattern. 

If you don’t have a diffuser, you can use a (clean) sock in a pinch to cover the blow dryer head and diffuse some of the intensity (just be careful not to let the sock get too hot).

More is more

If you’re using the curly girl method and leaving the product to dry, you need more product than you may think. I used to be so afraid of using too much product because I didn’t want my hair to feel dry, crunchy, or stiff. Trust me: if you want defined, hydrated curls, you’ll likely need a LOT of product. 

Experiment with different amounts based on your hair texture and thickness, but if you feel like your curls aren’t defined after drying, you may need to up your product usage to give your hair the help it needs.

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By the way, to give you an idea of my hair texture and curl type, here is a “before” photo of my hair without any product in it, next to an “after” photo where I used Evolvh’s products!

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The Best Non-Toxic Products for Curly Hair

When it comes to buying curly hair products, SO many factors impact buying decisions: price point, ingredient and quality standards, packaging, post-wash feel, and texture are a few biggies for finding the best hair care. 

I tested out a ton of options to recommend the best non-toxic shampoos, conditioners, and styling products for curly hair, and I’m diving deep to give you all the details on each bottle. Although there are tons of high-quality curly hair products on this list, here are some that deserve an extra shoutout: 

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Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Shampoo

Price: $10

Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Shampoo is made for normal to dry hair. This pH-balanced formula is enriched with lavender essential oil, aloe, babassu oil, vitamin E, and quinoa protein to intensely nourish and hydrate your ‘do. 

It’s EWG-verified and vegan, and its biodegradable formula is made using organic ingredients without synthetic fragrances, phthalates, animal testing, GMOs, or synthetic colors. 

My take: This shampoo is extremely cleansing and hydrating. My bone to pick with natural products is that sometimes the packaging can be wonky, and the lack of sulfates often translates to a lack of suds. I was happy that this product comes with none of that baggage. The bottle is easy to work with and the product lathers quickly and easily. 

While this shampoo leaves my hair feeling squeaky clean and gives it the texture oomph that I’m looking for, I have to be honest: I’m not crazy about the scent. I expected this to be my new coveted nightly ritual because I’m obsessed with lavender. However, it smells like lavender in the way that Lysol smells like lemon to me: almost too intense and cleaning-product-like. It’s worth mentioning that it makes my hair smell nice and lavender-y post-wash, so maybe the intensity is necessary for the scent to stick around. 

Overall, I’d recommend this to a friend (especially for the price point), but it’s not my *favorite* shampoo on this list. 

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Avalon Organics Conditioner

Price: $10 

Formulated with lavender essential oil, babassu oil, vitamin E, aloe, and quinoa protein, this Avalon Organics conditioner is made for normal to dry hair to hydrate and revitalize every last strand for a noticeably softer, shinier mane. This biodegradable formula is pH-balanced, vegan, EWG-verified, and made using organic ingredients without GMOs, undisclosed fragrances, synthetic colors, phthalates, or animal testing. 

My take: You really can’t beat this conditioner for the price point. Just like the shampoo, I find that the scent is a little much for me (again, could be personal preference). It’s not so bad that it makes me dislike the product, but something to keep in mind if you’re sensitive to fragrance. 

Scent aside, this conditioner is thick, hydrating, and easily works through my hair, leaving it noticeably softer afterward. 

If you’re looking for a natural shampoo/conditioner duo that doesn’t break the bank, Avalon Organics is a solid option. 

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Evolvh SmartCurl Hydrating Wash

Price: $32

This shampoo is specifically formulated to bring moisture back to thick, curly, or coarse textures. It repairs strands by infusing antioxidants, fatty acids, and amino acids while gently cleansing to prevent split ends and breakage. 

Evolvh’s SmartCurl Hydrating Wash is designed to eliminate frizz while bringing out the best in curls. It nourishes all curl types without weighing them down, leaving behind visibly shinier, softer, stronger hair. 

It’s non-GMO and vegan, made using only clean ingredients without salt, silicones, parabens, sodium lauryl sulfates, panthenol, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, gluten, or ethoxylate. 

My take: My hair feels soft and hydrated after washing with this shampoo, and it gives a deep clean while improving my texture. I also really enjoy the scent. I can’t put my finger on exactly what it smells like, but it’s fresh and clean. 

One thing I will say: it’s not a dealbreaker, but the bottle can be tricky to use. The shampoo is difficult to squeeze out and leaks from both ends of the cap instead of just the intended opening. 

Overall, my hair feels great after using it, the ingredients are clean, and I would recommend this shampoo to anyone whose main concern is curl definition. 

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off your order.

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Evolvh SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner

Price: $34

Evolvh’s SmartCurl Hydrating Conditioner is made to nourish and fight frizz for curly, coarse, or thick hair. It’s vegan, non-GMO, and made without silicones, parabens, panthenol, ethoxylates, phthalates, gluten, or synthetic fragrances. This color-safe formula uses amino acids, antioxidants, and fatty acids to reinforce hair strength from the inside out for soft-to-the-touch hair with less frizz and more definition and shine. 

My take: This product is intensely hydrating. It’s on the thicker side, which I appreciate in a conditioner. It has the same fresh scent as the shampoo, and I notice significantly less frizz while my hair is drying. This is a fantastic conditioner for preserving hair texture, especially if your frizz is tough to tame. 

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off.

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Evolvh TotalControl Styling Crème

Price: $28

Evolvh’s TotalControl Styling Crème is a multitasking shaping product that instantly adds fullness, volume, and shine, improves texture and definition, and extends the life of blowouts. It protects the hair against UV and heat damage while leaving the hair touchably soft. This clean formula is paraben-free, panthenol-free, silicone-free, phthalate-free, synthetic fragrance-free, ethoxylate-free, gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO. 

My Take: This styling crème is a winner: it gives my curls extra definition without feeling crunchy, stiff, or sticky. It’s truly lightweight and adds bounce and texture without weighing down my hair. It helps keep my hair intact after styling, and it has a refreshing clean scent. Definitely recommend!

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off.

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Evolvh InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse

Price: $29

This non-toxic volumizing hair mousse works to ramp up hair volume and lift, smooth the hair, define curls, wipe out frizz, and add hold while protecting strands from UV and heat damage. 

With its flexible holding power and weightless texture, this mousse lifts strands at the root and absorbs excess oil for a shiny, bouncy mane without any crunchy or sticky residue. This lightweight formula is free from synthetic fragrance, parabens, panthenol phthalates, silicones, alcohols, gluten, and GMOs. And it’s vegan, too. 

My take:  This product makes a noticeable difference in curls, but you can’t feel any kind of residue after the fact (which I love). It’s easy to work into the hair and adds noticeable volume. My hair feels soft, bouncy, and smooth after using it. This is an excellent styling product for all hair types, and it gets my curly stamp of approval.

Use code THEFILTERY15 for 15% off. 

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Prose Custom Shampoo

Price: $34

Prose’s custom shampoo varies from formula to formula, however, each is designed with the same end goal: to clarify, rebalance, and hydrate the hair. 

Prose designs each of their cruelty-free hair products without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, alcohol, mineral oils, or GMOs, with an additional option to be fragrance-free, vegan, or silicone-free. 

Whether your hair is long, short, straight, curly, or somewhere in between, Prose’s custom formulas are designed to suit the needs of your one-of-a-kind tresses. 

My take: The key ingredient in my custom formula is sunflower seed oil, which nourishes the hair with antioxidants to boost hydration and color protection. I chose the Botanica fragrance with notes of lavender, rosemary, and eucalyptus, which smells amazing. 

The shampoo feels nourishing and cleansing, and agrees well with my hair—which makes sense, since it’s formulated specifically for me! Prose is a great way to meet the unique needs of your hair, especially if you struggle to find a product that checks all of your boxes. 

*Note that Prose does use some not-great ingredients in some of their formulations, and you unfortunately are not able to see the full ingredient list for your customized formulations before buying. (You do get a full ingredient label with your physical products.) If you want to check the full ingredient list before you make a purchase, reach out to Prose and ask them for it!

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Prose Custom Conditioner

Price: $34

Prose’s custom conditioner hydrates and restores hair without weighing it down.

My take: My custom conditioner uses babassu oil and maracuja oil to nourish and strengthen my hair while protecting it from external factors. Both of these key ingredients provide deep moisture to restore hair health and detangle while encouraging bouncy, full-of-life curls and texture. 

The texture of this conditioner is thick, creamy, and hydrating, and it seamlessly works into my hair without feeling dry or tangled. The Botanica scent smells floral and fragrant without being too overpowering, and this formula is exactly what I’m looking for in a curly conditioner. 

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Prose Custom Curl Cream

Price: $30

This custom curl cream by Prose can be used as a styler or for touch-ups. It’s made to define natural wavy, curly, or coily textures, with each customized formula created to hydrate the hair while banishing frizz.

My take: My Prose curl cream formula includes linseed extract, pequi oil, and baobab extract to improve curl definition and hold, enhance the texture of natural curls, promote stronger hair from root to tip, and keep frizz at bay. I stuck with the Botanica scent, which smells like a dream (even after drying). 

I notice a big difference with this product—it helps to define each curl and wave while reducing flyaways, frizz, and the dry texture I often battle. My hair looks and feels more hydrated and lively after using this product. 

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Prose Custom Styling Gel

Price: $30

This custom styling gel is flake-free and non-crunchy to add hold and definition to each curl. It holds up against humidity to prevent frizz and shrinkage while keeping hair in place with a touchable hold.

My take: This styling gel agrees with my hair on all fronts. It adds texture that my natural hair can’t achieve without help, without weighing it down or adding crunchiness. Again, the Botanica fragrance translates so well with this product and leaves my hair smelling amazing long after it dries. My formula is made with hydrolyzed okra extract, aloe vera juice, inulin, and sea moss powder to plump up, nourish, and define curls while promoting softer, shinier hair. 

Overall: I really like all of Prose’s custom hair products, but I think my favorite (if you had to choose just one) is the Custom Styling Gel!

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Attitude Super Leaves Curl Amplifying Shampoo

Price: $16

Attitude’s EWG-verified shampoo is made to nourish and improve the texture of type 2 and 3 curls. It’s formulated with coconut oil, Indian cress, and watercress to volumize, hydrate, strengthen, and restore the integrity of each curl. It’s dermatologically tested, vegan, and made using only safe ingredients. 

My take: I’m a big fan of this shampoo. The scent is lovely, it’s easy to lather, and the packaging is extremely user-friendly (the product doesn’t come out until you actually squeeze the bottle, rather than leaking out as soon as it’s upside down). 

I do notice more curl definition when I use this product—it hydrates my hair and helps to encourage a better texture. Overall, this shampoo is a big win in my book.

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Attitude Super Leaves Curl Ultra Hydrating Shampoo

Price: $16

Attitude’s Super Leaves Curl Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo is made for type 3 and 4 hair, using shea butter, Indian cress extract, and watercress to nourish, clean, and hydrate curls. It’s infused with exotic pineapple and notes of floral jasmine and lily for a delicate fruity floral scent and is EWG-verified, dermatologically tested, and vegan.

My take: This shampoo is very similar to the Attitude Super Leaves Curl Amplifying Shampoo, and it’s just as good. It’s easy to use, lathers well, and leaves my hair feeling next-level clean. 

The main difference I noticed was that this shampoo feels a bit more hydrating, and doesn’t provide as much definition to my curls (it still added some texture, and that’s an easy fix with some curl products). If you’re choosing between the two, I’d base the decision on which is more important to you: hydration or curl definition. 

What about Attitude’s curl conditioner? Attitude also has two conditioners to go with these shampoos: Amplifying conditioner for curly hair and Ultra-nourishing conditioner for curly hair. The reason these ones didn’t make the cut is that they do contain a few quats (Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium-6, and Polyquaternium-10). These may not be the “worst” ingredients, but there is a lack of data on their safety and, because of what we know about other quats, you may want to implement the precautionary principle and avoid/minimize them.

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100% Pure Glossy Locks Moisture Drench Shampoo

Price: $34

100% Pure’s intensely moisturizing shampoo uses biotin, coconut oil, rose hydrosol, seaweed collagen, cucumber, horsetail plant, and aloe vera to enhance each strand with deep hydration. Its natural, cruelty-free, vegan, sulfate-free, and gluten-free formula locks in moisture for added bounce, volume, and shine.

My take: I’m obsessed with the scent of this shampoo and how clean, refreshed, and hydrated my hair feels after using it. It lathers easily and my hair looks (and feels) noticeably softer and shinier after washing. I’m extra prone to dry, frizzy hair when I don’t use the right products, and after using this shampoo and conditioner duo, my hair feels so hydrated. 

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100% Pure Glossy Locks Moisture Drench Conditioner

Price: $34

Made with moisture-rich ingredients like rose hydrosol, aloe vera, argan oil, seaweed collagen, and cucumber, 100% Pure’s Glossy Locks Moisture Drench Conditioner is designed to nurture and enrich dehydrated hair. It’s vegan, natural, cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and gluten-free for a safe, gentle, and nourishing conditioner option.  

My take: This product smells amazing and is, in my opinion, the most hydrating conditioner on this list. It’s truly a “moisture drench” product. After rinsing it out, my hair feels so soft. 

The packaging is easy to work with, and the thick conditioner formula simplifies saturating my hair with the product. My mom has fine ringlet curls and also loves this hydrating shampoo and conditioner duo. If you struggle with dry hair, I’d give the Moisture Drench line a try. 

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Wellnesse Restoring Shampoo

Price: $20

This clean shampoo is made with quinoa, lavender, and nettle leaf extract to support healthy, shiny hair. Coconut oil, shea butter, slicer seed, and lentil seed enrich the hair with essential fatty acids and vitamins to restore the hair and reduce breakage. 

My take: The coconut and citrus scent of this shampoo is tropical and subtle, and it thoroughly cleans my hair without stripping it of moisture. This shampoo quickly lathers and leaves my hair feeling soft, clean, and restored. This product agrees well with my hair, especially when combined with the conditioner (below). 

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Wellnesse Restoring Conditioner

Price: $20

Wellnesse designed this conditioner to restore hair damaged by heat, free radicals, chemicals, and air pollution. This Restoring Conditioner uses nourishing ingredients like argan oil, nettle lead, safflower, and hydrolyzed quinoa for a deep condition that hydrates each strand and improves overall softness and shine. It’s paraben-free and cruelty-free.

My take: This conditioner smells amazing, and it noticeably improves the look and feel of my hair after washing. The formula is on the thinner side, so it doesn’t feel as hydrating as some others on this list when I have it in. Despite not *feeling* like it provides as much moisture, it enhances and defines my curl pattern after washing. My hair feels soft and has less frizz after using this conditioner (especially when paired with the shampoo). 

Overall, this product is both hydrating and softening, and it helps to bring out the best in my wavy hair texture. 

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Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo (available at Target)

Price: $12

Shea Moisture’s Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Shampoo is designed to transform unmanageable curls for added shine, bounce, and moisture. This sulfate-free shampoo uses certified organic shea butter to bring dull hair back to life while providing a deep cleanse. It’s infused with hibiscus flower and coconut, rosemary, neem, and aloe oil to hydrate, protect, reduce breakage and split ends, and add extra shine to the hair. 

My take: I’ve been a long-time fan of Shea Moisture—their products have always seemed to agree with my hair. This shampoo is no different. It’s extremely nourishing, and the thick formula feels luxurious during application. The scent is nice, and my hair looks more defined and feels soft after using it. I’ve also tried the Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner, which is another winner. 

The one thing I don’t like about Shea Moisture is that they don’t disclose all of their fragrance ingredients. While this isn’t ideal, they do say that it’s all-natural and phthalate-free. So, if you need to grab something at Target, this is one of the best options.

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Bask and Bloom Shampoo Bar

Price: $15

This shampoo bar uses rhassoul and bentonite clay to banish product buildup and clarify the hair without losing moisture. It also contains amla powder and honey for a rich lather that clarifies, enhances volume, eliminates dandruff and dirt, and rejuvenates the hair without stripping it of natural oils. 

It’s sulfate-free, cruelty-free, paraben-free, phthalate-free, synthetic color-free, made with recyclable packaging, and suitable for all hair types. 

My take: I’ve been keeping this shampoo bar in my gym bag because it’s perfect for on-the-go (no spills!). The scent is delicious and it lathers well, which I wasn’t expecting from a solid shampoo bar. (If you’re interested in exploring more non-toxic shampoo bars, check out this post.) I also appreciate that it’s a long-lasting product. A little goes a long way, and the bar clarifies and cleanses without drying my hair out. 

Plus, the fact that it can also be used as a facial cleanser is a bonus! 

The one thing I don’t love about this product is that they don’t disclose all of the fragrance ingredients. They’re listed as “Honey and Essential Oil Blend for Fragrance.” This isn’t a deal-breaker for me personally (especially since I really wanted to try a shampoo bar), but if you have any allergies to specific essential oils, you may want to skip this one (or just reach out them and ask for a full list).

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Dr Bronner’s Citrus Organic Hair Rinse

Price: $10 

Dr. Bronner’s Citrus Organic Hair Rinse is made with organic lemon juice, shikakai, coconut, hemp seed, and olive oils to gently cleanse while conditioning the hair shafts and nourishing each strand. 

My take: This is a fantastic way to ease into the no-poo method. It’s important to note that this product is not an actual shampoo: it doesn’t really lather, and it doesn’t have the same softening or curl-defining effects as some of the others on this list. 

However, it serves its purpose well! My hair feels clean after using the rinse, and the orange scent is refreshing and subtle. If you’re looking to switch to a no-poo routine, this is a perfect starting point to skip the shampoo while keeping up the fresh-washed feeling. 

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Pure Haven Styling Cream

Price: $25

Pure Haven’s styling cream is designed for all hair types to add body and shine to the hair. Its formula is enriched with pea peptide to add lift and volume, acai sterols and blood orange peel oil to hydrate and reduce frizz, and yucca extract to reinforce strength to leave strands smooth and shiny. 

My take: This styling gel exceeded my expectations. It’s lightweight and doesn’t leave your hair with a hard cast, so I’ve been using this on days when I’m running out of the door with wet hair and letting it air dry on the go. (Any advice for not hitting the snooze button every day would be greatly appreciated.) 

I typically just scrunch it into my hair and squeeze out any excess moisture with a t-shirt or microfiber cloth, and then I’m ready to go. I’ve noticed it helps prevent frizz from forming and adds texture and definition to my hair. 

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I hope this guide has helped you find some non-toxic curly hair products that will work well with your hair and routine!

If there are any natural & non-toxic curly hair products that you love, let me know in the comments below and maybe I’ll try them out.

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