We Tried 35 Non-Toxic Products for Curly Hair. These Are Our Favorites!

Growing up, I (Celia) 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 (which can irritate the skin for some people)
• 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!)

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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. 

We 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.

First, Lauren’s Reviews:

Lauren’s Hair Type and Routine

First of all, below is a photo of my hair so you can get an idea of what kind of curls I have.

My approach: You should know that my curly hair routine is generally as lazy as possible (hello, I’m a single mom of three; I’m busy!). I air dry my hair, always—I never use a diffuser. And I tend to be a one-and-done product girl. So one thing goes in my hair while it’s sopping wet, I let it air dry, and then I judge the product.

What I’ve BEEN using before now: Shea Moisture’s Curl Enhancing Smoothie has been my ride or die since the day I learned about switching to non-toxic products and I began to search for a better option than Not Your Mother’s Kinky Moves. That was was my previous go-to, back when I was still using the more conventional stuff. I hated the smell of the Not Your Mother’s, though, so I was happy to move on for more reasons than one.

After trying several new products for this review, the Shea Moisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie still remains a daily go-to, especially as an affordable, low-tox option for the curly girlies. But I’m really happy to report that I’ve found some NEW favorites, too! (In fact, the Sienna Naturals and the Yarok are both giving the Shea Moisture is a run for its money!) See below for more of my thoughts on both.

As we know, there is no product that fits all sizes, shapes, textures, and coils…. So each curly girl must find her own path. I hope my reviews help narrow it down for you!

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Now, here’s what I tried…

Sienna Naturals Dream Curl Cream

Price: $32 for 6 oz

First let me say, I love this curl cream. I’m not lying when I say that when I combined this with a little of the JVN cream over it, I had the best hair day of my life. I think this product has actually knocked Shea Moisture off of my top spot.

Texture: it’s more of a thick cream, which is my personal preference.

Scent: It does have a smell, but it’s not strong. The scent is a little bit weird, to be honest, and I’m not sure how to describe it. It’s not floral or anything like that; it moreso just smells like a mixture of the ingredients. It smells like nothing, but has a smell still, if that makes sense. 😬 It does go away after a few minutes though, and the nice thing is it won’t compete with any other scents you put on, like deodorant or perfume!

Hold: It provides great hold! I have no frizz, and it leaves my hair feeling soft—no hard crunchy cast, thankfully!

Amount: A little goes a long way. I probably used 3-4 quarters worth, total.

Ingredients: This has one ‘potentially iffy’ ingredient: polyquaternium-10 is considered by some to be a “skeptical microplastic,” which basically means they don’t know yet if it really totally biodegrades or not.

Other than that, the ingredients are clean. They use essential oils (and disclosed them) as opposed to “fragrance.”

Would I re-buy it? Yes, I absolutely loved this one and I would buy it again for sure.

It’s also a great size container. I like that it’s a tube so I can cut it to get every last drop out, and it has lasted me a really long time.

As I mentioned, I came to love this one paired with the JVN air dry cream on top of it… This is like a power-duo I couldn’t wait to use on my hair after washing!

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Yarok Feed Your Curls® Defining Crème

Price: $54 for 8 oz

Okay, I’m obsessed with this one! I could use this one forever and be happy with how much hair looks! I was genuinely sad when this one ran out.

Texture: This is a nice, lightweight cream that slides on easily and covers a lot of ground in your hair. But it’s thick enough that I feel it helped clump my hair in its curl pattern well, and the curls shaped up nicely every time with it.

Hold: This left my hair very bouncy and soft, absolutely no cast, and had great hold for the day.

Scent: Has a nice, really soft scent that isn’t strong at all. 

Ingredients: This one is completely natural, with no ‘iffy’ ingredients. 🙌

Would I re-buy it? Yes, totally (even despite the price tag!)

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Shea Moisture: Curl Enhancing Smoothie, Gel Souffle, and Shampoo & Conditioner

Price: ~$10-11 per product

Curl Enhancing Smoothie: As I mentioned before, this one was my previous ride-or-die; I’ve been using it for like 10 years now.

I really like that it’s one of the most affordable and accessible options. It’s cheaper than most of the other options listed here and it’s usually pretty easy to find at retailers like Target, Walmart, and Amazon.

Texture: It’s on the thicker side, which I like. I love that this doesn’t leave a hard cast on my hair. It dries soft, bouncy, and very natural looking. 

Hold: It holds up well, even in humidity! It’s not perfect in humid weather, but it withstood the elements much better than some others I tried in this list.

Amount: You do need to find the right amount of this product that works for your hair. Too much product leaves a film on my hair that I didn’t like when I first tried it out. Upon a few more tries, I realized less is more and I was using too much! After some trial & error, I can now get a predictable finish every time.

Scent: It has a Coconut smell, which is overall pretty nice and not too overpowering.

Ingredients: It does include undisclosed “Fragrance,” which is not ideal. On the product page, however, it says that it’s an Essential Oil Blend, which makes it less-bad in my book. I generally try to avoid undisclosed fragrance, but I’d just kind of accepted it for this product category (especially when factoring in the accessibility).

It’s also got several ethoxylated ingredients. These are commonly ingredients, and it can be difficult to avoid them entirely. The main problem is that because of the way they are manufactured, they can be contaminated with trace amounts of 1,4-dioxane and ethylene oxide, which are carcinogenic. Again, I think this is basically just a trade-off you have to consider when it comes to the price.

The other ingredient to potentially be aware of IF you have super sensitive skin in Cetrimonium Chloride.

Shampoo & Conditioner: Similar to the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, I’ve used this shampoo & conditioner since I started buying my own hair products. Again, they’re affordable, accessible, and do a good enough job.

They smell great, lather great, and I use the conditioner as a detangler in the shower, as well. (I only brush my hair when it’s wet in the shower, with conditioner in it.) This one really smooths the hair strands so it detangles well and feels hydrated.

Unfortunately, these both contain undisclosed “Fragrance,” and unlike the Curl Enhancing Smoothie, they do not clarify that it’s essential oils only. I’ve just kind of accepted it, but I should probably put more energy into finding a new favorite shampoo & conditioner, especially with how many great brands are on the market these days. (Celia tried some cleaner shampoos & conditioners, though—see below!)

Celia’s take on the Shampoo & Conditioner: I’ve been a long-time fan of Shea Moisture—their products have always seemed to agree with my hair. This shampoo and conditioner are no different. They are 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.

Like Lauren, 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, if you need to grab something at Target, this is one of the best options.

Curling Gel Souffle: I hadn’t used this one in the past; but I was curious to give it a go. I tried it on its own and as an add-on to the Curl Enhancing Smoothie. Alone, it left a gel cast that I didn’t like (but also, maybe I should have known based on the name??) I was hoping it could help on days where I needed a stronger hold (like if it was rainy or humid)… But overall, this ended up being a no for me because of that gel cast. Some people might love that, but it’s not something my hair wants or needs.

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JVN Complete Air Dry Cream

Price: $28 for 5 oz

I was excited to try this one because I’d heard such great things from other people about its performance.

Right after applying it for the first time, I actually did not think I would like it. My hair just felt very separated instead of more clumped together like it does with a heavier cream. But after playing with it a little bit and combining it with another base product, I found that it really helped with frizz control.

Texture: This cream feels very lightweight in my hair! Like almost nothing is there. As it dried, it does not leave any sort of crunchy cast and protects against frizz super well. It did feel a little bit like there’s hair spray on it in parts, but overall it left my hair with a soft and natural texture.

Scent: It has a nice smell to it, which is not super strong. It’s definitely tolerable for someone who’s sensitive to fragrances.

Amount: I used about 2 quarter-size amounts all over my head, followed by a nickel amount on the top and for scrunching.

Ingredients: This one does contain phenoxyethanol, which doesn’t bother me personally, but some folks prefer to avoid it. It also contains benzyl salicylate, which is not a problem for me, but you may want to be mindful of that one if you have sensitive skin, as it can be allergenic.

The ones I personally would be most concerned about are the liquid plastics. It contains three of them: PVP, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, and Maltodextrin/VP Copolymer. The liquid plastic issue is a developing one, and we still have a lot to learn about it. With our current knowledge, they’re not toxic to humans when it comes to skin contact, but the concern is that they may be contributing to our overall microplastic problem when they get washed down the drain.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that although this curl cream contains “fragrance,” they actually disclose all of the fragrance ingredients right on the product page. Yay for transparency!

Would I re-buy it? Technically yes, but with a couple of caveats:

1. Overall, I landed on LOVING this as an add-on to another product as the base. I like how this protects against frizz, but it isn’t enough on it’s own for my hair type. I loved this especially stacked with the Sienna Naturals Dream Curl Cream (above).
2. It’s important to keep in mind that this is not the cleanEST curly hair product on the market. If you are super strict about ingredients, you might skip this one.

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Bright Body Flaxseed & Oat Protein Curly Hair Gel and Bamboo FlexiStrong Styling Jelly

Price: $30 for 8 oz

Texture: These both feel very lightweight; it hardly feels like there’s anything my hair actually. I normally use a stronger, thicker holding cream, so this feels different. 

Scent: There is a fragrance to both products, which I personally didn’t love. But, it’s not super strong and I don’t notice it after a few minutes of it being on my hair. So not a huge deal by any means.

Ingredients: The Flaxseed & Oat Protein Curly Hair Gel is one of the cleanest and most minimalistic gel/cream formulations on this list; there’s really nothing concerning about it.

The Bamboo FlexiStrong Styling Jelly only has one ‘iffy’ ingredient, which is polyquaternium-69, a potential liquid plastic.

Would I re-buy it? Probably not. Overall, I didn’t love the way my hair felt or dried with these. I also low-key hate this kind of container because it’s hard to get all of the product out of, and that feels wasteful, especially at this price point!

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Rahua Control Cream, Hydration Hair Mask, Hydration Detangler, and Shampoo & Conditioner

I have tried a lot of Rahua’s products. It’s such a popular brand that people love, so I keep expecting to like different things I try… But then I always seem to be let down. 😞

Maybe it’s just my hair type! But I’m honestly just not a fan of anything I’ve tried. I don’t really like the smell, I don’t like the way they make my hair feel, and I don’t think they do a good job at controlling frizz. Out of all the control creams I tried, this one was unfortunately my least favorite.

Again, I know a lot of people love this brand (I feel like it’s a faux pas to even be saying this!), so you may still want to give some of the sample sizes a try and see if they work well for you.

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Now for Celia’s Reviews

To give you an idea of Celia’s hair texture and curl type, here is a “before” photo of her hair without any product in it, next to an “after” photo.

In terms of her routine, Celia takes a different approach from Lauren (who skips the diffuser and uses a minimal to moderate amount of product).

Celia’s 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.

Here are the natural curly hair products I tried, which ones I loved, and which ones didn’t hit the mark:

Avalon Organics Nourishing Lavender Shampoo & Conditioner

Price: $25 per bottle

Avalon’s Nourishing Lavender organic hair products are made for normal to dry hair. It’s a pH-balanced formula that is EWG-verified, vegan, and made without any concerning ingredients.

My take on the shampoo: 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. In other words, it feels and acts like the conventional shampoo you’re used to. 

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. 

My take on the conditioner: 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. Although this isn’t my absolute *favorite* shampoo on the list, I’d still recommend it to a friend if they’re looking for an affordable option.

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Prose Custom Shampoo, Conditioner, Curl Cream, and Styling Gel

Price: ~$32-35 per product

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 on the shampoo: 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!

My take on the conditioner: 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. Overall: it hydrates and restores hair without weighing it down.

My take on the Curl Cream: 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 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. 

My take on the Styling Gel: 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.

Basically, it 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!

*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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Attitude Super Leaves Curl Amplifying Shampoo and Curl Ultra Hydrating Shampoo

Price: $17 per bottle

I tried two different types from Attitude: the Curl Amplifying, which is formulated more for type 2 and 3 curls, and the Curl Ultra-Hydrating, which is made more for type 3 and 4.

My take on the Curl Amplifying shampoo: As I mentioned, this 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. 

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.

My take on the Ultra-Hydrating Shampoo: Again, this one 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.

Honestly, this is pretty similar to the “Amplifying” one above—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 iffy ingredients that I decided to skip (Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Polyquaternium-6, and Polyquaternium-10). These are by no means the “worst” ingredients though, so you may still decide to try them.

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100% Pure Glossy Locks Moisture Drench Shampoo and Moisture Drench Conditioner

Price: $24- $38

My take on the shampoo: I’m low-key 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. 

My take on the conditioner: This product also 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. 

The formulations are mostly clean. They really just have a couple of ingredients that are only of potential concern if you have very sensitive skin or specific allergies.

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Wellnesse Restoring Shampoo and Conditioner

Price: $20 per bottle

My take on the shampoo: 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. 

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). 

My take on the conditioner: Wellnesse designed this conditioner to restore hair damaged by heat, free radicals, chemicals, and air pollution. It 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.

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, it’s both hydrating and softening, and it helps to bring out the best in my wavy hair texture. 

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Bask and Bloom Shampoo Bar

Price: $18

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: $12

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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Bonus: Innersense “I Create Curl Memory” Gel

Price: $28

This curl cream uses ingredients like bamboo extract and certified organic aloe vera to provide what they call “curl memory,” improve manageability, and boost moisture.

They say it’s a “strong hold” and I would definitely say that’s true.

Abbie’s take: This could totally be user error, but I could not get this gel to work for me. (I will say that I’m not good at encouraging/managing my waves!).

Basically, I could never get the “touchable” feel they advertise on the product description. The gel was just hard. Even after I let it dry and tried to scrunch the curls to soften them up, it didn’t work. It did encourage my curls and create a nice hold, but overall, I couldn’t get the look I was going for.

But maybe I just have the wrong kind of curls! (They’re like 2B-C.)

Update: I gave this bottle to Lauren to try, as she has a different hair texture and is better at working with curls than me, and she also hated it.

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Evolvh SmartCurl Shampoo, Conditioner, & Styling Foam

Price: $32-34 per bottle

My take on the shampoo: 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. 

Essentially, it’s 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. 

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. 

My take on the conditioner: Evolvh’s SmartCurl Boost & Define Conditioner is made to nourish and fight frizz for curly, coarse, or thick hair. Similar to the shampoo, it’s meant to reinforce hair strength from the inside out for soft-to-the-touch hair with less frizz and more definition and shine. 

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. 

Our takes on the Styling Foam: Evolvh has a couple of different styling foams: one that’s more focused on curls and one that’s focused on growth support.

Abbie’s review on the Growth Support Styling Foam:

I really like this styling foam for my wavy hair. It’s very lightweight, so I end up with touchable, non-frizzy waves that are not crunchy in any way, shape, or form!

I have heard from some folks that they didn’t really feel like this foam did anything… I could see that because of how lightweight it is. I think it just depends on what you’re looking for. If you’re looking for something with a strong hold, then this one isn’t for you.

However, if you want something that just adds a little bit of shine and shape to your curls/waves, without weighing your hair down, then this one might be worth a try for you.

Here is Celia’s review on their InstaVolume Volumizing Mousse (which is not currently available):

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 lightweight mousse lifts strands at the root and absorbs excess oil for a shiny, bouncy mane without any crunchy or sticky residue.

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 your order.

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Evolvh TotalControl Styling Crème (no longer available)

Price: $24

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!

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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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