The 12 best leave-in conditioners for curly hair, according to your hair type

The 12 best leave-in conditioners for curly hair, according to your hair type

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For curly hair types, using a leave-in conditioner is a crucial next step after cleansing and conditioning. It's also a great first product to use when styling. Leave-ins don't just give hair definition and pop “” they hydrate, lock in moisture, strengthen, and reduce frizz.

"Leave-in conditioners are typically distinguished by containing some protein, some element of hydrolyzed protein, something that strengthens the hair," certified trichologist Dr. Kari Williams explains. Leave-ins also contain moisturizers like butters, oils, and humectants.

Curly vs. coily hair

When finding the best leave-in conditioner for you, consider what your hair needs based on your curl pattern, porosity, and texture. All of these characteristics help determine what ingredients you should look for and what consistency is best for your hair.

Generally, the curlier the hair, the more moisture it needs, and the differences between curly and coily hair has to do with how loose or tight your ringlets are. If your hair is a mix of loose curls and ringlets, check out the products we've defined for curly hair, which is categorized by the number "3." If your hair is made of mostly tight, coiled ringlets,