Natural Hair Cream
Here’s a comprehensive guide on natural hair creams:
Table of Contents
1. What Is a Natural Hair Cream?
A natural hair cream is a leave-in styling product enriched with natural ingredients—commonly plant-based oils and butters like coconut, shea, jojoba, argan, avocado, and olive oils—that moisturize, define, reduce frizz, and enhance overall hair health.
These ingredients deeply nourish hair, helping with hydration, shine, and manageability while avoiding harsh chemicals such as sulfates, parabens, and silicones.
These natural alternatives contrast with some traditional creams and pomades that rely on petroleum-based or synthetic ingredients, which may lead to build-up or scalp irritation.
2. Key Natural Ingredients & Their Benefits
- Shea Butter: Intensely hydrating, helps lock in moisture, reduces frizz, and softens hair.
- Plant Oils:
- Aloe Vera: Soothes the scalp, promotes a healthy environment for growth.
- Honey & Maple/Agave: Natural humectants that draw and retain moisture.
- Essential Oils (like tea tree, peppermint, lavender, rosemary, chamomile): Offer benefits such as improved scalp health, reduced inflammation, and added shine.
- Beeswax: Seals moisture and provides light hold, often found in homemade creams.
- Monoi Oil: A scented coconut-based oil infused with gardenia petals, known for softening hair and reducing frizz.
3. DIY Natural Hair Cream Recipes
Here are a couple of effective recipes you can make at home:
A. DIY Shea-Based Styling Cream:
- Ingredients:
- Shea butter, coconut oil, olive oil, jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, plus essential oils (e.g., rosemary, chamomile, bergamot)
- Instructions: Melt the butters and oils, mix in the rest, refrigerate to solidify, then use sparingly on damp or dry hair.
B. Curl Cream Options:
- Softening Curl Cream: Shea butter, coconut oil, apricot kernel oil, aloe gel, essential oils
- Lightweight Definition Cream: Enhance conditioner with coconut oil, sea salt, blue agave nectar
- Refresher Spray: Coconut oil-based mist to revive curls and scalp hydration
4. Tips, Common Uses, and What to Avoid
Application Tips:
- Start with a small amount—natural butters and oils can feel heavy if over-applied.
- Apply to slightly damp hair for better absorption if using heavier creams like shea-based blends.
- Pair with lighter moisturizers for high-porosity or fine hair to avoid weighing strands down.
Effects and Benefits
Natural hair creams moisturize, define styling (especially for curly and coily hair), reduce frizz, and enhance shine.
Ingredients like coconut oil and shea butter strengthen strands and revive texture.
Avoid Harsh Ingredients
Steer clear of silicones (which can build up), sulfates (that strip moisture), and parabens (potential health concerns) for cleaner, healthier results.
5. Best Natural Hair Cream
JVN Air Dry Cream: A silicone-free, nourishing formula praised for taming frizz, enhancing natural texture, and keeping hair moisturized without heaviness.
Summary: Natural Hair Creams at a Glance
| Feature | Insight |
|---|---|
| Definition | Leave-in cream, richly moisturizing, made with plant-based ingredients |
| Key Ingredients | Shea butter, coconut/avocado/jojoba oils, aloe, humectants, essential oils |
| DIY Recipes | Options with shea butter blends or simple formulations with water, oils, beeswax |
| Applications | Moisturizing, curl-defining, frizz control, sculpting styles for natural textures |
| Best Practices | Start small, tailor to your hair’s porosity, avoid buildup-causing additives |
| Natural Commercial Option | Taliah Waajid Shea-Coco — highly rated for textured hair types |
Here are some of the best hair creams for natural hair:
Best Hair Cream for Natural Hair #1: SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie
Great for thick, curly hair.
It helps define curls, reduce frizz, and add shine using natural ingredients like coconut oil and hibiscus extract.
Best Hair Cream for Natural Hair #2: Cantu Coconut Curling Cream
Popular for defining curls and adding moisture.
It contains shea butter and coconut oil and works well on a variety of curl types.
Good Hair Cream for Natural Hair #3: Fenty Hair Homecurl Curl-Defining Styling Cream
A lightweight cream that provides moisture, soft hold, and frizz control.
It’s known for a nice scent and touchable finish.
- African Pride Moisture Miracle Leave-In Hair Cream – A rich leave-in that moisturizes and helps repair natural hair. It includes ingredients like baobab and coconut oil, making it ideal for damaged or dry hair.
- TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer – Designed for daily use, this cream hydrates, softens, and encourages healthy hair growth, especially in dry or coarse textures.
- Pattern Beauty Styling Cream – Formulated for curly and coily textures, this styling cream offers good hold and moisture without harsh ingredients.
- DAE Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream – A multipurpose cream that tames frizz, adds shine, and smooths hair. Works across various hair types and has a citrusy scent.
Best Hair Cream for Women
When it comes to selecting the best hair cream for women, it’s essential to consider your hair type and specific needs.
Here are some top-rated options that cater to various hair concerns:
1. Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother
This leave-in styling cream is renowned for its ability to smooth, condition, and strengthen hair. It provides frizz control for up to 72 hours and is suitable for all hair types.
2. Pattern Beauty Styling Cream
Designed for curly hair, this cream utilizes shea butter, cacay oil, and almond oil to promote length and moisture retention, helping to prevent breakage at the ends. It’s a favorite among those with textured hair.
3. Rizos Curls Sleek Styling Cream
This cream is ideal for defining curls and controlling frizz. It offers a lightweight hold and is enriched with ingredients that enhance curl formation without weighing hair down.
4. Kristin Ess Weightless Shine Air Dry Cream
Perfect for those who prefer air-drying their hair, this cream provides frizz control, curl definition, and texture enhancement. It’s also suitable for prepping hair before blow-drying.
5. L’Oréal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Leave-In Serum
This affordable option is praised for its ability to smooth frizz and nourish dry ends across all hair types. It’s a favorite among professionals for achieving glossy, red carpet-ready hair.
6. Mielle Babassu & Mint Brazilian Curly Cocktail Cream
This cream is designed to enhance curls while providing hydration and a refreshing scent. It’s particularly beneficial for those with coily or curly hair textures.
Each of these creams offers unique benefits tailored to different hair types and styling preferences. Consider your specific hair needs to choose the product that best suits you.
Photo credits: iHerb, BeautyClick, Elle