Let’s face it: curly hair is beautiful with all its twists and turns, but it’s also a nightmare to maintain. Right out of the shower, curls are beautiful. But a few hours later, they become a dry frizz-fest. Knowing how to moisturize curly hair is a must for someone trying to keep their child’s hair healthy and beautiful.
Unfortunately, the texture of curly hair makes it more prone to dryness. The natural oil from the scalp has a more challenging time traveling down the twists, leading to a dry and brittle look. Fortunately, moisturizing curly hair isn’t as difficult as it may seem. With the proper techniques and products, you can keep your curls soft, shiny, and healthy.
How to Moisturize Curly Hair | 9 Simple Steps
This guide will give you the exact steps to keeping curly hair moisturized. From the best hair products to the optimal techniques, we’ll give you everything you need to know to make curls feel hydrated and nourished.
Use a Gentle, Sulfate-Free Shampoo
Cleansing curly hair requires a sulfate-free shampoo that removes dirt without stripping natural oils. This ensures the scalp stays clean while preserving the hair’s essential moisture balance.
Condition Generously
Moisturizing conditioner restores hydration after shampooing. Apply generously, focusing on the ends, and use a wide-toothed comb to detangle. This step is vital for soft, defined, and manageable curls.
Incorporate Leave-In Conditioner
A leave-in conditioner adds long-lasting hydration and protects against dryness. Apply to damp hair after washing, ensuring it’s evenly distributed for curl definition and softness throughout the day.
Limit Heat Styling
Excessive heat dries out curly hair and causes damage. Air-dry whenever possible or use a diffuser on low heat. If heat styling is necessary, always use a heat protectant.
Dry Hair Gently
Avoid rough towel-drying, which disrupts the curl pattern and causes frizz. Instead, blot hair with a microfiber towel or soft T-shirt to preserve smoothness and reduce breakage.
Apply Natural Oils
Natural oils like coconut or argan oil seal in moisture, leaving curls shiny and soft. Focus on the ends for added nourishment while preventing dryness and split ends.
Protect Hair at Night
Use a satin or silk pillowcase or wrap your hair in a satin scarf to reduce friction. This protects moisture levels and prevents tangles and frizz while you sleep.
Regular Trims
Regular trims every 6-8 weeks prevent split ends and keep curls healthy. Healthy ends retain moisture better, ensuring curls remain vibrant, hydrated, and well-defined over time.
1. Start with the Right Shampoo: Cleanse without Stripping Moisture
The first step in moisturizing curly hair is to ensure that you’re using the right shampoo. One quality of curly hair is that it dries out quickly. Because of this, choose a sulfate-free shampoo that won’t strip away natural hair oils when washing your hair. Look for shampoos that are hydrating and specifically formulated for curly hair types.
These shampoos not only cleanse but also help to restore moisture. Even with these shampoos, you should only wash curly hair two to three times a week. Focus on the scalp to remove buildup. Then, let the suds gently clean the length of each curl for maximum cleansing.
Tip: Try a moisturizing hair mask once a week for a deep condition. Hair masks have numerous ingredients that hydrate and restore moisture.
Need a great shampoo for curly hair? We’ve reviewed dozens of shampoos on biracial, curly-haired kids. Without a doubt, our favorite is the Virtue Curl Shampoo. This shampoo is sulfate-free, but has natural ingredients like jojoba oil to nourish and repair curly hair.
Yes, we know… it’s expensive. But it’s SO WORTH IT!
2. Conditioning is Key: Don’t Skip the Conditioner
After shampooing, applying a moisturizing conditioner is essential to lock in hydration. We recommend choosing a conditioner that is rich in natural oils like argan oil. These oils help to restore moisture and add a healthy shine to curls.
Leave the conditioner in for at least 3-5 minutes to let it work its magic. If your hair is especially dry, opt for a heavier, more intense conditioning product or a deep conditioning treatment.
Conditioners work by smoothing the hair cuticles, helping your strands retain moisture. This is crucial for curly hair because the tighter your curl pattern, the harder it is for moisture to travel down each strand.
Tip: When conditioning, use a wide-toothed comb to distribute the product evenly through your wet hair. This helps to detangle your curls gently while distributing moisture throughout.
Looking for the perfect conditioner for curly hair? We can’t even count the number of conditioners we have tried. Out of all of them, the best option we’ve found is Fable & Mane HoliRoots Hydrating Conditioner. It smells amazing and contains coconut oil and aloe vera, giving a frizz-free look and hydrated curls.
Budget-friendly? No, not even close. However, a little goes a long way and the value is immense!
3. Leave-In Conditioner: Hydration on the Go
Shampoo and conditioner alone aren’t enough for amazing and long-lasting curls. Leave-in conditioners are like magic for leaving curls hydrated and beautiful. Since leave-in conditioners don’t require rinsing, they continue to hydrate the hair long after leaving the shower.
Choose a leave-in conditioner that is lightweight but moisturizing so it doesn’t weigh your curls down. It should leave your hair feeling soft and manageable while also providing enough moisture to keep curls defined and frizz-free.
Tip: Apply leave-in conditioner to wet hair immediately after towel-drying it. This helps lock in natural moisture and keeps your curls hydrated.
Searching for the ideal leave-in conditioner? We absolutely LOVE the Mielle Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner. Pomegranate & Honey might sound like ingredients for a smoothie, but it leaves curls feeling silky smooth, too! It adds shine and deep hydration while repairing damaged strands.
4. Use Natural Oils for Extra Moisture
Natural oils are a fantastic way to hydrate and lock in moisture, especially for dry, curly hair. Oils like jojoba oil, coconut oil, and argan oil are lightweight but effective in restoring moisture. These oils not only help to moisturize but also add shine and smoothness to your curls.
After applying a leave-in conditioner, follow up with a small pour of natural oil. This will seal the moisture in and leave curls with a fresh look throughout the day. Start by applying the oil to the ends of your hair where it tends to be the most dry. Then, work your way down your hair strands.
Avoid applying these oils directly to your scalp, as doing so can make your scalp feel greasy.
Tip: Argan oil is a great choice for healthy hair and curls. Argan resembles your scalp’s natural oils. Since it is light, this product hydrates your curls without weighing them down.
Ready to change your hair care routine forever? Creme of Nature Argan Oil should stay stocked on your bathroom counter. If Creme of Nature discontinued this product, I would literally cry. It works amazingly for detangling and leaves curls shiny and flourishing.
This product comes in a small bottle but packs a heavy punch. Sometimes my house changes shampoos. Sometimes, we try new conditioners. However, we NEVER go without Creme of Nature.
I do not doubt that if you try it once, you’ll become a lifetime believer.
5. Deep Condition Regularly: Give Your Curls a Treat
Conditioning, conditioning, conditioning. Sensing a theme here?
Deep conditioning is one of the most effective ways to restore moisture to dry curly hair. Deep conditioners have more concentrated moisturizing ingredients than standard conditioners. These products penetrate deeper into the hair shaft. As a result, deep conditioners can repair damaged hair, restore moisture, and control unruly frizz strands.
Apply a deep conditioning mask once a week and leave it on for 15-30 minutes. You can cover your hair with a shower cap or warm towel to hep the product penetrate deeper into the hair.
Once a week (or more if your hair is especially dry), apply a deep conditioning mask and leave it on for 15-30 minutes. You can even cover your hair with a shower cap or warm towel to help the product penetrate deeper into the hair.
Tip: For quicker application, choose a hair mask that doubles as a leave-in treatment. This allows you to kill two birds with one stone and achieve the same results in half the time!
Are you ready to get deep? As parents of biracial children, Mixed Chicks is one of our favorite brands. They have an entire line of effective products, and their Deep Conditioner is no different.
The Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner uses Safflower Oil, which reconstructs damaged areas and enable healthy hair growth. Say goodbye to dull and frizzy curls forever!
6. Drying Techniques: Protect and Lock in Moisture
The way you dry your curly hair plays a huge role in maintaining moisture. Rubbing your hair vigorously with a regular towel can cause frizz and breakage. Instead, use a microfiber towel or an old cotton t-shirt to gently blot and dry your curls. These materials are softer and absorb excess water without roughing up the hair cuticles.
If you’re using hot tools like blow dryers or flat irons, make sure to apply a heat protectant first. This not only shields your hair from damage but also locks in moisture and keeps your hair moisturized.
Tip: For optimal curl definition and hydration, try air-drying your hair whenever possible. Or, blow dry with a diffuser on a low heat setting.
But if you must use a hair dryer, use this one. The DevaCurl DevaDryer is the hair dryer you want to use for curly hair. DevaCurl uses a proprietary Curl Flexible Alternating Ionic Technology for advanced heat styling.
This is a fancy way of saying when the light is on, it produces ions to improve volume. When the light is off, the ions help smooth frizz. We can’t really explain how the science works. We just know that the product is amazing!
7. Hydrate Daily with a Leave-In Spray or Moisturizing Mist
If your curls feel dry during the day, a leave-in spray or moisturizing mist is a great way to refresh them. These products are lightweight and designed to add moisture without making your hair feel greasy or weighed down. They give a quick hydration boost, which is great if you’re unable to deep condition regularly.
By spritzing a leave-in spray throughout the day, you can keep your curls shiny, moisturized, and healthy. Use a moisturizing mist with nourishing ingredients like aloe vera or glycerin for best results.
Tip: Keep spritz with you for a quick spray throughout the day. Instead of saving your hair after it has dried, prevent it from being dry in the first place!
Ready for frizz-free, moisturized curls? Our favorite moisturizing spray is Maui Moisture Frizz-Free Shea Butter Mist. For curly heads, humidity is a nightmare. Maui Moisture keeps curls soft and frizz-free while blocking out humidity.
It also has 100% Aloe Vera, shea butter, coconut oil, and macadamia oil. These natural ingredients keep curls from drying out throughout the day.
8. Protect Your Hair at Night
Daytime protection is great, but curly hair needs moisture 24 hours a day. To maintain hydrated curls while you sleep, consider using a satin or silk pillowcase. Cotton pillowcases can absorb moisture from your hair and cause friction, leading to frizz. A satin or silk pillowcase helps lock in moisture and prevents breakage while you sleep.
For another option, you can wrap your hair in a satin or silk scarf or bonnet to keep your curls protected from friction. Doing so preserves your curls’ moisture and ensures they look fresh and hydrated in the morning.
Tip: Apply a small amount of leave-in conditioner or natural oil before bed to improve nighttime moisture.
9. Stay Consistent and Tailor Your Routine to Your Hair Type
Consistency is the key to maintaining hydrated and luscious curls. The previous steps will help restore moisture. However, without a regular routine, progress will be short-lived.
Curly hair types vary greatly, so it may take some trial and error to discover what works best for your hair. Whether your curls are loose or tight, fine or thick, each type requires specific care.
For example, loose curls or waves may require lightweight products that can maintain moisture without weighing down finer curls. In contrast, thick curls may need heavier creams and treatments to prevent frizz.
Tailor your routine to your hair’s needs. Incorporate a mix of hydrating shampoos, conditioners, and oils that suit your hair type. Make sure to protect your curls from too much heat, over-washing, and environmental stressors like sun and pollution. These factors can lead to dryness and moisture loss.
Tip: Pay attention to how your curls react to different products. If a product weighs your hair down or causes buildup, try something lighter or more hydrating. Experiment with different oils, masks, and leave-in conditioners to find the best combination for your unique curl pattern.
Moisturizing curly hair is a journey of finding the right techniques and products that work best for your hair type. Follow these steps, keep a consistent routine, and choose the best products, and your curls will stay happy and healthy.
