My Coily, 4B Hair Can't Get Enough of These Moisturizing Shampoos and Conditioners
They're so good.
I've been wearing my 4B curls in their natural state since I was 18, and one thing I've learned in the decade-plus since is that curating an ideal coil care routine takes a lot of trial, error, and effort. Between washing, detangling, cutting out my single-strand knots, the occasional silk press, and now, a color treatment, my hair has been through a lot, but the best shampoos and conditioners for coily hair—and believe me, I've tested dozens of them—have been keeping my curls bouncy, springy, and moisturized while also freeing me from frizz and intense damage.
I used to think that dousing my hair in thick deep conditioners and oils were the key to hydrating my coils and making them look their best, but I've since learned that, while a deep conditioning mask is helpful every now and again, a good shampoo and conditioner duo can actually solve a lot. It's taken several years and a lot of money for me to get here, but these ten sets have been my go-tos.
This is how my curls and coils look post-shampoo and conditioner.
Hydration Station
If your hair is on the curly or coily side then it's highly likely you know by now that this hair type is more prone to dryness than any other. That's because the natural bends in your hair make it more difficult for the oils from your scalp to travel all the way down the hair shaft to hydrate it. In that case, the next best thing is to make sure you're washing and conditioning with products that actually cleanse without being too drying while also providing lasting moisture and softness. Below are two of my personal favorite systems.
Ouidad already has a very extensive lineup of curl-focused hair products, but the Curl Quencher collection specifically targets tight curls and coils. The Moisturizing Shampoo features omega fatty acids that contribute to stronger hair growth while corn oil prevents dryness and split ends. Ideally, you should follow it with the vitamin B5-infused Moisturizing Conditioner to make sure all that moisture is sealed in for good.
Soft hair is always what I'm after when I'm washing and conditioning my tight curls, and this set really gets it done. Both products are infused with moisturizing hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, and the conditioner specifically comes in handy when I want to detangle in the shower.
Damage Control
Heat, chemicals, friction and brushing—these are all things that can cause potential damage. You'll know if your hair is damaged if it feels especially dry, brittle, or frizzy, though split ends are also a sign. Give yourself some damage control with these hair saviors.
I've been a Briogeo lover for my entire natural hair journey, and the Don't Despair, Repair! range hasn't let me down once. Both the shampoo and conditioner were created with damaged hair in mind: the shampoo is a sulfate-free formula that cleanses without stripping and moisturizes with help from B vitamins, while the conditioner is a pared-down version of the brand's protein-rich Don't Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioner and can be used multiple times a week.
Bond maintenance has become a huge category in haircare, but Olaplex's shampoo and conditioner originated the trend. Both products are made with a special technology that repairs broken bonds in the hair, while glycerin and other humectants ensure that there's no excessive moisture loss.
Frizz Fighters
Dealing with frizz may as well come with the territory of having coily hair. Frizz is typically caused by a lack of moisture, but your curls can also frizz up as a result of humidity, brushing, and using products that can dry out the hair. Aside from using and wearing protective products like satin hair wraps and silk pillowcases, minimizing frizz starts with your shampoo and conditioner.
I've tried and tested a handful of Redken products, and not a single one has left me disappointed. The Frizz Dismiss range is my go-to when I want to give myself a smooth, salon-worthy blowout, since the shampoo is sulfate-free, preventing any sort of dryness and stripping, while the conditioner uses babassu oil to smooth the cuticle and prevent the hair from drawing in excess water.
The shampoo and conditioner in this set both include tiny capsules (they're activated by heat) that create a barrier around each hair strand to block out humidity. That's in addition to moisturizing sea buckthorn and lipids that help keep the hair moisturized for days at a time.
Color Care
Color can be pretty harsh on the hair, and in some cases, it can change the integrity of your curls. These color-safe formulas keep color-treated hair extra-hydrated while ensuring that your shade stays vibrant.
I love Innersense because of its lineup of formulas that are really gentle on the hair, but this color-safe duo is especially good. It includes a shampoo that cleanses the hair without harsh, drying sulfates, and it also won't strip your color of its vibrancy.
My color-treated hair was insanely dry in the months after I lightened my hair a few shades, but this conditioner has been a lifesaver when it comes to moisturizing and softening my curls.
Drugstore Favorites
Not every product for curls and coils has to be a high-end or luxury formula. These drugstore staples are affordable, and they're tried-and-true favorites among people with textured hair.
SheaMoisture's coconut and hibiscus duo focuses on shine and protecting the hair's elasticity so that your curls can be bouncy and full of life once they're dried and styled. They're both free of sulfates and include silk proteins to strengthen the strands individually.
These are TikTok-famous for a reason. Not only do they both have a fresh mint and rosemary scent that also feels cooling on the scalp, they're also infused with biotin to promote longer, stronger hair growth.
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