23 Problem-Solving Hair Products 4C Reviewers Swear By

My all-time favorite leave-in conditioner, a dope steam cap, and things your hair will love.

1. Melanin Haircare Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner is the answer to your low-porosity 4c hair woes. It's got ingredients Afro-textured hair can't get enough of, like aloe vera, argan oil, jojoba oil and more!

Christine Forbes / Buzzfeed

Trust me, I've bought five — and it's not because the bottle was embarrassingly small. You actually get quite a bit of product. This conditioner has changed my hair. It's longer, stronger, and more manageable.

Promising review: "I've been natural since 2007 when there were so little products out there. Fast forward to now when there are soooo many; I've tried them all over the years but NOTHING and I mean NOTHING COMPARES to this leave in!!! My hair loves it! I have no negatives. I also appreciate the fact that I got every last drop out of the bottle. I'm neurotic and hate throwing out a bottle when there's still a tiny bit of product on the bottom. One bottle lasted me almost 5 months. Thanks a million Whitney!" —J.

Melanin Haircare is a small Black woman-owned business that makes conditioner, shampoo, oil, and other accessories for afro-textured hair.

Get it from Ulta for $18.99.

2. Mielle Organics Babassu & Mint Deep Conditioner is a cult-favorite for a reason. The formula restores dry and damaged hair by cradling every strand with all-natural botanical extracts and amino acids.

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Promising review: "My hair is 4c natural and shoulder length. I had been using Shea Moisture for about two years, and guess my hair needed a change in products. This deep conditioner is wonderful! My hair comes out flexible, strong, and shiny. Plus I love the smell! I part my hair in sections for washing and conditioning. After applying this I like to use a shower comb to work the product through and easily detangle in the shower (I maybe use about 6–8 tablespoons worth of product each use). I then use a plastic cap and one of those heated conditioning caps for twenty minutes before rinsing out. I've been playing around with my wash process, and washing in sections and combing with and after conditioner have made my wash days much less stressful." —OSC

Mielle Organics is a Black woman-owned business created by Monique Rodriguez RN to bring out the best in everyone's hair. They make shampoos, conditioners, gels, treatments, and so many other great products.

Get it from Amazon for $13.72.

3. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie won't break your hair or the bank. Most natural hair products are water-based, but aloe is the main ingredient here — and your hair will feel the difference. The coconut water will naturally balance and hydrate your lovely coils.

Maui Moisture

Promising review: "I have 4c hair and my daughter has whatever comes after that. Her hair is thick and very hard to keep moisturized. This product makes both of our hair very moisturized and easy to manage. It makes my hair pop when I do twist-outs and the curls last all week with me only using this one product and no gel. I also put this product directly on our scalps when they get dry and itchy and the problem is solved. I have been searching for a long time for something like this. I'm a fan for life and I recommend it to everyone. I love it!" —Tina

Get it from Amazon for $6.97.

4. Curls Blueberry Bliss Curl Control Jelly brings out the best in your kinky curly tresses. Prepare to have "waves on swim so they hate on him," or whatever Nicki Minaj said.

Amazon

I have 4b–4c hair and this gel brings out my curl pattern in the most beautiful way. This is the closest thing to gel that I'll use because it doesn't flake. Plus, it doesn't leave my hair hard and dehydrated like most gels. I've also used this to create bantu knots, twist-outs, and ponytails. The soft hold lasts for days and it smells so good.

Promising review: "I love this product and it smells nice too. It was sticky to me, feels better than Eco Styler Gel. It leaves a soft hold, unlike Eco Styler. I don't know if I'll continue to use it because of the price and how much I use for one wash n go. But I use way less of this product compared to when I use Eco Styler. I give it a 4 out of 5 due to the high price and small quantity." —Tizzler Pop

Get it from Amazon for $16.79.

5. Alikay Naturals Lemongrass Leave-In Conditioner is yet another amazing product curated by the woman who literally coined the LOC Method. This product is tailored for busy people in need of a reliable daily moisturizer. Hence, the spray bottle minimizes mess.

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Promising review: "Great on 4c twist-outs. I originally ordered the 8-ounce of this and as soon as I finished I ordered the larger size. This is very moisturizing. It soaks into my hair and keeps it moisturized. I use this in conjunction with the Growth Oil and Shea Yogurt for amazing twist-out results. The consistency is thicker than water and it smells like lemongrass. My only complaint is the nozzle on the spray bottle. It shoots out in a stream instead of a mist. That is the only reason this does not get 5 stars because I feel like the nozzle wastes unnecessary product." —Lakesha Ellard

Alikay Naturals is a small, Black woman-owned business created by Rochelle Graham-Campbell. Yes, the same person who coined the LOC (Liquid, Oil, Conditioner) method for maintaining afro-textured hair. Alikay Naturals makes a host of natural products to support your hair journey.

Get it from Amazon for $19.54.

6. Camille Rose Naturals Curl Maker is beloved across textures for its nourishing mix of marshmallow, agave, seaweed, aloe, and vitamin E.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I purchased this product for my little ones' hair which is about a 4C (kinky curls). By far my FAVORITE product! I swear by this, the only issue I have is if too much is used (happened a handful of times for me .. by accident) it leaves the hair crunchy. I was skeptical about the pricing and the size but it lasted us nearly three months and we used it daily." —Kitty

Camille Rose Naturals is a small, Black woman-owned business that was created out of sheer necessity. Janell Stephens needed a product that worked. So, she created a vegan line that never skimps on quality. They make conditioners, shampoos, curling custards, and other hair care products.

Get it from Amazon for $21.26.

7. Curl Dynasty Kalahari Smoothie Leave-In does double duty and never clocks out early. It functions as a leave-in AND a styler. The formula has enough slip to make detangling easy and painless. It's humectant-free, so your hair won't swell too much either.

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Promising review: "I am 4C, except for a small patch of hair at the back of my neck. I've been using this for about a week now as my daily moisturizer. I have to say, I'm not disappointed at all. My hair has been suffering from extreme dryness especially at the ends and has a hard time accepting moisture from a lot of products. However, this hasn't been one of them. As my daily leave-in, it has been helping my hair not look brittle and I feel as though my hair has become healthier with it. So for me it's an A+." —Jazzy May

Curls Dynasty is a small, Black-owned business founded in 2014 by healthy hair and body enthusiast, Nickie Nougaisse.

Get it from Target for $12.99 or Curls Dynasty for $15.99.

8. Like Wu-Tang, Miss Jessie's Baby Buttercreme is for the children (and any adult looking for a less scented version of of Curly Buttercreme). This product is what put Miss Jessie's, a Black-owned business, on the map. The reviews speak for themselves, expect moisturized curls for about a week — with minimal refreshing.

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Promising review: "It's the only thing that I have found that holds moisture for 4C hair. My hair goes for two days or more feeling moisturized. It's the same for my daughter. No other products I've tried do that for me. Other products may smell great, feel great, but my hair doesn't stay moisturized. I hate, hate, hate, hate hate... did I say hate already... paying this high price, but this stuff works." —Kim Elder

Miss Jessies is a Black-owned business known for creating effective products for people with Afro-textured and curly hair.

Get it from Amazon for $32.49.

9. Uncle Funky's Daughter Curly Magic Curl Stimulator comes out swinging — and gets better with time. Leave it to a Black-owned company with nostalgic branding to create a product that makes curls pop like Michael Jackson in the '80s. You'll have no problem making your hair last for the week.

Uncle Funky's

Promising review: "I tried this gel today based on the reviews. It has great ingredients. I washed and conditioned my 4c, dense, low porosity hair. After detangling my hair, while it was drenched, I added the gel as instructed. I didn’t add any other products; no leave-in, oils or curl creams. I then used my curl sponge and let it air dry. My hair was soft, shiny, and super moisturized! I couldn’t believe it. My hair coiled nicely too. My only complaint is that I couldn’t get the top of the bottle (pump) to open so I had to squeeze the product out of the bottle. The product is a little pricey but considering that you don’t have to use any other products, I think it’s worth buying. Other than that, I love the product!" —Jazzyjc

Uncle Funky's Daughter is a Black-owned business that makes sustainable, chemical-free hair care products. All of their products are paraben, sulfate and overall junk-free. They create cleansers, conditioners, moisturizers, curl definers and stylers using renewable plant resources.

Get it from Target for $16.79 or Uncle Funky's Daughter for $24.99.

10. Thank God It's Natural Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer proves that natural hair products really can work for everyone. The formula seals in moisture while giving every strand a chance to shine.

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The brand was created in 2002 by a Black woman and it's totally organic!

Promising review: "This stuff is the holy grail of moisturizers. The smell is lovely, not too strong, or fruity, or overpowering. This is the first moisturizer I’ve EVER used that keeps my hair supple and soft for days. Before my hair would feel brittle after a few hours and I’d have to apply twice a day. With this stuff, I don’t even have to put it in every day, even though I do. I absolutely love the way it’s made a difference in my hair. I have natural short 4c hair." —Kasie

Get it from Amazon for $13.99.

11. Oyin Handmade Honey Hemp Conditioner breathes life into flattened curls. There's not too much frizz and virtually no build-up. A self-declared, "detangling powerhouse," the product has honey which is basically a moisture magnet. There's also aloe, coconut oil, and a splash of liquid silk to keep your strands velvety and soft.

Oyin Handmade

Promising review: "This conditioner is the single best thing to happen to my hair EVER. I have a sensitive scalp that reacts to almost every shampoo/conditioner/oil blend/leave-in. But Oyin Handmade's Honey Hemp Conditioner and Hair Dew leave my hair soft and my natural (4c) curls pumped up with moisture without the itch. I used to think my hair texture was just naturally "crunchy" but this is literally the only product that helps me retain moisture. I was only convinced that I even had a curl pattern when I started using this as a deep conditioner three years ago. It was the only 'product' I used on my locs (aside from shampoo and black castor oil) for 2.5 years until I cut them. I had minimal product build-up (mostly from having to learn how to rinse my locs well)." —Maren

Get it from Amazon for $14.68.

12. Dream Girls Healthy Hair Care Kit just might change your life. The before and after pictures speak for themselves 😲. I love everything in this set, especially the TLC Comb-Out Treatment.

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The kit includes a TLC Comb-Out Treatment, Renewing Shampoo, Revival Deep Treatment, Renewing Conditioner, True Essence Oil Treatment. I splurged and got this kit and my hair is so glad that I did. I noticed much less breakage when taking my braids out thanks to the Comb Out Treatment. Plus it dilutes well, so you don't have to waste product. All of the products work together like PB&J. There's an instruction sheet to help you get the most out of these salon-quality gems at home.

Dream Girls is a Black woman-owned, family-run business based in California.

Get it from Dream Girls Hair for $125.

13. Pure Tea Tree Essential Oil proves simpler is better, in a lot of cases. Since it's an anti-fungal, tea tree oil works wonders for itchy, dry scalps, acne, and endless ailments — for under $10.

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Tea tree oil was the simple solution to so many of my 4c hair woes. My scalp was very sore and itchy for months. I would scratch until I broke skin and my hair was not growing well in those places. It was gross. Then, I started diluting tea tree oil with castor oil and massaging it into my scalp. A year later, I can't recall the last time I had an itchy scalp. That may be because I started mixing this tea tree oil into my shampoo, hair butters, and anywhere else I can add it. I even use it as a spot treatment for acne. I cannot speak highly enough about tea tree oil, I've purchased it over and over.

Promising review: "I used the tea tree oil for stimulation in my scalp, for hair growth. I feel the tingle when I use it and have been experiencing hair growth. I have 4c hair and tea tree oil is great for my hair type. I like using products with tea tree oil in it. I use the oil by itself to add to my conditioners and other hair products. I would recommend this product if you are trying to promote hair growth or if you have any of the type 4 hair textures." —Marie M.

Get it from Amazon for $9.25.

14. Satin-lined Grace Eleyae Silky Beanies will save your hair a whole lot of moisture and keep it hydrated. As a person who's too lazy to do their hair, but has to look presentable from time to time, I love these.

Grace Eleyae

Promising review: "Silky wonderfulness. Yeah... I wore it every day my first week of having it. Like, during the day too! If you have big curls, I suggest the larger size. If you are 4C like me, with extra shrinkage, then the regular fit is good. I can't believe I spent so much for a beanie, but I really do Love it!" —Dr.PinkUnicorn

Grace Eleyae is a small, Black woman-founded brand that believes you shouldn't compromise hair health for style. She was inspired to create her satin-lined cap after her hair broke off following a bumpy eight-hour car ride. Now, she sells hats, turbans, silk pillowcases, scrunchies and other hair-friendly headwear.

Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in six colors).

15. Now Foods Castor Oil is thick enough to use for hot oil treatments or just to seal your ends. If you have coarse, thick hair, this will help it retain moisture for days.

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My hair is pretty fine, so I don't need a bunch of castor oil to achieve my desired result. A little goes a long way, and I use it once per week max. I mostly use this to seal my ends because other oils never last. It's so thick, I feel like it protects my hair strands from rubbing up against my pillow, headrests, and other drying surfaces

Promising review: "If you have dry ends or a dry scalp, this is perfect for you to use because it keeps your hair and scalp hydrated for a long time and over time it will help repair your hair. I have afro-textured hair so it would last about 4 days without the need to reapply. If you don't have my hair type, then it would be best to rinse it with water only after applying it so that you would still obtain the benefits if this Castor Oil while not getting your hair too greasy." —Cassandra

Get a two pack from Amazon for $16.95.

16. Donna Premium Collection Jumbo Shower Cap will keep your hair dry without flattening it. As you can see, it's definitely large enough to hold some pretty big hair.

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Promising review: "I love how this shower cap covers my daughters (10 years young) entire head of hair, as her hair type is 4C and long and thick as ever. While in the shower she was able to rinse her face/body and still walk about with edges." —Jay

Get it from Amazon for $3.99 (available in five colors).

17. Heat Free Hair "For Kinks" Clip-Ins can be dyed or straightened to blend seamlessly with Type 4 hair. And it doesn't have that weird residue or smell fresh out of the package.

Buzzfeed / Christine Forbes

I have been eyeing Heat Free Hair for 10 YEARS because they are pricey. Now that I've gotten my hands on some clip-ins, I regret waiting so long because they're totally worth it. For context, I have 4b–4c hair. I'm not used to being able to use hair fresh out the box. However, this blends perfectly with my natural hair. Mind you, I installed these in like 20 minutes with minimal stretching. All I did was lightly detangle the hair and put it in where my hair was less dense. It's soft and doesn't have that weird "new hair" smell or waxy residue. You can tell that these were created by and for Black women. If you're a naturalista looking for an extra full Afro or a ponytail, try these — you won't regret it.

Heat Free Hair is a Black woman–owned small business that makes hair extensions and wigs for Afro-textured hair. They sell lace fronts, wefted hair, full lace wigs, and clip-ins in a variety of textures.

Promising review: "This is my third purchase of For Kinks in two years. I wear For Kinks full time, and it’s the best decision I’ve ever made! The texture is perfect, and I realize now the importance of buying from Black woman–owned businesses. We understand how curly hair is supposed to look, act, and function. For Kinks maintains a curl pattern no matter how many times it’s washed, and I consistently get compliments! I’m very happy using Camille Rose’s Curl Love, or Fresh Curl, or As I Am products to moisturize. In this last purchase, the color was a bit more medium brown than I was used to getting. A demi-permanent dark brown dye/rinse solved that issue quickly with no change in texture or quality from the hair. I’m interested in trying out other textures eventually, but this texture is my first love. :) If you’re on the fence about getting For Kink clip-ins, get the 20-inch — you won’t regret it." —Alison H.

Get it from Heat Free Hair for $189+ (available in three sizes and four textures).

18. Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer easily took my 4c hair from sopping wet to very straight in minutes. Its state-of-the-art heat sensor prevents it from causing catastrophic heat damage to your hair.

Buzzfeed / Christine Forbes

It comes with six magnetic attachments and accessories.

As a person with Afro-textured hair, heat is sometimes needed to prep my hair for braided styles. So, I needed a blow dryer that could stretch my hair without compromising the integrity of my texture. I heard great things about this dryer, but the price is steep. Why should I spend almost $400 on a blow-dryer that may not work for my coily, type 4 hair? I asked master stylist, Jon Reyman, the same thing. For context, Reyman is probably the most knowledgeable person I know when it comes to hair. He loves this blow-dryer because the heat sensor monitors 40 times per second to make sure the temperature never exceeds what is safe for your hair. Generally, I can smell my hair burning to a crisp when it's being blow-dried well. Shockingly, this blow dryer gave me better results — without frying my hair. What's even more impressive, is that the motor spins at 110,000 revolutions per minute. That's over five times faster than the standard blow-dryer. As a curly girl, I really love pairing the wide-tooth comb attachment with this blow-dryer. It distributes heat evenly through every strand. Did I mention it Dyson's blow-dryer and flat iron have kept my hair straight for a week without compromising its elasticity or plasticity? The Supersonic is definitely a splurge item, but the science behind the hype is solid.

Get it from Dyson for $399 (available in three colors).

19. Hair Rules No Suds Cleansing Cream helps normalize oil production, reduces irritation, and cleanses hair without leaving it bone dry.

Hair Rules

I decided to try this because Anthony Dickey, the founder of Hair Rules, is brilliant. His approach to hair is so unique, but I wasn't completely sold. Nevertheless, I figured this product would be a good place to start. It did not disappoint. My hair is substantially less dry, fragile, and hard after I use this shampoo. Additionally, I like that it comes in a jar rather than a bottle so I can truly use every drop of product.

Get it from Hair Rules for $32+ (available in two sizes).

20. Glow By Daye Deep Conditioning Thermal Heat Cap makes deep conditioning easier than ever. It's microwaveable so you don't have to sit under a dryer to achieve pillowy curls.

Glow By Daye

My hair has been consistently soft since I began using this. If you heat it in the microwave for three minutes, it'll stay warm for up to half an hour. My roommate and I find every excuse to use these.

Glow By Daye is a Black woman-owned business founded by Ranay Daye and based in Los Angeles. She sells a variety of bonnets, as well as silk pillowcases.

Get it from Amazon for $32.96+ (available in seven colors) or from Glow By Daye for $39.96.

21. Aphogee Two-step Treatment Protein for Damaged Hair has revived my fragile hair on more than one occasion. Heat-activated proteins and magnesium repair the hair structure so it's more balanced and less prone to breakage.

Christine Forbes / Buzzfeed

I love this treatment because I can immediately feel a difference in my hair. I have a terrible habit of over-moisturizing my fine 4c hair. So I use this every six weeks after shampooing to balance it out. My curl pattern returns as soon as I rinse. Even my roommates have noticed my hair looks much healthier.

Promising review: "This has done wonders for my hair. I do have some tips for when you use this treatment. 1. Make sure you wear an old tee shirt 👕 when using this. 2. Put the product in a spray bottle for better distribution. 3. don't touch while drying the treatment on your hair. 4. After you rinse your hair it is very important that you do a deep condition on your hair or your hair may become to brittle and break. Doing these steps will leave your hair happy." —Cicely Neal

Get it from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in two sizes).

22. Maple Holistics Biotin Hair Shampoo to help with shedding by depositing biotin, a naturally occurring vitamin, where it's needed — your hair. It made a world of difference 😱 for the person pictured below.

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Promising review: "I bought this shampoo recently when I was on the hunt for hair repair products after my hair got damaged during a blowout at a Dominican salon. (I'll never do that again). I used this shampoo for the first time yesterday, and my hair and my scalp feels amazing. There are very small sections of my hair that are heat damaged permanently. I'll just have to cut those strands off but, this shampoo saved the rest of my hair. I will post some pics later. I hope with continued usage that my regular curl pattern will fully return to normal. I'll keep you guys updated. Update: My hair hardly sheds since using this shampoo!! This is the best shampoo I have ever owned!" —Simone Johnson

Get it from Amazon for $9.95.

23. Rucker Roots Daily Leave-In features biotin, castor oil, and vitamin E that'll keep your hair moisturized without causing product buildup.

Buzzfeed / Christine Forbes

I have fine, 4c–4b hair and a few spritzes of this is enough to keep my ends lubricated all day. It's on the oilier side as far as leave-ins go. So, if you're looking for a heavier liquid emollient, this will get the job done.

Promising review: "I love the daily leave-in, I use on my sister locs as a moisturizer and my hair feels great and healthy." —Vern

Rucker Roots is a Black woman-owned family business that launched in 2015. They create shampoos, conditioners, and stylers designed to celebrate naturally curly hair.

Get it from Target or Rucker Roots for $13.99.

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.