Best (& Worst) Non-Toxic Detangler Products For Curly or Straight Hair

Are you looking for non-toxic detangler products for your curly hair? It’s very difficult to find products to help get rid of those tangles that are free from hormone-disrupting chemicals. This is why Mamavation ranked over 200 products that will help with detangling. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like best green beauty products without PFAS, best dental floss without PFAS, and best athletic pants without PFAS (in the crotch), now join us for an investigation on the best (& worst) non-toxic detanglers, & other curly hair products, including gel, mousse, oils, creams, & rich-textured creams.

Disclosure: This post was medically reviewed by Sondra Strand, RN, BSN, PHN. This post also contains affiliate links. 

The Basics of Detanglers

Are you looking for a more natural hair detangler that will help stop the flyaways, breakage, and split ends? Or are you looking for a sulfate-free product you can add to your hair routine that is also safe for toddlers with curly hair? Detanglers and Leave-in Conditioners are some of the most useful hair care products because they protect your hair from damage like the heat from hot tools like curling irons and dryers, and lock in extra moisture for your hair.

Detanglers work by altering the surface of your hair by coating it with an oil or polymer or by acidifying it so the surface of your hair tightens up smoothing the scales on your hair’s outer surface and creating a positive electrical charge to ward off static. Most conventional detanglers do this with a concoction of the following types of chemicals:

• Silicones
• Acidifiers
• Hydrolyzed Proteins
• Cationic Surfactants
• Oils

The best hair detangler uses mostly natural ingredients, is cruelty-free, gluten-free, vegan, and can be used with people with skin sensitivities. The best ingredients include shea butter, cocoa butter, avocado, apple cider vinegar, coconut oils, marula oil, lavender, oat milk, green tea extract, etc. But beware, if you are looking for an organic ingredient, be on the lookout for those same organic ingredients to be surrounded by other problematic chemicals. We noticed lots of brands boasting about organic ingredients while serving you up a chemical concoction that could impact your hormones at the same time. This is why Mamavation decided to rank the best non-toxic detanglers and other curly hair products for you.

Ingredients Inside Detanglers & Other Curly Hair Products To Avoid

Because detanglers and leave-in conditioners are left on the hair and not washed out, it’s wise to be more careful with the chemicals you allow in those products. Here are the chemicals we found inside detanglers and other curly hair products on the shelves that you want to avoid.

• Parabens — One problematic ingredient inside self-tanners is parabens. Parabens are linked to cancer, and developmental and reproductive toxicity. In fact, they are typically found inside breast cancer tumors. Parabens are used in cosmetics to prevent mold, yeast, and bacteria from forming. And they are used in cosmetics to give the product a longer shelf life. Are there alternatives? Yes. But parabens are cheaper to use and allow the product to stay on the shelves for years and years and years…until it’s sold. So this is why cosmetic companies use them.
• Fragrance —  “Fragrance” is either made from petroleum or botanical raw materials or both. It also contains ingredients like solvents, stabilizers, UV absorbers, preservatives, phthalates, and dyes. These types of chemicals vary in toxicity. But there is lots of mystery surrounding “fragrance” in personal care products. Companies that make perfume buy chemicals from other companies called “fragrance houses.” This means it is possible for a brand to not even know the fragrance chemicals inside their own product. However, as companies and states are moving toward fragrance ingredient disclosure, this is slowly starting to change. Most self-tanner products we found had a mysterious tropical scent with added orange, mango, & coconut nodes.
• Phthalates: Phthalates are another class of ingredient that is also hormone-disrupting and found in most conventional self-tanners. Phthalates are commonly used as a solvent (a liquid that can dissolve other substances) and fixative (a substance that can help the fragrance last longer on the skin) inside fragrances.  The most common phthalate inside fragrance is diethyl phthalate (DEP) and it’s considered toxic by the Toxic Substances Portal of the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR). The trade name of this chemical is also known as neantine, peilatinol A, and solvanol. Phthalates are lined to health impacts like obesity, hyperactivity in children, and the kicker is infertility in men by degrading sperm quality. In fact, phthalates are so problematic to male fertility, they are being restricted in places like China. Phthalates, although worse for men, is also problematic to women.
• Quaternary Ammonium Compounds aka “Quats” —  These are chemicals that contain quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) in their chemical makeup and are used in a variety of hair products like conditioners, shampoos, hair spray, mousse, and detanglers. They are used as preservatives, surfactants, germicides, and conditioning agents. The Association of Occupational and Environmental Clinics classifies quats as “asthmagens,” meaning they can trigger asthma attacks and cause new cases in asthma-free individuals. Not all “quats” are considered asthmagens, but many release formaldehyde or are linked to hormonal effects. Examples of “Quats” you will find in detanglers are Behentrimonium Chloride, Cetrimonium Chloride, Cetalkonium chloride, Stearalkonium chloride, Cinnamidopropyltrimonium Chloride, Quaternium-18, ditallow dimethyl ammonium chloride (DTDMAC), Olealkonium chloride, & Behentrimonium Methosulfate. Quats that are not concerning inside detanglers are  Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, starch hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hydroxypropyltrimonium honey & Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine.
• Ethoxylated Ingredients — Ethoxylated ingredients are generally of low concern on their own. However, they can be contaminated with ethylene oxide, a known carcinogen, and 1,4- dioxane, reasonably anticipated to be a human carcinogen. They may also be linked to organ toxicity and reproduction toxicity. Examples we found in detanglers were PEG-40, Hydrogenated castor oil, trideceth-5, trideceth-12, polyethylene glycol, & Laureth-9.
• Harsh Surfactants — The problem with detanglers that you don’t have with shampoo and conditioners is it’s meant to stay on your hair and not be washed off. This is why some chemicals like cocamidopropyl betaine & Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine would be more problematic.
• Excessive or Harsh Preservatives — Although sodium benzoate and potassium sorbate are safer preservatives used by lots of natural products when you combine them it’s excessive in personal care products. You also want to avoid Methylchloroisothiazolinone & Methylisothiazolinone. As for phenoxyethanol, it’s only safe for adults, not children.
• Silicones — There isn’t anything dangerous about using silicone products in your hair, however, it’s been reported that it builds up over time from overuse and can make your hair, dry brittle, and weighed down.

Mamavation’s Investigation of Detanglers & Other Curly Hair Products

Mamavation ranked hundreds of products to help with curly hair including the following: hair detanglers, leave-in conditioners, hydration products, products for color-treated hair, curl definers, and creams. We analyzed the ingredients looking for harmful chemicals that were mentioned earlier in this post.

We wanted to warn you that this category of products has more problematic chemicals than other types of products like lotions or sunscreens. It’s very hard to find products that are not problematic at all, but we were still able to rank them based on what we found. Here are some of our other investigations on other personal care products:

• Makeup
• Lotion
• Hand Cremes
• Soap & Body Wash
• Liquid Hand Soaps
• Sunscreens
• Nail Polish
• Face Wash & Moisturizers
• Hair Styling Products
• Hair Dye
• Deodorant
• Dry Shampoo
• Shampoo & Conditioner
• Shampoo Bars & Conditioner Bars
• Toothpaste
• Dental Floss
• Mouthwash
• Toilet Paper
• Head Lice Treatment Products
• Hair Relaxers
• Peel-Off Facial Masks, Sheet Facial Masks, & K-beauty Facial Masks
• Beard Oil
• Self Tanning Products

Not Our Favorite Detanglers & Other Curly Hair Products

These products contained 5 or more problematic ingredients like undisclosed fragrances, quats, ethoxylated ingredients, chemicals that can release formaldehyde, parabens, harsh preservatives, harsh surfactants, etc. This category also represents ingredients that are listed as some of the first ingredients, meaning they are greater in volume inside the formula.

Not Our Favorite Detanglers & Leave-In Conditioners

• As I Am Classic Leave In Conditioner
• Attitude Curl Amplifying Conditioner (Super Leaves) for Hair Types 2 & 3
• Aveda Be Curly Intensive Detangling Masque
• Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner
• Babo Smoothing Conditioner
• Bumble & Bumble Curl 3-in-1 Conditioner (4C-2A)
• Cake The Mane Manage’r 3-in-1 Leave-In Conditioner
• Cantu Care for Kids Conditioning Detangler Spray
• Cantu TXTR Leave-In + Rinse Out Hydrating Conditioner
• Curl Junkie Curl Assurance Smoothing Lotion (Detangling Leave-In)
• Curl Keeper Kinder Curls Magic Mist Detangler
• Curl Keeper Slip Detangler
• Curl Keeper Slip+ Extreme Detangling Jelly
• Curlmix 4C | ONLY Too Soft Leave-In Conditioner
• Curlmix 4C | ONLY Too Thicke Deep Conditioner (described as detangling)
• Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Leave In Conditioner
• DevaCurl Wash Day Wonder Slip Detangler
• Eleven Detangle My Hair Leave-In Spray
• Hair Food Curl Detangling Spray
• It’s a 10 Coily Miracle Leave-In Product
• Living Proof Perfecting Spray Detangler
• Miss Jessie’s Leave In Condish
• Mixed Chicks Leave-In Conditioner
• Mizani 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
• Moroccan Oil Leave-In Conditioner
• Not Your Mother’s Curl Talk Leave-In Conditioner
• Oribe Priming Lotion Leave-In Conditioning Detangler
• Ouidad Advanced Climate-Control Detangling Heat Spray
• Rizos Curls Refresh & Detangle Spray
• Shea Moisture Coconut & Hibiscus Kids Extra Moisturizing Detangler
• Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Moisturizing Detangler
• Shea Moisture Low Porosity Weightless Leave-In Detangler
• Unite 7 Seconds Detangler
• Wella Nutricurls Detangling Conditioner for Waves & Curls

Not Our Favorite Curly Haired Products

• AG Care Re:Coil Activator
• AG Curl Fresh Definer
• Aquage Curl Defining Creme
• As I Am Coconut CoWash
• As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Smoothie
• As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Water
• Bread Hair-Cream
• Bread Hair-Wash (co-wash meets cleanser for 4C hair types)
• Bumble & Bumble Curl Butter Mask (4C-2A)
• Bumble & Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer
• Cake The Curl Whip
• Cantu Curl Activator
• Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla 4-in-1 “Combing” Creme
• Curl Junkie Beauticurls Argan & Olive Oil Daily Conditioner
• Curl Junkie Beauticurls Strengthening Hair Conditioner
• Curls Baby Itsy Bitsy Spirals Moisturizer
• Curls Blueberry Bliss Control Jelly
• Curls Moisture Magnet Sea Moss Curl Cream
• Curlsmith Super Slip Pre-Wash Primer
• Curlsmith Curl Conditioning Oil-In-Cream Leave in Cream
• DevaCurl Moisture Seal Hydrating Finishing Spray (Rehydrates & tames frizz – not described as a detangler but requested on FB)
• DevaCurl Plumping Primer (provides body & reduces frizz – requested on FB)
• DevaCurl Fragrance-Free & Hypoallergenic One Condition Original
• Earth Science Olive & Avocado Hair Masque
• Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment
• Joie Gel
• KeraCare Co-Wash with Black Castor Oil & Coconut Oil
• Keratase Curl Manifesto Fondant Hydration Essentielle Conditioner
• Keratase Masque Beurre Haute Nutrition Hair Mask
• Kristin Ess Ultra Hydrating Curl Leave-In Cream
• Kristin Ess Moisture Rich Curl Conditioner
• LUS Love Ur Curls All-In-One Fragrance Free Repair, Hydrate, & Style for Kinky-Curly
• LUS Curly Conditioner
• Maui Moisture Curl Quench Conditioner
• Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Curl Smoothie
• Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing & Detangling Conditioner (for Type 4 -Coily)
• Mielle Rice Water Moisturizing Milk
• Mielle Detangling Co-Wash (for dry & curly hair types)
• Miss Jessie’s Pillow Soft Curls
• Miss Jessie’s Super Sweetback Treatment
• Mixed Chicks Deep Conditioner
• Modere Moisturizing Conditioner
• Moroccan Oil Curl Defining Cream
• Oribe Curl Gelee
• Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Conditioner
• Ouidad VITALCURL Balancing Rinse Conditioner
• OWAY Superfluid
• R+Co Twister Curl Primer
• Raw Sugar The Truly Unruly Conditioner
• Raw Sugar Mighty Curls Hair Masque
• Redken One United All in One Multi-Benefit Treatment
• Rucker Roots Detangling Conditioner
• Shaeri Co-Wash
• Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Whipped Curl Cream
• Skimdo Curl Cream
• Uncle Funky’s Daughter Bye Bye Buildup
• Unite Boing Curl

Better Detanglers & Other Curly Hair Products

This category represents the middle of the road or happy medium. You will find between 2 -5 problematic ingredients in each product, however, when compared to the “not our favorite” category, they are far safer. This category is likely to be more effective in treating your hair than the “best” category which has the least amount of problematic chemicals.

Better Detanglers & Leave-In Conditioners

• 365 Whole Foods Leave-In Conditioner (not specified as a curly hair product but requested on FB)
• AG Boost Apple Cider Vinegar Silicone-Free Conditioner
• Alaffia Beautiful Curls DEFINE Leave-In Conditioner
• Alaffia Beautiful Curls SCULPT Detangler Spray
• Alba Botanicals More Moisture Conditioning Leave-In Mist (formulated for dry hair)
• Alikay Naturals Knots Be Gone Hair Detangler
• Attitude Curl Ultra-Hydrating Conditioner (Super Leaves) for Hair Types 3 & 4
• Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner Treatment
• Bounce Curl Moisture Balance Leave-In Conditioner (4A-4C)
• Bounce Curl Super Smooth Cream Conditioner (helps to detangle 4A-4C)
• Brown Butter Beauty Sweet Milk Detangler
• CleverCurl Fragrance-Free Rich Conditioner
• Curls Kids Coconut Dream Conditioner
• Curls Kids Moist Curls Moisturizer
• Curlsmith Shine Conditioner Fragrance-Free (for all hair types)
• Derma E 2-n-1 Defining Curl Cream & Leave-In Conditioner (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products) 
• Derma E 2-n-1 Conditioner & Cowash (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products) 
• Fairy Tales Lice Prevention Rosemary Repel Conditioning Spray
• Gabby Bows Confidence Nourishing Conditioner
• Giovanni Curl Habit Curl Defining Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir
• Hairstory Hair Balm Leave-In Styling Curl Cream & Conditioner
• Innersense Sweet Spirit Leave-In Conditioner
• John Masters Leave-In Conditioning Mist
• KeraCare Detangling Conditioning Mist
• Kinky Curly Knot Conditioner
• Lolavie Detangler
• Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Leave-In Conditioner
• Monat Unknot Detangler
• MopTop Leave-In Conditioner
• MopTop FuzzDuck Kids Detangle & Leave-In
• NaturAll Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner
• Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner
• Original Sprout Miracle Detangler
• Pattern Beauty Detangling Nectar
• Pipette Detangler
• Qhemet Cocoa Tree Detangling Ghee
• SoCozy Curl Leave-In Conditioner Spray
• Soultanicals Knot Sauce Coil Detangler
• WOW 10-in-1 Hair Revitalizer (leave-in conditioner spray)

Better Curly Hair Products

• Adwoa Beauty Boamint Moisturizing Curl Defining Cream
• Alaffia Beautiful Curls ENHANCE Defining Gel
• CleverCurl Curl Treatment
• CleverCurl ONE Conditioner
• Curls So So Def Vitamin C Curl Defining Jelly
• Derma E Wash Day Curl Shampoo (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products!) 
• Derma E Curl Repair Deep Treatment (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 20% off products) 
• Ethique Curliosity Co-Wasj * Conditioner Bar
• Ethique Untangled Detangling Solid Conditioner Bar
• Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-In-1 Hair Primer
• Gabby Bows Confidence Revitalizing Spray
• Giovanni Curl Habit Curl Shaping Hair Gel
• Hairstory New Wash
• Herbal Essences Jojoba Oil & Lavender Curls Conditioner
• Innersense Calm Curl Control
• Innersense Color Radiance Daily Conditioner (for medium texture, color & chemically treated hair)
• Keratase Creme De Jour Fondamentale Hair Cream
• Kinky Curly Curling Custard
• Kinky Curly Tiny Twirls Styler
• Loma Curvy Creme
• Miribel Dreamy Hair Cream
• Mizani True Textures Moroccan Clay Steam Mask
• MopTop Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner
• OWAY Curly Hair Mask
• Pacifica Pineapple Curls
• Puracy Conditioner Citrus+ Mint (for all hair types – requested on FB) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION20” for 20% off product)
• Rahua Hydration Hair Mask
• Raw Curls Firm Hold Gel
• Taliah Waajid Curly Curl “Gello”

Best Detanglers & Other Curly Hair Products

This category represents products that have 1-0 problematic ingredients. However, this category may not be as effective as the “better” category, so we recommend you select based on your needs.

Best Detanglers & Leave-In Conditioners

• California Baby Calming Hair Detangler
• Carina Organics Sweet Pea Leave-In Conditioner
• Carina Organics Unscented Leave-In Conditioner
• Clean Kids Spray Detangler
• Earthley Leave-In Conditioner (for Thick/Dry Hair formula) (Use discount code “MAMAVATION” for 10% off products)
• EVOLVh SmartCurl Leave-In Conditioner
• Honest Conditioning Detangler Nourish – Sweet Almond
• JessiCurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner – Citrus Lavender (Confidence Collection) – best for 3C-4C
• JessiCurl Too Shea! Extra Moisturizing Conditioner (Confidence Collection) – No Fragrance Added (Best for 3C-4C)
• JessiCurl Deep Conditioning Treatment (Confidence Collection) – No Fragrance Added (best for 3C-4C)
• Lemongrass Spa Leave-In Conditioner (formerly Revitalizing Mist)
• Poofy Citrus Coconut Leave-In Conditioner
• Pure Haven Supergreens Detangler
• Rahua Hydration Detangler & UV Barrier
• T is for Tame Taming Mist
• TotLogic Leave-In Conditioning Spray

Best Curly Haired Products

• Curlmix Pure Grape Seed Conditioner for Curly Hair – Fragrance-Free (part of the Wash & Go system for curly hair)
• Earthley Shampoo Bar for Curly Hair (FB request – not a detangler)
• Ecoslay Jello Shot Curl Definer
• Ecoslay Orange Marmalade Curl Definer
• Ecoslay Rice Pudding Leave-In Conditioner (for 4C)
• Everscents Organic Moisture Conditioner
• Henna Sooq Cocoveda Hair Masque
• Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Gel
• Raw Curls Vault Curl Repair Leave-In Spray

More Consumer Studies on Mamavation

Mamavation has been working hard to discover where to find PFAS “forever chemicals” inside food & other products we purchase and bring inside our homes. This is why we have decided to commission our own consumer studies on indications of PFAS in different consumer categories and share that information with you. Here is what we can offer you today!

• Pasta & Tomato Sauces
• Nut Butters (Peanut butter, etc.)
• Cooking Oils (olive oil, almond oil, canola oil, etc)
• Activewear (Yoga Pants)
• Sports Bras
• Green Beauty Makeup
• Dental Floss
• Toilet Paper
• Period Underwear
• Ketchup
• Parchment Paper
• Bamboo Flooring
• Baby Strollers
• Tampons
• Sanitary Pads & Incontinence Pads

We also have other non-toxic investigations on products for your children or the rest of your family. Here are some that we thought you may like.

• Best Yoga mats 
• Best Infrared Saunas
• Best Organic Mattresses
• Best Air purifiers
• Best Cookware
• Best Plant-Based Milks
• Best Water Filters for PFAS Filtration
• Best Collagen
• Best Electrolyte Replacement Drinks, Sports Drinks, & Coconut Water
• Best Infrared Saunas
• Best Bubble Bath

Click here for a complete list of product investigations.