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Redhead with non-toxic leave-in conditioner in her hair

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Are you looking for a non-toxic natural leave-in conditioner without all the parabens, undisclosed fragrances, sulfates, and other junk? Regardless of your hair type, Mamavation knows you want to look your best, but struggle to find non-toxic products to lessen split ends & breakage. We are here to help you find the safest non-toxic leave-in conditioners that will leave your hair healthy and beautiful. You’ve trusted Mamavation to bring you topics like safest natural detanglers, safest natural hair spray, & safest collagen, now join us for best (& possibly worst) non-toxic natural leave-in conditioners.

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

Portrait of wonderful young blonde woman with long hair looking at camera, smiling.

Non-Toxic Natural Leave-In Conditioners Are Necessary Hair Products

If you are looking for something to help you strengthen your hair and cut down on dandruff, frizziness, tangles, breakage, and split ends, a leave-in conditioner is a great product to use. Leave-in conditioners are also heat protectants and will protect your hair from heat from the blow dryer and other harsh environments.

In order to get the benefits of a leave-in conditioner, it’s important to do it consistently. Therefore, getting into a good routine after you shower is important. After using shampoo & conditioner, work leave-in conditioner into towel-dried hair while brushing with a comb or wooden brush. Your damp hair will be easier to comb out and have fewer tangles as well.

The problem is most leave-in conditioners are full of hormone-disrupting, carcinogenic, and irritating ingredients. This is why Mamavation ranked over 160+ leave-in conditioners in order to find the safest formulas for you to try. Not all products are vegan or cruelty-free, but most can be used with color-treated hair, frizzy hair, curly hair, fine hair, or damaged hair.

Woman who didn't use leave-in conditioner

Problematic Ingredients Found Inside Most Leave-In Conditioners

Mamavation evaluated the ingredients of over 160+ leave-in conditioners looking for hormone-disrupting chemicals, carcinogens, and irritants. We found most products that are marketing themselves as a “leave-in conditioner” had some issues with ingredients. Most of the time, we found undisclosed fragrances and different types of “quats.” But here is also what we found when evaluating over 160+ products.

  • Undisclosed Fragrance —  “Fragrance” is either made from petroleum (synthetic fragrances) or botanical raw materials (natural fragrance) or both. It can also contain 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. (You can make a difference here by only purchasing from brands that are doing 100% ingredient dislosure to help!) The biggest problem is the mystery because no one has any idea what is inside the word “fragrance.” Unfortunately, this was consistently the largest problem with the hair sprays we ranked.
  • Phthalates: Phthalates are another class of ingredient that is also hormone-disrupting and found in most conventional skin-aging products. 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, but you are very unlikely to see these names on an ingredient panel. Phthalates are linked to health impacts like obesity, and hyperactivity in children, and the kicker is infertility in men by degrading sperm quality. (In other words, wearing fragrances with phthalates around young boys is a problem.) 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 for women.
  • Parabens: These are very harsh preservatives used in many personal care products that may lead to hormone disruption because they mimic estrogen. The European Union banned these chemicals in 2012. The most controversial study found traces of five different parabens in the tumors of 19 out of 20 breast cancer patients. Make sure to avoid: methylparaben, propylparaben, butylparaben, ethylparaben, isobutylparaben, & isopropylparaben.
  • Formaldehyde Releasers: In personal care products, formaldehyde can be added directly to the product OR it can be released from preservatives inside the product. Chemicals that release formaldehyde over time are referred to as formaldehyde releasers. These chemicals prevent microbes from growing in water-based or aloe vera-based products, but are also linked to cancer and allergic skin reactions. Formaldehyde releasers are chemicals like quaternium-15, DMDM hydantoin, imidazolidinyl urea, diazolidinyl urea, polyoxymethylene urea, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol (bromopol) and glyoxal.
  • 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, hair spray, 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 hair sprays are  Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, starch hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, hydroxypropyltrimonium honey & Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine.
  • Harsh synthetic scents: Butylphenyl Methylpropional (also known as Lilial) & hydroxymethylpentylcyclohexenecarboxaldehyde are harsh synthetic scents that are linked to moderate to high toxicity concern in humans, irritability, developmental toxin, and endocrine disruption.
  • Harsh Preservative Combos — 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. Our advisors do not recommend this specific mixture of preservatives. It’s okay to have sodium benzoate or potassium sorbate by themselves. We are also approving phenoxyethanol in small quantities for adults, but not for children.
  • 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.
  • Polysorbates: Polysorbates are another type of ethoxylated ingredient we wanted to tell you about. They are widely used surfactants in biopharmaceutical formulations and also used as an emulsifier in cosmetic creams, lotions, hair sprays, & skin-aging creams, etc. In other words, it is used to help mix oil and water. Polysorbates are not problematic on their own, but when they used for cosmetic reasons, they are treated with ethylene oxide. Products treated with ethylene oxide frequently have traces of 1,4 dioxane which is a carcinogen.
  • 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.

Burnette with beautiful hair

Safer & Natural Leave-In Conditioner Ingredients

As we ranked over 160+ leave-in conditioners, we also found several types of natural ingredients that are great in a commercial formula and for DIY leave-in conditioner recipes. These ingredients are also good in natural hair products. But we do have some caution for you to recognize about most leave-in conditioners, most of the products that contain these ingredients ALSO contain problematic ingredients side by side. Even though this is happening, we wanted to include ingredients that are perfectly fine.

  • Argan Oil
  • Olive oil
  • Avocado oil
  • Jojoba oil
  • Sweet almond oil
  • Lavender essential oil
  • Distilled water
  • Shea Butter
  • Coconut Oil
  • Vitamin E
  • Aloe Vera
  • Tamarind Seed Extracts
  • Lemon
  • Aloe vera gel or aloe vera juice
  • grapefruit seed extract
  • Ylang-ylang
  • Glycerin

Woman with curly hair who used non-toxic leave-in conditioner

Other Personal Care Investigations That May Interest You

Mamavation has evaluated the ingredients of thousands of products in the personal care aisle. After you find a good leave-in conditioner, make sure to come back and check out these investigations as well.

Face

Body

Hands

Hair

Dental

Eyes

Feminine Care

Woman with blonde hair starring at her split ends

Mamavation’s Investigation of Leave-In Conditioners

To recap, Mamavation ranked over 160+ leave-in conditioners for hormone-disrupting, carcinogenic, and irritating ingredients. After evaluating the ingredients, we placed them into 3 different categories based on the ingredients we found. We recommend shopping from either the “better” or “best” category based on your comfort between clean ingredients and effectiveness in detangling. Some people may need to use products from the “better” category because their hair just needs more. While other people will prefer a lighter formula in the “best” category to ensure they are avoiding the most problematic ingredients. Do you what suits your family and your lifestyle. We are just providing you with that information.

Not Our Favorite Leave-In Conditioners

This list of products contains problematic ingredients such as parabens, phthalates, undisclosed synthetic fragrances, Quats, Ethoxylated ingredients, harsh synthetic scents, or silicones.

  • Africa’s Best Hair Rinse Out and Leave-in Deep Conditioner
  • Alaparf Milano Nutritive Leave-in Conditioner
  • Aluram Coconut Water Based Leave in Conditioner
  • Amika Hydro Rush Leave-in Conditioner
  • Amika Vault Color Lock Leave in conditioner
  • ApHogee ProVitamin Leave-in Conditioner
  • ArtNaturals Argan Oil Leave-in Conditioner
  • As I Am Leave in Conditioner
  • As I Am Dry & Itchy Scalp Care Leave in Conditioner
  • Aunt Jackie’s Curls and Coils Quench Moisture Intensive Leave in Conditioner
  • Aussie Hair Leave-In Conditioner
  • Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-in Conditioner
  • Aveeno Hydrating Oat Milk Leave-In Hair Treatment
  • Barrel and Oak Rinse Out and Leave in Conditioning Cream
  • Better Natured Hydrating Leave-in Conditioner and Detangler
  • Bevel Leave in Conditioner
  • Biolage Daily Leave in Tonic
  • Biolage Smooth Proof Leave-in Cream
  • Biosilk Hydrating Therapy Pure Moisture Leave-in Spray
  • BioSilk Miracle 17 Original Silk Therapy
  • Blue Magic Carrot Oil Leave-in Styling Conditioner
  • Botanic Hearth Leave-In Conditioner
  • Briogeo Superfood Avocado and Kiwi Moisture Leave-In Conditioner
  • Briogeo Farewell Frizz Rosarco Milk Leave-in Conditioning Spray
  • Cantu Argan Oil Leave in Conditioner
  • Carol’s Daughter Born to Repair Curl Defining Cream
  • Carol’s Daughter Goddess Strength Divine Leave-in Hair Milk Spray
  • Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Leave in Conditioner
  • CHI Keratin Leave-in Conditioner
  • CHI Aloe Vera Humidity Resistant Leave in Conditioner
  • CHI Black Seed Oil Leave-In Conditioner
  • Coco and Eve Like a Virgin Leave in Conditioner
  • Creme of Nature Coconut Milk Detangling and Conditioning Leave-in Conditioner
  • Curls Blueberry Bliss Reparative Conditioner
  • Curls So So Smooth Vitamin C Leave-in Conditioner
  • Curlsmith Leave-In Conditioner
  • Daily Dose Miracle Moisture Spray Leave-in Conditioner
  • Design Essentials Almond and Avocado Leave in conditioner
  • DevaCurl Leave-In Curl Conditioner
  • Dr. Miracle’s Leave In Conditioner
  • EDEN Bodyworks Coconut Shea Leave-In Conditioner
  • ENJOY Leave in Conditioner
  • Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Leave-In Conditioner
  • Garnier Whole Blends Moroccan Argan and Camellia Oil Leave in Treatment
  • Garnier Coconut Oil and Cocoa Butter Leave-In Conditioner
  • Garnier Fructis Air Dry Butter Cream Leave in
  • Gisou Honey Infused Leave in Conditioner
  • Hair Chemist Biotin Leave-in Conditioning Spray
  • HnP Super Strength Placenta No-Rinse Instant Hair Repair Treatment
  • Infusium Repair Renew Leave-In Treatment
  • It’s a 10 Miracle Leave in Product
  • Jhirmack 10 in 1 Leave in Conditioner Spray
  • John Frieda Frizz Ease Daily Nourishment Leave in Conditioner
  • Kenra Daily Leave-In Conditioner
  • L’Oreal Paris Elvive Total Repair 5 Protein Recharge Leave-in Conditioner Treatment
  • L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths No Haircut Cream Conditioner
  • L’Oreal Dream Lengths Curl NonStop Dreamy Curls Cream
  • LOMA Leave-In Conditioner
  • Luseta Biotin and Collagen Leave-In Conditioner
  • Lusti Argan Oil 4 in 1 Leave in Conditioner
  • Maple Holistics Leave in Conditioner
  • Marc Anthony Grow Long Super Fast Strength Leave-in Conditioner Spray
  • Marc Anthony Coconut and Shea Nourishing Leave-in Conditioner
  • Marc Anthony Argan Oil Leave in Conditioner
  • Maui Moisture Heal + Hydrate Shea Butter Hair Mask
  • Mielle Organics Rosemary Mint Strengthening Leave-in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics Mango and Tulsi Nourishing Leave in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics Oats and Honey Soothing Leave-in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics Pomegranate and Honey Leave-in Conditioner
  • Mielle Organics Sea Moss Leave-in Conditioner
  • Milkshake Leave in Conditioner
  • Milkshake Incredible Milk
  • Miss Jessie’s Leave In Condish
  • Mixed Chicks Leave in Conditioner
  • Mizani 25 Miracle Leave-in Conditioner
  • Moroccanoil All in One Leave-in Conditioner
  • Naturtint CC Cream Leave-In Conditioner
  • NEXXUS Humectress Leave in Spray
  • NEXXUS Curl Define Leave In Conditioner
  • Not Your Mother’s Way to Grow Leave-in Conditioner
  • Not Your Mother’s Leave in Conditioner Royal Honey and Kalahari Melon
  • OGX Coconut Curls Styling Milk
  • Okay Black Jamaican Leave-In Conditioner
  • OKAY Coconut and Hibiscus Conditioner
  • Original Sprout Leave-In Conditioner
  • Ouai Leave in Travel Conditioner
  • Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-In Conditioner
  • Pantene Moisturizing Leave-in Conditioner
  • Pattern Leave in Conditioner
  • Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Hair and Body Moisturizer Leave In
  • Paul Mitchell The Conditioner
  • Paul Mitchell Full Circle Leave in Treatment
  • Paul Mitchell Clean Beauty AntiFrizz Leave-in Treatment
  • Pravana Intense Therapy Leave-In Treatment
  • Pure Brazilian Leave In Conditioner
  • Pureology Color Fanatic Leave-in Hair Treatment Spray
  • R+Co Vitamin C Leave-in Conditioner
  • Redken All-in-One Leave-in Conditioner
  • Redken Bonding Leave in Conditioner
  • Redken Extreme Length Leave In Treatment
  • RenPure Coconut and Vitamin E Replenish Leave-in Conditioner
  • RUSK Sensories Smoother Passionflower and Aloe Smoothing Leave-In Conditioner
  • Sachajuan Leave-In Conditioner
  • Saints and Sinners Velvet Devine Leave-in Conditioner
  • Salerm 21 Leave in Conditioner
  • Scotch Porter Leave-In Hair Conditioner
  • SoCozy Detangler and Leave-In Conditioner
  • Sol De Janeiro Milky Leave-in Conditioner
  • Sun Bum Revitalizing 3 in-1 Leave in Conditioner
  • Taliah Waajid Moisture Strengthening Leave-In Conditioner
  • Sustainable Glam 13 in 1 Epic Leave-In Conditioner Hair Detangler Spray
  • Tgin Green Tea Super Moist Leave-In Conditioner
  • Tgin Miracle Repair Protective Leave-in Conditioner
  • The Good Hair Complete Repair Balm
  • The Mane Choice H2Oh! Hydration Therapy Moisturizing Conditioner
  • The Mane Choice Prickly Pear Paradise Leave-In Conditioning Cream
  • TreLuxe Untie the Knot Leave-in Conditioner
  • TXTR Cantu Leave in and Rinse Out Hydrating Conditioner
  • UNITE hair 7 Seconds Detangler Leave in Conditioner
  • VERB Curl Leave in Conditioner
  • Virtue Leave-in Conditioner

Blonde hair

Better Leave-In Conditioners

This category of products is the happy medium. Most leave-in conditioners are very hard to formulate without at least a few “quats.” This category can contain some problematic ingredients but not many, but you may find harsh preservative combos of potassium sorbate & sodium benzoate, natural undisclosed fragrance, 2-3 problematic ingredients, & undisclosed natural or “phthalate-free” fragrance.

Best (& Worst) Non-Toxic Detangler Hair Products

Best Non-Toxic Natural Leave-In Conditioners

This category represents the safest non-toxic natural leave-in conditioners. There are no undisclosed fragrances, natural or synthetic. There are also no parabens, silicones, phthalates, undisclosed fragrances, ethoxylated ingredients, or harsh synthetic scents. But because this category is so difficult to formulate without at least one “quat,” we did allow some of those formulations that were mostly clean. We have marked those brands with a * so you can find which ones they are.

Recent Product Investigations

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Cooper

    I read a lot of things, and I thought the way you wrote to make it clear what you wanted to say was very good. I’m impressed, and I’d like to come back again sometime fnaf

    Reply

  4. Tesla 369 Theory

    I have completely eliminated all cosmetics containing Phthalates from my routine. It is absolutely shocking that such a toxic substance is still being included in shampoos, creams, and other products! I was even surprised to learn that Johnson’s Baby Lotion and Bedtime Lotion contact Phthalates as well!

    Reply

    • niftysniff

      Since glyphosate may attach to metal ions in complex matrices, Mamavation decided to expand its heavy metal testing to drift hunters include oat milks. We don’t know whether this is occuring during Oatmilk’s glyphosate testing, but we thought it would be good for our audience to know anyhow, so we had heavy metal testing done.

      Reply

  7. Jean Gurucharri

    Thank you for this! Have you heard of or tested Lola Vie products? I think they’re supposed to be clean!

    Reply

  8. Linda

    You didn’t rate DoTERRA’s or Monat’s. That’s the two I use. I’d like to know where they’d be on your list. 🙂

    Reply

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