14 Best Deep Conditioners for Natural Hair, According to Hairstylists and Testers
Whether you’re rocking a curly wig or embracing your 4C texture, having the best deep conditioner for natural hair is a must. It’s the key to giving your curls and coils all the moisture and nourishment needed to keep your strands strong and healthy. But don’t just take our word for it. We tapped Michelle O’Connor, global artistic director at hair care company Matrix, to help you find the best product for your hair type.
What’s the difference between regular conditioner and deep conditioner?
“Deep conditioners serve two main purposes: to balance moisture and stimulate protein. Healthy hair needs both of those things to thrive,” O’Connor says. The formula also tends to be much thicker than regular conditioners and can be used as a treatment for damaged hair. “A good deep conditioner restores the hair’s natural pH, closes cuticles to fight against breakage, and helps generate slip in the hair for detangling. The result should be tons of shine, elasticity, and hydration."
When should you use a deep conditioner?
Deep conditioning treatments are typically recommended anywhere from once a week to once a month, depending on your texture. Thick and coily hair textures may benefit from frequent use (since the hair tends to get drier due to the lack of oils reaching the strands), while people with finer hair can opt for it once a month. Also, consider the season. “Winter months may require the use of a conditioning treatment more frequently,” she says. Due to the lack of moisture (i.e., humidity) in the air, it’s common for your hair to be drier or brittle in colder temps.
You should also identify what your needs are. If you use a flat iron on your natural hair a lot, you may benefit from a good deep conditioning treatment once a week. A good rule of thumb is to leave two to three days in between washes so you don’t want to over-condition your hair, which can actually lead to damage.
Giving your curls and coils some TLC is a must for maintaining a healthy head of hair. So, to help you keep the hair love flowing, we’ve asked all of our friends what trusted curly hair products they use to deep condition, and these are the products endorsed by reviewers and hair stylists.
Top deep conditioners for natural hair:
- Best overall deep conditioner for natural hair: Mielle Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner, $13
- Best moisturizing deep conditioner: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair, $39
- Best for damaged hair: Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask, $30
- Best drugstore brand: Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist Conditioner, $21
- Best deep conditioner for 4C natural hair: 4C Only Too Thicke Deep Conditioner, $25
Bread Beauty Supply Hair-Mask Deep Conditioner
“Not only does this silicone-free deep conditioner come in the cutest pouch, but it's also packed with hydra-moisturizing like Australian Kakadu Plum Seed Oil and Starflower Oil that will help strengthen your hair. Every time I use it, my hair feels soft and supple for days,” says Teen Vogue contributor Shammara Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Australian Kakadu Plum Seed Oil, Starflower Oil
Best for: Works for all curl types
Size: 12oz
Pros: It’s hydrating and has incredible slip for detangling your hair
Cons: Some users have said it has a strong sweet scent
Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask
“Curls and coils are textures that are always in need of hydration and amika’s Soulfood Nourishing Mask is packed with vitamins and nutrients that condition the hair to provide superior hydration,” says stylist and amika lead pro educator Rashuna Durham. Cute name aside, I found it gave my 4c hair a nice shine."
Key Ingredients: Jojoba oil, Sea Buckthorn
Best for: All curl types
Size: 8oz
Pros: Softens, smooths, and hydrates hair all at once
Cons: Not ideal for colored hair
Matrix Food for Soft Detangling Hydrating Conditioner
“With hyaluronic acid and avocado oil, this product keeps the hair moisturized and shiny. [It’s] suited for all hair types and won’t weigh down the hair,” says Michelle. She recommends leaving it in your hair longer than you typically would when your hair needs a more intense treatment (let it sit for 10-15 minutes to fully absorb into your strands).
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, hyaluronic acid
Best for: All hair types
Size: 10.1oz
Pros: Moisturizes your hair and protects from weather elements that can cause frizz
Cons: Some users said the fragrance is strong
Aussie 3-Minute Miracle Moist Conditioner
“This has been one of my holy grails since going natural 12 years ago. Within three minutes, my hair always feels pillowy-soft, and detangling becomes a breeze,” says Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, jojoba oil
Best for: Works for all curl types
Size: 16oz
Pros: Hydrates and leaves hair feeling and looking healthy and shiny
Cons: Some users have said it weighed down their curls
Function of Beauty Coily Hair Mask Base
You can customize this innovative pick by adding up to three booster shots targeted to your unique hair needs, like frizz control. Even without the boosters, it hydrates like no other and has a delectable, yummy-smelling peach fragrance.
Key Ingredients: Murumuru Butter, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Coconut Oil
Best for: Works for all curl types
Size: 6.5oz
Pros: You can tailor it to your liking based on what your hair needs
Cons: This isn’t ideal if your hair isn’t a fan of heavy oils like castor oil becuase some users note it weighs down their strands
Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair Hair Mask
“Another staple in my haircare arsenal has to be this deep conditioner from Brigeo. When my 4C hair needs some love, it always gives it all the moisture it craves — all while strengthening my strands and preventing future damage,” says Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Murumuru Butter, Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Coconut Oil
Best for: Works for all curl types
Size: 8oz
Pros: Simultaneously moisturizes and strengthens curls and coils
Cons: It’s on the pricier side at $39 for the 8oz size
Olaplex No.8 Bond Intense Moisture Mask
“I swear by Olaplex Intense Moisture Mask for extra hydration, especially in the winter time,” writer Ayesha A. says. “My hair looks and feels incredible after I use it. It’s soft and smells so good,” she adds.
Key Ingredients: OLAPLEX patented bond-building technology
Best for: All hair types
Size: 3.3oz
Pros: Adds hydration and shine to your hair
Cons: On the pricier side and it comes in a small bottle
4C Only Too Thicke Deep Conditioner
“Looking for a deep conditioner for 4C hair with a lot of slip? This is the one for you. Whenever I use it, my coils are extra plump and more manageable,” says Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Organic Grapeseed oil
Best for: Type 4 hair
Size: 12oz
Pros: Hydrates your hair while loosening up knots for easy detangling
Cons: Some users have said it could be a tad more moisturizing
Paul Mitchell Tea Tree Lavender Mint Hair Mask
This clay-infused mask simultaneously nourishes and strengthens your strands to minimize any future damage. Plus, the calming lavender and mint will have you feeling like you're at the spa while washing your hair.
Key Ingredients: Lavender, mint, natural french clay
Best for: Tight curls and coils
Size: 5.1oz
Pros: Moisturizes and strengthens hair
Cons: The cooling effect may be too overpowering if you have a sensitive scalp
Mielle Babassu Oil & Mint Deep Conditioner
Revitalize your curls with super hydrating cult favorite in the natural hair community. “If you have a sensitive scalp like I do, you will like the cooling feeling it gives you thanks to the mint in the formula (speaking from experience),” says Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Babassu oil, mint
Best for: All curl types
Size: 8oz
Pros: Moisturizes deeply and reduces frizz
Cons: The cooling effect from the mint may be too overpowering for some
Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein Power Treatment
Curls or coils looking lackluster? Reach for this protein treatment. Made with nutrient-rich ingredients like manuka honey and yogurt, it will help strengthen and revive your hair back to its former glory.
Key Ingredients: Manuka honey, yogurt, mafura and baobab oils
Best for: All curl types
Size: 8oz
Pros: Infuses damaged hair with much-needed nutrients
Cons: Some users said it made their hair feel heavy
ORS HAIRestore Hair Mayonnaise
“This OG hair mayonnaise always does a great job getting my hair back in shape when it’s been through the wringer (lots of manipulation, heat styles, you name it). Plus, you don’t have to use a lot of it to notice a big difference in the manageability of your hair,” says Lawrence.
Key Ingredients: Egg protein, olive oil, vitamin B5
Best for: All curl types
Size: 16oz
Pros: Hydrates and infuses your hair with nourishing protein
Cons: Some users have said they don’t like that it’s formulated with parabens
Cantu Shea Butter Deep Treatment Hair Masque
Treat your curls and coils to a little TLC with this hair masque packed with shea butter. Deeply hydrates your hair while strengthening your strands so you can better retain length.
Key Ingredients: Shea butter
Best for: Type 4 hair
Size: 12oz
Pros: Softens and moisturizes curls and coils
Cons: Some users have said it weighs down their hair
K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Hair Mask
Dealing with damage? You may need this TikTok cult favorite in your life. It’s formulated with a peptide technology that’s said to repair damage from things like chemical services and heat.
Key Ingredients: K18PEPTIDE
Best for: All hair types
Size: 1.7oz
Pros: Repairs damage and moisturizes your hair
Cons: It’s pricey and comes in a small bottle
