4c is the most fragile hair type. They are thin, wiry, and prone to breakage. Therefore, they require caring and a lot of it.
If we have to pick one thing that you can do for your 4c hair that would be to moisturize them.
This is because their kinks and coils prevent an even or upward distribution of sebum. This leaves your hair ends deprived of natural oil and this makes them more prone to damage. These damaged hair ends lead to you needing trimming from time to time.
However, the dilemma does not end here. In addition, 4c hair has high porosity. This means that they have a high number of pores which leads to moisture loss.
Therefore moisturizing hair is just one-half of the struggle. The rest is to retain the moisture.
Comparing 10 Best Moisturizer for 4C Hair in 2021
The table below enlists our picks and some of their attributes. When it comes to hair moisturizers, they come in a variety of different forms including leave-in conditioners and deep conditioners. On the other side of the table, we will be discussing each of our pick in further detail.
Moisturizer | Main Ingredients | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
Rosemary, Peppermint | Deep | ||
Jamaican Castor Oil | Leave-in | ||
Vitamin B5 | Leave-in | ||
Shea Butter, Vitamin E | Leave-in | ||
Coconut Oil, Mango Butter | Leave-in | ||
Shea Butter | Leave-in | ||
Vitamin E, Tea Tree Oil | Deep | ||
Honey, Moringa Oil | Hair Spray | ||
Shea Butter, Sage Extract | Leave-in | ||
Lipids, Wheat Protein | Both |
1. Design Essentials Moisturizing Conditioner – Revitalizes the Scalp and Promotes Healthy Growth
The formulation of this deep conditioner was specially designed for dry and brittle hair. It contains rosemary and peppermint extract that is highly beneficial for the hair. They not only moisturize but also restore the damaged hair.
Rosemary oil, which is the main ingredient of this formulation, can counter hair loss. It improves the blood circulation to the scalp, which in turn promotes hair growth. Moreover, it has a high nutritional value which makes it an excellent ingredient for nourishing hair
Peppermint extract, on the other hand, does exactly the same but has a slightly different mode of action. It penetrates deep into the scalp and oxygenates the follicles. Therefore, it opens up the scalp and promotes the growth of healthy hair.
Deep conditioning, in general, is good for 4c hair types. For normal hair, we recommend deep conditioning every three or four weeks, but for 4c hair, you can do it as often as every week. Deep conditioning defines your curls and nourishes chemically treated hair.
In addition to promoting growth, peppermint has a therapeutic and pleasant smell. Even though you would wash it after use, the smell of peppermint would project freshness an entire day.
Most of the hair grooming product contains chemicals like paraben and sulfate that increases the life of the product. However, if a conditioner contains these chemicals, you cannot use it on colored or permed hair. The good news is, Design Essentials Moisturizing Conditioner does not have these chemicals in it. Therefore, no matter what type of hair you have, natural or colored, curly or permed, you can use this product.
The consistency of the product is creamy and watery which makes it convenient to use. It does not build up in your scalp as you can rinse it off easily with fresh water.
- Convenient to use
- Does not make the hair heavy
- Fresh smell
- Prevent hair loss
- Requires a generous amount during application
2. Fro Butter Jamaican Castor Oil Hair – Nothing Beats All-Natural Ingredients
This butter is rich in minerals and natural oils that are an excellent source of hair nutrition. Therefore, look further if you are looking for a long-lasting and natural way to promote hair growth.
Basically, it does not contain water but has plenty of sealants in the formulation. Therefore, the ability of this product to lock in moisture is unbeatable. It locks the pores and does not allow the moisture to evaporate through them. This, therefore, makes it a beneficial product for 4c hair.
However, in order to get the best results, you need to take a shower. Let the hair absorb all the moisture and soak the remaining with the dry cloth. The application of this product afterward would seal the moisture in which will keep the scalp and hair hydrated the entire day.
This ingredient is a potent stimulant for hair growth. This essentially is because of ricinoleic acid and fatty acids that are present in this. It provides proper nutrients to the hair and makes them stronger and healthier. As a cherry on top, it imparts a long-lasting shine in the hair which enhances the style statement.
Because it contains all-natural products, it is hypoallergenic and will not cause scalp irritation or discomfort. Therefore, if you are tired of using cheaply made synthetics, Jamaican black castor oil butter has come to your rescue.
Because of these natural ingredients, it is one of the highly versatile moisturizers that are available in the market. Be it natural or treated, curly or straight, this product would not disappoint when it comes to efficiency.
- All-natural ingredients
- Suitable for every hair type
- Promotes hair growth from patchy bald spots
- Excellent moisturizing properties
- Provides nutrients to the hair
- Makes the hair feel heavy
- Creates a greasy film on the hair
3. As I Am Double Butter Rich Daily Moisturizer – Perfect Treatment For Dull And Kinky Hair
The formulation of As I Am Double buttercream is water-based which means you would have ease in application and removal. Moreover, you only have to apply a small quantity which is why it will last longer.
The product contains several natural ingredients including cocoa butter, shea butter, castor oil, and jojoba oil. The main constituent, however, is the Pro-Vitamin B5 which is highly beneficial for hair.
B5 is an essential vitamin that has to be taken in the form of food because our body can’t synthesize it. However, because of irregular diet patterns, a lot of people have a B5 deficiency. This vitamin is essential for the hair as it breaks down the fats, carbohydrates into a simpler form that our follicles can use.
Therefore, the higher concentration of B5 in this formulation improves the health of the hair. Cocoa butter and Shea butter are the two components that lock in moisture. Therefore, the scalp and the hair stay hydrated throughout the day.
The other two important ingredients in the formulation are castor oil and jojoba oil. Both of them are highly beneficial for the hair, especially for its texture. Castor oil improves the circulation to the scalp which provides nutrients. Moreover, it protects hair damage and reduces hair fall. All of these properties make castor oil one of the most beneficial ingredients for the hair.
The jojoba oil, on the other hand, moisturizes the scalp and some believe it is a remedy for dandruff. Moreover, it contains a lot of vitamins and minerals which nourish the hair.
- Variety of natural ingredients
- Ease in application and removal
- Highly nutritive
- Water-based
- Poorly packaged
4. TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer – Stops Hair Fall and Make Them Shine
The solvent of this formulation is water which is why it has exceptional moisturizing capabilities. In addition, it contains ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, and seed butter which act as a sealant. Therefore, the combination of excess water with highly efficient sealant makes it one of the best moisturizers.
The application is pretty easy because the cream spreads nicely on the hair. Moreover, in cold temperatures, it does not solidify. Therefore, you can use it every day even in extreme weather.
Thank God Its Natural buttercream contains vitamin E which is highly beneficial for both scalp and hair. This for me is the best hair moisturizer for black hair.
Oxidative stress and free radicals are some of the culprits that cause damage to the scalp and hair.
However, these damaging factors can be reduced with the application of antioxidants. For this purpose, vitamin E is an excellent choice because it contains a lot of antioxidants. Thus, it reduces the breaking of hairs by making the follicles strong.
The cream also has a certain degree of holding properties which is why you can use it for styling. You can make a twist-out or two-strand twist provided that your hairs do not need any hardcore treatment. This together with the moisturizing properties, makes it come out ahead of the pack.
- Improves hair growth
- Can be used to style the hair
- Imparts shine in hair
- Stop hair loss and breakage
- Company does not have a return policy
5. Carol’s Daughter Coco Crème – More Than Just a Moisturizer
Carol’s Daughter moisturizer has utilized water as a solvent in the formulation which gives it a milky or creamy appearance. The water-based products are easy to apply and easy to remove. Since all the ingredients in them are soluble in the water you can wash them off with simple freshwater.
Moreover, this product is exactly what 4c hair needs. Water because of its low viscosity can easily enter the pores and delivers nutrients. Moreover, unlike oil-based products, you would not have to experience the grease in your hair.
The formulation of shea moisture hair moisturizer contains coconut oil, mango butter, and murumuru butter. All of them are highly beneficial for 4c hair. Moreover, the formulation is free of preservatives like paraben and sulfates which can damage the hair.
Coconut oil, which is one of the main ingredients of this moisturizer, is known to stimulate hair growth. Vitamins and essential fatty acids in this oil nourish the scalp and remove the sebum build-up from the follicles. Consequently, it makes them longer, thicker, and stronger.
Mango butter is the other key ingredient of this formulation. It contains plenty of fatty acids and antioxidants that help with the growth and texture of the hair. The fatty acids penetrate deep into the hair follicles and provide them with nutrients. As the hair starts to get proper nourishment it gets healthy and strong.
In addition, mango butter as an antioxidant removes damaging factors such as free radicals from the hair follicles. Therefore, allows them to grow longer and improves their texture.
The third most important ingredient is murumuru butter. It penetrates deep into hair cuticles and provides them with a high concentration of fats. Moreover, it has strong anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial activities that prevent scalp itching or irritation. Therefore, in essence, it strengthens and restores the damaged hair by extensively moisturizing them.
- Paraben and Sulfate Free
- Improves the hair texture
- Prevents dandruff
- Easy application
- Super sticky
- Makes the hair heavy
6. Cantu Shea Butter Leave-In Conditioning Repair Cream – Best For Chemical and Heat-Treated Hair
This conditioner is not wildly different from its competitors. The formulation has a water base which makes it convenient to apply and remove. No matter how hot or cold it gets, the consistency of the formulation remains unaffected. It spreads nicely and takes just a single wash with fresh water to rinse it off.
Moreover, it penetrates deeply into the pores of 4c hair and delivers all of its ingredients. The excellent penetrating power of the formulation is what makes it stand out.
Shea butter is the main constituent of the formulation which keeps the scalp hydrated. It basically works as a sealant and does not allow the moisture to evaporate. The water in the formulation hydrates the scalp and hair and then shea moisture seals it. Therefore, the hair and scalp get all the moisture they need to stay healthy, smooth, and strong.
In addition to shea butter, it contains several other beneficial ingredients including, canola oil, aloe vera, and rosemary leaf extracts. Some of these ingredients improve the circulation of blood to the scalp. While the others deliver nutrients to the hair follicles. Consequently, they improve the texture, make them silky and repair the damages.
Some people are fond of dying their hair while some like their hair permed. The problem is that a lot of the hair care products contain chemicals that damage the dye or change the texture of colored hair. Therefore, you cannot use every product if your hairs had chemical or heat treatment.
- Works on chemically treated hair
- Repairs the damaged hair
- Improves the texture of hair
- Seals moisture
- Generous amount of the product is needed
7. EDEN BodyWorks Jojoba Monoi Deep Conditioner – Hydrates The Scalp And Prevents Dandruff
When it comes to moisturizers, deep conditioners are convenient than leave-in conditioners. This is because the leave-in conditioners stay on your hair for longer and can make it sticky. Some of them even leave white residue behind, which looks bad.
However, when it comes to deep conditioners, you only have to apply them for a short time before rinsing them off. Therefore, you don’t have to experience that greasy texture that makes the hair heavy.
The deep conditioner we have at hand contains a lot of water to moisturize your scalp and hair. There is also a significant concentration of sealants like coconut oil and seed oil. Therefore, it does a fine job of moisturizing the hair.
Moreover, it has vitamin E which counters the damaging oxidants and free radicals. This consequently improves the overall health, appearance, and texture of the hair.
Want to know the best part? This product is free of chemicals like paraben and sulfate. Therefore, you can use it on every type of hair without worrying about scalp irritation.
- Has a nice smell
- Does not leave any residues
- Improves the texture and health of hair
- Paraben and sulfate-free
- Consistency is too thick
- Cause tangling in thinner hair
8. The Mane Choice Tropical Moringa – Highly Versatile and Super Convenient
The formula of Tropical Moringa is rich in moringa oil, honey, and vitamin D. These ingredients provide maximum moisturization and promote healthier and longer hair growth. Moreover, the consistency of the product is really thin and thus it does not create any film or greasy layer on the hair.
Moringa oil comes from the moringa tree which is also known as the “healing tree”. It has high penetration power which is why it goes deep into the scalp and provides the nutrients. Ingredients like vitamin A and vitamin C that are present in this oil are highly beneficial for both scalp and hair.
These are powerful antioxidants that clear the scalp from damaging free-radicals and oxidants. Therefore, they promote the overall growth and health of the hair.
It also contains vitamin D which is often associated with bone and skin health. However, it also plays a vital role in the promotion of healthy growth. Therefore, to make sure your hair gets the required amount of it, the company has mixed this in the formulation.
These ingredients have the ability to go deep into the scalp and moisture individual strands. Moreover, this product locks in the moisture and makes sure the moisture does not evaporate. Therefore, it not only makes the hair strong but also improves the texture by making them silky.
- Convenient to use
- Does not make the hair heavy
- Can be used on dry hair
- Versatile and effective
- Promotes the growth of hair
- The smell is strong
9. Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream 4c Hair – Best Moisturizer for Black Hair Growth
This product was specially designed for people who have 4c hair. It contains deionized water to moisture the scalp and shea butter to seal it. It goes deep into the pores of 4c hair and moisturizes them. In addition, it contains a perfect blend of several ingredients that help with the texture and quality of hair.
The formulation of the product also contains sage extract which is rich in antioxidants. It eliminates damaging free radicals and oxidants and promotes the healthy growth of hair. Moreover, it reduces hair fall and if the reviews are anything to go by it is pretty effective to prevent the formation of new grey hair.
The best part about this product is its consistency, which is light and creamy. It would not make your hair look greasy and heavy. Moreover, it spreads nicely on the hand which makes it easy to apply. Since it is water-soluble, you would not have to go through any trouble to rinse it off.
The cherry on the cake is its smell, the water like smell keeps you fresh all day long.
- Has a nice smell
- Makes your hair unfrizzy
- Ultra-moisturizing
- Good for every type of curly hair
- Not good for flat or thin hair
10. Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner – Long Lasting Treatment For The Stubborn Hair
Most of the 4c hairs are highly porous which is why they often get dull and look rough in appearance. It is because the pores allow more area for the water to evaporate which makes them dull.
To treat such hairs, you need an excessive amount of moisture and something to lock that in. Elucence Moisture provides exactly this treatment which moisturizes the hair and improves its texture.
Water in this formulation is not solvent, however, it is the major constituent of it. It was hard to dissolve all the oils and fats in water; therefore, the company has used an organic solvent to produce this.
The other important ingredients include squalene, lipids, and wheat protein. All of these provide moisture to the hair and seal it to make sure it does not evaporate. Moreover, they provide nutrients to the follicles which makes the hair stronger and hard to break.
The squalene occurs naturally in the body and protects the hair from the heat. Using it on hair can protect the hair from damaging sunlight. Therefore, it is a perfect ingredient to stop the evaporation of water from the hair.
Moreover, it increases the penetrating power of the formulation which is why the product can deliver nutrients deep inside the follicles. Because of squalene, triglycerides and wheat protein get the opportunity to go deep inside the scalp. This, in turn, makes the hair silky, smooth, and healthy.
The wheat protein also improves the tensile strength of the hair, especially when they are dry. It prevents the loss of moisture which makes the hair flexible, and consequently resists breakage.
- Highly moisturizing
- Deep penetrating power
- Pleasant smell
- Improves hair texture
- Provide protection against heat
- Contains paraben and sulfates
- Damages the dye of the treated hair
Buyer’s Guide to Get Best Moisturizer For 4c Hair - What You Should Look For and Why
4c hair is arguably the most demanding hair type. They are thin and wiry and prone to breakage. In addition, they are porous and this makes them susceptible to moisture loss which in turn leaves them drier and damaged. Therefore, giving them an adequate amount of moisturization is the key to keeping them healthy and manageable.
Our list includes some of the best moisturizers the market has to offer. However, our purpose is not to tell you what we like but to make you informed about what you need to get. Below are some of the key features you need to consider before going for any moisturizer for 4c hair.
Type of Moisturizer
You can moisturize your hair and scalp with a variety of products. These include shampoos, deep conditioners, and leave-in conditioners and even hair sprays.
Each product essentially has a unique course of action. Therefore, you need to figure out what sort of treatment your hair needs.
Deep conditioners leave most products when it comes to convenience. This is because you can rinse these off just a few minutes after the application. Therefore, you would not bear the stickiness and greasy feel that your hair can have with leave-in products. However, deep conditioners are not the best products to have when we talk about effective moisturization.
On the other hand, there are creams, milk, and leave-in conditioners, the product you cannot or should not wash off after application. These products take the lead when it comes to moisturizing capabilities. As they remain in the hair for a longer time, they provide the hair with the necessary moisture and nutrients in the process. However, they tend to produce an oily layer and greasy film on the hair.
The extent of film or the greasy layer depends on the ingredients of the products. However, all of these products do produce the film nonetheless.
The deep in-conditioners work well on hair that does not need any hardcore treatment. However, hair that dries down and becomes dull quickly need solid treatment. Therefore, for these hairs, you need to use creams, oils, and milk to make sure they stay hydrated for a longer time.
Nature of the Ingredients
The job of a moisturizer is not only to provide moisture to the hair. In addition to that, it needs to have certain ingredients that can nourish the hair. Therefore, it needs to have high-quality ingredients to do so.
The product should contain plenty of vitamins to cope with oxidative species in the scalp. Moreover, it should have a good mix of natural oils, like vegetable oil, coconut oil, and castor oil. These ingredients improve the circulation to the scalp, which in turn, promotes healthy hair growth.
When it comes to moisturizers, the most important of the ingredients are the sealants which prevent the evaporation of moisture. No matter how good a moisturizer is, it would not work unless it has a good quality sealant. Some of the common sealants include shea butter, honey, and cocoa butter.
Therefore, to get the best results, make sure the product you are going to buy has all of these ingredients.
Consistency of the Product
Whenever you plan to purchase a hair grooming product, consistency is the first thing you should look. The product should have optimum consistency if you want to get the best results. An optimum consistency is neither too thick nor too thin.
On the other hand, the products that have too thin consistency are hard to apply. Moreover, these product dripping is the most common problem. You would not want to have a product that keeps dripping from your head. It would be a great deal of discomfort and a kind of headache.
Therefore, always go for the products that have optimum viscosity and consistency. These products would be easy to apply and would not affect your overall style. A buttery to cream consistency is what you should look for.
Avoid Preservatives and Allergens
When it comes to synthetic moisturizers, they include some chemicals which can badly affect your hair. One type of such chemicals is called preservatives which are used to extend the life of the product.
Some of the common preservatives used are parabens and sulfates. They can alter the texture and color of the hair. Therefore, avoid these products and even more so if you have undergone heat or color treatment.
Moreover, when it comes to synthetic ingredients, not everybody has an immune system to tolerate them. Some of these ingredients can produce scalp and skin irritation which I bet you would not want. Some of such allergens commonly found in hair care products include different antibiotics and certain metals.
Therefore, your first preference should be to choose a product that has natural ingredients. However, if you cannot find such a product, go with the product that is free of preservatives and allergens.
Fragrance
The thing that defines the aura around you is the smell that you project. Some of the hair moisturizers have to stay in your hair to produce the desired effect. However, if that product has a really bad smell it would create a disturbing aura around you.
Therefore, it is not an option but a necessity to get a product with a good scent. However, make sure the fragrance is not too overwhelming because it would also disturb the people around you. The smell of these products should be light and subtle.
Another thing you must look at is the nature of that fragrance. If it is natural you are good to go. However, if it is synthetic you need to make sure you are not allergic to it. Because if you are, you would not be able to use the product and would end up wasting your money.
It would take some time to decide the product while considering all these factors. However, once you get the product taking everything into account, trust me, it would be well worth it.
FAQs about Best Moisturizer For 4c Hair
Conclusion:
Caring for 4c hair is a daunting task. Because of their curls, sebum or natural oil finds it difficult to travel up the hair and moisturize it evenly and properly. This then often leads to dry and brittle ends.
In addition, because of their high porosity, 4c hair loses moisture rather quickly. Therefore, to moisturize them is just one-half of the struggle and the rest is to retain the moisture.
We have enlisted some of the best moisturizers for 4c hair. Most of them have a water base that moisturizes the hair and in addition natural oils that act as a sealant to lock in the moisture.
Lastly, we have enlisted some of the important features that you need to look for or avoid in a hair moisturizer. This should help you make a better-informed decision.
We hope this piece was of help to you. If you still have something to ask, don't hesitate to comment and we would love to respond.
