Black Hair Care: Top Product Recommendations (2025)

Black hair care products have historically been overlooked, with cosmetology training programs ignoring textured hair in their curricula, school dress codes banning protective styles, and the mainstream hair care market prioritising products for looser curl patterns. However, anti-Blackness and discrimination have only encouraged Black people to create the products they need to care for their hair. The number of Black-owned hair care brands has increased over the years, creating more options for hair care and avenues for sustainable wealth within the Black community. Some of the most popular Black-owned hair care brands include TGIN, Briogeo, Melanin Haircare, Soultanicals, Diva by Cindy, Kurlee Belle, Glow by Daye, Kreyól Essence, Camille Rose Naturals, She's Happy Hair, and Mielle Organics.

Black-owned hair care brands

Black hair has historically been policed and overlooked, with cosmetology training programs ignoring textured hair and school dress codes banning protective styles. Mainstream hair care brands also tend to prioritize products for looser curl patterns. However, anti-Blackness and discrimination have only pushed Black people to create their own hair care solutions to care for their naturally curly and coily textures. The number of Black-owned hair care brands has increased over the years, creating more options for hair care and avenues for sustainable wealth within the community of Black entrepreneurs.

In the early 2000s, brands like SheaMoisture, Miss Jessie's, and Carol's Daughter paved the way with formulations that worked for a range of natural textures and marketing that celebrated the beauty of Black hair. Today, there are numerous Black-owned hair care brands that cater to a variety of hair types and textures.

Melanin Haircare

Founded in 2015 by Taffeta and her sister, Whitney White, a well-known hair blogger, Melanin Haircare offers a range of products free from silicones, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and mineral oil. Their star product is the Multi-Use Softening Leave-In Conditioner, which provides extreme nourishment to the hair.

Sienna Naturals

Co-owned by Issa Rae and Hannah Diop, Sienna Naturals creates plant-based products for all natural hair textures. Their Dew Magic Leave-In Conditioner is a lightweight, milky texture that adds moisture to even the coarsest hair textures.

The Doux

Founded by Maya and Brian Smith, The Doux is known for products that create well-defined, long-lasting styles like twist-outs and wash-n-gos. Maya, a licensed cosmetologist, first opened her salon in Germany in 2008 and later launched The Doux with her husband in 2011.

Briogeo

Founded by Nancy Twine, Briogeo formulates solution-based products that leave out potentially harmful ingredients such as microplastics and aerosols. Their Don't Despair, Repair! Super Moisture Conditioner has won multiple awards for its moisture-packed formula, which includes amino acid-rich marine algae extract.

TGIN (Thank God It's Natural)

Founded by the late Chris-Tia Donaldson, a Harvard-trained lawyer and author, TGIN offers a range of natural hair products, including the Honey Miracle Hair Mask, which provides deep nourishment to thirsty strands with raw honey and jojoba oil.

Other notable Black-owned hair care brands include Uncle Funky's Daughter, Afrocenchix, Afro Hair + Skin Co., As I Am, and Cecred, which is 100% Black American-owned. These brands offer a variety of products suitable for all curl patterns and textures, showcasing the innovation and wealth of knowledge that comes from the Black community.

Shampoos and conditioners

Shampoos

• SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Shampoo: Ideal for Type 4 hair, this shampoo helps fortify hair strands, promoting healthier and more resilient hair. It contains Jamaican Black Castor Oil, which aids in improving the overall health and manageability of coils.
• Maui Moisture Strength and Length Castor and Neem Oil Shampoo: Designed for Type 2 hair, this shampoo is vegan and silicone-free. It contains a blend of castor oil, neem oil, and peppermint oil, which work together to renew damaged strands and maintain hydration.
• SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl and Shine Shampoo: This shampoo is formulated with natural ingredients such as coconut oil, hibiscus flower extract, and silk protein. It nourishes and defines curls while gently cleansing the scalp. It is sulfate-free, helping to maintain moisture and enhance the natural shine of curls.
• Melanin Haircare's African Black Soap Reviving Shampoo: This shampoo is formulated with nourishing ingredients such as cocoa, shea butter, argan oil, and tea tree oil. It effectively cleanses the hair without stripping it of moisture.
• Cécred Clarifying Shampoo: Part of Beyoncé's hair care line, Cécred, this shampoo is mentioned by Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel as a product she recommends to her friends.

Conditioners

• Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Conditioner: This conditioner is designed to define curls and combat frizz. Infused with coconut oil and papaya butter, it deeply hydrates and nourishes curly hair, enhancing the natural curl pattern and taming frizz.
• SheaMoisture Coconut & Hibiscus Curl & Shine Conditioner: This conditioner is formulated with coconut oil, silk protein, and neem oil. It moisturizes and adds shine to curls without weighing them down. It helps restore elasticity, combat frizz, and enhance the definition of curls.
• Camille Rose Moisture Milk: This premium leave-in conditioner is crafted with ingredients like rice milk, macadamia oil, and aloe vera juice. It provides deep hydration, enhances flexibility, and makes tangles manageable, resulting in soft and manageable hair without greasy buildup.
• Curls Blueberry Leave-In Conditioner: This leave-in conditioner by the brand Curls is designed to promote hair growth for all textures. Its hero ingredient is blueberry, which helps to nourish the hair and encourage growth.
• Cécred Moisturizing Deep Conditioner: Recommended by Allure editor in chief Jessica Cruel, this deep conditioner is part of Beyoncé's Cécred hair care line.

Scalp treatments

A healthy scalp is the foundation for healthy hair. The state of your scalp reflects the health of your hair. Therefore, it is important to keep your scalp clean and healthy. Prolonging the frequency of washing, allowing styling products to build up, and misusing relaxers or chemical treatments can all affect scalp health. A dry, flaky scalp can be caused by product build-up, chemical treatments, or exposure to the sun. To combat dryness, you should aim to use all-natural products on your scalp, and avoid sulfates, parabens, silicones, and formaldehyde.

One way to treat your scalp is by using a scalp scrub. My Black is Beautiful Invigorating Scalp Scrub Treatment for Dry Scalp and Damaged Hair is a product that can be used to exfoliate the scalp and remove dirt, oil, and product buildup. The treatment should be applied to a wet scalp and massaged until the exfoliating beads dissolve.

Another way to treat your scalp is by using a shampoo. It is recommended to use a mild, sulphate-free shampoo to wash your hair and cleanse your scalp every one to ten days. This will ensure that there is no scalp build-up, and that dirt and dust are removed.

You can also use a scalp serum to treat your scalp. These products can help to improve circulation and promote healthy hair growth. Additionally, you can use a leave-in treatment between wash sessions to moisturize and get rid of debris.

Styling products

Melanin Haircare by Whitney White, also known as Naptural85 on YouTube, offers a range of styling products, including a cleanser, moisturizer, scalp oil, and hair accessories. The Multi-Use Softening Leave-In Conditioner is a star product that nourishes and softens the hair. The brand also offers a shampoo that deeply cleanses and nourishes the hair.

Pattern Beauty by Tracee Ellis Ross is a hair care line that focuses on hair health and encourages curls to take up space. The brand offers a variety of styling products, including shampoos, conditioners, deep conditioners, leave-ins, hair oils, and serums. The Scalp Serum is a standout product, providing a soothing and refreshing experience for the scalp, especially when wearing protective styles.

TPH by Taraji by Taraji P. Henson includes styling products such as the New Levelz Conditioner, the Master Cleanse Scalp Wash, and the Slick Edge Control. The Slick Edge Control is perfect for creating protective styles and touching up edges on the go, thanks to its convenient packaging.

Curl Junkie's Repair Me! Reconstructive Hair Treatment is a lightweight formula infused with natural oils that add shine and eliminate frizz. It helps fill in cracks in the hair shaft to strengthen and prevent breakage, making it perfect for curl care and maintenance.

Donna's Recipe, founded by Tabitha Brown and Gina Woods, offers an all-natural, pH-balanced refresher spray that's perfect for protective styles like braids, twists, and sew-ins. The spray is lightweight, providing moisture and anti-inflammatory benefits with babassu, kukui, and baobab oils.

The Doux offers a range of hair care and styling products, including the Honey and Agave Mousse, which is perfect for detangling and hydrating Type 4 hair. The brand also has a Triple Moisture Conditioner that makes detangling easier and leaves hair feeling soft and hydrated.

These styling products from black-owned brands offer a variety of options to achieve and maintain desired looks, catering to different hair types and textures.

Hair masks and deep conditioners

Sachajuan Hair Mask

This hair mask is perfect for those who don't want the hassle of an overnight treatment. It works quickly, improving texture and taming frizz to leave hair softer and silkier. It has a lightweight, milky formula that won't weigh down your hair.

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

This hair mask is perfect for damaged, bleached, or colour-treated hair. It contains bond-repairing ingredients that work to bring hair back to life, leaving it softer and more manageable.

Nexxus Humectress Moisture Masque

This hair mask is ideal for reversing damage and enhancing moisture in your hair. It contains Elastin Protein, which helps to bind moisture to your strands, making your hair softer and stronger.

TGIN Deep Conditioner

This deep conditioner is perfect for 4C hair. It contains raw honey, a humectant that helps to lock in moisture and reduce shedding and breakage. It also includes jojoba and olive oil, which add extra hydration.

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen & Restore Leave-In Conditioner

This leave-in conditioner is perfect for damaged or fragile hair. It contains Jamaican black castor oil, shea butter, and peppermint, which work to deeply condition the hair, reducing breakage and promoting growth.

Dove Amplified Textures Moisture Spa Recovery Mask

This hair mask is ideal for nourishing and strengthening curly hair. It penetrates the hair shaft, helping to reduce breakage and enhance shine. It also softens the hair, making it easier to manage.

When choosing a hair mask or deep conditioner, it's important to consider your specific hair concerns. Look for products with ingredients like shea butter, coconut oil, honey, and jojoba oil, which are known to nourish and hydrate black hair.

Frequently asked questions