The Best Products for 4C Hair That'll Have Your Curls Looking Flawless (2024)

You may be a curl pattern aficionado who knows her own unique blend of 4C and 4B hair to a tee. But for some of us the basics aren’t quite tha...basic. We have major questions: What is 4C hair, exactly? How do I know if I have it? And what products do I use to take care of it?

Hair that is 4C patterned is the tightest curl. “To tell if you have 4C hair, wet it to get it to its natural state (which is the the only way you can see your true curl pattern) and compare it to a curl chart,” says Stacey Ciceron, hair stylist and Oribe Brand Ambassador.

Because of the coiled shape of the strand, oil from the scalp can’t travel down its the length of the hair. So 4C hair tends to be the driest. Ciceron recommends looking for shampoos and products that provide a lot of moisture, protection and deep conditioning. “It’s important to look for ingredients that are hydrating and will seal the hair, like humectants, glycerin, honey, and butters. Avoid heavy waxes, parabens, sodium chloride, alcohols and anything that dries or coats the hair,” says Ciceron.

Also, remember your curl pattern does not determine other characteristics of your hair, like hair thickness, which describes its fineness (thin strands) or coarseness (thick strands). 4C hair can be anywhere on that spectrum. “My number one tip would be to know and understand your hair,” she says, suggesting you determine your hair density and porosity, which refers to its ability to absorb moisture. To get to know your hair, you can start by experimenting with some of these expert-approved (and tested) 4C curly hair products.

Perfect for travel, this shampoo bar cleanses and clarifies without stripping the hair. Apply directly to the scalp so the clays can work their scalp purifying magic.

This lightweight cream is a stellar detangler. It has the right slip and mango fruit extract and glycerin moisturize your hair while you care for your curls.

An ultra lightweight coconut, olive fruit, and sweet almond oil spritz that instantly adds shine—without greasiness.

Lay those edges with this firm hold formula. It contains aloe and won’t make hair dry or brittle.

The Kreyól Essence collection brings natural ingredients grown in Haiti to all of its products. In this scalp stimulating shampoo there’s ylang-ylang, sweet orange and Haitian castor oil.

The very first ingredient in this leave-in is honey—a powerful humectant that draws moisture into your hair. Other ingredients include olive fruit oil, castor oil, and aloe leaf juice. Perfect for dry, brittle hair.

Created by Black hairstylist Charlotte Mensah, this productwas made from all the expertise she’s gained over her 26 year career of working with textured hair. The star ingredients manketti nut and ximenia oils create a creamy shampoo that won’t strip your hair, but rather, leaves it intensely hydrated.

Most anti-dandruff shampoos are extremely drying to the hair. So what do you do when you have a dry scalp-dry hair combination? Shampoo with this sulfate-free, hydrating scalp-treatment shampoo, created specifically for textured hair by a dermatologist.

Coconut oil and oat protein power this hydrating treatment. Over time it should help prevent breakage.

This blend of oils goes directly on your scalp to prevent dryness and flakiness. Your scalp will feel hydrated but not suffocated.

A thick styling cream that works magic for twist outs and other protective styles. It boosts moisture with coconut oil and glycerin but isn't oily.

This imparts a shine on day-old (or two or three) wash and go styles. Use as a refresher to bring life back to your coils.

This classic styler is a go-to for fragile, tight curls. It moisturizes and strengthens with jojoba oil, sweet almond oil, and cocoa butter.

Applied generously in sections, this leave in is great for the smoothing and detangling steps of the styling process. Glycerin will keep your strands hydrated.

This oil blend has natural sun protection that helps prevent your strands from getting scorched and dried out.Use it as a hydrating pre-shampoo treatment to bring moisture back to your strands.

Answer an easy survey about your hair characteristics and hair goals, and this company generates an oil customized to your coils. Prose only uses natural oils, like plum, beech and rose hip, that keep your hair hydrated and shiny.

This styling butter is great for defining the curl and locking in moisture with a very soft hold.

Works great for kinks and coils that are depleted from heat styling. This moisturizing deep conditioner helps bring them back to life with olive fruit oil, shea butter, and grapeseed oil.

Use this (splurge) on wash day to add hydration that lasts all week. It has slip (without silicones) so it’s great for shower detangling. And coconut oil and mango seed butters infuse the hair with moisture.