10 Light Hair Products for Curly Hair in 2023

Are you searching for light hair products for curly hair? Most curly hair products are formulated for coarse, thick curls, and contain heavy ingredients such as thick oils and butters. This is not good if you have fine, or thin strands since these ingredients can weigh down curls making them look flat.

The good news is there is a range of lightweight curly hair products available if you know where to look! Instead of being saturated with heavy butters, oils, and waxes, these products contain lighter ingredients like aloe, plant extracts, flower waters and milks.

This post lists the best lightweight curly hair products that won’t weight down your strands!

Light Hair Products for Curly Hair

This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link. Please read my full disclosure here.

How to Find Lightweight Products for Fine Curly Hair

If you have a fine or thin hair type, or your hair is low porosity, you would benefit from using lighter products. Heavy ingredients such as coconut oil, castor oil or olive oil help to condition the hair, but also coat the hair leaving it weighed down and flat.

Products that are well suited to fine or thin hair include lightweight oils such as Argan oil, sweet almond oil or grapeseed oil, as well as ingredients such as aloe vera and flower waters.

Light products are free from:

heavy oils (like coconut, castor and olive oils)
butters
waxes
petroleum
mineral oil

Light products often include:

Aloe vera
Coconut water
Almond milk
Argan oil
Sweet almond oil
Grapeseed oil
Fruit extracts
Rice water
Rose water

Lightweight products usually have a thinner consistency compared to heavier products. If you check the ingredients list on the label you will see they also often have “water” or “aloe” listed first. This list of ingredients is ordered according to predominance, so ingredients with the highest concentration are listed first. Since light hair products are mostly made up of water or aloe, these are always the first items in the list.

Related: 13 Light Oils for Low Porosity Hair

Best Light Hair Products for Curly Hair

All of the products in this post are lightweight and perfect for any curl type that’s fine or thin. Since they are all free from silicones, mineral oil and petroleum, they are also suitable for the curly girl method.

Shampoos

Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo

The main ingredient in the Maui Moisture Lightweight Hydration + Hibiscus Water Shampoo is hydrating aloe! Aloe is a great lightweight alternative to having water as the main ingredient. The formula is inspired by Hawaiian hair care recipes and includes hibiscus, passion fruit and watermelon. These ingredients all help to moisturise and hydrate dry hair without leaving behind residue.

This product is rich in antioxidants, amino acids and vitamins to nourish fine hair and leave curls perfectly formed and bouncy. As with all the products in this post it is also curly girl approved.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Aqua/Water/Eau, Sodium C14-16 Olefin Sulfonate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Water, Hibiscus Abelmoschus Flower/Seed Water, Passiflora Incarnata Fruit Extract, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Fruit Extract, Polyquaternium-22, Undecane, Polyquaternium-39, Tridecane, Sodium Hydrolyzed Potato Starch Dodecenylsuccinate, Linoleamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate, PEG-150 Pentaerythrityl Tetrastearate, PPG-2 Hydroxyethyl Cocamide, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Maltodextrin, Tocopherol, Hexylene Glycol, Sodium Citrate, Citric Acid, Sodium Hydroxide, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Parfum/Fragrance, Benzyl Salicylate

Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser

The Curls Creamy Curl Cleanser is packed with hydrating but lightweight ingredients to leave curly hair bouncy and defined. It is a sulphate free cream which removes dirt, sebum and oil whilst deeply nourishing the strands. This is a good choice for both natural hair or colour treated curls.

This product doesn’t contain any heavy ingredients which could weigh fine hair down. It is suited to both curly and wavy hair types, has not been tested on animals, and is curly girl approved.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full ingredients: Water, Sodium Cocyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Steric Acid, Glycerin, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Polyquaternium-7, Fragrance, Silk Amino Acids, Panthenol, Certified Organic Daucus Carota Sativa (carrot) seed oil, Certified Organic Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Certified Organic Aesculus Hipocastanum (Horse Chestnut) extract, Certified Organic Salvia Officinalis (sage) leaf extract, , Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Potassium Sorbate, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caramel

Hask Cucumber & Aloe Water Shampoo

Best Light Shampoo for Curly Hair

The HASK Cucumber Aloe Water Weightless Shine Shampoo helps seal moisture into fine, dry curls without making them heavy. The formula contains a blend of cucumber water and aloe juice which deeply hydrates dry hair whilst removing excess oil. It restores shine and gloss and leaves you with bouncy gorgeous curls.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water, Sodium Lauroyl Methyl Isethionate, Sodium Methyl Cocoyl Taurate, Coco-Betaine, Glycerin, Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Water, Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe) Leaf Juice, Polyquaternium-70 (Cool Radiance Complex), Dipropylene Glycol (Cool Radiance Complex), Potassium Sorbate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Cocamide Dipa, PEG-150 Distearate, Polyquaternium-10, Polyquaternium-7, Trisodium Ethylenediamine Disuccinate, Tetrasodium EDTA, Sodium Chloride, Polyquaternium-47, Magnesium Chloride, Magnesium Nitrate, Sodium Acetate, Sodium Benzoate, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Methylisothiazolinone, Citric Acid, Parfum/Fragrance, Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool.

Conditioners

Argan Oil & Almond Milk Smooth & Tame Conditioner by Shea Moisture

This Argan oil and Almond milk conditioner by Shea Moisture was designed with fine and frizzy hair in mind. Although it does contain some shea butter, which can weigh curls down, it’s blended into a formula of lightweight ingredients including Argan oil, sweet almond oil, aloe and fruit extracts.

If you are looking for the right products for fine hair that’s prone to frizz, this conditioner would be a good choice. It helps to hydrate the hair and enhance curl patterns in both loose curls and tight coils.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetrimonium Chloride, Glycerin (Vegetable), Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chloride, Glyceryl Caprylate, Panthenol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Annona Cherimola Fruit Extract, Coconut Alkanes, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis Fruit Extract, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Limnanthes Alba (Meadowfoam) Seed Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Althaea Officinalis Root Extract, Zea Mays Starch, Sodium Hydroxide, Fragrance (Essential Oil Blend), Propanediol, Glyceryl Undecylenate

Carols Daughter Black Vanilla (Moisture and Shine) Leave In Conditioner

This light, leave in conditioner was designed for dry, brittle and dull hair. It makes curly hair more manageable and shiny whilst adding hydration and strength. If you have dry hair you don’t need to use heavy products to restore natural moisture and strength. This weightless conditioner contains natural moisturisers instead of synthetic silicones or heavy butters and oils.

Some of the lightweight ingredients in this product include wheat protein, pro-vitamin B5, aloe, calendula, sage, honeysuckle and lavender. To use the product hold the spray 6-8 inches from your hair and spritz all over. This product can be used on both dry or wet hair.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Urtica Dioica (Nettle) Extract, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Flower Extract, Melilotus Officinalis (Sweet Clover) Extract, Rosa Canina Fruit Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Salvia Officinalis (Sage) Leaf Extract, Panthenol (Pro-vitamin B5), Biotin, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Tocopheryl Acetate, Retinyl Palmitate, Ascorbic Acid, Linoleic Acid, Linolenic Acid, Cetrimonium Chloride, Dicetyldimonium Chloride, Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Propylene Glycol, Propylene Glycol Dicaprylate/Dicaprate, Amodimethicone, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethicone, AMP-Acrylates Copolymer, Divinyldimethicone/Dimethicone Copolymer, Stearamidopropyl Dimethylamine, Laureth-9, C11-15 Pareth-7, C12-13 Pareth-23, C12-13 Pareth-3, Polyquaternium-37, Polysorbate 60, Polyurethane-14, PPG-1 Trideceth-6, PEG-45M, VP/DMAPA Acrylates Copolymer, Trideceth-12, Tetrasodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Methylisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Fragrance (Parfum).

Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner

The Bounce Curl Ayurvedic Deep Conditioner is enriched with Indian herbs and fruits such as Amla, Bhringraj and Shikakai which deeply nourish each hair strand and reduce frizz. The formula is extremely lightweight containing only light oils such as baobab and sunflower.

This weightless formula improves hair elasticity and shine. It can be used like a hair mask and helps to retain the hair’s natural oils. If you are interested in Ayurvedic hair oils and deep conditioners check out my post on the 10 Best Ayurvedic Hair Oils for Hair Growth. There are a number of products in that post suitable for fine, or thinning curly hair.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl alcohol, Adansonia digitate (Baobab) seed oil, Helianthus annuus (Sunflower) seed oil, Caprylic/capric triglyceride, Dicaprylyl carbonate, Stearamidopropyl dimethylamine, Behentrimonium methosulfate, Glyceryl stearate, Hydrolyzed jojoba esters, Jojoba esters, Inositol, Eclipta alba (Bhringraj) powder, Acacia concinna (Shikakai) nut powder, Emblica ocinalis (amla), Crocus sativus flower extract (Saffron), Lactic acid, Aloe barbadensis leaf juice, Salvia ocinalis (Sage) extract, *Nigella sativa (Virgin black cumin) oil, Althaea ocinalis (Marshmallow) root extract, Musa sapientum (Banana) flower extract, Urtica dioica (nettle) extract, Rosmarinus ocinalis (Rosemary) leaf extract, Sesamum indicum (Sesame) seed oil, Vanillin natural ex eugenol, Orange oil sweet, Ho wood oil, Gamma undecalactone natural, Cetrimonium chloride, Undecylenoyl glycine, Capryloyl glycine, Caprylyl glycol, Ethylhexylglycerin. *Certified Organic *100% natural scent. *Clean rating preservative *No synthetic fragrance

Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave In Conditioner

Aunt Jackie’s Quench Moisture Intensive Leave in Conditioner is an extremely lightweight product made up mostly of water and aloe. It deeply moisturises dry curls without leaving the hair feeling heavy. Aunt Jackie’s make some of the best curly hair products and this was the most moisturising product I could find that doesn’t leave curly hair oily or weighed down.

This conditioner works well on any kind of curls including coils, loose curls, waves, kinky hair, or tight curls. To use it comb through clean, damp hair and then style as usual.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Parfum, Althea Officinalis Root Extract, Argania Spinosa Kernel Oil, Panthenol, Ulmus Rubra Extract, Magnesium Nitrate, Citric Acid, Hydrolyzed wheat protein, Methylchloroisothiazolinone, Magnesium Chloride, Methylisothiazolinone, Phenoxyethanol, Potassium Sorbate, Limonene,Hexyl Cinnamal, Linalool, Amyl Cinnamal, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyl Alcohol, Citronellol, Hydroxycitronellal, CI 19140, CI 42090

Styling Products

Curlsmith – Feather-Light Protein Cream

This feather-light cream is a cross between a curl cream and a hair gel. It provides medium hold and definition for fine curls making them bouncy and elastic without weighing them down.

This is a great choice if you are looking for a styling product to tame frizz and help clump curls together. It doesn’t leave any hard crunchy cast around the hair, just soft defined curls. It works well on all hair textures.

Protein rich products are recommended for damaged or high porosity hair. This light hair cream would be well suited to fine, thin high porosity curls, coils or waves. If you are unsure of your porosity level check out my hair porosity quiz.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Cetearyl Alcohol, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Propanediol, Polyglyceryl-3 Methylglucose Distearate, Pvp, Hydrolyzed Rice Protein, Hydrolyzed Hemp Seed Extract, Opuntia Tuna (Prickly Pear) Fruit Extract, Ribes Nigrum (Black Currant) Fruit Extract, Psidium Guajava (Guava) Fruit Extract, Brassica Oleracea Acephala (Kale) Leaf Extract, Lentinus Edodes (Shiitake Mushroom) Extract,* Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract,* Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Citric Acid, Ethylhexylglycerin, Disodium Edta, Xanthan Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Hydroxide, Benzyl Alcohol, Glycerin, Citronellol, Geraniol, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum).

Curls Avocado Hair Mousse

The Curls Avocado hair Mousse is an extremely lightweight mousse that reduces frizz whilst leaving the hair shiny and manageable. It contains avocado oil which is a light oil that’s good for adding moisture to fine or thin curly hair. It is also an excellent oil for low porosity hair since it is able to penetrate the hair shaft rather than coat the strands.

This formula is also enriched with bamboo, sea kelp, green tea, cucumber, and passion fruit to leave the haft shaft silky and smooth. It provides a light hold to curls and waves as well as nourishes the hair cuticle promoting growth.

Last update on 2025-07-17 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Full Ingredients: Water, Butylene Glycol, Polysorbate 20, Glycerin, Laureth -4, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Bambusa Vulgaris (Bamboo) Extract, Laminaria Digitata (Sea Kelp) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Cucumis Sativus (Cucumber) Fruit Extract, Carica Papaya Fruit Extract, Passiflora Incarnata (Passion) Fruit Extract, Methylheptyl Isostearate (Beantree), Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Copper Chlorophyllin, Citric Acid

CHI Aloe Vera Curls Defined Control Gel

The CHI Aloe Vera Curls Defined Control Gel is an excellent lightweight styling gel for curly hair. It prevents frizz and helps to define and enhance natural curls. The formula contains 94% natural ingredients including silk, provitamin B5, agave nectar extract and aloe. These ingredients all absorb well into the hair leaving it shiny and free from crunch.

This hair gel works well on all curl types but is particularly popular for type 2 waves or 3a curls. As with all the other styling products in this post, this gel is curly girl approved.

No products found.

Full Ingredients: Water, glycerin, polysorbate 20, vp/va copolymer, peg-12 dimethicone, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, agave tequilana leaf extract, panthenol, hydrolyzed silk, hydroxyproline, l-proline, sodium hyaluronate, sodium pca, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, glycolic acid, potassium sorbate, hexylene glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, benzyl alcohol, fragrance (parfum), citronellol, coumarin, limonene.

Related: 21 Best Shampoos to Enhance and Define Your Curls

POST FROM OTHER BEAUTY BLOGS

If you found this article helpful, you may enjoy the following posts from other beauty blogs that I follow and trust.

BYRDIE

• 14 Secrets to Styling Naturally Curly Hair
• 7 Ingredients You Should Avoid if You Have Curly Hair
• These Are the 3 Best Essential Oils for Curly Hair
• 10 Things All Curly-Haired Girls Should Do

NATURALLY CURLY

• 5 Ways to Make Your Wavy Hair Look Curlier
• Hair Relaxers: What You Should Know
• 6 Ways to Use Aloe Vera Gel
• How to Choose the Right Denman Brush for Your Curls

CURLY NIKKI

• 10 of the Best Box Dyes for Natural Hair
• Can I Use a Rinse-Out Conditioner as a Leave-in?
• How to Use Hair Grease
• Henna for Natural Hair- Your Questions Answered

MANE ADDICTS

• These Are the 3 C’s of Curly Hair You Need to Know
• 3 Things to Know Before Highlighting Curly Hair
• Are Your Brushing Your Curly Hair Correctly?
• Curly Girls Should Stick to These 9 Hair Oils

GET THE GLOSS

• The New Must-Have for Curly Hair
• How to do the Curly Hair Flick
• Why All Girls with Curly Hair Need to Know About “Plopping”
• How to Style Afro and Curly Hair

This Post was All About the Best Light Hair Products for Curly Hair

Thank you for reading my post about the best light hair products for curly hair. All the lightweight products mentioned in this post will work well on different kinds of curls. They are great for fine hair that needs extra moisture or hold! Fine hair needs light ingredients that won’t coat it and weigh it down. Leave the heavy creams and oils for your friends with thick, coarse hair!