Hair Relaxers are the perfect alternative for hair straighteners and salon keratin treatments.
They are cream or lotion-based formulas that are specially formulated to alter the hair structure and make it straight and manageable for 6 to 8 weeks.
These hair products are super effective when used correctly. But if you use a wrong product, you may not achieve the hair straightening and also hurt your hair.
For making the right purchase, we recommend considering below factors…
1. Strength
Choose the strength of the relaxer according to your hair type. If you have a fine type of hair, purchase a mild strength relaxer. For normal hair, regular strength will do. For coarse hair, you would need super strength.
2. No-Lye
Relaxers that contain lye are harmful to your scalp. This substance is corrosive and can damage your hair, making it brittle and dull in the process. Choose relaxers that do not have ‘lye’ in the ingredient list.
For further information, we recommend checking out the “Ultimate Buying Guide”. Based on the same information and after consulting several beauty experts, we have shortlisted the best relaxers for black hair.
Best Relaxers for Black Hair
| Relaxer for Black Hair | Strength | Hair type | No. of Steps | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Relaxer | Super | Course, Curly, kinky, frizzy | 3 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Softsheen-Carson Optimum Salon Haircare | Regular | All hair types | 6 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer | Regular | Normal hair | 5 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Hawaiian Silky relaxer | Mild | Fine hair | 1 step | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Profectiv Mega Growth Relaxer | Regular | Normal hair | 2 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Luster's Short looks Color Relaxer | Fine, medium, coarse | Fine, normal, coarse | 3 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Miracle's New Growth Thermaceutical Relaxer | Regular | Normal, dry, and damaged hair | 1 step | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| OPTIMUM Multi-mineral Relaxer Mild | Mild | Color-treated fine hair | 1 step | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| MO33815 Motions Classic No-Lye Relaxer | Super | Coarse | CHECK ON AMAZON | |
| Just For Me No-lye Regular Conditioning Creme Relaxer | Regular, mild | Normal and fine hair | 4 steps | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best Relaxers for Black Hair Reviews
1. Softsheen-Carson Dark and Lovely Relaxer
This hair relaxer is one of the most moisturizing and enriching hair treatments for afro hair. It is a home relaxer kit containing three components, Hair conditioner, hair cream, and keratin serum. It takes on the responsibility to add three major ‘S’-factors to your tresses— softness, strength, and shine!
Softsheen Carson is a brand that has been catering to the beauty industry for 110 years. This lye-free, black hair relaxer has some of the best nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, jojoba oil, and shea butter to make your hair more manageable and eliminate frizz.
Applying this relaxer to curly, kinky, or wavy black hair straightens your mane while making it looks gorgeous and voluminous. It is a perfect solution for smoothening out coarse hair. This relaxer is available in two variants, normal and super strength.
Product Details:
- Quantity: 498 ml
- Contents: Conditioner, cream, and serum
- Hair Type: curly, wavy, kinky, and frizzy hair
- Total Steps: 3
Pros:
- It does not contain lye
- Cost-effective hair relaxer
- It has triple nourishment formula
- Gives five signs of healthy hair
- Instruction is easy to follow
Cons:
- Not suitable for bleached hair
2. Softsheen-Carson Optimum Salon Haircare
Softsheen Carson provides optimum beauty care to people of African descent. This relaxer kit provides salon-quality treatment for hair as it contains coconut oil and strengthening ceramide that prevents hair breakage. You just need to follow six easy steps to get naturally relaxed tresses at home.
The pack contains a protective pre-treatment, relaxer cream, neutralizing shampoo, reconstructor treatment, strengthener, and whipped oil moisturizing cream. This is a no-lye formula that protects weak hair strands to reduce over 90% breakage. The content of this pack is sufficient for one hair relaxer treatment or two touch-ups.
With this kit, you can say goodbye to dry and frizzy hair. It is suitable for normal hair types. The product contains supreme conditioning infused in every step for delivering salon-quality gorgeous hair. Retouching once will keep your hair manageable for six to eight weeks.
Product Details
- Contents: pre-treatment, relaxer cream, shampoo, reconstructor treatment, strengthener, and whipped oil moisturizer
- Hair Type: Kinky, wavy or curly
- Total Steps: 6
Pros:
- Delivers salon-quality hair at home
- strengthens and reduces over 90% hair breakage
- Infused with strengthening ceremide and coconut oil
- The formula does not contain any lye
- Cost-effective product
Cons:
- It might make hair dry
3. ORS Olive Oil Hair Relaxer
If your hair is prone to getting damaged during the process of relaxing, then you can rely on the ORS Olive Hair relaxer. It is a no-lye formula with the infusion of exotic oils for preventing any damage during and after the process.
This relaxer for black hair contains Mediterranean olive oil, Brazilian Pequi oil, and shea butter for smoothing, soothing, and pampering your afro hair. It is a professional-grade hair relaxer that provides excellent conditioning.
The kit contains five steps: base & activator, exotic oil boost, moisture restore cream aloe shampoo, replenishing conditioner, and hair lotion. Not only does the relaxer maintains your hair, but it also provides the ultimate replenishment for softer, shinier, and silkier tresses.
Product Details
- Hair Type:Fine-medium hair texture
- Contents: Base, oil blend, creamy aloe shampoo, replenishing conditioner, hair lotion
- Total Steps:5
Pros:
- Highly moisturizing
- Prevents damaged hair
- makes hair sleek within few minutes
Cons:
- You need to buy a neutralizing shampoo separately
4. Hawaiian Silky relaxer
If you are looking for a hair relaxer for fine hair, this is the perfect hair care product. Your tresses would get a hydrated look and bounce post applying this product. It is available in three strengths, mild, medium, and super strength, to accommodate varying hair textures.
It is made in the USA and is formulated with natural ingredients. This is also a GMP-certified product, which ensures quality. It is a great product for straightening afro hair without stripping the strands off moisture.
The quantity is sufficient for multiple usages. The best part about this relaxer is, it is a pre-mixed cream. However, the only downside to this is you will have to purchase a neutralizing shampoo separately.
Product Details
- Hair type: Fine hair type
- Contents: Hair relaxer
- Total Steps: 1
Pros:
- It is a pre-mixed cream
- Volumizes fine hair
- Offers shine and bounce to the hair
- Available in three strengths
- GMP and ISO certified
Cons:
- You need to purchase a neutralizing shampoo separately
5. Profectiv Mega Growth Relaxer
The mega growth hair relaxer is one of the best in range for touch-ups. It is a cream-on-cream relaxer that includes an ultimate protective blend of natural oils. This hair relaxer has conditioning proteins in every step, which helps tremendously to defend against hair breakage.
There are six packs in the kit, which enables you to touch up your hair six times after you get a hair relaxing treatment. Each set contains two sachets, a cream activator, and a cream relaxer. The product is laced with a blend of highly moisturizing agents such as olive, shea butter, and avocado extracts.
The kit includes the 1st and the 2nd step of the hair relaxing process. It also includes four mixing sticks and two pairs of hand gloves. You will have to purchase the shampoo, strengthener, and growth cream separately.
Product Details
- Hair type: Kinky, curly and wavy hair
- Contents: Cream activator and relaxer
- Total Steps: 2
- Number of Sachets:2×6
Pros:
- Easy solution for maintaining relaxed hair
- Defends against hair breakage
- Highly moisturizing
- Adds shine to the hair
Cons:
- Meant for touch-ups only
6. Luster’s Short looks Color Relaxer
If you are looking for an all-in-one solution for your frizzy hair, then you can try out Luster’s Short looks Color Relaxer. It is a unique kit that includes hair color, a relaxer, and a conditioner for keeping your scalp hydrated.
This relaxer will give you maximum straightness within a matter of minutes. It is a peroxide and ammonia-free formula that will not damage your scalp or hair strands. Even if you have the finest type of hair, this relaxer kit will be perfect for you.
It might not be the most cost-effective option for you, but it is certainly one of the best relaxers for black hair. Post application, you will notice more body and less breakage of hair. It will help control the frizz and maintain a sleek look of your mane.
Product Details:
- Contents: Hair color cream, relaxer, and a conditioner
- Hair Type: Fine, normal, and coarse hair
- Total Steps: 3
Pros:
- Three in one benefit
- Easy to apply
- Conditions hair well
- Free from peroxide and ammonia
- It gives gorgeous dark colors that stay.
Cons:
- Suitable only for short hair
7. Miracle’s New Growth Thermaceutical Relaxer
For hair prone to breakage, Miracle’s New Growth Relaxer is perhaps the best. This formula boosts your hair with a triple dose of conditioning for breakage prevention. It is a no-lye formula for people who want straight hair without much hassle.
The relaxer works on the hair cuticles to straighten even the curliest hair. The kit contains an activator, relaxer, shampoo, conditioner, and blending oil. Additionally, it comes with a spatula for mixing the contents and application.
The formula has jojoba oil and vitamin A, and E. Vitamin A supports hair growth, and Vit E is a powerful antioxidant that maintains the follicles’ health. It is laced with an extra infusion of protein to strengthen the hair strands.
Product Details:
- Hair type: Normal hair
- Contents: activator, relaxer, shampoo, conditioner, and blending oil
- Total Steps: 5
Pros:
- This relaxer prevents hair breakage
- Detangles hair easily
- It contains vitamin A and E
- Triple conditioning formula
Cons:
- Quantity is less
8. OPTIMUM Multi-mineral Relaxer Mild
If you want straight hair but have a sensitive scalp, then you can try out this Optimum Multi-mineral relaxer. This formula is enriched with multiple minerals such as lithium and calcium to maintain the health of the strands.
As it is a mild formula, it is not harsh on your scalp. But on the downside, if you have really tight curls, then this might not be the best hair relaxer for you. Also, if you have color-treated hair, or bleached hair, using it is not recommended.
It is best for a better experience to use a pre-relax protector