According to a recent research by the health experts, around 60% of hair care products contain silicones.
Should this be a concern? To find the answer, you need to know what exactly this silicone does to your hair.
Basically, silicone is a man-made polymer, and has a wax-like structure to provide hydrophobic (moisturizing) properties. So, most hair products like shampoos, conditioners, serums and heat protectants are infused with this magic ingredient.
These silicones coat your hair shaft to lock the moisture and to reduce frizz. Most brands build their reliability by using this one ingredient in their hair products.
So, Where’s the Problem?
Ever since we heard the term “silicone-free”, our team started digging deep to know why this term is becoming so popular despite the benefits of silicones.
Upon research, we found two major issues.
- Once you use a silicone-based product, you are basically adding a layer to hair. So, the next time you apply a hair mask or other hair product, that won’t sink into your hair strands.
For instance, if you have dry hair, and want to use an egg mask to infuse some protein, you won’t get the desired results as the silicones would block it.
- If you have thin hair, silicone conditioners or shampoos will weigh your hair down, making it look more thin.
As these are some big drawbacks, we felt we needed to endorse more silicone-free products. That is what we are going to do in this article.
Here, we’ll majorly discuss silicone-free conditioners. But, before you go straight away to pick a product, there are certain factors to pay heed to:
- Hair type: If you have dry, dull, or frizzy hair, you won’t find big issues with silicone hair conditioners. But, if you have thin hair, you must definitely purchase silicone-free conditioners or your hair will weigh down.
- Ingredients: If there’s even 1 ingredient ending with “-cone”, stay away from it. Also, look for some natural ingredients like essential oils, shea butter, etc in the conditioner you pick.
For a few more tips, read through our “Buying Guide” present at the bottom of this article. It will surely give you some important insights.
Best Silicone-Free Conditioner 2023
| Silicone-Free Conditioner | Fragrance | Hair type | Buy Now |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maui Moisture Conditioner | Coconut | Coarse | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Pureology Moisturizing Conditioner | Lavender, Bergamot, Mint | Dry | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Sheamoisture Restorative Conditioner | Strong floral | Curly | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| DevaCurl One Conditioner | Floral | All types | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Nexxus Conditioner for Damaged Hair | Coconut | Damaged | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| BIOLAGE Sugar Shine Conditioner | Lemony | Normal | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Zotos All About Curls Daily Cream Conditioner | Floral | Curly | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Klorane Nourishing Conditioner | Mango | Dry | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Biotin Conditioner | Coconut | Dry | CHECK ON AMAZON |
| Love Beauty And Planet Soothe Hair Conditioner | Floral | All types | CHECK ON AMAZON |
Best Silicone-Free Conditioner Reviews
1. Maui Moisture Curl Quench + Coconut Oil Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Maui Moisture is made from ingredients that are handpicked from tropical islands such as Maui. Maui Moisture brings you a blend of aloe vera juice and an infusion of pure coconut oil. Their range consists of 6 versatile products for all hair types and texture.
Do away with lacklustre hair and make space for hydrated and luscious hair. This creamy and gentle formula present in the Curl Quench Conditioner is a blend of papaya butter and rich coconut oil. It also contains extracts of plumeria extract. This helps in detangling hair and defrizzes and defines your curls.
It enhances the softness of your hair and leaves the hair shiny and bouncy, be it curls, waves or coils. To get thick curly hair, this product assists in hydrating, defrizzing and smoothing the hair. This collection from Maui Moisture is very gentle on the hair. It can heal extremely fragile hair and helps keep the elasticity of the strands intact.
This prevents breakage and hair fall. You get tangle-free hair that has a healthy shine. This is a sulfate-free product. It has no silicones and parabens. The conditioner is vegan and contains no mineral oil or synthetic dye.
Pros:
- Hydrates defrizzes and smoothes hair
- Safe for colour treated hair
- Vegan and silicone-free
Cons:
- Not very moisturizing
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: coconut
- Item form: oil
- Hair type: Coarse
2. Pureology | Hydrate Sheer Moisturizing Conditioner
This product from Pureology hydrates your hair deeply. It can be used on colour treated hair. Pureology Hydrate Sheer Conditioner has key ingredients such as Green Tea, Sage and Jojoba. It also consists of an aromatherapy blend that is a signature to the brand. It has menthol, mint and greens. The formula of the conditioner is lightweight and contains no silicones.
They have a patented anti-fade complex. This complex is infused into every formulation. This ensures a long-lasting payoff of colour and protects its vibrancy. Green tea and Jojoba oil ate two extremely hydrating ingredients full of antioxidants and vitamins. Mint and sage help in revitalizing and replenishing the hair.
The brand is the top contender of Professional Colour Care brands in the US. their formulas are 100% vegan. They contain no sulfates, mineral oils, parabens, animals or by-products. These products are not tested on animals as well.
Lasting shine is a by-product of sunflower seed which is a UV filter and Vitamin E that fights environmental effects that deplete colour. This is a dual benefit formula that gives you colour protection and care customization which addresses each person’s hair needs.
Pros:
- Protects coloured hair
- Rejuvenates hair
- Requires a small amount
- Smells heavenly
Cons:
- Expensive
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: Lavender, Bergamot, Mint
- Item form: conditioner
- Hair type: dry
3. Sheamoisture Restorative Conditioner
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner helps in detangling, moisturizing and restoring damaged hair that looks lifeless. You may use it as a leave-in or rinse-out conditioner. It has no silicones. The product converts dry and damaged hair to locks that are healthy, bouncy and beautiful.
This is a cleansing conditioner. It is ideal for people who wish to transition from chemically treated hair to hair that is natural. It is a blend of Fair Trade Shea Butter that helps in revealing naturally curly and beautiful hair.
It has Argan oil and coconut oil as one of the main ingredients. Also, it contains an essential oil blend vitamin B5 and Vitamin E. It is a deep conditioner that is specially designed for dry and damaged hair.
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Restorative Conditioner is produced sustainably. This deep conditioner has no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, petroleum and mineral oil. It is a tried and tested formula, but has never been tested on animals.
Pros:
- Detangles, restores and moistures lifeless hair
- Excellent for coarse hair
- Silicone-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, mineral oil and petroleum-free
- Made sustainably
Cons:
- A few people received fake products. Make sure you buy from an authentic seller.
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: strong floral
- Item form: liquid
- Hair type: curly
4. DevaCurl One Condition Decadence Conditioner
One Condition Decadence provides optimum moisture, nourishment, protection and strength to your beautiful curls. It delivers silky-soft curls that can be detangled and styled easily. This creamy and rich formula provides deep hydration by drenching your locks in moisture. All you are left with are curls that are silky soft. These curls are easy to detangle and style.
The product has a sense of luxury because of a combination of light floral and creme fragrance. Makes your hair smell fresh and well maintained. Apply this decadence conditioner to wet hair. Use fingers to gently detangle the curls. Glide through the ends, make sure to moisturize thoroughly. Rinse accordingly. This product has a soothing formula that is made of chufa milk.
It has quinoa protein and provides nourishment and moisture to your scalp and hair. One Condition Decadence is free of sulfates, silicones and parabens. It has no wheat. The conditioner is vegan and cruelty-free.
Pros:
- Provides protection and moisture to curls
- Has a luxurious fragrance
Cons:
- Check with the seller to see if the product is authentic.
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: luxurious creme
- Item form: cream
- Hair type: oily, normal and dry
5. Nexxus Conditioner for Damaged Hair Keraphix
To get New York City-like Salon experience in the comforts of your home, try the Nexxus Keraphix Conditioner. It is specially designed to offer results similar to a keratin treatment. That is why the formula induces 90% of protein. You get visible results after the first use.
Nexxus conditioner is a great help for people who want to heal their brittle and rough hair without the help of any chemical treatment. This concentrated formula contains high levels of Collagen, Keratin and Elastin. It is clinically proven to repair severely damaged hair internally from the first use.
It has a combination of black rice and Keratin Protein along with other essential nutrients. It creates healthy-looking hair that is clinically proven. The company’s exclusive PROTEIN FUSION blend is used which is a part of a 4 step process. Signs of damages on the surface are healed, leaving the hair smooth, healthy-looking and strong. It can be used on coloured hair and is safe to use on chemically treated hair as well.
Pros:
- Infused with keratin, collagen and Elastin
- Visible results after the first use
- Safe on colored hair
Cons:
- Contains higher levels of fragrance
Product specifications:
Fragrance: coconut
Item form: cream
Hair type: damaged
6. BIOLAGE Sugar Shine Conditioner
Capture the general and natural benefits of sugar. Get added shine from this product brought to you by Biolage. Sugar Shine Conditioner is long-lasting. It reduces frizz and adds a lot of volume to your hair. This product is lightweight, free of silicones and gives tremendous moisture to your hair.
It leaves your hair nourished and supple. People with colour treated hair can use this conditioner without worries. It has no silicones or parabens. Apply the conditioner to wet hair. Leave the product for 1 to 3 minutes. Rinse accordingly.
It’s thick in consistency and very hydrating. It’s free of parabens and sulphates. Also, it smells like flower gardens.
Pros:
- Has no chemical additives
- Can be used on colour treated hair
- Provides moisture
Cons:
- Some users have complained about a strong floral smell.
Product specifications:
Fragrance: lemony
Item form: cream
Hair type: normal
7. Zotos All About Curls Daily Cream Conditioner
This is a colour safe conditioner from All About Curls. This cream conditioner is formulated without the use of SLES/SLS Sulfates. It has no silicones and parabens. This combination makes combing easier and delivers the moisture your curls need. It leaves the strands silky soft and very easy to style and detangle.
It contains essential oils such as coconut oil, sweet almond oil, honey, shea butter and hydrolyzed proteins for hair. This gives you a slip that makes tangling easy to manage. It also makes the hair shiny and soft.
It contains very little Isopropyl Alcohol as one of the solvents. It is used in their key conditioning ingredient known as “Behentrimonium Chloride”. This compound is ideal for curly hair.
It does not take away any moisture from your hair or causes any dryness. The alcohol is present only as a solvent, in a really minuscule concentration. Wet your hair and apply a generous amount. Detangle the ends with fingers. Rinse accordingly.
Pros:
- Reduces frizz, and damage
- Holds curls better and makes curls manageable
- Contains honey, almond oil shea butter
- Contains very less fragrance
Cons:
- May make finer hair greasy
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: floral
- Item form: cream
- Hair type: curly
8. Klorane Nourishing Conditioner
Klorane Nourishing Conditioner is made with cold-pressed mango butter. It is plant-based and weightless. This moisturizing conditioner restores the moisture that your hair craves. It brings back the softness that dry and damaged hair lacks. Your hair is left feeling smooth and silky and very shiny.
Klorane Nourishing Conditioner is safe for colour treated hair and has no sulfates. It has no silicone or parabens as well. The product is biodegradable and vegan friendly.
The kernels present in mangoes are known to contain really high fatty acids. It is scientifically known to repair and nourish the outer layer of the hair. It also provides hydration that lasts for a long time. A tiny bit of the product goes a long way.
Pros:
- Restores suppleness and shine
- Adds softness to hair
- Vegan and biodegradable
- Smells great
Cons:
- It may not provide a lot of moisture
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: mango
- Item form: cream
- Hair type: all types
9. Hairfinity Balanced Moisture Biotin Conditioner
Hairfinity brings you a vitamin-enriched conditioner. It has no silicones or sulfates. It has powerful ingredients that are natural and they fight against dehydrating, drying and loss in elasticity. It is formulated using their CAPILSANA COMPLEX. The conditioner has collagen, jojoba oil, keratin, honey and coconut oil.
This combination helps in revitalizing the scalp and increases the elasticity of the hair. It also restores shine to your hair. It promotes hair growth, all thanks to the UV-protectors and antioxidants. It also acts as great protection against hair fall. This volumizing and hydrating formula promotes moisture-rich healing. It reduces flakes and dryness in the scalp.
It also restores good health to over-processed hair. You can use this shampoo on all hair types. Use it on colour treated, keratin treated, natural, permed or curly hair, it is effective and safe for both genders. Revitalize your thin and weak hair. You may use it as a deep conditioner treatment as well.
Pros:
- Restores moisture and shine
- Color safe
- Aids against hair fall
- Increases elasticity
- Vegan
Cons:
- Comparatively expensive
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: coconut
- Item form: cream
- Hair type: Dry
10. Love Beauty And Planet Soothe & Nourish Dry Hair Conditioner
This moisture hair care product promises to nourish and moisturize your tresses. It is vegan and made of hemp seed oil and nana leaf. This conditioner will nourish and soothe your hair. It is free of silicones and infused with coconut oil. Love Beauty And Planet have a calming scent from nana leaves.
It is safe for coloured hair. It has plant-based detanglers and nana leaves that are sourced ethically. The product is vegan as well. The product has no parabens, silicones, dyes and so on. This is a phthalate-free and cruelty-free conditioner.
This conditioner is suitable for all types of hair. The product is 97% naturally derived. You could use this conditioner as a hair conditioning treatment for all types of hair.
Pros:
- Vegan
- Free of sulfates, phthalates and parabens
- Invigorating smell
- Safe for colour treated hair
Cons:
- Not for thin hair
Product specifications:
- Fragrance: floral
- Item form: cream
- Hair type: all types, colour treated hair
Things to Consider While Buying a Silicone-Free Conditioner?
As much as people are becoming concerned about their hair, brands too are coming up with a myriad of products made with several safe ingredients.
Silicone-free conditioners are one of these products that are gaining popularity lately for the same.
What is a silicone-free conditioner?
To put in simple words, it is conditioner with other moisturizing ingredients other than silicone.
So, it contains amino acids, lipids and other agents to soften your hair. This is because silicone-based conditioners tend to dry out the hair after some washes. And, this is the reason, silicone-free conditioners are becoming popular.
Coming to the texture, as the conditioners are devoid of this wax-like-structure, you will find them to be light and flowing.
These conditioners can make your hair soft, clean but not so slick.
However, it is not so easy to pick up the right conditioner for you in a blink. So, here we’ll discuss the best ways to choose the right conditioner for you.
Ingredients:
As your conditioner will now be free from the giant moisturizing agent (silicone), you need to look for the best alternatives to it.
Here are some of the powerful alternatives to silicone that we have found:
1. Jojoba Oil
It is a natural plant oil that is rich in Vitamin C, E, zinc and copper. These all-natural nutrients are proven to instantly nourish your dry locks.
If you don’t see the results in one wash, don’t panic! Natural ingredients take time to show their presence but will last longer.
2. Macadamia Oil
This oil has high fat content (in 500 ml of oil, there’s 14 grams of fat). And, this fat content makes the oil thick, which in turn strengthens the weak hair.
Coconut oil too has similar properties, and if you find a conditioner with a mix of both coconut and macadamia oils, you are truly blessed.
They have a molecular structure that lets these oils penetrate deeply into your hair. So, nourishment is guaranteed.
3. Alcohol
Okay! Don’t worry! We are not talking about that harmful alcohol you find in the majority of hair products. We are talking about cetyl and cetearyl alcohol.
These are the fat-based alcohol that are usually derived from plant oils. They act as an emollient and ensure moisture to the hair.
So, check if your conditioner has the above alcohols. If it has, then go for it blindly.
4. Proteins
As you may already know, proteins are the natural way to increase your overall hair health including moisturization. They make weak hair strong and strong hair shiny.
- Wheat Protein
If you find a conditioner with wheat protein in it, that means you are basically decreasing the water loss from your follicles, thereby naturally hydrating your tresses.
- Silk Protein
This is another most commonly found protein in shampoos and conditioners. This protein contains cysteine, which is known to increase the production of keratin. You’ll know how beneficial keratin is right?
- Sea kelp
Sea kelp is a brown seaweed that is rich in potassium, iron, Vitamin A, B, C and E. Also, it is known to have higher amounts of calcium – which is beneficial for hair health.
So, if you have weak hair, go for a conditioner with this ingredient. You will get strong tresses within a few washes.
5. Aloe Vera
You might have witnessed the greasiness of aloe vera extract at least once. And, this greasiness is the reason it adds shine to your hair.
Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory properties to keep your scalp free from dandruff, allergies, and irritations.
Benefits of Silicone-free Conditioner:
Here are some of the benefits we found about silicone-free hair conditioners.
- They do not dry out your hair.
- You won’t see split ends or tangled ends.
- They add natural softness to hair but not artificial shine.
- These conditioners have a light creamy texture, so they easily sink into your tresses.
- With proteins, amino acids, fats, and other nutrients, silicone-free conditioners are beneficial to your hair in the long run.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Ans: Silicones build up in your hair when you keep using silicone-based shampoos and conditioners for long. This buildup acts as a barrier and doesn’t let your hair consume other healthy ingredients. So, silicone-free products are always better for your hair.
Ans: Silicone shampoos and conditioners give an instant shine to the hair, which is actually deceiving. This is not a healthy and natural shine and after a time, your hair becomes dry and frizzy. And, if yours is thin and fine hair, silicones will weigh down your tresses to make them look more thin.
Ans: Use a shampoo with a good surfactant. These surfactants have the capacity to remove oil, grease, and silicones from your hair. They are easily found in many shampoos.
Ans: Some expert dermatologists of NY say that silicones do leave a residue on the hair and also scalp that can block the hair follicles which in turn can cause hair loss.
Ans: If you like the feeling of having squeaky clean hair with natural softness, then silicone-free conditioners will work. But, if you want some intense moisturization, they may not work.
In a Nutshell:
If you had a proper glance at our article, you will know that silicones are the deceiving polymers that bring instant shine to your tresses, which is also the reason brands confidently endorse their “ intense moisturizing conditioners”. But, after a few days you will find your hair to be dry and healthless.
So, trust us and go for silicone-free conditioners. They have the right natural ingredients, which may not give an instant shine to your hair, but the long term results are quite pleasing.
Go through all the silicone-free conditioners we have listed in this article and let us know which one suited you the best.