11 Best Silicone-free Hair Products for Thick Silky Tresses

Written by Alvira Dsouza, Hair Expert
Updated on Feb 09, 2024
Silicone-Free Hair Products for Thick, Silky Tresses
The products curated for this article are independently chosen by the editorial team. If you make a purchase through the links mentioned below, we may receive a commission. Check out our product research & curation process

Before we can present the best silicone-free hair products to you, a small heads-up is a must to understand why we should avoid silicone in the place. Silicone may obviously sound like a no-no ingredient to some, but there is a reason why it was added in place. Their main goal was to improve the texture and porosity of hair while eliminating frizz and flyaways. They coat the hair shaft, retaining moisture, reducing frizz, and giving hair that sought a silky splendour. Though silicone-based hair care products tend to result in fantastic short-term goals, they are potentially damaging to the hair in the long term. 

Now that we have shown you the true damaging aspects of silicon in hair care, why don't we also provide better options? From straight to curly, every hair type deserves the best alternative against nasty silicone. Worry not folks, we have narrowed down the best hair products for your mane in each hand picked category!

11 Best Silicone-free Hair Products

A cult favorite product on the rise, The Honest Company Conditioning Hair Detangler deserves the spot for its nourishing qualities. This calming, hair-detangling conditioner with a lavender scent will be a hit with those trying to get rid of pesky knots. This nourishing conditioning detangler has a natural blend of quinoa extract, jojoba oil, and sweet almond oil, which leaves strands feeling smooth and hydrated. A fantastic choice for curly hair that needs a detangling spray to make every day a good hair day!

Pros
  • Affordable
  • Vegan
  • Hypoallergenic
  • Free of parabens and dyes
  • Best hair product for curly hair
Cons
  • None
  • Best for Curly Hair

    Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel

    Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel
  • Cantu Shea Butter Moisturizing Twist & Lock Gel is specifically designed to de-frizz and redefine curls and coils to their original glorious texture. Fortified with ingredients like carrot, avocado, coconut oil, grapeseed, mango, shea butter, and sweet almond, which stimulate the hair follicles and even encourage hair growth. All in all, the shea butter in this emulsifying silicone free hair cream gives you locs, curls, coils, waves, and braids the extra love and attention they deserve.

    Pros
    • Free of minerals and sulfates
    • Ideal for wavy, curly hair
    • Enhances hair texture
    • Controls frizz
    Cons
    • Might stiffen hair
  • Best Hair Oil

    NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil

    NUXE Huile Prodigieuse Multi Usage Dry Oil
  • This brand brings the ultimate culmination of nature and luxury. With 8.1% natural origin ingredients in its glass bottle, the seven precious botanical oils of Tsubaki oil, softening sweet almond oil, moisturizing camellia oil, anti-wrinkle borage oil, soothing hazelnut oil, nourishing macadamia oil and hair-repairing argan oil. Though rich in ingredients, the formulation promises a lightweight feel whenever applied. This luxe choice is a savior for the hair and body, making it the overall best silicone-free oil for everyone's needs!

    Pros
    • Absorbs quickly
    • Rich ingredients
    • Weightless on hair and body
    • Ideal for dry and brittle strands
    Cons
    • Expensive
  • Best Shampoo for Fine Hair

    Living proof Dry Shampoo

    Living proof Dry Shampoo
  • With an opaque hue, the dry shampoo settles into the hair and scalp after 30 seconds and absorbs oil like magic. It includes the brand's Triple Action Cleaning Technology, which is a fancy way of saying that the aerosol spray can absorb the three enemies of hair: oil, sweat, and odor. The feather-like light texture and refreshing scent are sure to swoon you and fill your fine hair with nourishing elements.

    Pros
    • Ideal for travel
    • Absorbs oil
    • Ideal for oily scalps
    • Free of sulfates and parabens
    Cons
    • Overpriced
  • Best Combo

    Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo & Conditioning Balm Set

    Matrix Biolage Hydra Source Shampoo & Conditioning Balm Set
  • The USP of this shampoo and conditioner set by Matrix is that these products deliver oodles of hydration to your hair without weighing it down. Specially formulated for dry hair types, these products harness the properties of aloe extracts, cocoa butter, bisabolol, and apricot seed oil to maximize nourishment and improve the appearance and texture of your hair. Both the shampoo and the conditioner consist of lean formulations with no buffering ingredients, to prevent exposing your hair to unwanted chemicals that it could do without. 

    Pros
    • Soothes the scalp
    • Softens hair texture
    • Increases shine
    • Prevents buildup
    • Gives a rich lather
    • Vegan formulation
    • Suitable for all hair types and textures
    Cons
    • Unwhelming benefits
  • OKAY Black Jamaican Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner

    OKAY Black Jamaican Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
  • This leave-in Deep Conditioner keeps challenging tresses under control while removing frizz and healing damaged hair. Formulated with shea butter, castor oil, and argan oil, it is rich in vitamin E, omega 6 and 9, and fatty acids that can improve blood circulation and encourage hair growth. The hair conditioner rehydrates, maintains shine, and manages hair, leaving it smooth, detangled, and lustrous without weighing it down.

    Pros
    • Free of parabens and sulfates
    • Ideal for all hair types
    • Lightweight
    • Softens hair
    Cons
    • Might cause hair breakage
  • Best Hold

    Pacifica Beauty Pineapple Swirl Curl Defining Cream

    Pacifica Beauty Pineapple Swirl Curl Defining Cream
  • This travel-friendly and budget-friendly silicone-free hair cream is specifically made for coils and ringlets. This solution, which contains coconut oil, pineapple extract, and hyaluronic acid, is intended to improve manageability and soft bounce. Not only that, the tantalizing scent of fresh pineapples is sure to make you buy this fruity goodness for your hair. Some reviewers mention, "It's like my hair is on vacation, even when I'm sitting in the office doing spreadsheets" and how they loved the scent and formula too!"

    Pros
    • Vegan
    • Cruelty-free
    • Lightweight
    • Creamy and fluffy texture
    Cons
    • Not ideal for sensitive skin as it contains added fragrance
  • Best Nourishing Mist

    Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist

     Maui Moisture Nourish & Moisture + Coconut Milk Weightless Oil Mist
  • Those in search of a midday hair refresher must prefer Maui Moisture Weightless Oil Mist for detangling messy hair. The rich blend of this nourishing vegan hair oil mist contains coconut milk, guava extracts, and mango butter — which come together with hydrating elements of aloe vera for ideal hair health. Apart from superb glossy shine, some reviewers mention how sweet the nectar scent is to die for. Suitable for daily use and safe for use on color-treated hair, this silicone-free mist is a must-have for all hair types!

    Pros
    • Detangles hair
    • Pleasant scent
    • Moisturizes hair
    • Ideal for daily use
    Cons
    • Might feel greasy on the hair
  • Best Mist for All Hair Types

    Hairfinity Rice Water Hair Mist

    Hairfinity Rice Water Hair Mist
  • Hairfinity Rice Water Hair Mist restores shine to dull, lifeless fine hair. Though this hair mist does not contain straight-up rice water from the fields, it boasts rice extracts being used in the formulation. It's also moisturizing (thanks to the aloe vera in the blend), hydrating, and antioxidant-rich vitamin E. It is also safe for color-treated hair and can be used on keratin-treated strands. You can spray it in your hair before heading out too!

    Pros
    • Easy to use
    • Fresh scent
    • Hydrates the strands and scalp
    • Natural ingredients
    Cons
    • Might irritate the scalp
  • Best Shampoo for Curly Hair

    The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar

    The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar
  • For others, the smell of their shampoo is just as significant as how thoroughly it cleanses their hair. For the ideal pick, we recommend The Earthling Co. Shampoo Bar which is infused with coconut oil. It's high in lauric acid, which helps to retain moisture. Simultaneously, apricot seed oil moisturize and softens hair, panthenol (vitamin B5) restores shine and luster to dull hair while strengthening it, and glycerin attracts moisture from the air, keeping hair healthy. Not only is this lovely brand silicone-free but also plastic free - making thus one of the best shampoo without silicone!

    Pros
    • Refreshing scent
    • SLS-free
    • Travel-friendly
    • Doesn't melt easily
    Cons
    • ons Might slip off-hand easily
  • Best Conditioner for Coily and Wavy Hair

    Fix My Curls Curl Quenching Moisture Bundle for Curly and Wavy Hair

    Fix My Curls Curl Quenching Moisture Bundle for Curly and Wavy Hair
  • Nourish your curly strands with this highly nourishing hair duo by Fix My Curls. The hair jelly, enriched with flaxseed and chia seed extract, delivers a soft hold while defining each coil and curl. The hair butter that contains anti-frizz mango butter and sweet almond oil revives dead strands with livening moisture and feels extremely fluffy on hair. Both products feature an invigorating, sweet fragrance that’s bold but not overpowering. This budget-friendly hair-revival pack is one of the best silicone-free products on our list!

    Pros
    • Softens hair
    • Restores moisture
    • Deals with frizz and dehydrated strands
    • Affordable
    Cons
    • Might not be suitable for straight hair

    Maintaining and conditioning hair requires the right balance of hair products to get the desired results. The products listed above may be the best for hair but before purchasing them why don't we test whether they match your hair type!

    How to Choose the Best Silicone-Free Hair Products?

    Swipe down for the best advice on how to purchase the best silicone-free hair products right away:

    • Ingredients: Ingredients are what make the hair care product vital in your hair care regimen. Stay clear from ingredients like dimethiconol, stearyl dimethicone, and cetyl dimethicone are quite close to the ways of silicone. However, as with other harmful substances, dimethicone is a double-edged blade in the world of skincare. As it can be good for frizzy hair to control, it can turn it dry and coarse if used excessively. Hence, keep in mind which ingredients you should skip and switch with natural ingredients like argan oil, coconut oil, and macadamia nut oil.
    • Hair Concerns: Parabens, phthalates, sulfates, mineral oils, colors, synthetic fragrances, and petroleum-free products should be avoided at all costs. These substances can cause long-term hair health issues while also depleting hair of essential oils and nutrients. 
    • Hair Types: We recommend using lightweight formulas on fine, lifeless hair as they must absorb nutrients without weighing the hair down. And the same for thick hair, choosing creamy and potent formulas, which can maintain hair growth and style is ideal. Contrarily, color-treated and chemically-treated hair needs formulations that will not fade their color but rather enhance it. Irritating compositions like added fragrance should not be used on a sensitive scalp. So, look for hair products that are created for and can enhance your hair type.

    How to Use Silicone-Free Hair Products?

    Sharing the basic difference between silicone-free and sulfate-free shampoos, our contributor Yvey Valcin, Founder & Master stylist at Yvey Salon, says, “Silicone is a chemical that’s used as a buffer to help manipulate the hair, it acts like a shield for the hair. While sulfates are a chemical that dries out your hair and leaves it frizzy.”

    • Hair Oils: First in line are the hair oils. It's best to apply your hair oil thoroughly before a headbath to nourish the hair strands deeply.
    • Hair Masks: Secondly, it is best to apply a hair mask after hair oil to pamper your tresses with creamy formulations that soften and moisturize the scalp and hair. 
    • Shampoos and Conditioners: Thirdly, after a good hair therapy session, wash out the excess oils and creams from your hair with a silicone-free shampoo to leave no signs of residue. And, follow it up with a hydrating conditioner to pack in the moisture well within your strands.
    • Mists and Gels: Lastly, finish the hair care routine with a slight spritz of a well-scented mist and apply a gel hold to lock your textured strands in place.

    Daily use of silicone products may tend to diminish the overall quality, growth, and texture of your hair. To escape this horrible predicament, we set out to find the best silicone-free hair products for better hair health, and our research was fruitful. With this handy list, your hair can receive the better fruits of nourishment without straying away from quality. From thousands of hair care options, our recommendations are here for the better and we hope you choose your hair product wisely!

    Contributor: Yvey Valcin, Founder & Master Stylist at Yvey Salon

    FAQ's

    Is silicone free the same as sulfate free?
    No, they aren't the same. Sulfate-free means the formulation contains no hair-drying chemicals, while silicone-free is much healthier for the hair and environment.
    What happens to hair when you stop using silicones?
    When used excessively, it tends to make your hair become weaker and more prone to breakage.
    Should I switch to silicone-free shampoo?
    Yes, one must switch to silicone-free shampoos as they can help natural ingredients penetrate the strands and deliver nourishing care to them. The natural oils produced by the scalp can then nourish and moisturize your hair while also restoring a healthy balance.

    Why Trust Pinkvilla

    For those who are frustrated with frizz, flyaways, and limp hair need to make the switch from their regular shampoos to the best silicone-free hair products. Sans chemicals that slowly damage your hair, choose products that repair your hair, hydrate the scalp, and nourish the ends. Enriched in Omega 6, Vitamin E, and fatty acids, these hair products leave your hair feeling buttery soft with a glossier shine. 

    Our product experts study the specifications of every product we suggest and try them out to bring what’s proven to be worthy of your money, time, and energy. We also have subject matter experts from various fields like Fashion, Skincare, Haircare, Home Decor, and Health & Fitness onboard to make sure our suggestions are credible and trustworthy. You can trust select to be your faithful shopping guide for all the right reasons!

    Author BIO
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    Alvira Dsouza
    Hair Expert

    With a keen eye for detail and a passion for hairstyling, Alvira is a certified Hair Expert who brings the latest tre More