The 12 Best Moisturizing Shampoos for Curly Hair

Not all shampoos are created equal. Some are for clarifying, which means to reset your hair after heavy product use, while others are for hydration, aka having the goal of leaving your hair more moisturized while still giving it a good cleanse.

When looking for shampoos to keep your hair hydrated, opt for formulas that include coconut oil, shea butter, and honey. Coconut oil is the most penetrative of oils and will give your hair a protein boost, while shea butter is a great moisturizer. Honey is a humectant serving as a moisturizing agent for your hair.

Keep reading to discover the top 12 shampoos that actually won't dry out your coils.

Luster's Pink Shea Butter and Coconut Oil Moisturizing Shampoo

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The OG brand resurfaced during the pandemic with a brand new formula. Luster's Pink Shea Butter Coconut Oil Sulfate-Free Moisturizing Shampoo lists its star duo in the name: coconut oil to prevent a dry scalp, and shea butter for moisture.

Price at time of publish: $10

Mizani Scalp Care Dry Scalp Shampoo

Mizani Scalp Care Anti-Dandruff Shampoo — Courtesy

Buy on Sephora

This is a great shampoo to have on hand if you have a bathroom (and undoubtedly products) you share with others. It works well with so many textures from loose waves to kinky-curly coils. The Mizani Scalp Care Dry Scalp Shampoo features peppermint oil to relieve and revive dry scalp with cucumber extract that stops shedding and promotes hair growth.

Price at time of publish: $27

Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo

Buy on Amazon Buy on Ulta Buy on Macy's

Get juicy hydrated curls sans greasiness with Ouidad Curl Quencher Moisturizing Shampoo. It has chamomile flower extract and corn oil to moisturize your strands and keep hair healthy by preventing dryness and split ends. But remember, when it comes to split ends, the only true solve is a trim. So book that appointment, stat!

Price at time of publish: $24

As I Am Jamaican Black Castor Oil Shampoo

Buy on Walmart Buy on IHerb Buy on Sallybeauty.com

You don't have to go to the islands to reap the benefits of As I Am Restore & Repair Jamaican Black Castor Oil. Infused with fiber strengthening ceramides and vitamins C and E, it cleanses your scalp without stripping your hair of its natural oils. Plus, this shampoo doesn't make you wait for the conditioning counterpart to detangle. The formula does an incredible job of sorting out your curls.

Price at time of publish: $11

VIDEO: How to Tell If Your Shampoo Is Not Actually Working For Your Hair

Moroccanoil Hydrating Shampoo

Buy on Amazon Buy on Nordstrom Buy on Sephora

Morrocanoil Hydrating Shampoo smells like a vacation with its coconut scent. Leaving your hair clean but not stripped, the argan oil moisturizes your hair while leaving it silky smooth. It lathers well and rinses out easily.

Price at time of publish: $26

African Pride Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo

Buy on Walmart Buy on Sallybeauty.com Buy on Walgreens

Honey and coconut oil are a beautiful pair that will leave your hair hella moisturized. African Pride Moisture Miracle Honey & Coconut Oil Shampoo will deeply condition your hair with its hydrating lather. Your curls will be left with a healthy shine.

Design Essentials Almond & Avocado Moisturizing Shampoo

$12; sallybeauty.com

Avocado is a superfood that's good for our insides and out, packed with vitamins and fatty acids to help strengthen, grow, and moisturize your hair. The almond leaves hair soft and easy to detangle. Your curls will have a luxurious shine once dry.

Price at time of publish: $12

Mielle Organics Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo

Mielle Organics Detangling Daily Shampoo with Pomegranate & Honey — Courtesy

$18; walmart.com

Mielle Organics Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo is a tried-and-true formula for type 4 hair. It lathers beautifully with the honey to lift dirt, oil, and product build-up, while infusing the babassu oil into your strands for added moisture. An added plus is that it's sulfate-free.

Price at time of publish: $17

Creme of Nature Moisturizing Dry Defense Shampoo

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Do you see the trend with honey yet? This Pure Honey Moisturizing collection is a dream for type 4 textures. It removes build-up, retains moisture, and adds shine. It's great for low porosity hair — so if yours has difficulty absorbing moisture and product, work this into your hair while you're in the shower for healthy, hydrated strands.

Price at time of publish: $7

Nexxus Curl Define Shampoo

Nexxus Curl DefineCurl Define Shampoo — Courtesy

Buy on Amazon Buy on Walgreens

If you want to nourish your hair and make those curls pop then try Nexxus Sulfate-Free Curl Define Shampoo. With a silk protein and marula oil blend, you'll simultaneously strengthen and moisturize your curls. Marula oil is great for frizzy and dry hair as it's hydrating, yet light enough to not weigh hair down. This formula pairs best with its conditioning counterpart.

Price at time of publish: $16

Pantene Gold Series Moisture Boost Shampoo

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From Pantene's line for natural, relaxed, and transitioning hair comes this deeply moisturizing shampoo. It's packed with argan oil so curls are always soft and smooth once they're dry.

Price at time of publish: $9

Briogeo Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Avocado Hydrating Shampoo

Buy on Sephora Buy on Ulta Buy on Briogeohair.com

Whether you have type 2 or type 4 hair, this shampoo is for you. Briogeo infused its Curl Charisma Shampoo with rice amino acids, avocado oil, and tomato fruit ferment to hydrate and seal the hair cuticle so hair dries consistently, which in turn will help maintain your curl shape. Plus, it boosts volume without weighing curls down.

Price at time of publish: $28

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