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Home » Hair Care Products » The 27 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for African-American Relaxed Hair

The 27 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for African-American Relaxed Hair

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aida turner

Published by Aida Turner

Fact checked by Annie

Your hair looks sleek and gorgeous. Now, how do you keep it looking that way?

The first step is to use the best shampoo and conditioner for African-American relaxed hair.

I hope that your stylist gave you some suggestions. But you can also consult the reviews below for ideas.

In general, you need mild shampoo and nourishing conditioner for chemically-processed hair.

If you strengthen it with plenty of protein, you’ll prevent breakage.

Now, let’s look at other ways to maintain relaxed hair.

Best Overall

Amazon best-selling product B001NZYAYI

Our rating

DevaCurl How to Quit Shampoo, Cleanse & Condition Kit

  • Sulfate-free
  • Doesn’t contain silicone or parabens
  • Use the included towel for better hair cuticle
RUNNER-UP

Amazon best-selling product B07WC2T3MH

Our rating

Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Co-Wash Conditioner Set

  • Delicious black vanilla scent
  • Wheat protein and vitamin B5
  • Leaves your hair smooth and soft 
Best Value

Amazon best-selling product B00MUZQPAM

Our rating

Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner

  • Plenty of unsaturated fatty acids
  • Ojon oil for extra moisture and strength
  • Keeps your hair soft and glossy

How to care for relaxed black hair

The first rule of caring for relaxed hair is to stay on a schedule.

If you use the proper hair care products, you’ll be able to wait at least eight weeks and up to 16 weeks between treatments (1).

These products include a sulfate-free shampoo and a conditioner that prevents tangles.

Then, a leave-in conditioner will reduce frizz, and a hair mask will repair dehydrated strands.

Don’t heat-style every day if you can help it. If you must blow-dry, use low to medium heat.

Also, some conditioners provide heat protection – look for that on the label.

At night, wrap your hair. During the day, protect it from the sun. And if you go swimming, wear a swim cap.

Top Shampoos and Conditioners for African-American Relaxed Hair

But let me back up to the beginning. Let’s start with the gentlest way to wash your hair.

1. DevaCurl How to Quit Shampoo, Cleanse & Condition Kit

Product Overview

DevaCurl isn’t just for Curly Girls. Their products are also suitable for relaxed African-American hair.

Here’s a set with “shampoo,” conditioner, and a microfiber towel.

For example, the No-Poo Original is a conditioning cleanser. It’s sulfate-free and very moisturizing.

  • Sulfate-free
  • It doesn’t make any lather
  • Olive oil and lemongrass extracts
  • Very moisturizing and healthy

No, it doesn’t make any lather. But that’s fine if you want frizz-free hair.

Next, the cream conditioner pampers each strand with olive oil and lemongrass to keep it shiny and smooth.

Neither the shampoo and conditioner contain silicone or parabens.

Be sure to use the included towel to prevent roughing up the cuticle of your hair.

Pros

  • Provides a deep cleanse and moisturizing effect
  • Doesn’ use sulfates and parabens
  • Keeps your hair healthy and shiny

The Cons

  • Can get your scalp itchy

2. Carol’s Daughter Black Vanilla Co-Wash Conditioner Set

Product Overview

Next, here’s one of the best detangling shampoos and conditioners for relaxed hair.

Again, this is a sulfate-free co-wash product, not a regular shampoo. It doesn’t foam up, but it will leave your hair clean, soft, and smooth.

  • Amazing black vanilla scent
  • Includes wheat protein
  • Provides vitamins and minerals for hari growth
  • It doesn’t foam

The delicious black vanilla scent will make you want to stay in the shower longer.

The set includes a leave-in conditioner, too. It’s fortified with wheat protein and vitamin B5 to prevent tangles and breakage.

Pros

  • Leaves your hair shiny and soft
  • Provides a deep cleanse of your scalp
  • Reduces hair damage

The Cons

  • Has some chemicals

3. Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner

Product Overview

Ojon oil comes from palm trees that grow in the Amazon rainforest and the Caribbean islands. It’s packed with unsaturated fatty acids that repair damaged hair.

Therefore, it’s the perfect ingredient for this co-wash shampoo.

  • Ojon oil for minerals and vitamins
  • Includes unsaturated fatty acids
  • Works great with heat-damaged hair

It will keep straightened hair glossy and sleek even if you wash more often than once a week.

Pros

  • Softens and conditions your hair
  • Repairs damaged hair
  • Does well with split ends

The Cons

  • Can make your hair hard

4. Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner

Product Overview

Palmer’s olive oil co-wash doesn’t just moisturize dry hair. It also helps the scalp recover from chemical treatments.

It’s nourishing enough that you don’t need to use a conditioner afterward. Think of what a timesaver that will be.

Moreover, the formula doesn’t have harsh chemicals like sulfates, phthalates, parabens, or artificial colors.

  • Contains high levels of vitamins
  • With moisturizing natural oils
  • Does well with dry hair
  • Ideal for hair loss

On the contrary, it’s infused with keratin protein to prevent split ends, and Jamaican black castor oil to promote hair growth.

It’s also nice that the manufacturer sources sustainably-produced ingredients.

Pros

  • Leaves no frizziness
  • Does great with inflammation
  • Perfect for daily usage

The Cons

  • Doesn’t smell so good

5. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner

Product Overview

Shea Moisture has roots in Africa. They’ve developed several excellent shampoos and conditioners for textured hair.

This particular set is kind to color-treated and damaged hair.

  • Manuka honey for shyness
  • Mafura oil
  • Beneficial vitamins and minerals

It features a clarifying shampoo that gets rid of residue from styling products. Then it has a creamy conditioner that strengthens and defends fragile strands.

Pros

  • Makes your hair soft and shiny
  • Works great with color-treated hair
  • Gets rid of residue from styling products

The Cons

  • Can dry out your hair

6. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Set

Product Overview

Have you ever tried putting straight castor oil on your hair? It’s a revered remedy for hair growth.

The problem is that it makes the hair greasy.

The alternative is to wash with this shampoo and conditioner based on Jamaican black castor oil. They are rich in the omega oil you need to repair split ends. Moreover, they prevent frizz and tangles.

  • Natural pH levels
  • Rich in omega oils
  • Jamaican blcak castor oil for extra nutrients
  • Interesting peppermint scent

Finally, they protect the natural pH of your scalp to prevent dryness.

But what about the smell?

No worries, these products have a perky peppermint scent that will make your skin tingle.

Pros

  • Prevents frizziness and tangles
  • Works great with dry, damaged hair
  • Competely repairs split ends

The Cons

  • You might not like the smell

7. Shea Moisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment

Product Overview

I couldn’t resist including one more product from Shea Moisture. This is a hair mask, also known as a deep conditioner.

Tests show that it fixes over-processed hair fiber and reduces breakage up to 76%.

  • Completely plant-based formula
  • Shea butter and manuka honey
  • Less hair breakage
  • Rich in proteins from yogurt

Even after only one use, the hair feels more supple.

It’s based on certified organic Shea butter, Manuka honey, and protein-rich yogurt.

Pros

  • Doesn’t let your hair break so easily
  • Prevents split ends
  • Rejuvenates and strengthens hair follicles

The Cons

  • Might get spilled

8. Nairobi Normalizing Shampoo

Product Overview

Nairobi has been designing professional-quality products for hair salons for more than 20 years.

There’s a good chance that your stylist used Nairobi brand relaxer on your hair.

  • Keeps a natural pH balance
  • Relaxing oils usage
  • Beneficial nutrients and minerals

If so, I’d recommend this normalizing shampoo, which restores the natural pH balance of your scalp and hair.

If you’re brave enough to relax your hair at home, you absolutely need this product to neutralize the treatment chemicals and get rid of residue.

Pros

  • Nourishes and mosturizes your hair
  • Helps getting out toxic chemicals
  • Get’s rid of toxic residue and relaxes the scalp

The Cons

  • A bit pricy

9. Nairobi Humecta-Sil Moisture Replenishing Conditioner

Product Overview

Finish washing by applying Nairobi’s conditioner, which smooths the cuticle of the hair.

It will prevent tangles even if you haven’t straightened your hair.

  • Contains high levels of vitamins
  • Polyquaternium-II
  • Contains aloe vera for extra moisture
  • Does well agains heat

It contains aloe vera, vitamins, and polyquaternium-II. This last ingredient defends against damage from heat-styling.

Pros

  • Repairs damaged hairs
  • Protects from heat-styling
  • Cleanses your skin and hair

The Cons

  • Doesn’t work with oily hair

10. Carol’s Daughter, Coco Creme Set

Product Overview

Carol’s Daughter makes a variety of vegan hair care products for women and men who have coily, curly, and wavy hair.

Fortunately, the same products are also suitable for straight relaxed hair. That’s because they are extra–moisturizing and sulfate-free.

  • Works great with curly and wavy hair 
  • Mango and murumuru butter
  • Extra-moisturizing formula
  • Sulfate and paraben free

For example, the Cocoa Creme shampoo soothes a dry scalp. Then, the creamy hair mask repairs damage with murumuru and mango butter.

Pros

  • Makes your hair silky smooth
  • Works perfectly with wavy and curly hair
  • Reparis damaged hairs and moisturizes your scalp

The Cons

  • Doesn’t smell so good

11. Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Hair Care Set for Extremely Damaged/Over-Processed Hair

Product Overview

The Almond Milk shampoo and conditioner is ideal for relaxed or curly hair, too.

Both are free of sulfates, petrolatum, and mineral oil. They don’t weigh down the hair at all.

  • Free of sulfates and mineral oil
  • Almond milk for extra smoothness
  • Plenty vitamins and minerals
  • Nourishes and rejuvenates hair follicles

If you’ve overdone it with too many treatments, too much dyeing, or too much styling, they will help restore shine and softness.

Pros

  • Makes your hair soft and smooth
  • Repairs hair from over-dyeing
  • Helps restore hair’s natural beauty 

The Cons

  • Hard to lather shampoo

12. Design Essentials Natural Super Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo

Product Overview

Design Essentials has been creating ethnic hair care products for three decades. It seems like they have shampoo and conditioner for every situation.

What’s more, they offer a 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not impressed with the results.

  • Avocado and almond oils
  • Wheat protein for extra strength
  • Free of mineral oil
  • Deeply moisturizing effect

If you wash your hair more frequently, get the Almond and Avocado set. Both the shampoo and conditioner have wheat protein and natural oils to strengthen your hair.

Also, both formulas are free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, paraffin, and petrolatum.

Pros

  • Nourishing effect from Almond and avocado oils
  • Strengthens your hair
  • Nourishes and provides nutrients

The Cons

  • Has chemicals

13. Design Essentials Natural Instant Detangling Leave-In Conditioner

Product Overview

Also part of the Almond and Avocado series, this leave-in conditioner is fantastic for relaxed hair.

It overcomes the challenge of high humidity and neutralizes the damage caused by hard water.

  • Works well with damaged hair
  • Overcomes hard water
  • Perfect for curly hair and dreadlocks
  • Loaded with vitamins and minerals

Besides people with relaxed hair, it’s appreciated by curly girls and those with dreadlocks.

Pros

  • Overcomes high humidity damage
  • Protects your hair from external damage
  • Cleanses all the impurities left

The Cons

  • No perfume

14. Design Essentials Deep Moisture Milk Souffle

Product Overview

The Coconut & Monoi collection is made for curls and relaxed hair, too. The Milk Soufflé is a deep conditioner and styling aid that’s part of the set.

  • Milk protein
  • Shea butter extract
  • Coconut and monoi scent
  • Ideal for curly and wavy hairs

It feeds your hair with milk protein and shea butter to keep it moisturized and healthy. Then each strand’s luminous and frizz-free without feeling heavy or greasy.

Pros

  • Deeply moisturizing effects
  • Nourishing effect from shea butter
  • Strengthening effect from milk protein

The Cons

  • Not the greatest product for frizzy hair

15. MIZANI True Textures Cream Cleansing Conditioner

Product Overview

Mizani’s co-wash formula is biodegradable. It’s as kind to the environment as it is to your skin and hair as it lacks harsh sulfates, parabens, and silicone.

The antioxidant-rich formula gets rave reviews from users with curly and straightened hair.

  • No sulfates or parabens
  • Antioxidant-rich formula
  • Coconut, olive and manura oils
  • Rich in vitamins and nutrients 

It repairs with a blend of coconut, olive, and marula oil that seals in moisture. Once dry, your hair will be sleek and luminous.

Pros

  • Keeps your hair nice and luminous
  • Seals the moisture
  • Hydrates your scalp

The Cons

  • It doesn’t work with oily hair

16. MIZANI Thermasmooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo

Product Overview

Sometimes you need shampoo to clear away build-up from your scalp. Co-wash doesn’t cut it.

In that case, try Mizani’s Thermasmooth with thermal protection.

  • Thermal protection
  • Includes coconut oil and ceramides
  • Works perfectly with heat-treated hair

Not only does it protect brittle hair, but it also thwarts tangling and repels humidity with cationic polymers. Some of the other key ingredients include coconut oil and ceramides.

After you wash with it, it prevents damage from blow-drying and flat irons.

Pros

  • Repairs the damage from flat irons
  • Will keep your hair nourished and healthy
  • Locks the moisture in

The Cons

  • Needs to be used with a conditioner

17. MIZANI Thermasmooth Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Product Overview

Never neglect the conditioner after washing with shampoo. No matter how hydrating shampoo claims to be, you need to moisturize.

  • Thermal protection
  • Locks the moisture in 
  • Works perfectly with heat-treated hair
  • Nourishes the hair with beneficial nutrients 

This conditioner locks in the protection promised by the shampoo above.

Pros

  • Repairs the damage from flat irons
  • Keeps your hair healthy and good-looking 
  • Moisturizes your scalp as well

The Cons

  • You might not like the floral  scent

18. MIZANI Thermasmooth Sleek Guard Smoothing Hair Cream

Product Overview

Here’s the leave-in conditioner you need when you blow-dry your hair. It’s also handy for heat-styling with an iron.

  • Leave in conditioner
  • Best to apply before heat-treating 
  • Includes coconut oil and ceramides
  • Deals great with frizz

It makes the surface of each strand silky smooth and puts a stop to split ends. Plus, you’ll never have to worry about frizz while you’re using it.

Pros

  • Repairs split ends
  • You’ll never have to worry about frizz
  • Makes your hair silky smooth

The Cons

  • Works harder for thick hair

19. Cantu Shea Butter Hydrating Leave-in Conditioning Mist

Product Overview

Cantu’s leave-in conditioner is a product you can use every day on relaxed, permed, color-treated, and texturized hair. It works best on medium to thick textures.

  • Perfect for color-treated hair
  • Works great with thicker hair
  • Is a leave-in conditioner with lots of nutrients
  • Shea butter usage 

Use it to boost shine and calm frizz.

Pros

  • Provides shyness and smoothness all day
  • Repairs damaged follicles
  • Calms itchiness and frizziness

The Cons

  • Dry hair needs a lot of this product 

20. OGX Extra Strength Damage Remedy + Coconut Miracle Oil Shampoo

Product Overview

Do you know what tiare is? It’s a gardenia that grows in Tahiti.

You may have heard of Monoi oil, which is a blend of coconut and tiare. It’s a remedy used by islanders to repair sun and saltwater-damaged hair.

  • Monoi oil blend with coconut and tiare oil
  • Interesting vanilla scent
  • Sulfate-free
  • Perfect for naturally curly or relaxed hair

Well, now you can get the best of the islands blended with vanilla bean extract, too. The shampoo doesn’t just smell fantastic. It also makes hair silky and touchable as you’ve never seen it before.

It’s sulfate-free and perfect for relaxed or naturally curly hair.

Pros

  • Repairs chemical or heat damage
  • Smells amazingly good
  • Leaves your hair silky and smooth

The Cons

  • Contains silicone

21. OGX Nourishing + Coconut Milk Conditioner

Product Overview

Use coconut milk and coconut oil to hydrate your hair. Yes, you’re going to feel like you went somewhere tropical on vacation.

  • Coconut oil and milk
  • Feels like a tropical shower
  • Smells amazing

In case you’re trying to avoid silicone, though, you’re going to have to look elsewhere.

Pros

  • Moisturizes and hydrates your hair
  • Does a great deal protecting the scalp
  • Makes your hair look healthy

The Cons

  • Contains silicone

22. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

Product Overview

Those of you stuck in the house, unable to get your hair straightened at the salon, will appreciate the spray.

It’s precisely what you need when you use a flat iron or hairdryer.

  • Thermal protection
  • A must have before heat-styling
  • Amazing plant-based formula
  • Easy to apply spray

Not only does it stop tangles, but it also keeps heat from sucking the moisture from your strands.

The formula also lets the brush or comb glide through your hair so that you don’t break or yank anything.

Pros

  • Protects hair follicles from heat
  • Keeps the heat from sucking the moisture
  • Let’s your easily brush the hair

The Cons

  • It’s sticky

23. ApHogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair + ProVitamin Leave-In Conditioner

Product Overview

What to do if you’ve exposed your hair to chlorine or hard water? Use this shampoo and conditioner to fix the problem.

It repairs the destruction caused by chemicals, minerals, heat, and harsh products. Plus, they won’t fade color treatments.

  • Pro-Phytamine complex 
  • Keratin reconstructor
  • Works great with color-treated hair
  • The best at fighting hard water 

Both the shampoo and conditioner have the Pro-Phytamine Complex and Keratin Reconstructor to improve your hair’s health instantly.

Pros

  • Repairs your hair from chemical or heat damage
  • Works on reconstructing your hair’s health
  • Doesn’t fade chemical colors

The Cons

  • Can cause dried out scalp

24. Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo, for Damaged Hair

Product Overview

Keratin strengthens relaxed hair. That’s why this Nexxus shampoo is a smart choice. It’s a salon-quality product.

It also has black rice, a traditional Asian hair growth treatment.

  • Salon-quality products
  • Black rice usage
  • Keratin for strength

Remember to grab the company conditioner when you put this shampoo in your cart.

Pros

  • Traditional hair growth treatment
  • Cleanses all the impurities
  • Get’s rid of remaining styling products

The Cons

  • Needs a conditioner

25. Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Deep Hydrating, Co-Wash

Product Overview

Pantene’s co-wash is convenient if you’re on a budget.

It’s low-lather and free of sulfates, dyes, and parabens.

  • Free of sulfates, dyes or parabens
  • Not a leave-in product
  • Low-lather products
  • Perfect for a low budget 

Although it’s not a leave-in product, you can use it to comb out your hair in the shower before you rinse.

Pros

  • Repairs the damaged hairs
  • Keeps your hair nourished and healthy
  • Makes your hair silky smooth

The Cons

  • Can left flakes

26. Therapeutic Dandra-Solv Moisturizing Shampoo by Nairobi

Product Overview

Unfortunately, dandruff is common when your scalp is dried out from chemical treatments.

Try Nairobi’s Dandra-Solv shampoo with salicylic acid. The acid gently exfoliates dead skin and opens pores. It clears up a crusty scalp.

  • Works great with chemically treated scalps
  • Uses salycilic acids
  • Soothing menthol and rosemary
  • Jojoba oil for extra moisture

At the same time, soothing menthol and potent rosemary alleviate itching. Then, jojoba moisturizes while nettle balances oil production.

Pros

  • Gently cleanses and removes dandruff
  • Opens pores and moisturizes them
  • Balances oil production

The Cons

  • Bottle to hard to squeeze

27. Design Essentials Peppermint & Aloe Therapeutics Shampoo

Product Overview

Design Essentials also makes dandruff shampoo for relaxed hair. After only one wash, you’ll have less flaking and itching.

Part of the magic is due to pyrithione zinc, a scientific solution for the fungus that causes dandruff.

  • Perfect for flaking and itching scalps
  • Pyruthione zinc for the fungus
  • Aloe and peppermint for itching 

But there are also aloe and peppermint to stop the itching.

Pros

  • Actively fights dandruff
  • Removes the fungus that causes flaking scalp
  • Moisturizes and protects hair and skin

The Cons

  • Doesn’t have a pleasant scent

Conclusion

Take good care of your relaxed hair with the right shampoo and conditioner.

Healthy, well-hydrated hair will stay sleek and straight for longer.

If you discovered your new favorite hair care products today, tell us about them in the comments below.

Best Choice

Amazon best-selling product B001NZYAYI

Our rating

DevaCurl How to Quit Shampoo, Cleanse & Condition Kit

Sulfate-free
Doesn’t contain silicone or parabens
Use the included towel for better hair cuticle

aida turner

Aida

Founder & Hair Beauty Specialist

I’m Aida and this is my blog where I write mostly about beauty and make up related stuff, but I like to spice it up a bit with lifestyle and photography posts. Or with whatever that comes to my mind. Hope you will enjoy the reading enough that we will ‘see’ each other more often!

Sources:

1. https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/evewoman/article/2000178534/healthy-ways-to-maintain-relaxed-hair by Renee Wesonga, published December 14, 2015, accessed April 25, 2020