The 23 Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Relaxed Hair
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How can you stop your straightened hair from breaking?
You can begin with the best shampoos and conditioners for relaxed hair.
In general, they are sulfate-free and very moisturizing.
It’s essential to restore the pH balance and replace the natural oils to keep your hair strong and healthy.
Nairobi Normalizing Shampoo Unisex
- Infused with vitamins and minerals
- Prevents damage and breakage
- Nulla seEncourages natural hair growth
Nairobi Humecta-Sil Moisture Replenishing Unisex Conditioner
- Inexpensive shampoo for color-treated hair
- Free of sulfates and other chemicals
- Specially made for curly and coily hair
Therapeutic Dandra-Solv Moisturizing Shampoo for Unisex By Nairobi
- Safe for color-treated hair
- Has dandruff-fighting pyrithione zinc
- Smells fresh and clean
How relaxing your hair can wreck it
The chemicals that straighten hair can cause problems.
Most people end up with frizz and breakage. Some suffer from dandruff. Others say their hair feels more fragile and falls out more easily (2).
A small number of people find that relaxing their hair turns it gray.
But straightening your hair has benefits. It becomes more manageable and less prone to tangles.
Moreover, there are easy ways to deal with the side effects of relaxing your hair.
The easiest way to fix and care for relaxed hair
You need to cleanse your scalp to prevent dandruff and acne. But harsh ingredients will dry out your strands.
Dry hair is brittle. It gets tangled easily and looks dull.
No one enjoys it.
To prevent breakage and tangles, you need a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner.
It also helps to do a deep conditioning treatment once or twice a week (1).
Sulfates are fine if you have naturally oily hair. Otherwise, avoid them. You have plenty of choices, even if you’re on a tight budget.
For example, you can co-wash with conditioner. There are also conditioning shampoos available.
Look for ingredients like aloe, honey, argan oil, glycerin, and coconut oil. They can compensate if you wash your hair more frequently.
If you heat-style, invest in products that provide thermal protection (3).
Top Shampoos and Conditioners for Relaxed Hair
1. Nairobi Normalizing Shampoo Unisex
Product Overview
Nairobi makes professional-quality products for salons. They’ve been in business for two decades.
In fact, it might be their relaxer on your hair.
This normalizing shampoo is designed to be used right after a chemical treatment.
- Avoids sulfates and harsh chemicals
- Contains glycerin
- Infused with ginseng and caffeine
- Crucial nutrients and vitamins
It restores the natural pH balance of your hair and scalp. It also cleanses any residue from the process.
It’s a must-have if you decide to try relaxing your hair at home.
The treatments are very alkaline and need to be neutralized with an acid (4).
Pros
- Improves blood circulation
- Doesn’t dry out your skin
- Stimulates hair growth
The Cons
- Doesn’t work great with super oily scalps
2. Nairobi Humecta-Sil Moisture Replenishing Unisex Conditioner
Product Overview
Follow up with Nairobi’s conditioner to smooth the cuticle of the hair.
This product also helps with detangling if you haven’t straightened your hair.
- Plenty of beneficial nutrients
- 17 natural DHT blockers
- Vitamins and minerals
- Tea tree extract, aloe vera and niacin
Key ingredients include Vitamins a and E, aloe vera, and Polyquaternium-II. The latter is something to watch for when you buy shampoos and conditioners. It protects against damage from excessive heat.
Pros
- Deeply cleanses and removes all the flakes
- Doesn’t dry out your skin
- Delivers beneficial nutrients for your scalp
The Cons
- Causes loosening in your curls
3. Therapeutic Dandra-Solv Moisturizing Shampoo for Unisex By Nairobi
Product Overview
If you’ve relaxed your hair and developed dandruff, try this shampoo.
It contains salicylic acid to exfoliate the dead skin and stop crusty buildup.
- Does great with thin hair
- Balances dryness and moisture
- Uses keratin and other strengthening ingredients
- Hydrates and smoothes
But it also has natural ingredients that heal the scalp and fortify the hair. Some of these include rosemary, sage, nettle, and jojoba oil.
What’s more, it has menthol to soothe the itching.
Pros
- It’s safe for color-treated hair
- Helps with itching and flaking scalps
- Moisturizes and fights dried out skin
The Cons
- Has sulfates
4. Ojon Rare Blend Moisture-Rich Cleansing Conditioner
Product Overview
Here’s a sulfate-free shampoo for relaxed hair. It’s perfect for co-washing.
Happily, it’s mild enough to use every day if needed.
It features ojon oil, which comes from a palm tree in the Caribbean and the Amazon rainforest.
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Free of parabens and sulfates
- Makes your hair easier to style
- Plenty of nutrients
The oil is thick and rich in unsaturated fatty acids, so it’s perfect for chemically-treated and damaged hair.
Use it to define your curls or keep your straightened hair sleek and shiny.
Pros
- Creates rich, luxurious foam
- Cleanses all the impurities and moisturizes
- Adds volume and shine
The Cons
- Can dry out your hair
5. Palmer’s Olive Oil Formula Co-Wash Cleansing Conditioner
Product Overview
Palmers’olive oil “shampoo” calms frizz and hydrates dry hair. It helps restore balance to the scalp as well.
It’s the ultimate way to wash your hair in a hurry. You don’t need to use an additional conditioner afterward.
When co-washing became popular, it solved a big problem. Those of us who sweat a lot feel like we need to shower every day. Dry shampoo doesn’t always cut it.
- Uses biotin
- Perfect for daily usage
- Effective for all types of hair
- Packed with amino acid-rich proteins
And Palmer’s product has just enough cleanser to freshen up the ‘do.
There are no sulfates, parabens, dyes, or phthalates.
Instead, the formula has Vitamin E, keratin, and Jamaican black castor oil. These nourish the scalp and strands all at once.
Those of you with concerns about the environment can rest easy, too. The company supports the sustainable production of ingredients.
Pros
- Adds thickness and volume
- Moisturizes your scalp and leaves no flakes
- Uses bamboo fiber and wheat protein
The Cons
- Can cause hair falling
6. Carol’s Daughter, Coco Creme Set
Product Overview
Carol’s Daughter makes a variety of hair care products for curly girls.
This set contains a delicious coconut oil shampoo and conditioner. Both are free of sulfates and 100% vegan.
There’s also a rich and creamy mask with mango butter and murumuru to repair damaged hair.
- Packed with beneficial nutrients and vitamins
- Contains argan oil and horse chestnut
- Free of parabens and harsh chemicals
- Plant-based formula with lots of advantages
You might be wondering why you’d use shampoo for curls after you relaxed your hair.
It’s because curly hair shampoos are especially moisturizing and gentle.
Don’t worry; they won’t undo the treatment. Instead, they strengthen chemically-treated hair and soothe a dry scalp.
Pros
- Promotes a healthy-looking hair
- Removes all the impurities
- Leaves your scalp and hair hydrated
The Cons
- Doesn’t have the best smell
7. MIZANI True Textures Cream Cleansing Conditioner
Product Overview
Here’s another co-wash product with rave reviews.
Mizani packs lots of antioxidants in the formula. These help the hair recover from damage.
There are also marula, olive, and coconut oils to seal in moisture and smooth the cuticle.
- Formulated with natural ingredients
- Gentle cleanse and perfect lather
- Uses UV protectors
- Works great with fragile hair
Washing with this product ensures you’ll have sleek locks with no frizz.
All of this, and no sulfates, parabens, or silicone.
Furthermore, it’s 95% biodegradable.
Pros
- Moisturizes and nourishes your hair
- Works best with dried out scalps
- Protects against sun and heat-styling
The Cons
- Doesn’t work for oily and normal hair
8. MIZANI Thermasmooth Anti-Frizz Shampoo
Product Overview
If you heat-style your relaxed hair, you need thermal protection. That’s where this shampoo comes in handy.
It’s fortified with coconut oil and cationic polymers. The former prevents tangles and protects brittle hair. Then, the latter repels humidity to prevent frizz and guarantee shine.
- Smells fantastic
- Calming effect on your skin
- Uses argan oil and linden bud extract
- Beneficial nutrients and vitamins
There are also ceramides to normalize the hair and help it remain elastic.
The same shampoo also works well if you’re transitioning or doing color treatments. It’s appropriate for texture types two through eight.
Pros
- Moisturizes and cleanses your skin
- Leaves your hair nice and soft
- Improves your hairs manageability and body
The Cons
- Works bad with oily hairs
9. MIZANI Thermasmooth Anti-Frizz Conditioner
Product Overview
Grab the accompanying conditioner when you get the shampoo above.
- Works great with tired, dull hair
- Amazing peony scent
- Gentle cleansing and moisturizing
- Best for irritated scalps
It has the same essential ingredients that guard against damage from heat and styling.
Pros
- Provides immediate comfort for dried out scalps
- Leaves an amazing peony scent
- Leaves your hair bouncy and lustrous
The Cons
- Doesn’t smell at all
10. MIZANI Thermasmooth Sleek Guard Smoothing Hair Cream
Product Overview
Here’s a leave-in conditioner that’s crucial for when you blow-out or curl your hair.
It makes it easier to slide an iron even if you have little hair.
- Beneficial vitamins and fatty acids
- Nourishing effect
- Uses caffeine to block DHT
- Instant hydration
It also defends against split ends and prevents frizz in high humidity.
If you apply it right after washing and conditioning, then blow dry, your hair will feel exceptionally sleek.
Pros
- Reduces inflammation and irritation
- Leaves your hair silky smooth
- Prevents hair loss and encourages hair growth
The Cons
- Makes your hair frizz
11. ApHogee Shampoo for Damaged Hair + ProVitamin Leave-In Conditioner
Product Overview
This shampoo and conditioner repair damage caused by chemical treatments, heat styling, and hard water.
- Free of sulfates and parabens
- Based on botanicals and natural plants
- pH balanced formula
- Infused with aloe vera
Both contain the Pro-Phytamine Complex and Keratin Reconstructor. And both make it easier to style your hair, and they won’t leach color out of it, either.
Pros
- Has an antimicrobial and healing effect
- Protects and nourishes the scalp
- Helps keeping a natural balance of the scalp
The Cons
- There’s no smell
12. Nexxus Keraphix Shampoo, for Damaged Hair
Product Overview
How do you strengthen relaxed hair?
One way is to use keratin. Keratin is the protein in your hair and nails.
The Nexxus shampoo has both keratin protein and black rice. Together, they begin the healing process.
- Uses argan oil
- Caffeine and saw palmetto
- Infused with biotin
- Has castor and coconut oil
It’s like a low-dose keratin treatment right in the shower.
You might be wondering why black rice matters. It’s an ancient remedy for hair growth. There was a time when the Chinese Emperor forbade common people from using black rice. They wanted to keep it for themselves.
Pros
- Blocks DHT and promotes blood circulation
- Moisturizes the scalp
- Ensures natural hair growth
The Cons
- Overwhelming perfume
13. Nexxus Keraphix Conditioner, for Damaged Hair
Product Overview
Be sure to follow-up the shampoo with this conditioner to repair your hair.
- Gentle shampoo and conditioner
- Deeply cleaning and moisturizing effect
- Packed with herbs and vitamins
- Nataural, delicious smell
It helps your hair become more resilient and prevents tangling without making it greasy or heavy.
Pros
- Boosts shine and moisturize
- Doesn’t leave inflammation untreated
- It is mild enough to be used every day
The Cons
- Has sulfates and artificial fragrance
14. Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Deep Hydrating, Co-Wash
Product Overview
Even Pantene has a co-wash product.
Take advantage of it if you can find it as it’s a lot less expensive than salon formulas, yet it works almost as well.
It’s free of parabens, dyes, and sulfates. Don’t expect a lot of lather because you won’t get it. But your hair will still be clean and soft once you’re done washing.
- Has honey and vanilla
- Developed with potent botanicals
- Free of parabens, sulfates and artificial fragrances
- Uses jasmine for extra fragrance
If you’re transitioning back to curly hair, this is helpful to have in the bath. Once you work it through your hair, take a pick and detangle.
Just be sure to rinse well as this is not a leave-in product.
Pros
- Perfectly moisturizes and nourishes your skin
- It’s safe for color-treated hair
- Works great with sensitive skin
The Cons
- Doesn’t cleanse very thick hair
15. Pantene Truly Relaxed Intense Moisturizing Shampoo and Conditioner Set
Product Overview
Another option is this Pantene set specifically made for chemically relaxed hair.
The shampoo and conditioner have jojoba and coconut oils to hydrate dry strands.
- Uses pro-vitamin B5
- Perfect for very dried out skin
- Infused with quinoa proteins
- Sunflower seed extract and amino acids
Users say it leaves their hair silky but not greasy.
Pros
- Does great with frizziness
- Works great with over-dried scalps
- Protects against sun and heat damage
The Cons
- Not the best smell
16. SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Mafura Oil Intensive Hydration Shampoo & Conditioner
Product Overview
SheaMoisture makes a variety of shampoos and conditioners. This one is safe for all hair types, even if the hair is damaged or color-treated.
The clarifying shampoo washes away styling product buildup.
- Pleasant rose scent
- Contains silicone to clean build-ups
- Repairs damaged hairs
- Contains biotin and other nutrients
Then, the creamy conditioner protects and fortifies damaged hair.
Both contain natural and organic ingredients like Manuka honey and shea butter.
Pros
- Enhances hair growth with different nutrients
- Leaves your hair smelling nice and fresh
- Deeply cleanses and moisturizes your skin
The Cons
- It makes your hair flat
17. Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Combination Pack
Product Overview
Once upon a time, you might have put straight castor oil on your hair. Then, you would’ve ended up with shiny, but greasy strands.
The modern alternative is to use castor oil shampoo and conditioner. Both are packed with omega oils that fix split ends and brittle hair.
- Creamy and delicious
- Pumpkin and argan oils
- Smells great
- Perfect for dry damaged hair
Use these products for a few weeks, and you’ll be astonished at how healthy your hair becomes.
They’re useful if you’re getting regular chemical treatments since they balance the pH of your scalp and hair.
They also prevent tangles and frizz.
In case you’re wondering if your significant other will enjoy them, they have a peppermint scent that makes your skin tingle.
Pros
- Cleans your hair and makes it better-looking
- Moisturizes and nourishes your scalp
- Provides all the nutrients for a healthy scalp and hair
The Cons
- Doesn’t work well with thick hair
18. Design Essentials Natural Super Moisturizing & Detangling Sulfate-Free Shampoo, Almond & Avocado Collection
Product Overview
Design Essentials is celebrating thirty years in 2020.
They’re one of my favorite brands for ethnic hair care products.
They have a product for just about any hair type or situation. And they offer a 100% money-back guarantee.
- Plenty of vitamin E
- Extreme healing effects
- Perfect for daily usage
- Works perfect with hard water
For example, the almond and avocado shampoo is gentle enough to use every day if you need it.
It’s free of sulfates and enriched with natural oils and wheat protein.
There are no parabens, petrolatum, paraffin, or mineral oil in the bottle.
Pros
- Moisturizes your scalp
- Fixes split ends and broken hairs
- Helps with itchy, flaking scabs
The Cons
- Not the best choice for dry hair
19. Design Essentials Natural Instant Detangling Leave-In Conditioner, Almond & Avocado Collection
Product Overview
They also make one of the best leave-in conditioners for relaxed hair.
The formula handles hard water and high humidity with ease.
- Free of irritants and glutens
- Fights dandruff and flakes
- Contains manuka honey
- Infused with aloe vera
It’s great if you have curly hair, too. The people who will get the most out of it have 2B to 4C curls and locs.
Better yet, it has no parabens, petrolatum, or paraffin.
Pros
- Stimulates hair growth
- Reduces inflammation
- pH-balanced formula
The Cons
- Can over oil your hair
20. Design Essentials Peppermint & Aloe Therapeutics Anti-Itch Shampoo For Instant Scalp and Dandruff Relief
Product Overview
Then, there’s the best dandruff shampoo for relaxed hair.
Dandruff is an unfortunate side effect of chemical processing.
But the shampoo starts the healing process with only one wash.
- Perfect for sensitive skin
- Contains shea butter
- Free of chemicals and other parabens
- Packed with natural extracts
It has pyrithione zinc to stop itching and flaking. There are also peppermint and aloe to soothe the scalp.
Even if you don’t have relaxed hair, you can try this product. It’s more gentle and nourishing than the typical anti-dandruff shampoo.
Unfortunately, it’s not safe for color-treated hair.
Pros
- Rejuvenates dry skin and strands
- Doesn’t weight down the hair
- Moisturizes your skin and hair
The Cons
- Can be too oily
21. Design Essentials Almond Butter Express Instant Moisturizing Conditioner
Product Overview
Revive fragile hair with this almond butter conditioner.
It’s ideal if you’ve had your hair relaxed or a color treatment done.
- Free of silicone and mineral oil
- Safe for chemically-treated hair
- Good bargain
What impresses me is how weightless and silky each strand feels after using it.
Pros
- Revive dry scalp and hair
- Rejuvenates hair follicles
- Makes your scalp nourished
The Cons
- Can be to oily
22. Head and Shoulders Anti Dandruff Treatment and Scalp Care, Royal Oils Collection with Coconut Oil
Product Overview
Speaking of dandruff, here’s a drugstore solution that works on relaxed hair.
The Royal Oils collection is made for naturally curly and coily hair, too.
- Doesn’t cause damage
- Plenty of moisturizers
- Can get away oil and dirts
Both the shampoo and conditioner are free of parabens, dyes, and sulfates.
Pros
- Doesn’t cause any damage
- Lathers very well
- Gets the oils and dirts away
The Cons
- Not for the dry scalps
23. Avlon Keracare Sulfate Free Hydrating Shampoo and Humecto Creme Conditioner
Product Overview
The only complaint I have about the shampoo and conditioner is the size of the bottles.
I know that the reasoning used to be that you wash your hair twice and condition once. Therefore, the shampoo bottle needed to be larger.
- Prevents flyaways and breakage
- Fights dandruff and psoriasis
- Helps prevent flare-ups
But in today’s world, that’s just not necessary.
Anyway, fans of these products love how they strengthen their hair and leave it soft and shiny. They prevent flyaways and breakage.
Pros
- Loosens the scales
- Reduces inflammation
- Calms irritation and itching
The Cons
- Can be over drying
Conclusion
I hope that you’re enjoying more manageable hair these days.
When you use shampoos and conditioners made for relaxed hair, they prevent frizz, breakage, and other problems.
It’s worth it to switch to products with gentle cleansers and rich moisturizers. Plus, there’s a selection for every budget.
If you found something new today, tell us about it in the comments below.
Nairobi Normalizing Shampoo Unisex
Infused with vitamins and minerals
Prevents damage and breakage
Encourages natural hair growth
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.wikihow.com/Take-Care-of-Relaxed-African-Hair by Ashley Adams, published October 18, 2019, accessed January 8, 2020
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3746223/ Chemical Hair Relaxers Have Adverse Effects a Myth or Reality, by Vinma H Shetty, Narendra J Shetty, and Dhanya Gopinath Nair, published January 2013, accessed January 8, 2020
3. https://www.aad.org/care-african-american
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Relaxer