Tangled hair is a fast-track way to turn a bad hair day worse. Whether you’re working with persistent tangles, post-shower knots or damaged, dry strands, working through an unruly mane can feel like a nightmare. Thankfully, there are many detangling products on the market to work through hair quickly and painlessly. From moisture-rich sprays to nourishing creams, the right product can transform your styling routine. Let’s dive into the best tips and products for healthier, more manageable tresses.
How to choose the best detangling spray
Deciding which product to add to your cart can be challenging when faced with thousands of products all claiming to do the same thing. When it comes to choosing a detangling product, be sure to pick one that is made using nourishing, natural ingredients. Try to avoid harsh chemicals whenever possible to limit contact with harmful ingredients. Although there are many potentially harmful formulas on the market, luckily, there are also a lot of healthier, cleaner options. Keep reading to learn about the best non-toxic detangling products for your hair care routine.
What are hair detangling sprays?
Hair detanglers are made specifically to work through knots and snarls to make unruly hair easier to handle. They can be found in the form of sprays, creams or leave-in conditioners and work to reduce friction and soften the hair for easy brushing. Look for detangling products fortified with nutrient-rich ingredients to improve overall hair health while smoothing out tangles. Detangling products are beneficial for all hair types to simplify any hair routine, leaving healthier locks behind.
How to use detangling sprays for healthy hair
Although they may share a common goal, not all detangling products are made equally. Detangling products may be formulated for wet hair, dry hair – or both. There are different types of consistencies and ingredients in each formula so you can choose the best-fitting product for your unique hair.
Note that detangling products all have one thing in common: once they’re applied, they make it much easier to brush through and style your hair. For most detangling products, apply an even amount through your strands before brushing to produce softer, smoother strands. Each product will differ, so be sure to check the instructions on the back of each bottle before using.
If you’re not sure where to start, here are some of the best hair detangling products to make your life a little bit easier when it comes to styling your hair.
The best hair detangling products at Vitacost
Alba Botanica® Hawaiian Leave-In Conditioning Mist Coconut Milk
Alba Botanica’s Hawaiian Leave-In Conditioning Mist replenishes each strand with intense moisture while protecting hair from heat. Made with protein-rich coconut milk, argan oil and plant-sourced keratin, this pH-balanced formula smooths curls and revives dull locks while detangling for healthier hair. It’s made without heavy silicones, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, artificial colors, animal testing, sulfate, petroleum, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate or sodium myreth sulfate.
Attitude Super Leaves Hair Detangler – Orange Leaves
This detangling spray is made of 99.4% natural origin using nourishing ingredients like avocado oil, orange leaf extract and shea butter glycerides. It works through knots while improving the look and feel of each strand for softer, shinier hair. This EWG-verified formula is vegan, cruelty-free, dermatologically tested and made without parabens or phthalates.
Celia’s take: This spray makes brushing through my hair a breeze, and I love the scent. It smells like orange with a hint of florals (without being too overpowering). Not only does it make brushing through tangles so much easier, but it also makes my hair look and feel healthier once it’s dried.
Babo Botanicals Smoothing Detangling Conditioner Spray Berry & Primrose
Babo Botanicals’ conditioner spray uses an exclusive Nutri-Soothe Complex to hydrate and soften hair while reducing frizz, flyaways and static. This vegan formula is made without sulfates, phthalates, parabens, SLS, synthetic fragrances, sodium chloride, dyes, formaldehyde, DEA, MEA, TEA or common allergens like soy, peanuts, gluten and dairy. Enriched with hair-loving ingredients like evening primrose oil, coconut oil, and pure plant and flower extracts, this detangling spray is suitable for hair of all ages from babies to grown-ups.
Giovanni 2chic Ultra-Revive Leave-In Conditioning & Styling Elixir Pineapple & Ginger
This leave-in conditioning elixir is formulated to detangle and tame dehydrated hair while eliminating frizz and flyaways. Made with a dual nutrient complex of pineapple and ginger, this nourishing formula works to condition and hydrate each lock for shinier, smoother hair. Giovanni’s leave-in elixir is cruelty-free and made without animal ingredients, phthalates, parabens, lauryl or laureth sulfate, PEGS or dyes.
The Honest Company Conditioning Detangler Spray Calm Lavender
The Honest Company’s detangling spray uses quinoa extract, jojoba protein, and soothing lavender for simpler hair care and a better night’s rest. It’s made for all hair types and is hypoallergenic, physician-tested, and formulated without synthetic fragrances, dyes, parabens, sulfates, silicones, or formaldehyde releasers.
Celia’s take: I have naturally wavy hair that tangles easily, and this spray works right through those knots with ease. I especially love to use this product at nighttime because of its calming lavender scent. A small amount of product makes a big difference, and my hair feels much more hydrated and smooth after applying.
Pacifica Coconut Milk Detangle Elixir
This detangle elixir is formulated with nutrient-rich ingredients like coconut and vitamin B5 for weightless hydration, easier styling, less breakage, and an added level of bounce and shine. Pacifica’s vegan Coconut Milk Detangle Elixir is cruelty-free and made without silicone, SLS, mineral oil, parabens or phthalates.
SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler w/sea Kelp & Argan Oil
SheaMoisture’s Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler is infused with a unique blend of Fair Trade raw shea butter, argan oil, and sea kelp to enrich curly to coily hair. This product can be used to detangle before brushing or as a pre-wash to deliver next-level slip to release knots and provide intense hydration. SheaMoisture’s detangler is family-founded and free of animal testing, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, propylene glycol, sulfates and petrolatum.
