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10 Best Hair Moisturizers For Black Men

You were smart enough to search for the best hair moisturizer Black men, right? So, NHP is good enough to give you what you came for in the top 10 section below…

Feel me on this:

For you to be the #1 draft pick of the ladies, you need to give your African-textured hair the special attention it deserves. For Foundational Black American men, our hair tends to be coarse and can quickly get dry.

African-textured hair also tends to be thicker, and denser than other non-Black hair textures.

This density doesn’t necessarily mean that the hair is stronger though. Like all other types of hair, Black men’s hair is vulnerable to damage, dryness, breakage, thinning and other issues. 

Grabbing the best hair moisturizer for Black men is important because it helps make coarse, type 4A-4C hair softer, healthier, and more manageable.

This is important because many Black men experience some kind of hair thinning and hair loss at some point in life. So, it’s important to use the right hair products for Black men to maintain the health and superior style of your coarse Black hair.

Without a doubt, hair moisturizers should be a staple in your Black men’s hair care regimen. So, let’s break it down like the beat just dropped…

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black MenTop 10 Best Hair Moisturizers For Black Men

How We Decided The Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men Top 10 List

You may wonder how I tested the best hair moisturizers for Black men? Simple…

I work for a dang hair product website maaaaaaan…. I have access to tons of Black men’s hair products as well as tons of reviews that we get from buyers. 

By the way, please contact us if you have a review you want other fellas to know about! We check emails daily.

Anyway, I found tons of brands that I’ve personally used reviews for several hair moisturizers on the market for African-American hair. I came up with this top ten list according to the best reviews and first-hand knowledge. You’re at the right Black website, NHP judges the best according to…

Moisturizing power – The best hair moisturizers for Black men should help seal in moisture, add hydration, and leave type 4 feeling hair soft and looking fresh.

Ingredients – Premium Black hair moisturizers shouldn’t contain alcohol, parabens or other harmful ingredients. But it should have some combo of humectants, oils, etc. like shea butter, glycerin or olive oil to nourish hair.

Consistency – Some hair moisturizers are too light while others are too heavy and can leave the hair greasy. We like a good cream consistency. 

10 Best Hair Moisturizers For Black Men

Let us take a look at some of the best hair moisturizers for Black men available in the market that you can use to hydrate Afro-textured hair, most can be used daily.

1. Ouidad Moisture Lock Leave-in Conditioner

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men ouidad#1 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

Sometimes coarse hair needs an added boost in the moisture department, particularly if it still looks dull or frizzy even after you've styled it. 

Ouidad’s Moisture Lock™ Leave-In Conditioner is one of the best hair moisturizers for Black men because it helps create a balanced moisture foundation before you begin your style, so kinky-curly type 4 hair responds better to the styling products you layer on top.

The breathable formula of this daily hair moisturizer works by sealing nourishment and hydration into each strand, without leaving a greasy residue behind.

While it boost your look with moisturizing botanical extracts (Arnica, Prickly Pear) and antioxidants like Green Tea and Vitamin B5 to help protect the hair and promote hair health, you're left with manageable, hydrated, greatly moisturized hair.

This leave-in conditioner is great for Black men’s hair because it creates a balanced, breathable moisture foundation that encourages curls to form and leaves hair soft and silky. It’s packed with benefits for coarse hair.

Pros:

  • Creates a base layer of moisture to prime hair for styling.
  • Deeply hydrates curls with no greasy residue left behind.
  • Helps to seal hair's cuticle layer to prevent frizz and promote shine.

Ingredients:

Aqua (Water), Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1 Dimethicone, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Amodimethicone, Arnica Montana Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Leaf Extract, Opuntia Ficus-Indica Stem Extract, Panthenol, Tocopheryl Acetate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil/Sebacic Acid Copolymer, Polyquaternium-59, Stearyl Alcohol, Parfum (Fragrance), Butylene Glycol, PVP, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Disodium EDTA, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Citronellol, Coumarin, Geraniol, Hexyl Cinnamal, Hydroxycitronellal, Linalool, Limonene. DN 029-032-01

2. Design Essentials Natural Kukui & Coconut Hydrating Leave-In Conditioner For Relaxed & Natural Hair

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men design essentials#2 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

This is the #2 NHP pick for best hair moisturizer for Black men because it restores dull, dry, thirsty hair.

Do the words – extremely dry, thirsty, brittle, or breakage come to mind when describing your hair? If so, don’t worry bro!

Try Design Essentials hair products for Black men, this new and improved kukui & coconut hydrating leave-in conditioner is a deep penetrating leave-in conditioner designed to provide intense moisture and recondition dry, thirsty hair for a silky-smooth finish that’s full of body and sheen.

This moisturizer is recommended for men with dry or coarse hair textures and can be used weekly or on dry hair between use of premium moisturizing shampoos.

Pros:

  • Provides intense moisture for extremely dry, brittle hair.
  • Quickly penetrates and conditions to prevent breakage.
  • Emits radiant shine.
  • Botanical extracts instantly soften and moisturize the hair.
  • Can be used weekly or on dry hair between shampoos.

Cons:

  • A bit too watery for relaxed hair

Promising Product Review:“My girlfriend and I both have 4c hair and it Leaves our hair so soft and moisturized. I would recommend it to someone whose hair is dying of thirst.”

- KP

3. Miss Jessie’s Leave In Condish  [Hair Moisturizer For Black Men With 4C Hair]

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... Miss Jessie’s Leave In Condish#3 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

The Leave In Condish from Miss Jessie’s is a best-selling moisturizer and frizz fighter for Black hair from a Black business. 

Black women have been up on this product for a minute now… Miss Jessie’s is one of those go-to natural hair products for kinky and curly hair.

This hair moisturizer for Black men & women conditions it, keeps it soft and you only need a little dollop, it works amazing for thinner hair, and for thicker curly hair I’d suggest adding a little more as needed.

The lightweight consistency of this moisturizer product leaves hair full of bounce and shine with no leftover residue. 

Leave In Condish™ product leaves Black men's hair super soft and ultra shiny without any of that gunky oily product buildup.

By coating your hair and locking in an extra layer of moisture, the Leave In Condish™ serves as the perfect protection between your hair and stylers.

The moisture locking ability comes from Leave In Condish’s™ hydrating formula made with Soybean and Aloe. Last but not least, this best hair moisturizer for Black men contender is also a premium styling preparation product to take your styles to the next level.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Behentrimonium Methosulfate, Cetyl Alcohol , Glycerin, Phenoxyethanol, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Butylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Fragrance (Parfum), Alcohol Denat., Cucurbita Pepo (Pumpkin) Seed Extract, Glycine Soya (Soybean) Seed Extract, Laminaria Digitata Extract, Spirulina Maxima Extract, Citric Acid

Pros:

  • Great for: Wavy, curly, tight curly, and transitioners hair.
  • Leave-in Condish is an excellent leave-in moisturizer that goes on after your conditioner and before your styler to add softness.
  • Adds suppleness and volume to 4C curly & kinky hair.
  • Promising Product Review: Will not leave your hair feeling oily or looking greasy.

Promising Product Review: “Super helpful for my son's hair. He has nonverbal autism. This Miss Jessie’s leave in condish was used in conjunction with the coily custard. I saturated his hair and then washed his hair out. After I applied Carol's daughter's hair balm I used a boar bristle hair brush and a surgical scrub brush, basically synthetic bristles brush. This was heaven sent.

This product magically transformed his hair from matted tangles to silky soft shiny. I spent close to $ thousands trying to find different products that would take his tangles out and all the matted hair because I cannot cut his hair he will not go to the barbershop or any kind of haircut shop. I am so glad that this product worked and saved my time and money. No matter what, this product will not leave your hair looking greasy and filling oily.”

- Corbin

4. TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer [Hair Moisturizer For Black Men With 4C Hair]

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... TGIN Butter Cream Daily Moisturizer#4 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

This buttercream daily moisturizer is a part of TGIN’s Moist Collection which features essential oils and vitamins that help in regaining lost moisture. It 100% belongs on this best hair moisturizer for Black men list.

This Black hair hair moisturizer guarantees to give you 5 proven benefits!

It provides hydration to your hair, makes your hair soft and shiny, promotes hair growth, reduces frizzy hair and flyaways while also assisting in styling. 

The main ingredients in this great hair moisturizer for Black men are shea butter and cocoa butter.

Cocoa butter has softening properties and helps in repairing your hair. It makes your hair shiny and moisturized. Shea butter is rich in Vitamin E, Vitamin A and fatty acids.

I loved that this moisturizer is free of harmful ingredients like sulfates, paraben, petrolatum and lanolin.

This also made it to the best hair moisturizer for Black men list because it's a great moisturizer if you are in the middle of transitioning your hair to a natural style. 

Pros:

  • Sulfate-free.
  • Paraben-free.
  • Lanolin-free.
  • Petrolatum-free.
  • Contains shea butter and cocoa butter.
  • Great for transitioning hairstyle.

Cons:

  • Not the best choice for L. O. C. method on low porosity hair. 

Promising Product Review: 

"It's perfect for type 4A to 4C hair (my mixture of hair). However, I didn't like the fact that the jar was small for its price... I have really thick-thick-thick hair. So small palm-size amounts don't work for my whole head (Don't get me wrong, I don't weigh my hair down with it cause it can't weigh my hair down anyways.

Maybe using the whole jar in one setting would or not idk because I never try. But just imagine how thick my hair is and how much I have to use in like about 5-6 settings. Trust me, it doesn't last long 😩 but I sure love how it adds some sort of softness to my hair and it doesn't cause shedding. So, that's a plus😌..”

- Marissa

5. As I Am Double Buttercream [Daily Hair Moisturizer For Black Hair]

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... As I Am Double ButtercreamBest Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

I’ve long heard that double buttercream from As I am is a total game-changer for your hair, you may agree. This daily hair moisturizer for Black hair has butter-like consistency that penetrates deep into coarse strands to moisturize them.

This product is enriched with the goodness of natural butter and oil that work together to repair and nourish your type 4 hair strands.

Its ingredient list includes Shea butter, Almond oil, Cocoa butter, Coconut oil and Castor oil. All of these ingredients have great hydrating properties that promise to make your hair soft and moisturized.

This is perfect for Black men who are trying to get rid of dryness in your hair. This daily moisturizer can also fix split ends, thanks to the pro-Vitamin B5 content in it.

You can expect more softness and shine in your kinky-curly hair after a single-use with this daily hair moisturizer. It belongs on this best hair moisturizer for Black men list.

Pros:

  • Contains shea butter and almond oil.
  • Contains cocoa butter and coconut oil.
  • Contains panthenol.
  • Softens Black hair.
  • Good on low porosity & high porosity hair.
  • Penetrates deep into the hair.
  • Give you quick results.

Cons:

  • Mixed reviews on its smell.

Promising Product Review:“This is the only product that moisturizes and takes my This 4c Nigerian Hair!”

- Abdul A.

6. Cantu Shea Butter Leave-in Conditioner 

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... cantu#6 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

Cantu is a famous Black hair care brand that is known to make effective hair products for African American hair textures. This leave-in conditioner is on the best hair moisturizer for Black men list because it's a great intense moisturizer for your hair.

This is also a good addition to your hair care kit if you are looking to develop 360 and 180 waves. Some call this the best hair moisturizer for Black men because it’s enriched with the moisturizing goodness of hemp seed oil.

Hemp seed oil is rich in omega 3 fatty acids, omega 6 fatty acids and antioxidants. It also contains minerals like calcium, magnesium, sulfur, potassium and phosphorus. 

This moisturizer penetrates deeply into type 4 hair shafts to improve hydration and reduce hair fall and breakage.

This top-notch hair moisturizer for Black men is gentle enough for daily use although there are reports of the product leaving residue on your scalp.

You can apply this product to your dry and split ends or certain damaged areas, and it’s free of harmful ingredients like sulfates, parabens and mineral oil.

Pros:

  • Contains hemp seed oil.
  • Instant moisturization.
  • Reduces hair fall.
  • Sulfate-free.
  • Paraben-free.
  • Mineral oil-free.

Cons:

  • Might leave residue.
  • Strong scent.

Promising Product Review: “Amazing product and cheap price! I really was impressed as always by CANTU. I bought this despite some comments about the smell. The smell is distinctively masculine. The consistency and heaviness of the product was perfect for my type 4 hair!!!! When I finished my twists (that were meant as a stretching and detangling prep), I was wowed by the results.

- V. Harper

7. Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Hair Parfait

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... Alikay Naturals Moisture Rich Hair Parfait#7 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

This is an award-winning hair moisturizer for Black men that will give you great natural hairstyle results.

This super-nourishing product from Alikay Naturals contains natural and organic moisturizing ingredients. 

It is enriched with the strand soothing goodness of shea butter, argan oil and sweet almond oil. 

I’ve read raving reviews about the scent of this moisturizer. This hair parfait also helps in making coarse and  unruly hair more manageable. 

The unique concoction of ingredients like argan oil, shea butter and coconut oil helps in sealing your hair with moisture. 

Take an adequate amount of the products and apply it between your palms. Run your fingers through your hair to evenly distribute the product.

Pros:

  • Contains shea butter.
  • Contains coconut oil.
  • Contains argan oil.
  • Pleasant smell.
  • Makes hair more manageable.
  • Organic ingredients.

Cons:

  • Might weigh down your hair.

Promising Product Review: “As soon as I received the product I used it on a small portion of my hair which was dry and coarse because of a previous product I used from a different brand. I have between 4b-4c type hair.

Before using this product I couldn't put a comb through my hair but after using this product the comb ran right through my hair. I have been waiting for something like this and was tired of spending money on other useless moisturizer products. You better believe I will be buying more of this brand.”

- Amazon Customer

8. Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Moisturizer

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men Carol’s Daughter Hair Milk Moisturizer#8 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

This hair milk makes the best hair moisturizer for Black men list because it contains the goodness of Agave nectar, Shea butter and sweet almond oil. Agave nectar is plant-based natural nectar. It helps in absorbing and retaining moisture in your hair. 

It makes your hair smooth and shiny. Shea butter is a rich source of Vitamin E and Vitamin A. The high fatty acid content in Shea butter helps in moisturizing your hair.

Sweet almond oil is a great conditioner and helps in tackling the dryness and flakiness of the scalp. 

This product is best suited for people with wavy, curly and coily hair. It is free of harmful ingredients like parabens and silicones.

Simply pour a quarter size into your palms and run your finger through your hair from root to tip. 

Pros:

  • Moisturizes hair.
  • Contains shea butter.
  • Contains agave nectar.
  • Contains sweet almond oil.
  • Paraben-free.
  • Sulfate-free.

Cons:

  • The product dries out on your hair and leaves residue.
  • Strong smell.

9. Maui Moisture Vanilla Bean Hair Butter

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... Maui Moisture Vanilla Bean Hair Butter#9 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

The formula of the Maui moisture Vanilla bean hair butter is designed to repair and hydrate your dry hair. 

If you are struggling with frizzy and unruly hair, this product will work wonders on your hair.

This has a pleasant smell of vanilla bean that leaves you feeling fresh throughout the day.

This hair butter provides intense moisturisation to thick and coarse natural hair that has been subjected to a lot of damage.

This is suitable for all types of hair including colored and chemically treated hair. It contains an array of natural ingredients that nourish your hair from root to tips. 

It is free of harmful ingredients like silicones, parabens, mineral oil, synthetic dye and sulfated surfactants. The formula also contains coconut water and aloe vera juice. 

Aloe vera is a rich source of Vitamin A, Vitamin E and Vitamin C.

It soothes irritated scalp, strengthens hair and reduces breakage, repairs damages, encourages hair growth and hydrates your hair. 

Pros:

  • Contains coconut water and aloe vera juice.
  • Suitable for frizzy hair.
  • Restores hydration.
  • Pleasant smell.
  • Color safe.
  • Sulfate-free.
  • Paraben-free.
  • Mineral oil-free.

Cons:

  • None.

10. Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Coconut Curls Leave In Conditioner

Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men... Okay Black Jamaican Castor Oil Coconut Curls Leave In Conditioner#10 Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men...

The Black Jamaican Castor Oil Treatment from OKAY comes in last in NHP’s best hair moisturizer for Black men, but not least.

Remember that your hair may react differently to certain products than another brother. This hair moisturizer for Black men with 4C hair penetrates dry and dehydrated curls.

It contains the rich, healing power of Argan oil which is an excellent ingredient for Black men’s hair, especially for growth. That’s why it’s called “liquid gold”. 

Argan oil is a rich source of Vitamin E which creates a protective layer of moisture around your hair.

Castor oil is a rich source of Vitamin E, Omega 3 fatty acids and Omega 6 fatty acids. Castor oil helps in preventing hair fall and encouraging the growth of new hair. This oil is ideal Black men whose hair is dry, brittle, stressed and thin.

This product is a vegan and cruelty-free oil. This hair oil product works to restore your hair's strength, prevent breakage, and increase the elasticity of your hair while reducing frizz.

This hair oil should be applied to damp hair to get the best results. You can use a comb to evenly distribute it across your hair, it's definitely worthy of being on the best hair moisturizer for Black men list.

Pros:

  • Contains argan oil & castor oil.
  • Boost hair growth.
  • Strengthens hair.
  • Improves elasticity.
  • Reduces hair fall.
  • Repairs damage.
  • Free of parabens, silicones, sulfates.

Cons:

  • None.

Promising Product Review: “The best quality of leave-in conditioner I highly recommend and approve of this product brand and I appreciate the fact that there are no silicone folds and other harmful chemicals.

I have a lot of other purchases no others can compare. There’s no residue build up after use, very light weight on my 4A, 4B, 4C medium thin very coily strands. My hair is stronger and moisturized and less breakage, the more time I am using in the winter.”

- D. A.

SNUBBED! Why “Curls Quenched” Isn’t on List for Best Daily Hair Moisturizer For Black Men

Some may be wondering why the well-known Curls Quenched Curls Daily Leave In Moisturizer didn’t make the list for best daily hair moisturizer for Black hair.

To be honest, although they have their fair share of positive reviews, there are just too many negative reviews and we have to take that into consideration. Here’s an example…

Product Review: “I have thick, 4b-4c hair with an S-pattern. It's curly in the back (meaning curls stay put for a long time) and towards the top, it's a bit more dry and poofy (meaning curls can go bye-bye very fast).

I'm searching for leave-in products that enhance my curl and KEEP it there, moisturized. I thought this was it. Well, it smells good, kept my hair SOMEWHAT moist, but did not do the full job. It made my hair feel a bit...sticky.

Almost like someone spilled some kind of sugar water in my hair or if I got a drink sprayed at me. I wasn't too fond of the coverage, either. It sprayed like a bottle of spritz instead of a mist. Even when I put water in it, it still had that...sorta thick thing going on when I sprayed it out of another bottle.

For something that costs so much, I sort of expected more from it. What this reminded me of was a slightly better version of Kinky-Curly's curl spray. I've tried THAT and went to this, thinking there was a vast difference. I was fooled.

Maybe this will work on other people's hair. It was not the item for me. I'm not sure what to do with it, other than just give it to someone else or toss it out. I'd rather not do that. All in all, this did NOT control my frizz. It did not moisturize my hair completely. It did a partial job.”

- V. Wilkins

How To Use Best Hair Moisturizers For Black Men With 4C Hair

If you’re wondering how-to-use moisturizers and how often you should moisturize natural hair, we have your answer.

Concerning how to apply moisturizers in your hair, it’s important to work the product in the ends of your hair first, and then work your way up to the middle of your strands. You don't need to apply moisturizer to your scalp unless it's extremely dry. 

If your hair also feels dry by mid-day, using a refresher spray/spray like leave-in conditioner will help.

The main takeaway is moisturizing once or twice a week is not going to do the trick for most Black men’s hair moisture needs.

You must moisturize daily and even multiple times a day if needed.

What’s A Good Beard Moisturizer For Black Men?

As I showed you in our top 10 list, a good beard moisturizer for Black men is Cantu Shea Butter Men's Collection leave-in conditioner.

You can use this product along with your favorite beard oil and it works great. It really helps tame and soften beards.

The reason it’s such a good beard moisturizer for Black men is because the hemp seed oil it contains improves moisture retention and elasticity to fight hair breakage in your beard.

The Shea butter deeply moisturizes hair, and it’s made with no sulfates, parabens, or mineral oils.

Promising Product Review:“I used this on my Beard and was very pleased at how soft it got. The difference is you have to leave it in for at least 6 min. Compared to regular men's beard products you get a lot for the money.”

- Victor

NHP Conclusion: Best Hair Moisturizer For Black Men

It’s no secret, African-American hair needs more hydration as it tends to have a high porosity level, which means that it loses moisture quickly, so finding the best hair moisturizer for Black men is like GOLD!

I hope you took advantage of this top 10 best hair moisturizer for Black men list.

Using a good hair moisturizer for black men helps keep your coarse type 4 hair in check. It helps manage your locks, prevent tangles and help you style hair the way you want.

Be sure to grab an effective shampoo and conditioner combo to compliment your moisturizing hair care routine.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Melissa Lee 

Melissa Lee is a Contributing Editor to NHP and a former owner of the BlackhairOMG website. She formed 4C Trichology Growth Services, LLC., a US based hair care consultation service. She has also contributed as a writer and consultant for various hair and beauty websites. Melissa can be followed on Twitter here.



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