While most people thrive with coconut oil, some with coarse hair like me HATE it.
Disclaimer: Since I share so much about curly hair products, naturally my article will contain affiliate links to products I use and love. If you take action (i.e. make a purchase) after clicking on these links or use my code I earn coffee money! Which I promise to drink while creating more helpful content like this.
Coconut is a moisturizing oil and is so popular in the curly community but it can cause some people’s hair to freak out. If you are unsure about this, lookout for signs really similar to protein overload: straw like, wiry, “dry” feeling, can feel brittle or stiff. If your hair just feels unmanageable no matter what you do, just avoid products with coconut in them to see a difference! Learn why coconut oil reacts this way here.
Here are my tried and tested recommendations for coconut free hair products.
Shampoo with Coconut Derivatives
Shampoos will always have coconut derivatives because coconut is the safest alternative for the harsh SLS ingredient and it’s okay for someone who is coconut free, because it’s going out of your hair; you are not leaving your shampoo in, so it is okay in my book! I don’t have a problem with coconut derivatives just have a big problem with coconut oil. So please use your discretion.
Whole Brand lines
- Manetain India – Made in India. Use Code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here.
- Boucleme Seal+Shield Line – Available in USA/UK. Check my full review Here.
- MIRIBEL Naturals – Made in the USA. Use Code: HONESTLIZHERE to save 10% – Buy Here. I’ve used these since 2018, formerly known as Mysoigne. Love their new Protein Leavein + Flaxseed Gel combo in humidity. Read the review Here.
- Sugar Boo Curls – Made in India. Use Code: HONESTLIZ to save 25% – Buy Here.
- Dot & Key – Made in India. Buy Here.
- Fix My Curls – Made in India. This line works best in isolation so don’t try to cocktail it with other brands. (note: Moisture Deep Conditioner has coconut) Watch my full review Here.
- Giovanni Cosmetics – Made in the USA. Amazon India links here – Low Porosity | Medium Porosity | High Porosity. Read the full review Here.
- Only Curls London – Made in the UK. Their creme & gel combo is coconut free. Read the full review Here.
- Jessicurl – Made in the USA. Everything, except their Aloeba conditioner & hair oils, is coconut free. Watch how I use it Here.
- Kinky Curly – Made in the USA. This line works best in isolation so don’t try to cocktail it with other brands. Read the full review here.
Coconut Free Bond Repair Treatments
Ideal for those battling chemical or color damage. Try these after haircuts too!
- Olaplex – Salon No. 1+2 , or at home treatment Olaplex no.3 – read my guide here.
- Glycolic Acid – read my guide here.
Coconut Free Hair Oils for Prepoo
- CURLY Ellie Intense – Made in the UK. Watch how I use it Here.
- ARATA Hempacado Oil – Buy Here – Made in India. Watch how I use it Here.
Coconut Free Flaxseed Hair Gels
- MIRIBEL Naturals Flaxseed Gel – USA Buy Here Miribel Promo Code: HONESTLIZHERE
- Manetain Volume Gel – INDIA – Buy Here Promo Code: HONESTLIZ
- Fix My Curls Flaxseed Gel – INDIA – Buy Here
- ARATA Flaxseed Gel – INDIA – Buy Here
…More listed on my Amazon Store
DIY HAIR GEL: DIY OKRA GEL or DIY flaxseed gel or blend both!
Hair Gel with Protein
- Fix My Curls Defining Hair Gel. Buy Here
- Trelux Hi Def Gel – Code HONESTLIZ15 Buy Here | INDIA: code HONESTLIZ Buy Here
- GIOVANNI Cosmetics LA Hold Gel (protein) is fantastic used in limited quantities Buy here
- Bouncecurl Light Creme Gel – Read my full review here.
Coconut Free Hair Mask
- Boucleme Deep Conditioner – USA/UK Boucleme Code: HONESTLIZ15 – Buy Here
- SugarBoo Curls – INDIA – Buy Here
Coconut Free Cowash
- Miribel Naturals – USA. Use Code: HONESTLIZHERE to save 10% – Buy Here.
- Manetain Cowash – INDIA Code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here
More hair masks listed on this blog post here.
I will update this list from time to time. Let me know if you try any of these products!
Thank you for watching & reading!
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You are my hair saviour! Thank you for helping a lazy curly woman with your tips.
It is my pleasure! Thank you for taking the time to post this, I feel so encouraged 🙂
Hi Liz! Do you find that the ingredients “coconut cream” and “coconut milk” have the same negative effect on your hair as the ingredient coconut oil does?
Thank you!
Thank you for asking me Anna. I find coconut milk works for me, which is creamy, and coconut water also but I definitely breakout and my coarse hair goes stiff with any product with high amounts of coconut oil (I can get away with small quantities so it really depends on the product formulation) Overall, best results only with coconut oil-free products for me. Learn more from my personal experience blog, ill tag on this once published
great content. thanks for sharing
Hi Liz! My hair also doesn’t respond well to coconut oil either. Though my hair isn’t curly, it just never looks or feels the same when a hair product has coconut oil (or most derivatives, really) plus it can irritate my scalp.
I recently tried the Sweet Orange Shampoo from a newer company called The Natural Soap Shoppe. All of their hair and body care products are 100% coconut (and any coconut derivative) free. After trying it, I really like how it washes my hair! It works for me and my friends that tried it with their curly hair said it works great for them, too. Just wanted to put it out there in case you haven’t heard of it! Thanks for the great post, I’m always on the lookout for more coconut-free options!
THANKS! Their ingredients look good too 🙂 Hope I get to work with them some day.