Looking for coconut-free hair products? While most people thrive with coconut oil, some HATE it. 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! Here are my tried and tested recommendations:
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.
Note: the 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 just have a big problem with coconut oil.
Whole Brand lines
MIRIBEL Naturals – Made in the USA. 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.
FIX My Curls – Made in India. Buy Here. This line works best in isolation so don’t try to cocktail it with other brands. Watch my full review Here.
AMAZING Greys – Made in India. Buy Here. The shampoo is so moisturizing for both grey/colored curly hair. Watch how I use it Here.
ALPS Goodness – Buy Shampoo Here. Buy Hair Gel Here. Made in India. Both products are protein-rich so be careful, use gel in small quantities. (tutorial coming soon!)
GIOVANNI Cosmetics – Made in the USA. Amazon India links here – Low Porosity | Medium Porosity | High Porosity. Read the full review Here. Buy LA Hold Gel here (protein) is fantastic used in limited quantities, and works best in humidity!
ONLY Curls London – Made in the UK. Buy Here. 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. INDIA: Use code HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here. 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. INDIA: Use this referral link to save 10% on your first order. Read the full review here.
LUS Brands – Made in Canada. INDIA: Use code HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here
Coconut-Free Hair Oils for Prepoo
MANE Method Mask – Code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here – Made in Canada. Watch my full review Here.
CURLY Ellie Intense – Code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here – Made in the UK. Watch how I use it Here.
ARATA Hempacado Oil – Buy Here – Made in India. Watch how I use it Here.
Flaxseed Hair Gel
MIRIBEL Naturals Flaxseed Gel – Code: HONESTLIZHERE – Buy Here | INDIA: code HONESTLIZ for 10% Here
ECOSLAY Orange Marmalade – INDIA: Use code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here
SUMILAYI Curly Gel – INDIA: Use code HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here
ARATA Flaxseed Gel – INDIA – Buy Here
…More listed on my Amazon Store
Please note, I prefer using DIY OKRA GEL over flaxseed gel, learn more here.
Coconut-Free 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, and works best in humidity! Buy here
ALPS Goodness Scrunching Gel. INDIA. This is protein-rich so be careful, use gel in small quantities – Buy Here.
Coconut-Free Hair Mask
Boucleme Deep Conditioner – INDIA Code: HONESTLIZ to save 10% – Buy Here – my latest fav!! It makes hair so shiny.
Mielle Organics Babassu Oil and Mint Deep Conditioner – Buy Here INDIA
More on this blog post here.
I will update this list from time to time. Let me know if you try any of these products!
Need Hair Help? Ask Liz here
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