The 7 Best Anti-Frizz Products To Hydrate And Smooth Hair, According To Experts
Anti-frizz products can alleviate the effects of humidity on hair, smooth the cuticle and hydrate and protect strands from damage caused by hot tools or chemical treatments. Since hair types and textures can play a role in how frizz-prone your hair is, the trick to managing unruly locks is finding the right product for your specific needs. The best anti-frizz product we’ve found for thick hair that’s straight or wavy, for example, is the Ouai Anti-Frizz Hair Styling Crème. Meanwhile, those with heat or color damage should reach for the Olaplex No. 6 Bond Smoother—a leave-in styling cream that actively repairs broken bonds, boosts moisture and strengthens all hair types.
The best anti-frizz products help smooth, hydrate and protect.
While frizz is most commonly associated with natural curls and waves, straight and fine hair types aren’t immune. According to celebrity stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, this is due to a lack of hydration in almost all cases. That’s why it’s important to prioritize moisturizing ingredients—whether natural oils like jojoba, argan and coconut, or humectants like panthenol and keratin—when choosing the right treatment for you. Additionally, formula type and texture are helpful to keep in mind, with lightweight serums being ideal for fine hair, and glossier leave-in conditioners and creams being better suited for waves and curls. With all this in mind, see below for our roundup of the best anti-frizz products, based on expert recommendations and tested insights.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
The Forbes Vetted team continues to grow its library of beauty and grooming content, including haircare stories like the best shampoos for frizzy hair and tips for growing hair faster.
- Forbes Vetted contributor Jessica Timmons has been covering the beauty and lifestyle beat for well over a decade—and with natural curls prone to frizzing she’s no stranger to anti-frizz products. Her recent work includes the best curling irons for fine hair and the top scalp treatments.
- Deputy editor Jane Sung, who assigned and oversaw the creation of this article, approved all of the recommendations on this list.
- We also gathered key insights and guidance from four celebrity hairstylists: Robin Emtage, Andrew Fitzsimons, Danielle Priano and Cody Renegar.
How We Chose The Best Anti-Frizz Products
In order to find top picks suitable for a range of hair types, we took a multi-pronged approach to identify the best anti-frizz products on the market.
- We began our search by gathering recommendations from Forbes Vetted staffers and contributors.
- We followed the guidance of our hair experts to research active ingredients that are best suited to different hair types.
- We included frizz-fighting products formulated for straight, curly and wavy hair to suit a range of shoppers.
- We pored through customer reviews and ratings to ensure that the majority of shoppers found these products effective. After doing so, we prioritized items with a minimum 4-star rating and disregarded those with extensive negative reviews.
What To Consider In An Anti-Frizz Product
Since frizz varies depending on a number of factors, finding the right product can require some thought. Here’s what to consider as you shop.
Active Ingredients
Fitzsimons recommends prioritizing hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and jojoba oil, regardless of hair type. “These ingredients replenish moisture and combat dryness, which is crucial for taming frizz,” he says. He recommends avocado oil to strengthen and moisturize without weighing down strands. Other hydrating ingredients include hyaluronic acid, panthenol and ceramides, the latter of which “provide a protective barrier, smooth the hair cuticle and prevent further moisture loss, making your hair more manageable and frizz-free,” says Fitzsimons. Last, he suggests looking out for products with bonding technology to strengthen the hair shaft, including proteins like keratin.
Stylist Robin Emtage adds that silicones are generally helpful in these products for promoting shine and sleekness, but may not always be the healthiest option for long-term hair health; with repeated use, they may cause dryness, build-up and breakage to the hair. If possible, she recommends opting for naturally occurring alternatives to these compounds—like argan, coconut and castor oils, and extracts like aloe vera and green tea—which can help seal the cuticle and strengthen hair follicles in addition to smoothing and moisturizing.
Formula
All hair types experience frizz to some extent, and can benefit from a product to help manage it. That said, your own hair type and texture can point you toward an appropriate product and formula based on its particular needs. “Curly hair is more prone to frizz because its structure makes it harder for natural oils to travel down the hair shaft, causing a lack of moisture throughout the hair,” says Fitzsimons. He notes that fine, straight hair frizzes when it lacks hydration, and damaged hair is especially prone to frizz because of its stressed and weakened state.
For people with straight hair, Emtage recommends using a lightweight serum or oil to keep flyaways at a minimum. Stylist Danielle Priano agrees: “For straight or slightly wavy hair, serums are your best bet to add shine and smoothness.” On the contrary, wavy hair benefits from a leave-in conditioner or cream to help define waves and reduce frizz. Curly manes generally need a heavier cream or gel to provide moisture and hold, and keep the cuticle from lifting. For coily hair, opt for the richest possible moisturizing creams, butters or oils to lock in moisture and smooth the cuticle.
Additional Needs
It’s important to consider that anti-frizz products don’t always double as heat protectants or styling products. Be prepared to layer those on top if you’re looking for additional benefits for your hair type, like preventing damage or promoting a curl pattern. We’ve recommended a number of heat-protectant sprays, volumizing mousses and