14 Best Detangler Products for Matted Hair

Tangled hair can be a real headache! Generally, tangles are the result of friction (caps, pillowcases, turtlenecks...), lack of hydration or an unsuitable hair routine. Don't panic, detanglers come to the rescue! In spray, milk or conditioner form, these precious allies smooth, moisturize and strengthen your hair for smooth styling.

In this article, find out how to choose the right conditioner and adopt the best practices to say goodbye to tangles, once and for all!

Best to Detangle Matted Hair - Chéribé : Daily Refresh Moisture Milk

Chéribé's Daily Refresh Moisture Milk literally melts away tangles! Enriched with a Chébé Complex, green tea and vitamin E, it calms frizz, facilitates detangling and reduces breakage.

Its light texture glides easily through hair to moisturize and refresh it lightly. Suitable for all porosities, it can be used on wet or dry hair, and is sprayed from scalp to ends. All-in-one daily care!

Shop Chéribé's Daily Refresh Moisture Milk

#2 Shea Moisture : Deep Moisturizing Detangler

Formulated with certified organic raw shea butter and natural botanical extracts. It provides excellent slip to help detangle knots and reduce breakage. Suitable for dry and damaged hair. However, its fragrance is formulated from essential oils, so if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, consult your doctor before using the product.

#3 Mielle : Pomegranate & Honey Detangling Conditioner

Infused with pomegranate extract, honey, and babassu oil for intense hydration and frizz control. It retains moisture, strengthens thick, curly hair and prevents breakage and split ends. Lightweight, provides excellent slip for detangling. Ideal only for thick, curly type 4 hair.

#4 Cantu : Protective Styles Detangling Revitalizer

Formulated with marula oil and aloe vera, and is free of mineral oil and silicone. It softens, smoothes, and hydrates hair, sealing in moisture within the hair shaft. Can be used as a pre-treatment for detangling protective styles like braids and locks. One user mentioned it leaves some residue on the hair even after washing.

#5 Best For “Z Application” - Camille Rose : Curl Love Moisture Milk

A softening leave-in conditioner made with rice milk and macadamia oil for softness and shine. Lightweight and perfect for daily moisturizing and detangling. The brand recommends it for low-porosity hair although the product contains Persea Gratissima (avocado) oil and Ricinus Communis (castor) seed oil, rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, which tend to weigh down hair with low porosity.

#6 Deva Curl : One Condition Original

Formulated with olive oil and botanicals for hydration and frizz control. Provides excellent slip for detangling and can be used daily. This rich creamy conditioner is recommended for medium to coarse dry curls and not for hair with low porosity, as olive oil will tend to weigh it down.

#7 Design Essentials : Almond & Avocado Detangling Leave-In Conditioner

Enriched with almond and avocado oils for superior moisture and slip. Helps to easily detangle and manage hair : promises to save up to 30 minutes of detangling time ! Contains fragrance, which might cause sensitivity in some users.

#8 Mizani : 25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner

25 benefits in one step, including hydration, protection, repair, and detangling. It is suitable for all textured hair types but contains silicones (Hydrolyzed Vegetable Protein PG-Propyl Silanetriol), which can have an occlusive effect and smother the scalp, altering the natural texture of curly, frizzy, and kinky hair.

#9 Rizos Curls : Deep Conditioner

Enriched with shea butter, sunflower oil, and olive oil for deep hydration. Excellent for deep conditioning and detangling. Its signature fragrance (California lemon & lime citrus notes anchored in a base of sandalwood & coconut milk) may not please everyone.

#10 Curlsmith : Curl Conditioning Oil-In-Cream

Made with a blend of organic oils including avocado, sunflower, and apricot kernel. Provides intense moisture and helps with detangling. For all curl types and any porosity. The brand regularly updates certain ingredients in its formula. Always check the product packaging for the latest, most accurate information.

#11 Pattern : Leave-In Conditioner

Contains honey, biotin, and sweet almond oil for hydration and protection. Designed to provide long-lasting moisture and manageability. But contains silicones, which isn't great for sensitive scalps and textured hair whose nature could be modified.

#12 Adwoa Beauty : Hair milk leave-in conditioner

Enriched a melonberry™️ proprietary blend contains up to 70% essential fatty acid like linoleic acid and includes oleic, palmitic, and stearic acid. Rich in natural vitamin E to promote cell regeneration, and moisture retention. Formulated for fine and curly hair.

Warning: also contains olive and avocado oils, which are not friendly to low-porosity hair.

#13 Bread Beauty Supply : Baby-soft

Rich in watermelon, ceramide complex and finger lime to help hair maintain moisture. Specifically designed to be ultra-high slip, detangling even the densest, knottiest of hair. More expensive than the other products on this list ($24).

#14 Sienna Naturals : Untangled Conditioner

Made with baobab oil, castor oil, and moringa oil for deep conditioning. Provides excellent slip for detangling and leaves hair soft and manageable. Some users may find it less effective on extremely thick or coarse hair.

How To Choose The Best Detangler For Matted Hair?

Here are the criteria to consider when choosing the ideal detangler for your knot-prone hair:

Intense moisturizing: look for ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, shea butter or honey, which restore moisture to dry, tangled hair while making detangling easier.
Nourishing ingredients: natural oils (jojoba, avocado, argan) and panthenol soften hair, making it easier to style.
Protective shield: rich in antioxidants, green tea protects hair from external aggressors.
Gentle fortifiers: silk or shea proteins and Chébé help repair and strengthen the hair fiber.
Slippery texture: a good detangler should be light enough to glide easily over tangled strands without weighing hair down.
Residue-free: choose formulas without silicones, sulfates or parabens - especially if you have low porosity hair - which can weigh hair down or create build-up.
Versatility: an all-in-1 treatment takes the problem of tangles right to the root, revitalizing and protecting your hair on a daily basis.

FAQ

What is the best product for severely matted hair?

Look for a product that contains several of the ingredients mentioned above: Chéribé's Daily Refresh Moisture Milk contains a winning duo: Chébé + green tea, with the added bonus of vitamin E for healthier hair growth.

Is it easier to detangle matted hair wet or dry?

Detangling hair is easier when it's wet or slightly damp. Ideally, therefore, after applying a conditioner or detangler. Our advice: always detangle your hair from the ends, working gently upwards towards the roots to avoid breakage.

Do I need to rinse out my conditioner?

This depends on the type of product: a detangling conditioner can be rinsed out, while a detangling milk (leave-in) can be left in the hair for long-lasting hydration.

What's the ideal routine for tangle-free hair?

Combine a gentle shampoo, a softening conditioner or a leave-in and a good detangler.

Detangle Your Matted Hair Easily With Chéribé

Buying a good detangler is essential for melting tangles like snow in the sun! And when their formula also repairs damaged lengths and promotes healthier growth, it's even better!

For this, opt for products rich in moisturizing, nourishing and strengthening agents. In spray, milk or conditioner form... Choose your favorite sensoriality as long as it respects your hair's texture and porosity.

On a daily basis, you can use an all-in-one treatment, like Chéribé's Daily Refresh Moisture Milk, to protect and moisturize your hair every day and say goodbye to tangles!

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