Many wonder what the key differences are between curl creams and leave-in conditioners. While both products have been made with curl health in mind, they each serve different purposes. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about both curly hair products, including whether you might benefit from using both, so you can choose the best option for your curl type and styling needs.
- Key differences between curl cream and leave-in conditioner
- What does a curl cream do?
- What does a leave-in conditioner do?
- Key ingredients compared
- How to use curl cream
- How to use leave-in conditioner
- Do I need to use both curl cream and leave-in-conditioner?
- Conclusion
Key differences between curl cream and leave-in conditioner
A leave-in conditioner is a conditioning product applied to damp or wet hair after it has been washed. As per its name, it is left in your hair and can benefit curls in a variety of ways (more on this later). A curl cream, on the other hand, is a styling product that helps enhance, define and shapes curls. It is often recommended to apply a curl cream to your damp or wet hair after using a leave- in conditioner. However, some curl creams are formulated to be used on their own. It’s important to keep in mind that neither product is better than the other, they simply have different functions. You may choose to use one, the other, or both, this will depend on your hairs specific needs, and the result you want to achieve.
What does a curl cream do?
‘What does curl cream do?’ is a common question amongst those who have curly hair. Curl cream enhances, defines and helps control curls. Curl creams stay in your hair after application to help shape curls while providing moisture and frizz control. To use curl cream, apply it to damp or wet hair ideally after prepping with a leave-in conditioner (optional).
Benefits of curl cream
Hydration
Curl creams can help with hydration, but it isn’t their primary purpose. They work best when applied to damp or wet hair because water provides the actual moisture and the curl cream helps seal that moisture in as the hair dries. Many curl creams contain emollients and light oils, that smooth the cuticle, which helps curls stay soft, elastic, and less prone to frizz.
Curl definition
One of the purposes of curl cream is to define curls and this is what makes them one of the best curly hair stylers. Curl creams encourage curls to clump together without making hair stiff. They also enhance the hair’s natural curl pattern and provide light and flexible hold throughout the day.
Frizz control
Frizz is often a sign of dryness and if this is something you’ve experienced with your curls, then you’ll be pleased to know that curl cream is a great frizzy hair treatment. Curl creams typically contain ingredients such as humectants (which attract moisture) and emollients (which smooth and soften the hair). These ingredients help the hair hold onto moisture and smooth the cuticle making curls more hydrated and less likely to frizz as they dry.
Light hold
Curl creams offer a light-medium hold which is mostly due to their ingredients. Its moisture rich ingredients support curl shape without causing stiffness. The hold feels soft and natural rather than crunchy. They also keep curls moisturised which improves elasticity, and they help strands clump together. When curls clump together, they reinforce the natural shape of curls, and they stay defined for much longer.
Attract moisture
Curl creams are often water-based. To retain moisture, curl creams coat the hair strands, lock in water and stop curls from getting dry and rough. Well moisturised curls tend to have, better elasticity and flexibility which will improve their overall shape and reduce breakage. If you want to enjoy the moisture-enhancing benefits of curl cream, then you might want to use a leave-in conditioner before your styler.
What does a leave-in conditioner do?
A leave-in conditioner helps lock in moisture, softens the hair, and improves manageability throughout the day. Per its name, the product has been designed to be left in hair rather than rinsed out. Leave-in conditioners are usually applied after washing the hair to help boost hydration, reduce tangles and support overall hair health.
Benefits of leave-in conditioner
Hydration
A leave-in conditioner for curly hair offers hydration for curls as they stay in the hair. It is one of the best hair products for dry curls. It hydrates curls by adding water to them, attracting moisture, sealing it in and smoothing the hair cuticle. This keeps curls soft, flexible and less prone to frizz or breakage.
Curl definition
A leave-in conditioner can help but curl definition isn’t something that the product provides. It all depends on how your curls have been prepped when they’ve been washed. What leave-in conditioner does is support curl definition by adding moisture, improving elasticity and softening and smoothing hair.
Frizz control
Leave-in conditioners can support frizz control. Frizz occurs when curls are lacking in moisture. As leave-in conditioners help to keep hair hydrated throughout the day, it is less likely to puff up and frizz. When using a leave-in conditioner to control frizz, it should be applied to damp/wet hair for best results.
Light hold
A leave-in conditioner will not provide hold for your curls. Its purpose is to improve overall hair health - think hydration, frizz control, manageability. To get hold with the help of a leave-in conditioner, you will need to layer it with a styling product like curl cream.
Provides moisture
A leave-in conditioner helps curls retain moisture by hydrating them and preventing dryness. It contains water, humectants and emollients which all work together to seal in hydration and smooth the cuticle, resulting in curls that are soft, elastic, frizz-free and better to hold their natural shape.
Key ingredients compared
How to use curl cream
If you’re wondering how to use curl cream, the key is to always apply it to wet or damp hair as they work best when there’s moisture to lock in. If your curls are prone to frizz or dryness, you can apply a leave-in conditioner first if you like. After you’ve applied leave-in conditioner, apply a small amount of curl cream on your curls in sections. You can always add more if needed. Use the raking method to spread the cream evenly throughout your curls. Then, choose your preferred styling techniques to define and enhance, and then let them air dry, or diffuse.
How to use leave-in conditioner
Just like a curl cream, using leave-in conditioner starts with applying it to clean, wet or damp hair.
As part of your curly hair routine, it might be beneficial to know how different products can work for your curls and curl creams and leave-in conditioners are no exception. A leave-in conditioner would be applied to hair after it has been washed, and a curl cream is applied to hair when it has been prepped with a leave-in conditioner. Applying a leave-in conditioner before a curl cream is optional.
Do I need to use both curl cream and leave-in-conditioner?
You don’t need to use both curl cream and a leave-in conditioner as part of your curly hair routine, but it’s generally recommended for most with curly hair. What’s important thing is understanding the roles each product plays, which you likely do by now. From there, it comes down to personal preference. Overall, when used together, the result is healthy, defined and well-nourished curls.
Conclusion
By now, you will know the difference between curl cream and leave-in conditioner and how to use them in your curly hair routine. A leave-in conditioner will prep your curls for curl cream (if you decide to use one) and keep them happy and healthy. A curl cream styles curls by defining them, which in turn enhances their shape and provides light hold. When it comes to building the right care routine for your curls, there are two things they need to thrive: protein and/or moisture. Our Protein or Moisture: Learn What Your Curls Need guide will tell you everything you need to know about how to balance strength and hydration for healthier, more defined curls.
