Best Hair Color Developer Creams of 2026

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 12, 2026

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Hair color developer creams are an essential component in achieving the perfect hair color. They work by activating the color molecules in the hair dye and allowing them to penetrate the hair shaft. These creams come in different volumes, ranging from 10 to 40, with 10 being the weakest and 40 being the strongest. The volume of the cream determines the amount of lift or lightening the hair will undergo. It is important to choose the appropriate volume based on the desired result and the starting level of the hair. Hair color developer creams are widely available in beauty supply stores and online, making it easy for anyone to achieve their desired hair color.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover #TOP 1
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer
ftb score rating icon 9.8
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover #TOP 2
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol. Cover #TOP 3
Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol.
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Hair Color Developer Creams

COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer

20 Volume
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover
COLORCHARM Cream Hair Color Developer | 20 Volume | For Optimal Gray Blending and Rich Multi-Dimensional End Results | 32 Fl Oz

The COLORCHARM Cream Developer is specially formulated to deliver vibrant and multi-dimensional hair color results. With its 20 volume strength, it offers just the right amount of lift, making it perfect for use with various WELLA COLORCHARM products. You'll appreciate how it enhances gray blending, ensuring a natural finish that looks seamless. The creamy texture allows for easy application, whether you prefer using a bottle or a bowl and brush. Plus, its fragrance-free formula means you can color your hair without any unpleasant smells. This developer is also a vegan choice, free from animal-derived ingredients.

What We Like
Gentle on hair
Creamy easy-to-mix texture
Even color results
Effective gray coverage
Great value for size
#TOP 2

COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer

20 Volume
4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
COLORCHARM 20 Volume Cream Developer Cover
COLORCHARM Cream Hair Color Developer | 20 Volume | For Optimal Gray Blending and Rich Multi-Dimensional End Results | 4 Fl Oz

The COLORCHARM 20 Volume Developer is designed to give you vibrant and rich hair color by allowing deep color penetration. This means your hair color will look full and multi-dimensional. It offers a standard lift, which works well with WELLA COLORCHARM lighteners, toners, and permanent hair colors, helping you achieve the perfect shade. If you want to blend gray hairs naturally, this developer does a great job, making your hair look smooth and consistent. Its creamy texture makes it easy to apply, whether you use a bottle or a brush and bowl, ensuring a mess-free and comfortable coloring experience.

What We Like
Creamy, easy-mixing consistency
Gentle on hair
Even, reliable color results
Effective grey coverage
Great value for size
#TOP 3

Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol.

97434
Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol. Cover
Punky Cream Peroxide Hair Dye Developer 40 Volume – Hair Bleach Developer for Medium to High Lift, 118ml

Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol. is a salon-quality hair cream lightener that provides a strong lightening action without color deposit. It is designed for use with permanent hair colors as well as powder and liquid lighteners. With its maximum lift formula, this cream developer allows you to achieve high lifts and lighter tints quickly and easily. Its rich, creamy formula makes it easy and convenient to apply, ensuring beautiful and uniform results every time. This developer can be mixed with any permanent, demi-permanent, or lightening products. Punky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol. is 100% cruelty-free, safe to use, and made with safe ingredients. It is a trusted brand for hair color products, known for its high quality and vibrant results.

What We Like
Salon-quality lightener
Maximum lift formula
Easy and convenient application
#TOP 4

COLOR CAPTUR 40 Vol Cream Developer

COLOR CAPTURE
C01C-CCC4016
White
COLOR CAPTUR 40 Vol Cream Developer Cover
COLOR CAPTUR - 40 Vol Cream Developer, Intense Hair Color Booster - 16 Ounces

The COLOR CAPTUR Cream Developer is designed to give you vibrant and lasting hair color while keeping your hair healthy. It uses high-quality ingredients, so you can trust it won’t damage your hair. This product also boosts the intensity of your hair color, helping you achieve a professional look that stays fresh for weeks. Whether you’re a salon expert or coloring your hair at home, this versatile developer works well with many hair coloring products. Plus, it’s made to protect your hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and healthy after application.

What We Like
High-quality ingredients
Enhances color intensity
Suitable for all users
Protects hair health
#TOP 5

L'Oreal Paris Oreor 20Volume Creme Developer

41090112
White
L'Oreal Paris Oreor 20Volume Creme Developer Cover
L'OREAL TECHNIQUE Oreor 20 Volume Developer - Hair Color Developer, Creamy Formula For Uniform Results, Combine With Color of Your Choice, 16 Fl Oz

L'Oreal Paris Oreor 20Volume Creme Developer is a thick, rich mixture consistency that provides consistent uniform color and bleach results. It is great for thicker hair types and offers greater client comfort. Customers have praised its easy application, minimal smell, and ability to remove color without bleach.

What We Like
creamy, easy-to-mix texture
consistent, vibrant coloring results
large bottle, good value
effective gray coverage
gentle on scalp

Milano Care Peroxide Cream

Volume 10
Milano Care Peroxide Cream Cover
Milano Care Peroxide Cream Volume 10 - Hydrogen Peroxide Developer for Hair Coloring - Professional Salon Bleaching Cream - Consistent Color for Predictable Results, 5.03 fl oz/150 ml

Milano Care Developer is a professional salon bleaching cream designed to work seamlessly with Milano Colore hair color creams. The cream offers consistent color application, making it easier to achieve your desired hair color. Its smooth application without drips simplifies the coloring process. With a full range of volume options, from Zero Lift to volume 40, you can achieve various color effects. Milano Care, with its Italian quality standards, ensures professional results for bold or natural hair colors.

What We Like
Consistent color application
Easy drip-free application
Full range of volume options
#TOP 7

Parallel Products - 3% 10 Volume Tint Developer

Parallel Products - 3% 10 Volume Tint Developer Cover
Parallel Products - 3% 10 Volume Tint Developer - 25mL - Oxidant for Coloring - Mix with Luxe Spot Color Cream Dye/Kit

Parallel Products' Tint Developer is designed to be used with the Luxe Spot Color Cream Hair Dye, activating its coloring properties. The 1:1 ratio of developer and dye provides a pudding-like consistency, giving you the perfect proportions for optimal results. With a wide range of colors to choose from, you can find the perfect shade for your natural tone. The proprietary blend of the cream developer provides superior activation over competitors. And if you're not satisfied, Parallel Products offers a full refund within 90 days.

What We Like
Easy to mix with Luxe Spot Color Cream Hair Dye
Comes in perfect 1:1 ratio for optimal results
Wide variety of colors to choose from
Superior activation of tinting properties
90-day satisfaction guarantee
#TOP 8

ysnstyle PureStyle 6% 20 Volume Hair Developer Cream 1000ml

ysnstyle
7L-CMGR-ZHTC
6% 20vol 1000ml
1 Count (Pack of 1)
ysnstyle PureStyle 6% 20 Volume Hair Developer Cream 1000ml Cover
PureStyle 6% 20 Volume 1000ml Professional Hair Developer Cream, Hair Dye Color developer 20 vol, for Hair Bleach (6% 20vol 1000ml)

The ysnstyle PureStyle Developer is a professional-grade hair developer cream designed to gently lift and process your hair color. Its large 1000ml size is perfect if you color your hair often or need enough product for salon use. The creamy texture helps you apply it evenly, making the coloring process easier and more controlled for consistent results. This developer is versatile, letting you tone your hair, lighten natural hair by one level, or work with permanent colors, giving you flexibility to achieve the look you want.

What We Like
Professional strength
Large 1000ml size
Creamy, even application
Versatile for multiple uses
#TOP 9

COLOR CAPTURE Cream Developer 10 Vol

COLOR CAPTURE
White
COLOR CAPTURE Cream Developer 10 Vol Cover
COLOR CAPTURE - Cream Developer, 10 Vol, Hair Color Enhancer - 32 Ounces

The COLOR CAPTURE Cream Developer is designed with high-quality ingredients that help you achieve vibrant and long-lasting hair color while maintaining your hair’s health. It boosts the intensity of your hair color, giving you a professional and polished look that stays fresh. Whether you’re coloring your hair at home or in a salon, this versatile developer works well with many hair coloring products, making your hair routine easier. Plus, it’s specially formulated to protect your hair from damage, leaving it feeling nourished and looking healthy after each use.

What We Like
Premium ingredients
Enhances hair color
Versatile application
Hair protection
#TOP 10

L'Oreal Technique Oreor 30 Volume Developer

41090121
clear
L'Oreal Technique Oreor 30 Volume Developer Cover
L'Oreal Technique Oreor 30 Volume Developer - Hair Color Developer, Creamy Formula For UniForm Results, Combine With Color of Your Choice, 8 Fl Oz

The L'Oreal 30 Volume Developer is designed to mix smoothly with your chosen hair color, helping you achieve the exact shade or tone you want by lightening your hair up to three levels. This creamy formula creates a thick, rich mixture that not only makes application easier but also ensures a comfortable experience during use. It delivers consistent and even color or bleach results, so you can expect uniformity throughout your hair. Simply blend it with your hair color product for a smooth mixture, and use the 30 Volume strength to lift your hair color effectively up to three levels.

What We Like
Easy mixing
Consistent color results
Thick, creamy texture
Effective lightening
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What does developer cream do to your hair?

The developer is a totally essential element in the hair coloring process. The oxidant creams contain the hydrogen peroxide, which opens the hair cuticle. Color pigments, due to this process, can penetrate deep into the hair fiber and color it.

2. How do you use developer hair color cream?

Mix the developer and dye together using a plastic spoon. Make sure the dye and developer are well combined. Then, apply the mixture to your hair as desired. If you want to dye all of your hair, then apply the dye to your whole head starting at the ends and working up toward the roots of your hair.

3. What is a developer when dying hair?

Ion Sensitive Scalp Volume Creme DeveloperOne 'n Only Argan Oil Volume Cream DeveloperPravana Creme Developer VolumeSalon Care 40 Volume Creme Developer, 32 ozSuper Star Cream Developer 1 Gallon Volume 50Redken Pro-Oxide Cream Developer 40-VolumeL'Oreal Professionnel Oxydant Creme Vol 1000mlMatrix Cream Developer VolumeLoreal Maji Creme Developer Lotion VolumeWELLA WELLOXON PERFECT DEVELOPERAGEbeautiful 20 Volume Gentle Creme DeveloperRedken Pro-oxide Cream Developer, Volume 30 - 33.8 fl ozWella Koleston Perfect Creme DeveloperClairol Professional Creme Developer VolumeAgebeautiful 10 Volume Gentle Creme DeveloperWella Color Tango 20 Volume DeveloperPunky Peroxide Cream Developer 40 Vol. 118mlKeune So Pure Natural Balance DeveloperWella Color Tango CREAM DEVELOPER Colortango Creme Hydrogen Peroxide for Permanent Haircolor Dye

Editor's Notes

During our hair color developer cream research, we found 48 hair color developer cream products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 144,601 customer reviews through our big data system to write the hair color developer creams list. We found that most customers choose hair color developer creams with an average price of $11.45.

The hair color developer creams are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of hair color developer creams, including COLORCHARM, Punky, COLOR CAPTURE, L'OREAL TECHNIQUE, Milano Care. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 384 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Lisa Bechard Avatar

Lisa Bechard is a skin therapist with 12 years of working experience in the beauty industry and also an experienced beauty writer who has expertise in skincare, medical aesthetics and cosmetic surgery, and wellness. Her writing skills are excellent and all her content is very persuasive and insightful.