Best Sulfate-Free Hair Styling Creams of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 9, 2025

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Sulfate-free hair styling creams are becoming more and more popular among consumers who are looking for a more natural and gentle hair care option. These creams are formulated without harsh sulfates, which can strip hair of its natural oils and lead to dryness and damage. Instead, they use gentle, plant-based ingredients to nourish and moisturize hair while providing hold and control for styling. Many sulfate-free hair styling creams also contain natural ingredients like argan oil, shea butter, and aloe vera, which help to smooth and tame frizz while adding shine and manageability. Whether you have curly, straight, or textured hair, sulfate-free styling creams can help you achieve the look you want without compromising the health of your hair.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream Cover #TOP 1
Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.9
SEEN Fragrance Free Curly Cream Cover #TOP 2
SEEN Fragrance Free Curly Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.8
All About Curls Bouncy Cream Cover #TOP 3
All About Curls Bouncy Cream
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Sulfate-Free Hair Styling Creams

Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream

129327
Gold
Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream Cover
Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream, Coconut Oil & Shea Butter - Anti-Frizz Biotin Detangling Cream to Enhance Curls, Defrizz, Hydrate & Adds Shine - Color Safe & Sulfate Free Styling Product

The Marc Anthony Nourishing Curl Cream is a 6.17 oz styling cream that moisturizes hair while smoothing frizz, defining curls, resisting humidity, and adding shine. It is crafted with biotin, Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, and Shea Butter to provide the necessary nourishment and hydration to leave hair soft and smooth. The curl cream can be applied generously to wet or damp hair, distributed from roots to ends with fingertips, and dried naturally or with a diffuser. The product is sulfate-free, paraben-free, SLS-free, and phthalate-free.

What We Like
Moisturizes hair and smooths frizz
Defines curls and adds shine
Resists humidity and provides natural finish and soft hold
#TOP 2

SEEN Fragrance Free Curly Cream

10122020113
6 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
SEEN Fragrance Free Curly Cream Cover
SEEN Curly Creme, Fragrance Free - Non-Comedogenic & Sulfate Free Curl Defining Styling Hair Cream- Anti Frizz- Heat Protectant- Safe for Sensitive Skin

SEEN Fragrance Free Curly Cream is a dermatologist-developed, fragrance free, vegan, non-comedogenic and sulfate free hair styling cream that is safe for all skin types. This hair cream is designed to reduce frizz, add shine, and provide hair with protection against UV rays, pollution, breakage as well as heat up to 450º Fahrenheit. It contains Hemisqualane that provides color and heat protection, reduces frizz, and keeps hair looking and feeling smooth. Bisabolol offers natural skin-soothing benefits, while Ceratonia siliqua extract boosts the hair's elasticity and resilience as it helps strengthen hair fibers. Moringa oleifera extract provides the hair with protection against pollution and UV rays. Squalane nourishes locks, restores luster, and adds instant glass-like shine and softness. It is PETA and Leaping Bunny approved, and awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance.

What We Like
Fragrance free and vegan
Reduces frizz and adds shine
Provides protection against UV rays, pollution, and heat up to 450º Fahrenheit
Safe for all skin types, including sensitive, acne-prone, and eczema-prone skin
#TOP 3

All About Curls Bouncy Cream

45432343
White
All About Curls Bouncy Cream Cover
ALL ABOUT CURLS Bouncy Cream Styling | Touchable Soft Definition | Define, Moisturize, De-Frizz | All Curly Hair Types | Vegan & Cruelty Free | Sulfate Free | 5.1 Fl Oz

If you are looking for a moisturizing alternative to gel, All About Curls Bouncy Cream is what you need. This cream is ideal for all curly hair types, and it's perfect for defining curls while keeping them irresistibly soft to the touch. With its clean scent, this cream is sulfate, silicone, and paraben-free, making it a safe choice for color-treated hair. To use, you simply pump generously into your palms and scrunch upwards into wet curls and roots. For an extra boost, scrunch, hold, and release.

What We Like
Moisturizes and defines curls while keeping them touchably soft
Free from harmful sulfates, silicones, and parabens
Ideal for all curly hair types
Easy to use - simply pump into palms and scrunch upwards into wet curls and roots
Color-safe, making it perfect for color-treated hair
#TOP 4

JVN Air Dry Cream for Soft Hair Styles

JVN
3001192
5 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
JVN Air Dry Cream for Soft Hair Styles Cover
JVN No Heat Air Dry Cream, Hair Styling Cream - 5 Fluid Ounces, Smoothens and Defines Hair, Sulfate-Free, Curl Enhancing, Moisturizing, Smoothening, UV Protection for All Hair Types

JVN Air Dry Cream is a sulfate-free hair styling cream that moisturizes and smooths all hair types. It protects your hair from UV damage, blow drying, and heat styling. You can define your curls, waves or straighten your hair with this cream on wet, damp, or dry hair. The scent is of sparkling grapefruit, tangerine, white florals, soft violet, and sweet honey notes. The cream contains hemisqualane that improves hair health and strength instantly and over time. The natural film former from chia seed and linseed extract lends touchable hold and moringa seed oil adds softness, shine, and luster. The 5oz aluminum tube comes with a 100% PCR cap and FSC-certified unit carton.

What We Like
Enhances natural curls
Provides hydration and moisture
Tames frizz and adds volume

SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for Thick, Curly Hair

PPAX1420620
Transparent
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for Thick, Curly Hair Cover
SheaMoisture Smoothie Curl Enhancing Cream Coconut and Hibiscus for Thick, Curly Hair Sulfate Free and Paraben Free 12 oz

SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie is a hair cream that defines curls, reduces frizz, and adds moisture to your hair without weighing it down. With the enriched ingredients of Silk Protein, Neem, and Coconut Oils, this product helps to create shiny, bouncy curls that are soft to the touch. SheaMoisture is committed to fair trade and sustainability, making this hair cream a natural and ethical choice for your styling needs.

What We Like
Defines curls and reduces frizz
Moisturizes hair without weighing it down
Creates shiny and bouncy curls

SEEN Blow-Out Creme - Non-Comedogenic & Sulfate-Free Hair Cream

10121020109
5 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
SEEN Blow-Out Creme - Non-Comedogenic & Sulfate-Free Hair Cream Cover
SEEN Blow-Out Creme, Fragrance Free - Non-Comedogenic & Sulfate-Free Blow Out Hair Cream- Reduces Frizz- Heat Protectant- Safe for Sensitive, Eczema & Acne Prone Skin

The SEEN Blow-Out Creme is a dermatologist-developed, fragrance-free, and vegan styling cream that enhances blow-outs for all skin and hair types. This sulfate-free and non-comedogenic hair cream reduces frizz, adds shine, and protects hair from UV rays, pollution, and heat up to 450º Fahrenheit. It is clinically proven to be non-irritating and safe for sensitive, acne-prone, and eczema-prone skin. The key ingredients include hemisqualane for heat protection and frizz reduction, bisabolol for natural skin-soothing benefits, and squalane for restoring luster and softness.

What We Like
Fragrance-free and vegan
Reduces frizz and adds shine
Protects hair from UV rays, pollution, and heat up to 450º Fahrenheit
Suitable for all skin and hair types, including sensitive, acne-prone, and eczema-prone skin
Cruelty-free and PETA and Leaping Bunny approved
#TOP 7

L'ANGE HAIR Selecte Thick It Cream

2135
Pink
4 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
L'ANGE HAIR Selecte Thick It Cream Cover
L'ANGE HAIR Selecte Thick It Cream | Lightweight Styling Cream for Thickness and Volume | Helps Add Texture, Body, and Definition | Free of parabens and sulfates

L'ANGE HAIR Thick It Cream is a lightweight styling cream designed to give your hair impressive volume and definition. Just a small amount can transform your locks by adding body and shine, making it perfect for creating bouncy styles. It's especially beneficial for those with naturally curly or wavy hair, as it smooths and enhances your natural texture. This cream also nourishes your strands with coconut oil and wheat amino acids, helping to condition and strengthen your hair. Suitable for all hair types, it’s a versatile product that works wonders, particularly for fine or thin hair.

What We Like
Lightweight and volumizing
Nourishes and strengthens hair
Defines natural curls and waves
Suitable for all hair types
#TOP 8

dae Hair Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream

DAE
2539542
5 Ounce (Pack of 1)
dae Hair Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream Cover
DAE Cactus Fruit 3-In-1 Styling Cream - Smooth Styles, Prep Shiny Blowouts, Defines Curls (5 oz.)

Introducing the DAE Cactus Fruit Styling Cream - a clean, multitasking formula designed to give you smooth styled hair, prep shiny blowouts, and define natural curls. Infused with desert-derived extracts, this signature blend adds polish and shine to your hair while hydrating botanicals moisturize and tame frizz. The key ingredients, including Dragon Fruit, Prickly Pear Seed Oil, and Meadowfoam Seed Oil, work together to lock in moisture, condition strands, and restore dull and brittle hair to its natural glossy luster. This vegan and sulfate-free cream comes in recyclable packaging, making it a responsible choice for your hair care routine.

What We Like
Smooths styled hair
Preps shiny blowouts
Defines natural curls
#TOP 9

SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for Thick, Curly Hair

764302291367
Transparent
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie for Thick, Curly Hair Cover
SheaMoisture Curl Enhancing Smoothie Hair Cream for Thick, Curly Hair Coconut and Hibiscus Sulfate Free and Paraben Free Curl Cream 20 oz

Get soft, bouncy curls with SheaMoisture Coconut and Hibiscus Curl Enhancing Smoothie. This hair styling cream is perfect for frizz control and provides curl definition without weighing your hair down. Infused with Coconut Oil, Silk Protein, and Neem Oil, this hair cream adds brilliant shine and restores moisture. Formulated without silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, or petrolatum, it's suitable for all hair types. Simply apply sparingly to damp or dry hair, and style your hair as desired. Ideal for twist-outs, braids, and wash-and-go styles.

What We Like
Formulated without harmful chemicals such as silicone, sulfates, parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, or petrolatum.
Provides curl definition, bounce, and frizz control while restoring moisture and adding brilliant shine.
Infused with Coconut Oil, Silk Protein, and Neem Oil to nourish and strengthen your hair.
#TOP 10

Marc Anthony Curl Envy Cream

129322
6 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Marc Anthony Curl Envy Cream Cover
Marc Anthony Curl Envy Cream - Defining Cream for Coarse, Frizzy Curls with Avocado Oil & Shea Butter - Sulfate-Free, Adds Bounce - 6 Oz

Marc Anthony Curl Cream is a highly sought-after curl defining cream that tames even the most unruly and frizzy curls, allowing your natural curls to shine. Enriched with nourishing ingredients like Shea Butter, Avocado Oil, and Vitamin E, this cream is suitable for all types of curls, whether they are big or small, thick or fine. It effectively softens coarse curls, adds bounce, and fights frizz, giving you beautiful and manageable curls. The cream is easy to use - simply apply to wet or damp hair, scrunching it from root to end, and use your fingers to enhance the natural movement. Let your hair dry naturally or lightly diffuse for stunning results. Marc Anthony Curl Cream is part of the Strictly Curls collection, which is designed to moisturize, defrizz, detangle, and tame unruly curls, while still allowing them to be natural and free. With Marc Anthony, hair care becomes easy and fun, as they deliver professional-quality products at an affordable price.

What We Like
Tames unruly and frizzy curls
Softens coarse curls
Adds bounce to curls
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our sulfate-free hair styling cream research, we found 48 sulfate-free hair styling cream products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 254,171 customer reviews through our big data system to write the sulfate-free hair styling creams list. We found that most customers choose sulfate-free hair styling creams with an average price of $18.59.

The sulfate-free hair styling creams are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of sulfate-free hair styling creams, including Marc Anthony, SEEN, ALL ABOUT CURLS, JVN, SheaMoisture. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 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.