Best Alcohol Free Hair Styling Gels of 2025

Lisa Bechard Avatar
Lisa Bechard
Last Updated: Jan 3, 2025

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Alcohol-free hair styling gels are a popular choice for those who want to avoid harsh chemicals in their hair care routine. These gels provide a strong hold without the drying effects of alcohol-based products. They are also great for those with sensitive scalps, as they are less likely to cause irritation. Many alcohol-free gels also contain natural ingredients, such as aloe vera and jojoba oil, which can help to nourish and strengthen hair. Whether you're looking for a sleek, polished look or a messy, textured style, there is an alcohol-free hair gel out there to suit your needs.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

TRESemmé Alcohol-Free Extra Hold Gel Cover #TOP 1
TRESemmé Alcohol-Free Extra Hold Gel
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Biotera Styling Defining Gel Cover #TOP 2
Biotera Styling Defining Gel
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Johnny B Mode Hair Styling Gel Cover #TOP 3
Johnny B Mode Hair Styling Gel
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Alcohol Free Hair Styling Gels

TRESemmé Alcohol-Free Extra Hold Gel

TRESemmé
Black
5 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
TRESemmé Alcohol-Free Extra Hold Gel Cover
TRESemmé Alcohol-Free Gel Extra Hold for 24H Frizz Control, with Pro Lock Technology, 5 oz

TRESemmé Extra Hold Gel offers professional quality styling without the unwanted stickiness or crunch. This alcohol-free formula helps you maintain a smooth, frizz-free look for up to 24 hours while keeping your hair moisturized. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to provide the best care for your hair, ensuring you can style confidently. Plus, the product is certified cruelty-free, so you can feel good about your choice. With TRESemmé, you can achieve salon-worthy results right at home, making it easier than ever to express your unique style.

What We Like
Long-lasting frizz control
Cruelty-free ingredients
No stickiness or crunch
Moisturizing formula

Biotera Styling Defining Gel

2848727
White
Biotera Styling Defining Gel Cover
Biotera Styling Defining Gel Alcohol-Free | Flexible Sculpting & Shaping | Radiant Shine | No Stickiness or Flaking | Vegan & Animal Test Free | Paraben Free | Color-Safe | 15.2 Fl Oz

The Biotera Defining Gel is a lightweight gel that gently restores the beauty and radiance to your hair. With its alcohol-free formula and bamboo extract, it provides long-lasting hold without stickiness or flaking. This color-safe gel is perfect for those who want control definition and lift. The Biotera Defining Gel also gives your hair a radiant shine, making it look healthy and vibrant. It is vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free, ensuring that it is both good for your hair and the environment. Say goodbye to unruly hair and hello to beautifully styled locks with the Biotera Defining Gel.

What We Like
Alcohol-free formula
Long-lasting hold
Radiant shine

Johnny B Mode Hair Styling Gel

2308
Blue
Johnny B Mode Hair Styling Gel Cover
JOHNNY B. Mode Hair Styling Gel for Men, Alcohol-Free, Water Soluble 16 oz.

Johnny B Gel is a best-selling hair styling product that provides medium hold and high shine. Its no-flake, alcohol-free formula is perfect for medium to thick hair. The gel is also intensely thick, which creates the appearance of thicker hair. One of the best features of Johnny B Gel is that you can reactivate or restyle your hair by adding water once the product has dried. With its dimension and medium hold, Johnny B Gel is a versatile styling product that can help you achieve a variety of hairstyles.

What We Like
Medium hold
High shine
Intensely thick formula

Kenra Styling Gel 17 | High Hold Gel | 6 fl. Oz

2419764
clear
6 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Kenra Styling Gel 17 | High Hold Gel | 6 fl. Oz Cover
Kenra Styling Gel 17 | High Hold Gel | Creates Fullness & Adds Shine | Controls Coarse, Unruly Hair Textures | Alcohol-Free, Non-Drying, & Non-Flaking | Medium To Coarse Hair | 6 fl. Oz

The Kenra Styling Gel 17 is perfect for anyone with coarse hair. It provides excellent support for any style, creates fullness, and adds shine to your hair. The gel is alcohol-free, non-drying, and non-flaking, which means it won't damage your hair or leave any residue. With its ability to control coarse, unruly hair textures, this gel is a must-have for anyone looking for a high hold gel that provides a natural-looking finish.

What We Like
Alcohol-free and non-drying
Non-flaking formula
Controls coarse, unruly hair textures
Provides excellent support for any style
Imparts fullness and shine

Fresh Monster Kids Hair Styling Gel

854572007215
white
1 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Fresh Monster Kids Hair Styling Gel Cover
Fresh Monster Kids Hair Styling Gel, Medium Hold Alcohol-Free, Natural Hair Gel for Kids & Toddlers (6oz.)

Fresh Monster Hair Gel is specially formulated for kids' hair, free from harmful chemicals like sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic fragrances, and BPA. This hypoallergenic hair gel keeps your kids' hair in place without feeling crunchy or sticky. It is great for all hair types and can be used on damp or dry hair. Fresh Monster is PETA certified Cruelty-Free, and the product is dermatologist-tested, perfect for sensitive skin.

What We Like
Hypoallergenic and safe for sensitive skin
Free from harmful chemicals
Great for all hair types

ECOCO Eco Style Hair Gel - Curl And Wave - 8 Oz

I0107723
8 Ounce (Pack of 1)
ECOCO Eco Style Hair Gel - Curl And Wave - 8 Oz Cover
Eco Style Ecoco Hair Gel - Curl And Wave - Anti-Itch, Alcohol-Free Formula - Perfect Hold For Angled Or Tapered Sides - Ideal For Wavy Hair - No Flakes - Not Animal Tested - Moisturizes - 8 Oz

ECOCO Eco Style Hair Gel is an alcohol-free hair styling product that delivers the strongest edge control with extreme hold. It is perfect for creating high definition looks that last all day. This hair gel is flake-free and helps control edges, strays, and fly-aways. The product comes in a variety of options to suit different styles. Ecoco is committed to environmental consciousness and green technologies, and the product is made in the USA.

What We Like
Delivers the strongest edge control with extreme hold.
Flake-free.
Comes in a variety of options to suit different styles.
#TOP 7

FRAGFRE Firm Hold Hair Gel

FF-SGFH-08
8 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
FRAGFRE Firm Hold Hair Gel Cover
FRAGFRE Firm Hold Hair Gel Fragrance Free 8 oz - Strong Styling Gel for Aggressive Hair Styles - Paraben Free Hypoallergenic Sensitive Formula - Non-Irritating Vegan No Gluten/Cruelty (1 Pack)

The FRAGFRE Firm Hold Hair Gel offers an unscented, non-flaky formula that provides a strong hold for even the most complex hairstyles. It is safe and can be used daily by men, women, and children. This alcohol-free hair styling gel nourishes your hair and scalp while keeping it feeling soft all day long. The odorless formula adds volume without leaving any flaky white residue. It is free of fragrances, colors, parabens, sulfates, formaldehydes, petrolatum, phthalates, BHT, irritating alcohols & preservatives, making it an ideal choice for anyone with sensitive skin or allergies.

What We Like
Unscented and non-flaky formula
Safe for daily use by men, women, and children
Alcohol-free and nourishes hair and scalp
#TOP 8

Ricitos de Oro Hair Gel

SG_B0050PL2DO_US
4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Ricitos de Oro Hair Gel Cover
Manzanilla Ricitos de Hair Gel| Alcohol-Free Hair Care Gel for Daily Use, Gentle Gel with Chamomile Extract; 4.0 Ounces

Ricitos de Oro Hair Gel is an ideal hair product for daily use. Enriched with Chamomile Extract, this gentle gel nourishes and strengthens your hair, leaving it shiny and smooth. The alcohol-free formula ensures that your hair does not dry out, while the non-greasy and non-sticky texture provides convenience for everyday styling. Whether you're looking to take care of your baby's hair or simply want a gentle gel for yourself, Ricitos de Oro Hair Gel is the perfect choice. With its lightweight formula and chamomile-infused formula, this gel offers the nourishment and care your hair needs.

What We Like
Nourishes and strengthens hair
Alcohol-free and non-greasy
Leaves hair shiny and smooth

Vanicream Hair Styling Gel, Sensitive Skin Friendly

Fre-6465
WHITE
7 Fl Oz (Pack of 1)
Vanicream Hair Styling Gel, Sensitive Skin Friendly Cover
Vanicream Hair Styling Gel, Fragrance and Gluten Free, For Sensitive Skin, Unscented, 7 Oz, Packaging May Vary

The Vanicream Hair Styling Gel is a fragrance-free and gluten-free hair gel designed for sensitive skin. This hair styling gel is free from common chemical irritants, such as dyes, fragrance, and parabens. It is alcohol-free, sulfate-free, and phosphate-free, making it ideal for daily use on wet or dry hair. This hair gel provides firm and long-lasting control without leaving greasy or sticky residue. It nourishes and repairs damaged hair, reduces flakiness, and adds body, leaving the hair manageable and static-free. Dermatologist tested and suitable for damaged and dry hair.

What We Like
Fragrance-free and gluten-free
Free from common chemical irritants
Alcohol-free, sulfate-free, and phosphate-free
Firm and long-lasting control without leaving greasy or sticky residue
Nourishes and repairs damaged hair, reduces flakiness, and adds body
#TOP 10

Ampro Pro Styl Styling Gel - 6 oz

4494
6 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Ampro Pro Styl Styling Gel - 6 oz Cover
Ampro Pro Styl Styling Gel - Protects and Strengthens Your Strands - Non-Flaking, Alcohol Free, Vegan Formula - Flexible, Touchable Hold for All Hair Textures - Regular - 6 oz

The Ampro Styling Gel is designed to help you manage your hair effortlessly. Say goodbye to flyaways with its firm yet lightweight hold, giving your hair a healthy shine. This protein-rich gel not only strengthens your strands but also enhances their resilience, perfect for styling natural and textured hair. You can enjoy soft waves and curls without the worry of flakes or grease, thanks to its moisturizing, non-flaking formula. It spreads easily through your hair, making it versatile for any hairstyle you desire.

What We Like
Non-flaking formula
Strengthens hair
Lightweight hold
Moisturizing properties
Suitable for all textures
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is alcohol free gel good for your hair?

Apart from styling your hair, alcohol-free gels help tame your wild curls and give your hair an element of the definition. Finding the perfect alcohol-free hair gel can become complex with various curl-taming products like gels and hair mousses.

2. Does hair gel have alcohol in it?

Short-chained alcohols such as denatured alcohol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and the notorious ethanol are particularly drying. These ingredients are commonly found in hair sprays, gels, and other products designed to dry quickly.

Editor's Notes

During our alcohol free hair styling gel research, we found 48 alcohol free hair styling gel products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 170,829 customer reviews through our big data system to write the alcohol free hair styling gels list. We found that most customers choose alcohol free hair styling gels with an average price of $12.03.

The alcohol free hair styling gels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of alcohol free hair styling gels, including Biotera, JOHNNY B., Kenra Professional, Fresh Monster, Eco Style. 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.