Best Clay Hair Styling Gels of 2026

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

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Clay hair styling gels are a popular choice for those who want a natural, textured look without the stiffness of traditional gels. These gels are made with natural ingredients like kaolin clay and beeswax, which provide a strong hold without drying out the hair. Clay hair styling gels are easy to apply and work well with all hair types, making them a versatile option for anyone looking to switch up their hairstyle. Whether you're going for a messy, tousled look or a slick, polished style, clay hair styling gels offer a non-greasy, matte finish that lasts all day.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

American Crew Men's Hair Molding Clay Cover #TOP 1
American Crew Men's Hair Molding Clay
ftb score rating icon 9.8
American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay Cover #TOP 2
American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay
ftb score rating icon 9.7
AMERICAN CREW Matte Clay Cover #TOP 3
AMERICAN CREW Matte Clay
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 8 Clay Hair Styling Gels

#TOP 1

American Crew Men's Hair Molding Clay

0738678002728
3 Ounce (Pack of 1)
American Crew Men's Hair Molding Clay Cover
American Crew Men's Hair Molding Clay, Like Styling Gel with Strong Hold & Medium Shine, 3 oz

American Crew Molding Clay is a hair styling gel that provides a medium shine and a high hold to manipulate hair into any style. It is recommended for those with straight to wavy & curly hair texture, and for those with short to medium hair length. This molding clay is perfect for those who want a light to moderately textured desired result. It washes out easily and leaves no residue. With a medium hold and high shine finish, it gives you the flexibility to create any style you want.

What We Like
High hold
Medium shine
Washes out easily
#TOP 2

American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay

669316457078
BLACK
3 Ounce (Pack of 1)
American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay Cover
American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay (OLD VERSION), Like Hair Gel with Medium/High Hold, 3 Oz (Pack of 1)

American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay is a moisture-rich clay gel that is similar to hair gel and provides a texturized look while taming hair leaving a matte finish. It works well when a textured definition, frizz-free hair and a natural look is desired. The key benefit is medium/high hold and low shine. It provides moisturizing and conditioning benefits while taming the hair for a frizz-free natural look. To use, apply to towel-dried hair, comb through and allow to dry naturally. American Crew is a leader in Men's Grooming for HAIR, BODY, SHAVE, STYLE, FRAGRANCE categories.

What We Like
Provides a textured and frizz-free natural look
Moisturizes and conditions hair
Medium/high hold with low shine
#TOP 3

AMERICAN CREW Matte Clay

33401124035
3 Ounce (Pack of 1)
AMERICAN CREW Matte Clay Cover
American Crew Men's Hair Matte Clay, Like Hair Gel with Medium/High Hold, 3 oz

AMERICAN CREW Matte Clay is designed to give you a flexible medium hold while providing a smooth, matte finish. This product works best for straight to wavy hair, making it ideal for various styles. With its medium hold, you can create the look you want without worrying about a greasy finish. It’s perfect for those with short to medium-length hair who desire a strong hold without the shiny appearance of traditional gels. Plus, it washes out easily, leaving your hair feeling clean and fresh.

What We Like
Medium hold
Matte finish
Easy to wash out
Suitable for short to medium hair
#TOP 4

TRENDSTARTER Thickening Fiber

750010
White
4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
TRENDSTARTER Thickening Fiber Cover
TRENDSTARTER - THICKENING FIBER (4oz) - Medium Hold - Matte Finish - Premium Hair Thickening Clay Pomade - Water-Based - All-Day Hold Styling Product

TRENDSTARTER Fiber is a hair thickening clay pomade that provides a medium hold and matte finish. Its formula is designed to thicken, strengthen, and volumize hair, making it perfect as a pre-styler or for a thick, flexible look that lasts all day. The matte finish is achieved by rubbing the product into the hair and allowing it to dry. TRENDSTARTER Fiber is made with premium ingredients such as Mineral Oil, which strengthens, conditions, and moisturizes all hair types. This product is made in the USA and is perfect for those looking for a reliable styling product that delivers on its promises.

What We Like
Thickens, strengthens, and volumizes hair
Medium hold with matte finish
Premium ingredients for healthy hair
#TOP 5

NEUMA Neu Styling Hair Clay

Neuma - Styling Clay - 50 gr
NEUMA Neu Styling Hair Clay Cover
NEUMA Neu Styling Hair Clay 1.8 Fl. Oz. Strong Hold Texturizing with Lavender, Mandarin & Vanilla Scent, Hair Clay for Men & Women

NEUMA Hair Clay offers a strong hold with a touchable texture, making it perfect for styling short hairstyles. You can easily shape and reshape your hair throughout the day without worrying about losing your style, thanks to its non-greasy formula. This clay features Carnauba Wax, which provides a medium-to-firm hold while allowing for flexible styling with a subtle sheen. Additionally, the inclusion of antioxidant-rich Green Tea helps protect your hair from environmental damage, while caffeine promotes better circulation to your hair follicles, creating a healthier scalp environment.

What We Like
Strong hold
Non-greasy texture
Flexible styling
Environmental protection
#TOP 6

SEVICH Men's Hair Styling Clay Matte 80g

S-Nsfn-80g
Styling Clay
SEVICH Men's Hair Styling Clay Matte 80g Cover
SEVICH Men's Hair Styling Clay - Matte Powerful Hair Gel, Containing Plant Essence, Persistent Shaping,Fresh and Non Greasy, Easy to Clean, 80g

The SEVICH Matte Hair Clay offers strong hold to keep your hairstyle intact all day, even through wind and moisture, making it perfect for active days. Its smooth cream texture is easy to apply without pulling your hair, and you can style it precisely with your fingers. When it's time to wash it out, this clay rinses off quickly with regular shampoo, leaving no residue. It also provides a natural matte finish, giving your hair a lightweight, oil-free look that's great for both professional settings and casual outings. This styling clay adapts well to all hair types, whether your hair is short and thick or long and curly, allowing you to create a personalized texture.

What We Like
Strong all-day hold
Easy application and removal
Natural matte finish
Suitable for all hair types
#TOP 7

Smooth Viking Hair Styling Cream for Men

SVFIBER-700
Hand Grip 870
2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Smooth Viking Hair Styling Cream for Men Cover
Smooth Viking Hydrating Fiber Cream for Men - Hair Gel with Flexible Styling, 2oz - Improves Hair Health, Natural Scent, Minimal Shine, Dairy-Free - Hair Fiber for Damaged & Thinning Hair

Smooth Viking Hair Cream is a medium-hold, matte finish hair cream that keeps rebellious hair tamed all day long. It adds a modern look like the iconic slick back and pompadour. It can transform unhealthy, damaged hair into a fuller, revitalized mane while treating and preventing split ends. The cream provides a medium hold, separation, and texture with no crunchy residue, leaving natural shine and thicker-looking hair. Infused with hydrating properties, it nourishes follicles, leaving hair healthier and more vibrant. It's easy to apply to slightly damp or dry hair, designed specifically for shorter hairstyles, leaving you with a polished, put-together look for any occasion.

What We Like
Medium-hold, matte finish
Transforms damaged hair
Hydrating properties
#TOP 8

Brocato Swell Volume Styling Clay, 2 Oz

8780820002195
2 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Brocato Swell Volume Styling Clay, 2 Oz Cover
Brocato Swell Volume Styling Clay, 2 Oz. | Volumizing & Thickening Hair Products for Men & Women | Heat Activated Texturizer & Volumizer Product Plumps, Shapes & Adds Thickness to Fine, Thin Hair

The Brocato Swell Volume Styling Clay is a hair thickener and volumizer that enhances the volume, body, and texture of hair. Formulated with kaolin clay and other natural extracts, this heat-activated product lifts and increases volume for noticeably fuller hair. The intense moisturizing properties of this styling clay also strengthens hair without weighing it down. Simply apply to damp hair and style with heat to watch your strands plump and thicken.

What We Like
Enhances volume, body, and texture of hair
Heat-activated for plumping and volumizing effect
Contains kaolin clay and other natural extracts
Buying Guide Image
Editor's Notes

During our clay hair styling gel research, we found 48 clay hair styling gel products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 108,199 customer reviews through our big data system to write the clay hair styling gels list. We found that most customers choose clay hair styling gels with an average price of $19.04.

The clay hair styling gels are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of clay hair styling gels, including AMERICAN CREW, TRENDSTARTER, NEUMA, SEVICH, SMOOTH VIKING BEARD CARE. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 1,360 consumers with an average rating of 4.9.

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.