Top 17 Detangler Sprays for Silky, Detangle Hair
Detangling knots and tangles can be a delicate and patient procedure, but with the right detangler spray, it can be made a bit less unpleasant, both physically and metaphorically. In addition, it can improve the health of your hair in general: Breakage and damage to the hair could result from a hasty or forceful detangling. But with the help of a detangling brush and a specialized spray, you can make the process safer.
Our Top Picks:
- Best Overall: Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer
- Best for Straight Hair: Kenra Platinum Pearl Detangler
- Best for Fine Hair: Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner
- Best for Waves: Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Unite 7Seconds Detangler
- Best for Coarse Hair: Paul Mitchell The Detangler
- Best for Sensitive Scalp: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
When applied to wet hair, the most effective detangler spray will often prime and smooth the cuticle, “making the hair more manageable and minimizing friction while brushing,” as hairstylist Harley Beman of New York City puts it. This is similar to the conditioning effects of a leave-in conditioner. Furthermore, she claims that detangler sprays are a safe bet because they are one of the few hair care products that work with virtually any hair type. If you want to keep your detangler from becoming greasy or building up product, she says to use a “less is more” approach.
To prevent frizz-inducing breakage and damage, it is essential to untangle knots using the correct brushing technique, regardless of your curl pattern or the spray you use. Which approach would be most effective? Brush lightly from the ends of your hair toward the root, dividing it into pieces as you go.
Keep reading to find out which hair detangling sprays are the most recommended by the editors and hairstylists at Beauty Skincare Trends.
Best Overall: Amika The Wizard Detangling Hair Primer
Why It’s Worth It: According to Rita, the hydrating blend of avocado and sea buckthorn oils in Amika’s The Wizard Detangling Primer makes it an excellent addition to any hair regimen. According to her, this spray has dual purposes: protecting hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and giving it a stylish boost. “If you apply a really heavy amount, you can use it for a malleable, wet look,” according to her.
Editor Tip: It can also reduce the time needed to blow-dry hair, making it a good option for those with really thick hair.
Key Ingredients: Squalane, sea buckthorn, avocado oil | Who It’s For: Everyone
Best for Straight Hair: Kenra Platinum Pearl Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: To achieve tangle-free styles without weighing hair down, consider Aveda Nutriplenish Leave-In Conditioner if your hair is fine. Due to its non-silicone and non-mineral oil recipe, which is both lightweight and nourishing, Moll said it is one of her favorite beauty products.
Editor Tip: With notes of cocoa, ginger, and cardamom, this conditioner spray exudes the brand’s trademark warm aroma.
Key Ingredients: Pomegranate seed oil, sunflower seed oil, jojoba esters | Who It’s For: Fine or thinning hair
Best for Waves: Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray
Why It’s Worth It: Avoiding heat styling, our editor uses just Leonor Greyl Paris Lait Luminescence Detangling Milk Spray when she wants to show off her naturally 2A waves. “Just a few mists of this ultra-conditioning formula, and usually frizzy hair feels and looks smoother than ever,” according to her. “Considering that my natural hair gets so tangled and knotty that I’ve broken hair brushes trying to brush through it, this is a pretty exciting feat for me.” A combination of mongongo and karanja plant oils that replenish moisture and soy protein that enhances shine make up its contents.
Editor Tip: Shake well before use for optimal results; the formula is bi-phase, meaning it combines an oil and a water-based solution.
Key Ingredients: Moringa proteins, mongongo oil, karanja oil | Who It’s For: Those with waves or frizz
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Unite 7Seconds Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: Not only does the Unite 7Seconds Detangler protect hair from heat damage, but it also helps maintain hair color, repairs damaged hair, and even blocks UV rays. Since heat and UV light both hasten the fading process, this is obviously a must-have for people who color their hair. The scent is delicate and flowery, and it stays with you.
Editor Tip: It’s safe to use on hair extensions.
Key Ingredients: Rice protein, panthenol | Who It’s For: Those who color-treat their hair or wear extensions
Best for Coarse Hair: Paul Mitchell The Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: A spray-in detangler may not be effective on hair that is exceptionally coarse in texture. For that, you can rely on Paul Mitchell The Detangler. Detangle your hair and bring back its gloss with this rinse-out conditioner that’s made with an exceptionally nutritious blend of oils, including carrot extract and grapeseed oil. Your hair will be notably easier to style after rinsing it out, and its warm floral aroma will make you want to wear it all day long.
Editor Tip: The liter-size bottles have refill pouches made with 30% post-consumer recycled plastic.
Key Ingredients: Carrot extract, grapeseed oil | Who It’s For: Those with coarse or very dry hair
Best for Sensitive Scalp: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Detangling Spray
Why It’s Worth It: Require an alternative that is mild and won’t aggravate skin that is easily irritated? Be Gentle, Be Kind is an ultra-calming detangling spray by Briogeo that uses two hero ingredients—aloe and oat milk—to simultaneously hydrate hair and calm a sensitive scalp.
Editor Tip: It’s free of essential oils, making it a good option for those with sensitivities.
Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, oat milk, green tea extract | Who It’s For: Those easily irritated or who want a lightweight option
Best for Curls: Mielle Organics White Peony Leave-In Conditioner
Why It’s Worth It: White Peony Leave-In Conditioner by Mielle Organics is an exceptionally nourishing detangler with a wonderful aroma (perfect for flower scent lovers). A member of the Allure team swears by this weightless spray, saying it nourishes her hair and detangles knots all at once. Coconut oil, grapefruit extract, and green tea extract come together in this conditioning mixture to make sure your hair gets just the right amount of moisture to detangle knots and tangles without being frizzy or splitting.
Editor Tip: After applying, use your hands to crunch it in for defined curls.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, argan oil | Who It’s For: People with curly or coily hair
Best for Damaged Hair: Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer
Why It’s Worth It: The sleek bottle of Oribe Run-Through Detangling Hair Primer may be eye-catching, but that’s not all it has going for it. This conditioning treatment uses the brand’s secret detangling oil blend—a combination of pomegranate, apricot, and coconut oils—to leave hair feeling silky smooth with just a few spritzes. Wheat amino acids, which are already present in this detangling spray, offer nutrients by strengthening the links in your hair.
Editor Tip: For the best results, follow the application of this primer with a wide-tooth comb.
Key Ingredients: Apricot oil, coconut oil, watermelon fruit extract | Who It’s For: Those who color or heat-style hair
Best for Frizz and Flyaways: IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray
Why It’s Worth It: For the past two years, Hussein has included the IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray into her hairstyling regimen, and she shows no signs of discontinuing its use. Coconut oil, which helps to retain moisture, and spirulina proteins, which strengthen hair, work together to make this ultra-light spray effective in detangling without damaging hair, protecting it from heat styling tools up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, increasing its shine, and taming flyaways and frizz. “I love that this pre-styling product can also be used on air-dried hair, so sometimes it’s the only thing I use to manage frizz during my no-wash days,” says Hussein.
Editor Tip: The 4-in-1 benefits in the name include frizz control, heat protection, detangling, and shine enhancement.
Key Ingredients: Spirulina protein, coconut oil, rose oil | Who It’s For: Anyone prone to frizzy hair
Best for Natural Hair: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: The SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler does exactly what its name says: it uses its main ingredient to detangle and soften hair so that it can easily glide through knots and tangles. Argan oil, which adds a silky sheen and hydration, is also a part of this recipe.
Editor Tip: If your hair is really prone to tangles, apply it before showering and follow with shampoo and conditioner.
Key Ingredients: Sea kelp, argan oil, shea butter | Who It’s For: Those with Type 4 coils and kinks
Best for Dry Hair: NatureLab. Tokyo Texture Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: Sealing in moisture, adding shine, and helping to prevent breakage are all goals of the Tokyo Texture Leave-in Conditioner & Detangler. Jojoba seed oil, hydrolyzed pea protein, and spirulina maxima extract are some of the helpful ingredients used to create this product, which is designed to hydrate and fortify hair. To use, spray the product evenly over towel-dried hair to help detangle and encourage healthier hair and scalp.
Editor Tip: Since it doubles as a leave-in conditioner, it’s especially helpful for curls and coils.
Key Ingredients: Camellia oil, rose extract, blue algae extract | Who It’s For: People with dry or dull hair
Best Scent: Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
Why It’s Worth It: Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier by Rahua can untangle even the most knotted hair. The combination of sacha inchi oil and the fatty acid-rich morete (or buriti) oil deeply hydrates the hair, making it easy to brush through. The spritzer’s tropical aroma, which includes mango and passionfruit, is an extra plus.
Editor Tip: Take your routine on the road with a TSA-approved travel-size version.
Key Ingredients: Buriti oil, rahua oil, sacha inchi | Who It’s For: Those with dry, damaged, or color-treated hair
Best Curl Refresher: Rizos Curls Refresh and Detangle Spray
Why It’s Worth It: According to Bianca Richards, an associate social media editor, the highly conditioning nature of Rizos Curls Refresh and Detangle Spray makes it ideal for individuals with curly hair, such as herself. The combination of coconut, shea, and olive oils is capable of removing even the most stubborn tangles and knots. Remember that this spray isn’t heavy, so it can renew your curls on days when you don’t wash your hair without dragging them down. It also works on damp hair.
Editor Tip: After you spray it in as a refresher, follow it with a diffuser to help dry and reshape curls.
Key Ingredients: Coconut oil, olive oil, shea butter | Who It’s For: Curly hair types
Best Silicone-Free: Raw Sugar Kids Leave-In Detangler
Best for Frizzy Hair: Coco & Eve Miracle Hair Elixir
Why It’s Worth It: A total of 61 reviews have given the Coco & Eve Miracle Hair Elixir a positive rating of 4.67 stars. Customers highly regard this product for its capacity to shield hair from heat styling tools while also leaving it feeling silky smooth and non-greasy. Some people think it’s too expensive and say you shouldn’t use it every day, but many think it’s worth it because of the benefits it provides and how nice it smells.
Editor Tip: Works best when used sparingly to prevent greasiness; this is particularly true for those with fine hair. Applying a few drops to wet or dry hair helps tame frizz, boost shine, and shield it from heat damage. If you suffer from severely dry ends, try using it as an overnight treatment.
Key Ingredients: Mangosteen, Papaya, Prickly Pear, and Virgin Coconut Oil
Best for All Age: Original Sprout Miracle Hair Detangler
Why It’s Worth It: Users have raved about how well the Original Sprout Miracle Detangler works to untangle even the most knotted hair types, leaving behind a silky smooth texture that is neither heavy nor greasy. People love it since it’s gentle enough for kids and people with sensitive skin because to its all-natural ingredients. Many reviewers have praised the product’s high quality and lovely aroma, and many have even said it works wonders on their children’s hair.
Editor Tip: When applied to wet hair, the Original Sprout Miracle Detangler works even better at detangling and conditioning. Particularly for people whose hair is naturally curly or knotty, spraying it evenly over the hair before combing can make detangling a breeze. As a result, your hair may become softer and easier to style.
Best for Style: OUAI Leave-In Conditioner
Why It’s Worth It: Two reviews on MakeupAlley give the OUAI Leave-In Conditioner 3.5 stars out of 5. The reviews are mixed. Some customers laud it for its ability to hydrate and detangle hair while protecting it from heat styling tools. Some people think it has an overwhelming aroma, and it might not work to tame frizz in all hair types. It’s a leave-in conditioner, detangler, and heat protector all rolled into one, according to the product description.
Editor Tip: After washing and towel drying your hair, add OUAI Leave-In Conditioner for optimal results. A flexible addition to your hair care routine, it may help smooth frizz, detangle, and protect against heat. Start with a tiny amount and modify according to the thickness and length of your hair; a little goes a long way.
Best for Fragile: Revlon Professional Equave Strengthening Conditioner
Why It’s Worth It: With seven five-star reviews, the Revlon Equave Hydro Nutritive Conditioner Spray is clearly a winner on MakeupAlley. People love how it keeps their hair smooth and protected from future damage, and they also love how effective it is as a detangler and leave-in conditioner. It is famously great with bleached or colored hair.
Editor Tip: For optimal use of Revlon’s Equave Hydro Nutritive Conditioner Spray, it’s recommended to apply it on damp hair after showering for easy detangling and to add moisture. It’s particularly beneficial for colored or bleached hair, providing hydration and protection without weighing hair down.
