What Is Hair Lotion and What Are the Benefits Associated with Using It?

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You can boost the health of your hair by adding just one other essential to your arsenal of beauty supplies, aside from your shampoo and conditioner—and no, we’re not talking about leave-in conditioners and serums. While these products can help refresh your strands on wash day, hair lotion is a valuable product that can do this and more on an everyday basis. “Hair lotions have a more lightweight texture than some leave-ins, serums, or moisturizing gels, so they can truly be used for all hair textures without feeling like your hair is being weighed down,” Resa B. Luster, the senior brand manager at Luster’s Pink, says. “They can be used daily, while leave-ins are traditionally used after a wash day regimen and serums are used more sparingly.”

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Another benefit to using this soon-to-be hair routine mainstay? “Hair lotions have moisturizing and conditioning ingredients that can soften hair and make it more manageable,” Taliah Waajid, a natural hair expert and the founder of Taliah Waajid, Uncle Jimmy, and FroBabies, explains. Further, they penetrate the scalp to relieve any itchiness or dryness at the root. So whether you want to refresh your hair each and every day or need to add moisture before you work in “styling products, braids, wigs, and other protective styles,” Luster adds, this type of product is one of the best for optimal care. Ahead, find several hair lotions to shop now.

Related: The Best Everyday Hair Tools for Styling Textured, Curly Hair

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Pink Growth and Scalp Relief Natural Oil Moisturizing Lotion

Luster explains that this hair lotion—featuring certified-organic coconut and olive oils, shea butter, peppermint oil, and aloe vera—is the “soothing scalp elixir you never knew you needed.” It also “provides a calming sensation that nourishes and hydrates while also stimulating hair growth,” she adds.

Shop Now: Pink Growth and Scalp Relief Natural Oil Moisturizing Lotion, $8.29, lusterproducts.com.

Cantu Shea Butter Conditioning Creamy Hair Lotion

Looking for an option to condition natural hair textures? Put this product on your radar. Cantu’s formula moisturizes, detangles, retains the definition of tight curl patterns. Plus, it’s free from mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, or propylene.

Shop Now: Cantu Shea Butter Conditioning Creamy Hair Lotion, $7.39, target.com.

Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream Creamy Hair Lotion

Not only is this hair lotion lightweight, but it also helps detangle, define, and shape curls to leave them looking their best with lasting nourishment and shine.

Shop Now: Taliah Waajid Curly Curl Cream Creamy Hair Lotion, $9.99, naturalhair.org.

SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Styling Lotion Jamaican Black Castor Oil

Replenish dry hair and protect it. The SheaMoisture styling lotion, including shea butter, Jamaican black castor oil, and peppermint as central ingredients, helps nourish every strand and prevent breakage.

Shop Now: SheaMoisture Strengthen, Grow & Restore Styling Lotion Jamaican Black Castor Oil, $10.19, target.com.

Oribe Matte Waves Texture Hair Lotion

Complete your look with a styling lotion that has hold and a matte finish. This variety also adds texture and beachy-like waves to straight hair types without sacrificing moisture (texturizing formulas can be drying!).

Shop Now: Oribe Matte Waves Texture Hair Lotion, $42, sephora.com.

Pink Repair and Strengthen Natural Oil Moisturizing Lotion

This moisturizing lotion serves several purposes: It can protect hair from heat, refresh natural curls, and moisturize strands ahead of braiding or protective styling.

Shop Now: Pink Repair and Strengthen
Natural Oil Moisturizing Lotion, $8.29, lusterproducts.com.

Bumble and bumble Tonic Lotion

Complete with vitamins, herbs, and tea tree oil, this tonic lotion aims to soothe scalps, detangle strands, and refresh hair overall.

Shop Now: Bumble and bumble Tonic Lotion, $26, sephora.com.

Moroccanoil Thickening Lotion

For those with thin hair, consider this thickening lotion with polymers that expand each strand and quinoa proteins that strengthen them all.

Shop Now: Moroccanoil Thickening Lotion, $28, sephora.com.

ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion

Shield your hair from the heat of blow dryers, curling irons, and straighteners with this hair lotion that boosts elasticity, hydration, and shine—all while serving as a heat protectant.

Shop Now: ORS Oil Moisturizing Hair Lotion, $6.39, target.com.