This buying guide aims to help you navigate the world of natural hair gels, focusing on what to look for when choosing the best products for your hair care routine. With so many options available, it can be challenging to identify which gels provide the right benefits for your specific hair type and concerns. Throughout this guide, we will explore essential factors to consider--fact-checked by hairstylist Kurlified--when selecting a natural hair gel, including ingredients, hold strength, and your unique hair needs. We will also present our top 10 picks of the best-selling natural hair gels sourced from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Target.
Quick List - Top Natural Hair Gels
Mielle Organics
Enhanced Curl Definition and Moisture Retention for Curly Hair
Just Nutritive
Organic Formula for Frizz Control and Enhanced Curl Definition
Kurlified, AKA Keyonna Tillman, is a hairstylist, educator, and texture expert specializing in treating, shaping, and styling curly hair. Her dedication to curly hair began with her own. As a little girl with massive curls, all she heard was, "Unmanageable! Untameable! Unbelievable!" And the only option available was a chemical straightener--a nasty, smelly solution that could have dissolved paint! This experience inspired her to teach one-on-one classes, educating future hair stylists on wet and dry cutting techniques, product application, and finishing techniques. Kurlified means undeniable confidence. Kurlified by Keyonna makes people feel great about their natural hair texture, no matter their desired style. Her goal is to make her clients feel like superstars! She strives to bring high energy, enthusiasm, professionalism, and a strong work ethic to every head of hair.
Ethan is a content planner for the beauty, fashion, and lifestyle categories at mybest US. With an extensive background in international English education, Ethan has honed his ability to tailor content for diverse audiences. Through his travels, he has gained unique insights into global consumer preferences, which he refines into in-depth buying guides on various products. Ethan uses his passion for language and communication to ensure each article is well-researched, clearly written, and fine-tuned to empower readers to make informed decisions when choosing consumer products, ultimately enhancing their experiences in the ever-evolving world of online shopping.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Natural hair gels are made without synthetic chemicals like parabens, sulfates, and silicones, which can strip hair of its natural oils and lead to scalp irritation. Instead, they focus on plant-based ingredients and avoid harmful toxins, making them a safer option for individuals with sensitive skin or allergies. Using natural ingredients, these gels nourish the hair while maintaining its health, providing a gentle, effective hold without the harsh effects of synthetic additives. This makes natural hair gels ideal for those looking to avoid buildup and keep their hair and scalp healthier.
Choosing the right natural hair gel involves understanding your hair's needs and the benefits of various ingredients. This section will guide you through the critical considerations for finding the perfect natural hair gel to complement your hair type and styling preferences.
Selecting hair gel ingredients that address your specific hair and scalp issues can significantly enhance your overall hair health and styling results.
Aloe vera-based gels are excellent for those seeking a natural option that avoids irritation and buildup. These ingredients provide gentle hydration while preventing clogged pores, which is especially beneficial for sensitive scalps. Aloe vera soothes and moisturizes, making these gels ideal for those prone to scalp irritation. Rosemary oil is also great for the scalp; it helps combat dandruff and promotes hair growth.
With the added benefit of lightweight moisture, these gels keep your hair styled without causing heaviness or residue, making them suitable for everyday use. Whether you have curly, wavy, or straight hair, these gels offer a natural solution to maintain your style while promoting scalp health.
Hair gels offer varying levels of strength, each suiting a different need.
Light-hold gels are the perfect choice for a more relaxed and natural hairstyle. These gels offer gentle control, allowing your hair to maintain its natural movement while keeping flyaways in place. They are especially suited for casual, everyday looks or for individuals with fine hair who prefer a touch of volume without the stiffness or heaviness of stronger gels. The result is a soft, effortless style that feels lightweight yet polished, making it ideal for those who want a more subtle and flexible hold throughout the day.
For curly or textured hair, medium-hold gels offer the perfect balance of definition and flexibility. These gels help maintain the shape of curls, waves, or styled twists while allowing your hair to stay soft and touchable, avoiding the stiffness or crunchiness associated with stronger gels. They are ideal for achieving long-lasting hold in styles like twist-outs, braids, or wash-and-go looks, providing enough control to prevent frizz while preserving your hair’s natural movement. With a medium-hold gel, you can enjoy well-defined, flexible styles that last all day without compromising comfort or manageability.
For those who need their hairstyle to last all day, firm-hold gels provide the necessary support to keep everything in place, even in challenging weather conditions like humidity. These gels are ideal for structured or highly defined styles that require maximum control, ensuring that your hair maintains its shape without losing definition; whether working with sleek, sculpted looks or tight, defined curls, a firm-hold gel guarantees long-lasting hold, making it perfect for individuals seeking a polished, flawless finish that endures throughout the day.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | Details | |||||
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Soothing Ingredients | Moisturizing Ingredients | Strengthening Ingredients | Hold | Amount | |||||
1 | Garnier Fructis Pure Clean Gel | ![]() | Reliable Hydration and Strong Hold for All-Day Styling | Glycerine | Firm | 6.8 fl. oz. | |||
2 | Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel | ![]() | Enhanced Curl Definition and Moisture Retention for Curly Hair | Honey, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, | Glycerin, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Babassu Seed Oil | Medium | 13 fl. oz. | ||
3 | Eco Style Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Gel | ![]() | Nourishment and Repair for Dry Hair with Lightweight Hold | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice | Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil | Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein | Firm | 8 fl. oz. | |
4 | Just Nutritive Herbal Gel for Curly Hair | ![]() | Organic Formula for Frizz Control and Enhanced Curl Definition | Aloe Vera Hydrosol, Foraha Oil, Chamomile Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5) | Glycerin, Camellia Seed Oil | Hydrolyzed Soy Protein | Medium | 16 fl. oz. | |
5 | JĀSÖN Hi-Shine Styling Gel | ![]() | Comprehensive Protection and Shine for All Hair Types | Witch Hazel Water, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Scutellaria Galericulata Extract | Glycerin | Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein | Medium | 6 oz. | |
6 | Thank God It's Natural Twist & Define Cream | ![]() | Long-Lasting Hydration and Nourishment for Natural Hair | Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) | Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil | Medium | 12 oz. | ||
7 | SheaMoisture SheaMoisture|Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strong Hold Styling Gel | ![]() | Strong Hold and Moisture for Curly and Chemically Treated Hair | Glycerin, Propanediol, Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Flax Seed Oil | Medium | 15 oz. | |||
8 | BIOCARE LABS Curls & Naturals Curl Defining Custard | ![]() | Versatile Styling for Natural Curls with Moisturizing Benefits | Honey | Honey, Shea Butter, Almond Oil, Mineral Oil | Medium | 12 oz. | ||
9 | Miribel Naturals Silky Smooth Flaxseed Gel | ![]() | Medium Hold and Tropical Nourishment for Defined Curls | Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Panthenol | Medium | 8 oz. | |||
10 | Joie Naturals MyGel 16 oz. | ![]() | Nourishing Formula for Thicker Hair and Effective Styling | unknown | unknown | unknown | Medium | 16 oz. |
Soothing Ingredients | |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerine |
Strengthening Ingredients |
This gel provides extra strong hold, making it ideal for creating various styles, from sleek and sleek to textured and messy. Garnier claims that it won’t make your hair sticky, flaky, or crunchy and that it adds shine. TI also features aloe vera, acacia gum, and other natural ingredients rather than silicone, parabens, or dyes.
Amount | 6.8 fl. oz. |
---|
Soothing Ingredients | Honey, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Shea Butter, Coconut Oil, Babassu Seed Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients |
Mielle Organics Honey & Ginger Styling Gel offers enhanced curl definition and moisture retention for dry, curly, thick, and frizzy hair. Infused with natural ingredients like honey, ginger, aloe extract, and babassu oil, this paraben-free gel nourishes and strengthens your hair while providing a non-sticky, flexible hold. It is designed to promote healthier, stronger hair and helps maintain natural curls and coils without causing product build-up or using harsh chemicals. This 13-ounce gel is ideal for Type 3A to 4C hair but is suitable for all hair types, making it a versatile choice for various porosity levels.
This styling gel pairs two powerful antioxidants—honey and ginger—with certified organic ingredients like aloe leaf juice. It ensures your hair stays hydrated and nourished all day while enhancing curls without leaving a flaky or sticky residue.
Amount | 13 fl. oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Linseed Seed Oil, Castor Seed Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients | Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein |
Eco Style Black Castor and Flaxseed Oil Styling Gel combines powerhouse ingredients, Black Castor Oil and Flaxseed Oil, to nourish and repair damaged hair while promoting a healthy scalp. This 8-ounce gel offers superior hold without compromising hydration, allowing for weightless styling that adds a long-lasting shine. Black Castor Oil helps prevent water loss and keeps hair moisturized, while Flaxseed Oil strengthens your hair with B vitamins. Whether going for a sleek, pulled-back look or maintaining your curls, this styling gel delivers long-lasting results without the heaviness of wax or grease.
This gel suits all hair types and textures, from tightly coiled to straight hair. It locks in moisture while providing frizz control and volume retention. Made in the USA, the gel is dairy-free and crafted with natural ingredients for a clean, weightless finish.
Amount | 8 fl. oz. |
---|
Soothing Ingredients | Aloe Vera Hydrosol, Foraha Oil, Chamomile Oil, Panthenol (Vitamin B5) |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Camellia Seed Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients | Hydrolyzed Soy Protein |
Just Nutritive Herbal Gel for Curly Hair is a 16-ounce conditioning gel specifically formulated to provide moisture, control, and definition for curly hair. Designed to prevent frizz, damage, and split ends, this lightweight gel offers flexible hold without weighing down your curls or leaving behind residue. The herbal scent enhances the experience while the formula nourishes and strengthens the hair, creating soft, shiny, and bouncy curls. With ingredients like Aloe Vera, the gel also helps balance the scalp's pH, naturally hydrating strands and adding a lacquer-like shine.
This gel is free from harsh chemicals and alcohol, ensuring your hair stays healthy and hydrated. It is suitable for all hair types and is safe for color-treated hair. Handcrafted in the USA, the product is cruelty-free and made using natural, plant-based ingredients. The combination of nourishing elements feeds your hair with essential vitamins, making it soft, strong, and dandruff-free.
Amount | 16 fl. oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | Witch Hazel Water, Panthenol, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Equisetum Arvense Extract, Scutellaria Galericulata Extract |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin |
Strengthening Ingredients | Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein |
Jason Flaxseed Hi-Shine Styling Gel is a 6-ounce product designed to enhance hair's texture, shape, volume, and shine with salon-quality results. The formula is enriched with a wholesome blend of flaxseed, panthenol, and plant proteins and extracts, which provide your hair with added volume and a glossy finish. Suitable for all hair types, the gel offers a strong hold while remaining gentle enough for permed and color-treated hair.
This cruelty-free styling gel is free from parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and petrolatum. Its lightweight formula delivers long-lasting shine and volume without harsh chemicals, making it ideal for those seeking a healthier styling option.
Amount | 6 oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | Panthenol (Pro-Vitamin B5) |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients |
TGIN Twist and Define Cream is a 12-ounce styling cream explicitly formulated for curly hair, designed to provide moisture, shine, and definition for various curl patterns. Enriched with coconut oil and vitamin E, it penetrates deep into the hair shaft to nourish and moisturize while adding a healthy shine. This cream is ideal for twist-outs, braid-outs, and wash-and-go styles, offering a soft hold without excessive product use. The formula is paraben-free flake-free, and reduces frizz and flyaways, leaving curls well-defined, soft, and manageable. This curl-defining cream helps rejuvenate dry, thirsty strands, ensuring hair stays hydrated and shiny.
Amount | 12 oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Glycerin, Propanediol, Shea Butter, Castor Seed Oil, Flax Seed Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients |
SheaMoisture’s Jamaican Black Castor Oil and Flaxseed Strong Hold Styling Gel is a paraben-free styling solution for natural, chemically processed, or heat-styled hair. This 15-ounce gel is ideal for coily and curly hair types, offering a strong hold while taming flyaways and providing frizz control. Enriched with Shea Butter, Flaxseed Oil, Peppermint, and Apple Cider Vinegar, it smooths and defines hair without drying it out, making it suitable for achieving twist-outs, braids, updos, or sleek pulled-back styles. The gel offers a non-alcohol-based formula, delivering moisture, nourishment, and long-lasting, frizz-free hold.
This styling gel also strengthens and protects hair, thanks to its blend of nourishing natural ingredients. It’s crafted to be gentle yet effective, allowing users to maintain healthy-looking, shiny hair without buildup or stiffness.
Amount | 15 oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | Honey |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | Honey, Shea Butter, Almond Oil, Mineral Oil |
Strengthening Ingredients |
This 12 oz jar provides a generous amount of product that lasts longer than most standard styling gels. Free from harsh ingredients such as sulfates, parabens, dyes, mineral oil, DEA, and TEA, it is a safe and nourishing option that helps maintain the health of your hair. Whether you are aiming for defined curls, smooth waves, or a polished twist-out, this curl enhancer offers flexible hold and lasting control without compromising moisture. The product’s emphasis on customer satisfaction ensures a high-quality experience with each jar.
Amount | 12 oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | Aloe Vera Leaf Juice, Panthenol |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | |
Strengthening Ingredients |
This gel is crafted to nourish and define curls without harsh chemicals. Free from silicones, sulfates, gluten, and parabens, it is a vegan and cruelty-free option that's safe for color-treated hair. With a light, natural scent, it offers a refreshing experience while locking in your natural texture. Miribel, the brand behind this gel, is committed to creating products that enhance the beauty of natural hair, promoting healthy and vibrant curls without compromising on quality or ingredients.
Amount | 8 oz. |
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Soothing Ingredients | unknown |
---|---|
Moisturizing Ingredients | unknown |
Strengthening Ingredients | unknown |
Unscented and free from harsh additives, Joie Naturals MyGel delivers a balanced approach to styling, offering conditioning benefits while promoting natural hair growth. Its plant-based ingredients nourish and strengthen hair from the roots, ensuring your locks remain soft, manageable, and full of vitality. This gel helps you achieve a sleek, nourished finish for everyday styles or more structured looks.
Amount | 16 oz. |
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Check out these other must-haves for keeping your hair looking its best.
No. 1: Garnier Fructis|Pure Clean Gel
No. 2: Mielle Organics|Honey & Ginger Styling Gel
No. 3: Eco Style|Black Castor & Flaxseed Oil Gel
No. 4: Just Nutritive|Herbal Gel for Curly Hair
No. 5: JĀSÖN|Hi-Shine Styling Gel
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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