Deep conditioning focuses on nourishing your hair through the use of a good conditioner or hair mask. Because curls are naturally drier, deep conditioning is an essential part of your curly hair routine. Twice a week is more than enough to notice the benefits of deep conditioning : more beautiful, healthier, and shinier curls that hold their shape better!
We’re happy to help you make a choice, so below you’ll find a list of great masks that are CG- approved and contain no protein.
Also read: Getting started with the Curly Girl Method: a step-by-step plan
Does your hair need a protein-rich mask? Discover our favorite protein hair masks here.
In this article:
Hair masks for curls without protein
Mielle Organics Hawaiian Ginger Moisturizing Overnight Conditioner
This overnight conditioner with ginger, avocado oil, and coconut oil repairs dry hair and helps with split ends with added hydration. Your hair will feel silky soft afterward.
Shea Moisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Treatment Mask
The treatment mask, thanks to shea butter, sea kelp, and argan oil, is highly effective for dry, damaged, and curly hair, keeping curls healthy. Sea kelp helps repair hair. Argan oil nourishes hair with vitamin E, giving it a natural shine. Shea butter hydrates and protects the scalp by retaining moisture. After use, curls gain shine and definition. The product has a pleasant scent and leaves hair soft and easy to comb.
Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Protein-Free Hydrating Conditioner
This ultra-hydrating organic hair conditioner is perfect for protein-sensitive hair! With ingredients like almond oil, sacha inchi oil, and sub-Saharan African mongongo oil, this mask provides the nutrients your hair needs for intense hydration. It restores curls’ health and shine, leaving them feeling soft after use.
As i Am Naturally Hydration Elation Intensive Conditioner
This super-nourishing mask creates soft, bouncy curls. It contains Vitamin E and Shea butter, among other ingredients, to repair damaged hair and boost shine.
Ecoslay Banana Cream
This deep conditioner contains ingredients like avocado, okra, coconut cream, aloe vera, and banana. The mask is a super-thick, moisturizing treatment that nourishes even the driest locks! This product pairs perfectly with Ecoslay Orange Marmalade.
Curls Sea Kelp & Cucumber Hair Mask
This mask is perfect for vitamin-deficient, dry, and damaged hair. The cucumber juice contains sulfur and silicon, which combat hair loss and simultaneously promote hair growth. It also adds beautiful shine and silky curls! Sea kelp is a natural source of many vitamins, such as A, B1, C, D, and E, as well as minerals like iron, calcium, magnesium, and iodine. The latter provides intense hydration.
Camille Rose Algae Deep Conditioner
This nourishing mask is infused with a blend of pure blue-green algae, packed with 65 vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Unrefined cocoa and mango butters are blended into this intense, deep-conditioning formula for maximum moisture benefits. Growth-stimulating biotin, extracted from algae, is then infused to create this unique, soothing cocktail for all hair types.
Shea Moisture African Black Soap Bamboo Charcoal Purification Masque
This intensive mask deeply conditions hair and nourishes the scalp. The ingredients—African Black Soap, Bamboo Charcoal, Tea Tree Oil, and Willow Bark Extract—create a powerful treatment that boosts moisture and nourishes while absorbing excess oil and removing impurities from the scalp. After use, curls look healthy and shiny again.
Novex My Curls Mystic Black Deep Hair Mask
This mask restores moisture and shine to your hair. Using baobab oil from the baobab tree in Africa, curls are intensely hydrated and protected against split ends. Suitable for kinky, coily, and curly hair, the mask is rich in vitamins that provide extra nourishment.
Also read: What does protein mean for a Curly Girl?
Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment Island Fantasy
Jessicurl Deep Conditioning Treatment is a thick, hydrating conditioner treatment that can be used daily. It contains cocoa and shea butter to restore moisture to dry, curly hair. All conditioners can be used as leave-ins! This product is also suitable for straight hair.
Curl flo Deep Conditioning Treatment
The Curl Flo mask completely hydrates your hair. This protein-free treatment absorbs into your hair to protect your curls. This leaves you with soft, defined curls!
Novex My Curls Mask Conditioner
Novex My Curls Hair Mask is designed to cushion your curls, giving them movement and plenty of hydration. The formula, with its blend of 7 functional oils and cranberry, will give curls more hydration, nourishment, and powerful anti-frizz properties.
Yari Green Curls Deep Treatment Mask
Yari Green Curls Deep Treatment Mask is packed with avocado, pomegranate, blueberry, and acai berry. It’s a luxurious hair mask that intensively nourishes and hydrates your hair. Your hair will be healthy, silky, and shiny again!
Camille Rose Naturals Algae Renew Deep Conditioner
Packed with antioxidants, the conditioner protects hair from environmental aggressors, preventing damage and keeping it smooth and shiny for longer. To deliver maximum softness for a silky texture, unrefined Mango and Cocoa Butters are blended into this formula, locking in moisture and sealing the hair cuticle for a deeply hydrating effect. Blue-green algae helps keep hair strong and improves resilience to reduce the risk of breakage during brushing and styling, while added Biotin works to maintain and support normal growth. The result? Beautiful, healthy curls!
What does protein do for curls?
Moisturizing products for curly hair keep curls hydrated and retain moisture. Moisture is crucial for very dry or brittle curls.
So, what are moisturizing ingredients? First and foremost, water (aqua) is a key ingredient and the most well-known. Then there are emolients and humectants. Emolients are softening and can be found as oil, butter, or fatty alcohols. Humectants help retain moisture in the hair. The most common are glycerin, honey, glycol, sorbitol, and pantheol.
Do you have any further questions about protein-free hair masks? Let us know on Instagram ; we’re happy to help!

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