Synthetic ingredients such as silicone dimethicone can also be used to smooth and seal the cuticle, preventing frizz and tangles. Silicones are safe and effective for most hair, but some hair types may find silicone heavy on the hair or drying. We’ve noted below where formulas are silicone-free. What else can I do to prevent knots and tangles? READ NEXT: Best products for curly hair How to choose the best detangling spray for you How do detangling sprays work?

Sky Kim is a New York-based hairstylist at Jenna Perry Hair Studio and a member of Byrdie's Beauty & Wellness Review Board. All detanglers contain lubricating oils to provide the “slip” that loosens knots and tangles. Popular oils include coconut, argan or olive oil, or vegetable butters such as shea or cocoa butter. Nourishing botanicals such as marshmallow root and flaxseed help condition and strengthen the hair from within, helping to maintain a smoother cuticle so that over time the hair will knot less.

Keep tangles at bay with the best hair detangling sprays and lotions to soften hair and avoid breakage

Unlike most of the products in our list that are used after washing and before styling, this pre-wash primer from curl specialist Curlsmith is formulated to add moisture and loosen tangles before you reach the cleansing step of your wash-day routine. The priming treatment is made with fermented rice water for strengthening, and hydrating ginger and guarana root, as well as a compound of prebiotic ingredients that are similar to those you’d find in yoghurt. To use, wet the hair and massage a generous measure of the creamy treatment through from roots to ends; detangle with a wide-toothed comb and then continue with your shampoo, without rinsing out the primer. The fresh-scented treatment seals in moisture and helps reduce friction and frizz on all hair types. It’s especially suitable for dry and delicate curls that need an extra moisture boost. Detangling sprays and lotions work by lubricating the hair, smoothing the cuticle so that it’s easier to untangle any knots and matting without further damaging the hair. Sprays that are applied immediately prior to brushing the hair tend to treat the acute problem by making the hair more slippery, helping a brush or comb to pass through. Detangling lotions used as part of a hair-washing routine also add moisture to the hair, but over the longer term help prevent tangles from forming in the first place. What ingredients should I look for? Oribe's Run-Through Detangling Primer is by far the best detangler product, easily untying knots and leaving smooth, silky hydration in its wake. However, if you're looking for a more affordable option, you can count on Garnier Fructis Style Pure Clean Detangler + Air Dry to get the job done. And in terms of detangling tools, your best bet is the Tangle Teezer The Ultimate Detangler.

The best detangling sprays and lotions you can buy in 2023 1. Cantu Coil Calm Detangler: The best detangler spray for Type 4 hair Intended Use: When browsing detanglers, you'll want to think about the intended use of each product. There are sprays, creams, conditioners, leave-ins, oils, hair primers, co-washes—you name it. While some can be used in several ways, like Melanin Multi-Use Softening Leave In Conditioner, others are meant to be applied either in the shower or when you get out. If you like to work through your knots in the shower, go with a conditioner, co-wash, or detangling cleanser. If you want something that makes it easier to comb through wet hair, opt for a leave-in treatment, whether it's a primer, cream, spray, or oil, like Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil. The solution? A detangling spray or lotion, to nourish and lubricate the hair, ease out knots, and prevent more tangles from forming. Detangling products come in two main types: leave-in conditioning treatments as part of your regular wash-day routine, and sprays that are applied to dry hair before brushing in the morning. Each type of detangler can benefit tangle-prone hair and make brushing battles a thing of the past. The spray is sulphate- and silicone-free, and leaves hair soft, lustrous and smelling delicious. Coil Calm can be used on type 3 and even type 2 hair – the product is densely lubricating, so less-coily hair types may find a little goes a long way – but for most hair types the spray does a fantastic job of melting stubborn knots away.Below you’ll discover how to choose the best detangling product for your hair type, plus we’ve rounded up our favourite detanglers for all budgets.