11 Best Alcohol-Free Hair Gels That Make Styling A Cinch
1. Free & Clear Hair Styling Gel
This alcohol-free hair gel from Free & Clear is a good move if you’re trying to keep away from common chemical irritants. It has a gentle formula, which helps tame frizz and a few flyaways to give you the liberty to style your hair as you please. It offers a firm hold to keep your hair in place without leaving a greasy residue or flakiness. If your skin and scalp decide to act up at the touch of any new product, you can count on this hair gel as it is dermatologist-tested and is suitable for sensitive skin. Pros
Free of preservatives Dermatologist-tested Gluten-free Suitable for sensitive skin
Cons
May not offer complete frizz control for curly hair
2. DevaCurl Light Defining Gel
If you love to rock different hairstyles, you need a hair gel like this one from DevaCurl that you can confidently depend on. No matter whether you have curly, kinky, or wavy hair, squeeze this gel into your hands and apply it to sopping wet hair to witness a crunch that scrunches off to give way to curls that are too good to be true. The wheat and soy proteins in the formula help lock in moisture, and you get smooth and soft curls. It is one of the best gels for curly hair. It offers an impressive hold and defines curls. It nourishes your hair with ingredients like castor oil, hops extract, matricaria extract, rosemary extract, among other natural components. Check out the review of this product on YouTube to know why it is one of the best out there. Pros
Non-drying formula Provides a good hold Paraben-free Sulfate-free Silicone-free Cruelty-free Gluten-free Phthalate-free
Cons
May create an excessive crunch
3. TRESemmé Defining Gel
This non-alcoholic hair gel gives you a lifted crown with bouncy curls that stay put throughout the day. It also helps transform frizzy, dry hair by locking in moisture with its humidity-resistant formula so that your curls pack a natural shine. While it does offer an amazing hold, it does so without weighing down your curls— thanks to its lightweight formula. The result when you use this affordable yet professional-grade hair gel is bouncy ringlets that move with you. Pros
Offers frizz control Fights humidity Offers a good hold Affordable
Cons
May not protect from heat
4. Ricitos de Oro Chamomile Manzanilla Hair Gel
The Ricitos de Oro Chamomile Manzanilla Hair Gel is specifically designed to hold your baby’s hair in place without feeling greasy or sticky. It is enriched with chamomile that helps nourish and boost hair health while making it shinier and smoother. It is also free of alcohol, making it ideal for sensitive baby hair use. Pros
Lightweight Non-greasy Pleasant fragrance Affordable Paraben-free Gluten-free Soy-free SLS-free No preservatives
Cons
Provides a light hold
5. LA Looks Extreme Sport Hair Gel
This alcohol-free styling gel has it all— good hold, affordable price, and a good amount of product that lasts several months. It offers a hold level of 10, and we can tell why this LA Looks Extreme Sport gel has “extreme” in its name. Thanks to its advanced tri-active hold, the gel keeps your hair safe from humidity and helps retain the hold, definition, and shine even when your day is filled with many physical activities. It leaves behind a healthy cast that helps define your curls. Once you dry your hair, scrunch away the cast for bouncy and frizz-free curls that are full of life. Check out this video on YouTube for a detailed understanding of the product. Pros
Highly-defined curls Offers an impressive hold Long-lasting effect Soft curls Flake-free formula
Cons
Some may find it to be drying
6. Queen Helene Styling Gel- Level 8
The Queen Helene hair gel without alcohol is what you need if you’re trying out a dramatic hairstyle that stays in place. It offers level 8 hold that helps ensure that your hairstyle stays in place for hours. It provides a great deal of control on even 4C curls while adding body to the hair. If you’re aiming for a wet and glazed look, let your hair dry naturally after applying this gel to towel-dried hair. This alcohol-free styling gel is also leaping-bunny certified to give you complete assurance if you’re committed to using cruelty-free products. Pros
Non-sticky formula Delivers firm hold Paraben-free Cruelty-free
Cons
Some may find the scent too strong
7. Rolda Black Styling Gel
This alcohol-free hair gel packs a classic shine and imparts a firm hold. You can sport both wet and dry looks with this one. It is infused with activated charcoal that gives the gel a nice black tinge while moisturizing and nourishing the hair. Since it is formulated to be water-soluble, it does not leave behind a nasty flake or make your hair feel sticky. It is light in weight, so you can expect it to give a natural bounce without curl-clumping, stiffening, or weighing down your curls. Pros
Non-sticky Residue-free Climate pledge-friendly Provides firm hold for 4C curls
Cons
May have a strong scent
8. Leonor Greyl Paris Gel A L’Hibiscus
A haircare and styling product in one, the Leonor Greyl Paris Gel A L’Hibiscus is a medium-hold hair gel that strengthens the hair while making it look impeccable. The organic sweet almond milk enriched with vitamin E and omega-9 works with rich amino acids to protect, hydrate, and revive hair. Additionally, the hibiscus extract imparts shine and volume for soft and shiny locks. Pros
Adds shine Long lasting hold Vegan Gluten-free Paraben-free Silicone-free Talc-free Sulfate-free Gluten-free
Cons None
9. SheaMoisture Papaya & Neroli All Day Frizz Control Style Gel
If you struggle with frizzy hair on your wavy or curly locks, the SheaMoisture Papaya & Neroli All-Day Frizz Control Style Gel is what you need. This alcohol-free styling gel helps define your hair while keeping it hydrated. Its blend of papaya, neroli, elderflower, and fair trade shea butter works to tame frizz, add shine, and provide long-lasting hold. In addition, it does not leave your hair feeling crunchy or flakey, and natural-looking instead. Pros
Controls frizz Lightweight Pleasant fragrance Non-sticky Affordable
Cons
Not for fine hair
10. SheaMoisture Daily Hydration Styling Gel
BUY ON AMAZON
Get hydrated and soft curls with this frizz-control hair gel made with 100% virgin coconut oil. The fatty acids and vitamin E in the coconut oil deliver intense nourishment and protect your hair from daily damage. The coconut milk and acacia senegal in the formula further seals moisture to maintain your hair’s elasticity and softness. It lifts your hair and provides a medium hold while adding healthy volume and shine. Pros
Paraben-free Sulfate-free Suitable for all hair types Controls frizz Non-crunchy
Cons None
11. FRAGFRE Styling Gel
This oh-so-amazing alcohol-free hair gel has been formulated, keeping in mind people with sensitive skin. It is a sensitive formula that’s hypoallergenic. It works for different types of hair, from oily, colored, treated, dry, to normal, and makes styling hair feel like a breeze. It is free of common irritants like parabens, sulfates, colors, dyes, petrolatum, phthalates, BHT, and many other preservatives. If you want a shiny look, apply it to damp hair, and you want a matte look with added volume, you can apply it on dry hair. Pros
Hypoallergenic Non-irritating Paraben-free Gluten-free Vegan
Cons
May not provide a strong hold
Are you not sure about the factors you need to consider when buying an alcohol-free hair gel? We’re here to help you out. Read our next segment that sheds light on the aspects you should focus on when buying a hair gel.
How To Choose The Right Alcohol-Free Hair Gel?
Type of hold
The type of hold depends on how long you’d want your hairstyle to stay in place and the type of your hair. Hair gels that provide moderate hold are ideal for wavy hair. However, if you have 3a to 4c curls, you need a hair gel that gives a stronger hold that’s long-lasting.
Hair texture
It is recommended to opt for a lightweight formula if you have finer hair because a sticky or a denser hair gel will be overpowering. However, if you have thicker hair or denser spirals, you can settle for a heavy formula.
Natural ingredients
Since hair gels may be loaded with many chemicals, 1 or 2 natural ingredients in your hair gel can cancel out the toxicity and damaging properties of these chemicals if at all you have damaged hair. Ingredients like avocado oil, almond and coconut oil help nourish and hydrate the hair so that you can style your hair every day without harming your hair.
Other aspects
If you have color-treated hair, make it a point to buy a color-safe hair gel. And if you have sensitive skin, pick one that is dermatologist-tested and hypoallergenic. You can also take into account the finish of the hair gel, which generally is of 2 types— matte and shiny, depending on what your preference is. The journey with hair gels never stops at laying hands on the most perfect hair gel. It extends to using it the right way to style your hair for the desired results. Here’s a brief guide on how you should use your alcohol-free hair gel for flawless styling.
How To Use An Alcohol-Free Hair Gel?
Step 1: Dampen your hair before you start applying a hair gel. For best outcomes, apply it to sopping wet hair. However, some of the hair gels also work great on towel-dried hair. You can check for instructions on the hair gel pack that you intend to use. Step 2: If you have long hair, create sections and apply the gel carefully to each section. Step 3: After the application, detangle your hair and then use a blow-dryer to dry your hair. You can also let your hair dry naturally. Step 4: Once completely dry, you’ll most likely witness a crunch or cast. You can start from the bottom and go all the way to the top. Ensure that you scrape off the cast completely. When that’s done, you’re free to work with the hairstyle of your choice.
Why Trust Stylecraze
Vaishnavi Kothuri is a hair care enthusiast who loves to write detailed articles on the same. She relies on alcohol-free hair gels as they can easily fix your hairstyle without causing any damage to the strands. She has curated the list very carefully after going through multiple online reviews and product specifications. According to her, alcohol-free gels help tame your wild curls and give your hair a gorgeous definition. Is alcohol-free gel bad for your hair? Alcohol can dry the scalp and cause scalp irritation for many who have sensitive skin. Thus, alcohol-free gels can actually be a better option. Does alcohol-free gel damage hair? Any hair gel can damage your hair if it is packed with too many chemicals that strip your hair of nutrients. This is why opting for a gel that has natural ingredients is recommended. Does alcohol in gel cause hair loss? Since alcohol may dry the scalp, a hair gel with alcohol can lead to increased hair fall when you use it regularly. Does gel damage natural hair? Any gel that has too many toxic or questionable ingredients can eventually cause your hair to lose the natural shine, thus making it look dull. This is why you should use a good conditioner and hair masks to keep your hair nourished. Does gel make your hair grow? If your gel packs a good amount of coconut, almond, jojoba, or castor oil, hair growth can be one of the added benefits of using it. Best Vegan Hair Gels Best Natural Hair Gels Best Eco Styler Hair Gels To Try Best Gels for For Dreadlocks
