The Byrdie Guide to the Best Hair Relaxers for Straightening Without Breakage (2024)

Our Top Picks

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: No

Dark & Lovely’s Triple Nourished Silkening No-Lye Relaxer is a classic for a reason. The results are consistent, and the formula aims to protect the five signs of healthy hair—moisture, shine, strength, softness, and body—using hydrating ingredients like shea butter, jojoba, and avocado oils. We loved that it didn't burn our scalps (which can be common when relaxing hair) and that it left our hair smooth and shiny.

Who It’s For

The kit—which includes a moisture mask and shine cream enriched with moisturizing coconut oil—is also super easy to follow, making it an ideal choice for newbies.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil, coconut oil | Hair Type: Kinky, curly, wavy | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: No

Lye, also known as sodium hydroxide, is found in many relaxers because it works to straighten curls, but it can also cause burns and has a less-than-pleasant smell. This no-lye relaxer kit, which uses calcium hydroxide instead, is more gentle. It puts the health of your hair first with hydrating ingredients like coconut oil and comes with six easy steps (from pre-treatment to conditioner) to ensure up to 90% less breakage than traditional relaxers. That said, some users still said it dried their hair out, so if that’s a concern for you, try double conditioning.

Who It’s For

If you’d rather avoid harsh lye formulas, this no-lye product is a winner. It delivers good results while protecting the hair from breakage.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Color-treated, fine | Size: 8 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

This no-frills, no-fuss relaxer gets the job done without breaking the bank. Fair warning: This is a professional-grade relaxer made for those with some cosmetology knowledge. However, if you’re a self-relaxing pro, go for this conditioning formula.Interestingly, for a professional-level formula, some online reviewers said this product wasn’t as strong as it could be, but we still feel confident recommending it based on how overwhelmingly positive the reviews are.

Who It’s For

Anyone who’s relaxing their hair on a budget should try this option (as long as you’re not new to hair relaxing).

Active Ingredients: Water, sodium hydroxide, shea butter, olive oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: 64 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

If your hair is already dry and damaged, it’s essential to find a relaxer with moisturizing ingredients. This sodium hydroxide relaxer is infused with hydrating olive oil and shea butter and enhanced with hydrolyzed collagen (a structural protein that forms the building blocks of hair) to add strength while it straightens your hair.

Who It’s For

If your hair is feeling parched and brittle, this moisture-rich relaxer is the product we recommend.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: 15 oz | Cruelty-Free: Not listed

This professional-grade relaxer is also a great choice for damaged or fragile hair, as it contains hydrolyzed collagen, which strengthens the hair follicle to support new growth and healthier strands. Reviewers love that it makes their hair soft and shiny, that the product has good value, and lasts for multiple uses. Be sure to set a timer so you don’t leave the product on too long and risk harming your scalp.

Who It’s For

Those with dry, damaged hair will benefit from the strengthening ingredients in TCB No Base Creme Hair Relaxer with Protein and DNA. That said, if you have a sensitive scalp, make sure to just leave it on as long as directed to avoid irritation.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil, coconut milk, shea butter, vitamin E, sunflower oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: No

Sure, this formula is designed for children, but adults looking for mild results or with sensitive skin can also benefit from it. It’s a no-lye formula but instead is formulated with calcium hydroxide, which is a more gentle relaxing chemical. It delivers the sleek strands you’re looking for but it’s also hydrating with ingredients like coconut milk, shea butter, vitamin E, and sunflower oil.

Who It’s For

If you know you have sensitive skin and a scalp that’s easily irritated, this gentle, no-lye formula could be the ideal product for you. But if you know you have super-coily hair that needs a strong relaxer, this one might fall short.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil, coconut milk, shea butter, cocoa butter, honey | Hair Type: All, fine, color-treated | Size: 30 oz | Cruelty-Free: No

You don’t have to settle for dry, brittle hair just because you choose to relax it. This transformative relaxer leaves hair smooth and more manageable while also hydrating it with popular moisturizing ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, and honey. It comes with a protective pre-treatment to prevent burns, and users rave that it washes it out easily. That said, it may take a little longer to do the job than other, more intense products on this list.

Who It’s For

If your hair is already on the dry side and you don’t want to risk dehydrating your strands even further, this rich, nourishing relaxer is a smart choice.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil, castor oil, olive oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: No

For hair textures that are more resistant to relaxers, this extra-strength formula gets your hair straighter without compromising its integrity. The kit comes complete with hydrating castor oil (an ingredient that can help boost hair growth) and olive oil-infused treatments for nourishment and shine as you prepare to style your hair.

Who It’s For

If your hair has a thicker, more coarse texture, this hydrating formula promises to make it more manageable and leave it feeling nourished. If you have a finer hair type, be aware that this extra-strength formula might be a little too intense for your strands, ultimately leaving them damaged.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Color-treated, damaged | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: Yes

If you’ve been relaxing your hair for a while, you’re likely no stranger to scalp burns—but this doesn’t have to be the norm. In fact, scalp irritation is one of the signs that a relaxer is damaging your hair. This gentle formula is safe for color-treated hair and even the most sensitive scalps. Users report that it can relax coarse hair with ease and minimal to no irritation. This formula doesn’t come with a deep conditioner so we recommend slathering a hydrating treatment on for an added moisture boost.

Who It’s For

If you’re prone to scalp irritation, this gentle, relaxing formula is a great choice. Follow with one of our tested and reviewed scalp treatments for better hair health.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil, olive oil | Hair Type: Coarse | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: N/A

If you’re not quite ready to permanently straighten your hair but do want to try a looser curl or wave, this texturizer kit is a great option. We also love that it’s temporary (so if you hate the look, it won’t last forever). The reversible system lasts for up to six weeks, allowing you to straighten your hair less and experience less reversion. Some users are happy with the way it loosens curls. A minority of others were disappointed that their tighter texture didn’t return, so only use this product if you’re okay with potentially ending up with a looser pattern than your normal curl type.

Who It’s For

If you would prefer a looser curl rather than a super straight style, texturizers like this one work really well. But remember, texturizers use the same chemicals as relaxers and require the same aftercare (a good hydrating mask or treatment, ideally).

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Gray, curly | Size: Kit | Cruelty-Free: N/A

As hair turns gray it tends to become more coarse and less elastic, leaving it drier and more prone to breakage. This gentle formula can relax delicate gray hair while also having enough strength to straighten unruly textures. It’s also formulated with pure aloe vera gel, a natural conditioning ingredient that can help soothe the scalp and moisturize dry strands. Note: This product doesn’t come with a conditioner, but we recommend you use your own prior to straightening.

Who It’s For

If you’re rocking silver or gray hair these days, this no-lye formula will relax and condition while also neutralizing any brassiness thanks to its yellow-out formula.

Active Ingredients: Water, petrolatum, mineral oil | Hair Type: Coarse, kinky, curly | Size: 16 oz | Cruelty-Free: N/A

One of the downsides of using a relaxer is that you might end up with hair limpness. That’s not a worry with this product though—it adds plenty of volume back. We also love that the formula contains shea butter and coconut oil to give hair moisture and shine.

Unfortunately, it doesn’t come with a shampoo and conditioner like many other formulas, so remember to add those to your shopping list.

Who It’s For

Going straight doesn’t have to mean losing your enviable volume. The Linange Shea Butter Cream Relaxer will give finer textures a volume boost.

FAQ

• How long do hair relaxers last?

  “Depending on your hair texture and growth, relaxers last from six to 12 weeks before needing a re-touch,” says Sanders.

• Is it safe to relax hair at home?

  “I don’t typically recommend over-the-counter relaxers due to them potentially causing the hair to develop calcium buildup, which could eventually cause the hair to become brittle, dry, and break," says Sanders. "However, if one must do their relaxer at home, choose a mild formula that’s safe for a sensitivescalp.”

• How can you keep relaxed hair healthy?

  To keep relaxed hair healthy,Sanders advises seeking a professional stylist for regular hair maintenance, including getting ends regularly trimmed. Other recommendations include always keeping hair moisturized and conditioned and sleeping on a satin pillowcase or satin scarf.