The 16 Best Detanglers of 2024 for Knot-Free, Glossy Hair
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Including the one Selena Gomez swears by
People / Lecia Landis
It’s never a fun moment when you run a brush through your hair, only to get it stuck to the point of no return like Mia Thermopolis in The Princess Diaries. Typically a good conditioner will serve you well as you brush or comb through your tangles, but sometimes you need a little extra reinforcement to help save some time (and scalp pain). That's where a good detangler comes in.
Many celebrities incorporate a good spray detangler into their hair care routines. In a TikTok video, Selena Gomez revealed that she uses Unite 7 Seconds detangler in the morning. Other celebrities have created their own detanglers like Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie and Jonathan Van Ness’ JVN haircare line.
“The best way to detangle hair is to brush in small sections by starting at the end, then slowly and carefully making your way to the top,” celebrity hair stylist Andrew Fitzsimons tells PEOPLE. “This allows you to get rid of any tangles instead of being harsh on your hair, which would be the case if you went from root to tip.”
No matter what your precious locks need, we’ve rounded up the best detanglers for every hair type and purpose to help create smooth, glossy results.
Here are the best detanglers for every hair type and need.
Best Overall: Amika The Wizard Detangling Primer
Who It’s Good For
This detangler is ideal for priming and can help you prep your hair before drying and styling it.
Who It's Not Good For
It’s intended for wet or damp hair only, so we don't recommend using it on dry hair.
Before you get ready for your next night out, begin primping with this lightweight priming detangler. Amika Wizard Detangling Primer works quickly to smooth out and detangle your hair, so you can blow dry and style it, yielding a shiny finish. Simply mist this detangler throughout your hair while damp, and run your fingers or a comb through the ends.
It hydrates all hair types and helps prime for hot tools by providing heat protection up to 450°F. Plus, it can help your hair dry faster, speeding up the blow-dry process. We appreciate its versatile usage, sleek results, and accessible price.
Size: 4 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Avocado oil, provitamin B5, sea buckthorn | Fragrance: Yes | Best For: Detangling, hydrating, protecting from heat, increasing shine, reducing blow-dry time
Best Overall, Runner-Up: Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer
Who It’s Good For
This detangler is perfect for anyone who needs to untangle knots and wants conditioned, hydrated, and shiny hair.
Who It’s Not Good For
It works well on all hair types, so this would only cause hesitation for someone looking for a budget-priced detangler.
This all-around gem of a detangler works hard to smooth the cuticle of each strand and help it detangle from your other hair, leaving behind a silky and tangle-free mane. Specifically, the oil blend and amino acid complex join together to soften your hair which can help with separating knots and provides extra hydration for anyone dealing with dryness.
Working on all hair types and textures, this is a highly versatile detangler. It also aids with heat protection if you frequently use hot tools to style your hair. If you like a fragrance in your beauty products, the subtle notes of bergamot, jasmine, and sandalwood will be a symphony to your nose. Oribe Run Through’s detangler and primer is a great way to start your morning routine for protected, smooth, delicious-smelling hair with a glossy finish. The only reason it fell short of our top spot is because of its steeper price.
Size: 1.7 ounces, 5.9 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Oil blend, amino acid complex, oribe signature complex | Fragrance: Calabrian bergamot, white butterfly jasmine, sandalwood | Best For: Detangling, dryness, heat protection, shine
Best Value: Paul Mitchell The Detangler
Who It's Good For
This conditioning detangler is especially ideal for those with coarse or color-treated hair, but it does work for all hair types as well.
Who It's Not Good For
It’s a conditioner and detangler in one, so it’s not ideal for those looking for a leave-in detangler.
Paul Mitchell is a name synonymous with haircare as this legendary brand’s namesake was one of the OG big names in the industry. This detangler offers up similar prestige while maintaining a low price point as a conditioner and detangler in one, saving you time and precious pennies, and making this a great value.
With a rich and nourishing formula, this detangler gets deep into your hair, separating strands while you shower so you can brush it more easily when you’re ready to style it. As a conditioner, this product is also well-suited for those with coarse and color-treated hair that needs a little extra TLC. Since it conditions while it detangles, it may not be the best choice for those who prefer a leave-in detangler.
Size: 10.1 ounces, 16.9 ounces, 33.8 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: Coarse hair, color-treated hair | Key Ingredients: Grapeseed oil, carrot extract | Fragrance: Floral scent of jasmine, rose and violet with subtle notes of sandalwood and fir needle | Best For: Detangling, conditioning, UV protection, shine
Best for Heat Protection: Unite 7Seconds Condition Leave In Detangler Hairspray
Who It’s Good For
This is an ideal detangler to use on a regular basis, especially for moisture, smoothing out knots, and protecting your hair from styling tools.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might not be necessary for those who rarely or never use hot hair tools.
Recently announced as part of Selena Gomez’s morning beauty routine, the Unite 7 Seconds detangler is a crowd favorite with properties that make it ideal for heat resistance. The amodimethicone helps with thermal and UV protection while the rice protein strengthens your hair, and the panthenol adds moisture and a shiny finish. So, if you frequently use hot tools to style your hair, adding this detangler to your regular routine can help protect your hair and prevent damage, dryness, and frizz. If you're not a frequent user of hot hair tools, you might not need to add this product to your routine.
Size: 8 ounces | Hair Type: For all hair types including chemically-treated hair | Hair Texture: Thin, thick, coarse | Key Ingredients: Water soluble silicone blend, hydrolyzed rice protein (gluten-free), panthenol, amodimethicone | Fragrance: Unlisted | Best For: Detangling, moisturizing, thermal and UV protection
Related: The 17 Best Hair Dryers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed
Best for a Glossy Finish: LolaVie Glossing Detangler
Who It’s Good For
This vegan detangler is known for producing smooth hair, so it’s ideal for anyone who wants to improve their hair’s texture.
Who It’s Not Good For
It uses a lot of plant extracts and has a natural fragrance, so if you prefer unscented products, this might not be for you.
If you don’t trust the woman who inspired the “Rachel haircut” with all things hair, I don’t know who you can trust. Jennifer Aniston’s beautiful locks have been the envy of women (and men!) everywhere for decades, and she’s sharing the wealth through her haircare line LolaVie.
Her plant-based detangler is formulated with nourishing botanical extracts to hydrate your hair and help it shake off some of those tangles. It does have a natural fragrance thanks to all of the plant extracts, so if you prefer unscented products, this might not be for you. But for smooth hair with a glossy finish, there’s no better detangler out there. (And if you’re interested in other LoleVie products, we have the 411 on those, too!)
Size: 5 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Botanical extracts like bamboo, coconut, olive, lemon, squalane, linoleic acid | Fragrance: Naturally derived | Best For: Detangle, priming, protecting, smoothing, glossy finish
Best for Sensitive Skin: Briogeo Be Gentle, Be Kind Aloe + Oat Milk Detangling Spray
Who It’s Good For
It’s perfect for anyone who needs a gentle detangler.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s too big to carry-on a plane, so it wouldn’t be ideal for someone looking for a travel-friendly option.
It’s easy to forget that everything you put on your hair you’re also putting on your skin — and when you have sensitive skin, that can be a problem. The Briogeo Be Gentle Detangler is free of irritants like fragrance and packed with gentle, nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, oat milk, and green tea extract.
So while it detangles your hair, it’s also sure to leave your skin feeling calm, too. The size is a bit large for travel, but it makes for a great daily detangler if you need a gentler option.
Size: 5.9 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, oat milk, green tea extract | Fragrance: None | Best For: Sensitive or irritated (like sunburned) skin
Best Multipurpose: IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep Spray
Who It’s Good For
Anyone who needs a good post-shower product will appreciate this pick.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s not designed to be used on dry hair, so it's not ideal for anyone who likes to detangle when their hair is dry.
This detangler multitasks so you don’t have to. The Good Behavior Spray has four primary functions: detangling, preventing frizz and heat damage, and restoring shine. It uses spirulina protein and coconut oil to boost your hair’s health while carrying out these functions, leaving your hair smooth and tangle-free. It works best on damp hair, so we recommend applying some to the ends of your hair right after your shower.
Size: 7 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Spirulina protein, coconut oil | Fragrance: Yes | Best For: Frizz control, adding shine, heat protection, detangling damp hair
Best for Natural Hair: The Mane Choice Soft As Can Be Revitalize & Refresh 3-in-1 Co-Wash Leave In Detangler
Who It’s Good For
This 3-in-1 detangler offers premium conditioning, hair growth, and smooth tangle-free hair.
Who It’s Not Good For
If you have straight hair, there are better options on this list for your hair type.
As a multicultural hair growth brand, The Mane Choice has a detangler that’s perfect for taming curly and natural hair and reviving it with hydration, vitamins, and various botanical extracts. This 3-in-1 formula allows you to wash, condition, and detangle your hair — all while restoring moisture and helping with hair growth, softness, and shine. It’s also not harsh on your hair, so you can safely use this product daily as part of your routine. It's primarily for natural and curly hair, so if your hair is dry, you may want to try a different detangler from our list.
Size: 8 fluid ounces | Hair Type: Curly hair, natural hair | Hair Texture: Natural hair | Key Ingredients: Biotin, tea tree, extracts like coconut, lavender, birch, rosemary, chamomile, grapefruit, thyme, and avocado oil, citric acid, silk amino acids, vitamin E | Fragrance: Yes, unlisted scent | Best For: Restoring hair growth, detangling, conditioning, hydrating
Related: The 21 Best Curly Hair Products That Will Keep Your Curls Hydrated and Frizz-Free
Best for Curly Hair: Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch Instant Detangling Therapy
Who It’s Good For
This product is great for anyone who needs a product that helps with tangles, hydration, and breakage protection.
Who It’s Not Good For
It might not be as effective with UV and heat protection compared to others we recommend.
Aunt Jackie’s Knot On My Watch detangler targets knots, tangles, and everything in between. Using a generous amount of this formula, you can work it through your hair from the ends to the roots to help smooth out dry hair cuticles, nourish and hydrate, and protect your hair, especially curls. Ingredients like shea butter and soybean oil create a salon-quality shiny finish, and your curls will remain intact and have a stronger hold. That said, this product might not be as effective for UV and heat protection as others on our list. As a formula that’s designed for wet or dry hair, you can use this detangler right out of the shower, or apply it on dry hair prior to styling.
Size: 12 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Water, shea butter, soybean oil, citric acid, olive oil, propylene glycol | Fragrance: Floral, fruity | Best For: Detangling, protection from breakage, restoring moisture
Best Investment: Leonor Greyl Lait Luminescence Bi-Phase Detangling Milk Styling Spray
Who It’s Good For
It’s especially good for those with dry, thick hair due to its intense moisturizing ingredients.
Who It’s Not Good For
Since it’s made with plant-derived ingredients, the scent might not be appealing to everyone.
If you’re willing to spend a little more on your hair care, the Leonor Greyl Paris detangler is a good choice. This French brand puts an emphasis on plant-derived ingredients such as mongongo oil, karanja oil, and soy proteins, which all work together to hydrate your hair while protecting it from sun damage and inflammation. It also adds a beautiful shine to your locks and cuts through tangles for a smooth finish. Due to the intense hydration, this is a solid detangler, especially for dry, thick, or frizzy hair. Since it's made with plant-derived ingredients, it has a scent that may not be appealing to everyone.
Size: 5.25 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Organic mongongo oil, organic karanja oil, soy proteins | Fragrance: Yes | Best For: Nourishing dry, thick, or frizzy hair
Best Leave-In: JVN Complete Conditioning Mist
Who It’s Good For
This detangler is a perfect refresh for your hair, providing hydration and smoother hair for people who frequently get tangles and frizz.
Who It’s Not Good For
It’s more of a coverall detangler, so if you have a specific hair type that needs special care, this might not be as effective.
If you constantly wake up with dryness, frizz, and pesky tangles, this revitalizing mist from the hair queen himself will tame your mane in seconds. Celebrity hairstylist and Netflix’s Queer Eye host Jonathan Van Ness’ conditioning hair mist works to smooth and hydrate your hair, leaving it silky, soft, and knot-free.
“A detangler is a fantastic tool in everyone’s hair styling arsenal,” Jonathan Van Ness writes on his site (Editor’s Note: Van Ness also uses the pronouns “she” and “they”). “Whether a pro, at-home beginner, or advanced, this spray will help to end tangles and give your hair the hydration it needs heading into your day! It's a fabulous day [two] style reviver as well.”
As this is a leave-in conditioner, you can use it in your regular hair routine for consistently glossy locks. It also helps with UV and color protection and is completely vegan. You can comb it into wet hair or spray it onto dry hair before styling. It's the ideal refresh to hydrate and smooth hair, especially for those with frizz and tangles if you have a different hair type, this may not be the ideal choice.
Size: 2 ounces, 5 ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Squalane and hemisqualane, tremella mushroom extract, brassica seed-derived conditioning system, hyaluronic acid | Fragrance: Amber, cashmere musk, lemon, mandarin | Best For: Retains moisture for smoother hair, detangles, refresh strands
Best for Matted Hair: SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Moisturizing Detangler
Who It’s Good For
This rich and creamy formula instantly helps dry and brittle hair by drenching the hair with hydration and natural botanicals to soften it.
Who It’s Not Good For
Because it’s so hydrating with ingredients like argan oil, this may not be ideal for those with naturally oily hair.
We’re all one neck scarf and old hair scrunchie away from a bad matte, so having the proper tools on hand can save you time and frustration. This shea moisture detangler saturates your hair with moisture to loosen strands, making it easier to comb through (from ends to root!). If your hair is dry, brittle, and damaged from color, heat, etc., this detangler can help restore some nourishment and create a softer, shinier finish. Because it's so hydrating, this isn't the best product for those with naturally oily hair.
Size: 8 ounces | Hair Type: For dry matted hair | Hair Texture: All | Key Ingredients: Shea butter, coconut oil, sea kelp, argan oil, vegetable protein, algae extract, sage leaf, essential oil blend, citric acid, vitamin E | Fragrance: None | Best For: Strengthens, conditions, smooths, detangles hair
Best for Kids: SoCozy Detangler & Leave-In Conditioner Spray for Kids
Who It’s Good For
This detangler is specially formulated without any harmful chemicals like parabens, sulfates, synthetic colors or dies, and gluten, wheat, and nuts.
Who It’s Not Good For
This may not be the best for adults who need a stronger detangler that might be more effective.
If you have little ones in your household, you’ve probably experienced a tangled hair meltdown or two. Save the tears and your time, and utilize this specially formulated detangler designed for kids. So Cozy works with three primary ingredients — keratin, soy protein, and kiwi extract — to strengthen, smooth, and protect hair while you tackle each tangle. Simply divide your child’s hair into sections and spray each one from root to end, working with a comb from the bottom up. This mist also helps with frizz and shine. Adults in the household may find that they need a stronger detangler.
Size: 8 fluid ounces | Hair Type: All hair types | Hair Texture: All hair textures | Key Ingredients: Keratin, soy protein, kiwi extract | Fragrance: Fruity | Best For: Strengthening and softening hair to loosen tangles
Best Versatile: Cowboy Magic Detangler & Shine
Who It’s Good For
Technically, it’s good for pets because that’s who it was designed for, but it’s also safe for human hair, and according to reviews, it works well on both.
Who It’s Not Good For
If the idea of using a pet hair detangler weirds you out, then one of the other detanglers above might be a better fit.
They say dogs look like their owners, and if you use the same detangler, that may start to come true. Cowboy Magic Detangler was in fact designed for horses (yes, you read that right: horses), and is one of the most popular pet detanglers on the market, but according to pet parents all over the country, this detangler works on human hair really well, too.
Bear with us here. This is a highly nourishing formula that’s allergy-tested and dermatologist-reviewed, and because it’s made for more sensitive skin, there’s no water or alcohol in this product. We’re not going to recommend it as an everyday detangler, but for especially pesky knots and mattes, this is going to blow your mind and leave you with a coat as shiny as your dog’s (or horse's).
Size: 4 fluid ounces | Hair Type: Curly, straight, matted | Hair Texture: Coarse, thick hair | Key Ingredients: Cyclomethicone, silk amino acids | Fragrance: Yes, scent unlisted | Best For: Mattes, knots, tangles
Best for Frizz: Ouai Detangling and Frizz Fighting Leave In Conditioner
Who It's Good For
This is a great detangler for anyone who prefers a leave-in product that can also help with flyaways and dryness.
Who It's Not Good For
This product might not be right for anyone who prefers an unscented hair product.
If you’re looking for the best detangler for frizz, look no further than Ouai Detangling and Frizz-Fighting Leave-In Conditioner. It has the trifecta of nourishing ingredients (vitamin E, amino acids, and tamarind seed extract) to heal and protect damaged and tangled strands. Because it’s a leave-in product, it continues to smooth the hair and prevent flyaways all day long. It’s also a great product when heat-styling since it hydrates and protects hair from damage at temperatures of up to 450 degrees. Spray this musky and floral detangler on wet hair and comb through before styling.
Size: 4.7 ounces | Hair Type: Fine, medium, and thick | Hair Texture: Straight, wavy, curly, and coily | Key Ingredients: Vitamin E, amino acid blend, tamarind seed extract | Fragrance: Yes, floral and musk | Best For: Reduces frizz, flyaways, and dryness, and protects against heat damage
Best Lightweight: Rahua Hydration Detangler + UV Barrier
Who It's Good For
This product is great for anyone looking for a detangler that also softens and conditions hair.
Who It's Not Good For
This detangler is a bit pricey, so it may not be ideal for those who need to use a lot of product.
This combination detangler and leave-in conditioner from Rahua is loaded with moisturizing natural oils and extracts, plus it’s color-safe, paraben and sulfate-free. It has a lovely passion fruit and mango scent, and it softens while it detangles the hair. It also offers UV defense to prevent breakage and damage from heat styling products and the sun. Apply this lightweight product by misting generously on damp or dry hair and combing through. It is on the pricey side, so if your hair requires a ton of product, you might want to choose something less expensive per ounce.
Size: 6.5 fluid ounces | Hair Type: All | Hair Texture: Coarse, color-treated, curly, dry, damaged | Key Ingredients: Morete, rahua and sacha inchi oils | Fragrance: Yes, passion fruit and mango | Best For: Detangling, moisturizing, leaving hair soft
How to Pick the Right Detangler
Ingredients
When you’re looking at different detanglers, the ingredients can inform how well the product will work for your needs. For instance, amino acids help boost keratin production and strengthen the hair, whereas panthenol (or vitamin B5) is better for hydration and softening hair. Squalane controls oil and soothes skin, biotin increases hair growth, and shea butter sends a surge of moisture into even the toughest of tangles. All of these ingredients (among others) work on the texture, moisture level, and condition of hair to help loosen strands and fight knots.
“When looking for a detangler, I typically gravitate towards products that have moisturizing ingredients like castor oil that’ll help the brush move sleekly through the hair without tugging on the strands,” says Fitzsimons. “I also love multipurpose detanglers that can be used for preparing the hair before styling and include heat protecting properties.”
Hair Type
Your hair type plays a large role in which detangler you should buy. “In any case, detanglers work best on all hair types, just be sure you’re buying a detangler that caters to your hair’s needs,” says Fitzsimons. For example, those with color-treated hair are more prone to dryness and can benefit from detanglers that protect against damage and restore hydration (if this sounds like you, we recommend Paul Mitchell The Detangler). “Drier hair types, and usually curlier or coarse hair, will need more moisturizing ingredients while fine or straight hair types will need a light detangler that won’t weigh the hair down,” he adds.
Purpose
If you’re just looking for a general tangle remedy, that’s one thing, but sometimes you’re dealing with larger issues — like mattes. The consistency and level of knottiness will determine what kind of detangler you need. For everyday tangles, you’ll want a leave-in conditioner that you can apply after the shower or spray on before you style it. If you use hot tools frequently, you might want something that accounts for heat protection. Or for those who have intense mattes or thick knots, a stronger detangler with lots of moisture (like Cowboy Magic's Detangler & Shine or the SheaMoisture Raw Shea Butter Deep Moisturizing Detangler) to break up those clumps will be the most effective.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do detanglers work?
Essentially, detanglers work to smooth the surface of each strand of hair all the way to the shaft (in some cases repairing damage) and reduce friction to help separate tangles. With leave-in conditioning detanglers, like JVN Complete Conditioning Mist, you can spray them on the surface of your hair and then comb through it, whereas creamy detanglers are used in the shower and then must be rinsed out.
Can you only use detanglers on wet hair?
You can use different detanglers on both wet and dry hair, depending on the instructions, but “the best way to detangle hair is to do so when it is wet,” says Fitzsimons. “The wetter the hair is, the better the products in your hair absorb quickly into the hair shaft, which then makes it easier to slip your brush through any knots. If you have curly or coarse hair I recommend detangling in the shower.”
What are the most common causes for tangles?
Tangles can happen for a number of reasons — friction with clothing like collared shirts and neck scarves, long hair prone to knots, color-treatment, dryness, heat damage, and more. Keeping your hair up when you wear clothing around your neck can reduce knots, as well as deep-conditioning your hair on a regular basis with hair masks to replenish moisture.
Take Our Word For It
Madison Yauger is a senior commerce writer at PEOPLE who’s tested hundreds of products across lifestyle categories like home, beauty, travel, and pets. She’s previously covered many different subjects in the hair space, including the best curling irons, shampoos, and conditioners. With a background in news and lifestyle journalism, she has a wide network of expert sources and a penchant for accuracy. For this story, she spoke to celebrity hair stylist Andrew Fitzsimons, as well as heavily researching the market of detanglers to determine the best picks for different needs and hair types.
Meet Our Expert
Andrew Fitzsimons is a celebrity hair stylist.
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