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Beauty & Personal Care Hair Products

Best Hair Relaxers

Updated March 2023
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
ORS Olive Oil Full Application No-Lye Hair Relaxer
ORS Olive Oil
Full Application No-Lye Hair Relaxer
Ultra-Nourishing

This product contains an ultra-moisturizing blend of oils to protect hair from damage while relaxing.

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Ultra-Nourishing
Bottom Line

This product contains an ultra-moisturizing blend of oils to protect hair from damage while relaxing.

Pros

Contains a unique blend of olive, shea, and pequi oils that nourish hair to protect it from damage during relaxing. Leaves hair feeling smooth, silky, shiny, and strong. Effective formula with high-quality ingredients.

Cons

Most felt this product was gentle, but a few users experienced scalp irritation while using.

Best Bang for the Buck
SoftSheen Carson Dark and Lovely
SoftSheen Carson
Dark and Lovely
Soft & Shiny Results

If you are looking for a tried-and-true product for a decent price, Dark and Lovely is the relaxer to choose. It has earned a loyal customer base for the reliable results it produces.

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Soft & Shiny Results
Bottom Line

If you are looking for a tried-and-true product for a decent price, Dark and Lovely is the relaxer to choose. It has earned a loyal customer base for the reliable results it produces.

Pros

A trusted product that's been popular for decades. Adds shine and body. Doesn't contain lye. Repeat customers rave about the results, and that it doesn't cause a stinging or burning sensation on the scalp when directions are followed closely. Works on coarse hair.

Cons

May leave hair feeling a bit dry. Some customers received the wrong product.

Iso MAINTAMER Two-Step Straightening System
Iso MAINTAMER
Two-Step Straightening System
Great for Coarse Hair

This relaxer is on the harsh side, but is worth considering if you have coarse hair. It's known to deliver nice results in spite of its somewhat offensive scent.

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Great for Coarse Hair
Bottom Line

This relaxer is on the harsh side, but is worth considering if you have coarse hair. It's known to deliver nice results in spite of its somewhat offensive scent.

Pros

Formulated with botanicals that protect hair and make it shine. Works well on different types of curls and hair, including coarse textures. Kit includes a wide brush that cuts down on mess and application time. No lye.

Cons

Mixture has an odor that is strong and unpleasant, and tends to linger on hair through several washings. Scalp burns or hair loss are possible if instructions aren't followed.

SoftSheen Carson Optimum
SoftSheen Carson
Optimum
Best for Touchups

While this relaxer gets high marks for treating new growth so it blends in with previously-straightened hair, the formula is somewhat harsh.

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Best for Touchups
Bottom Line

While this relaxer gets high marks for treating new growth so it blends in with previously-straightened hair, the formula is somewhat harsh.

Pros

Made with conditioners and comes with a pretreatment designed to condition and moisturize most types of hair. Doesn't contain lye. Works well for touching up new growth. Made by a trusted brand.

Cons

A few users reported scalp burns and hair damage after use. Tends to be too harsh for thin or dry hair.

Phyto Specific PHYTORELAXER Botanical Based No-Lye Relaxer
Phyto Specific
PHYTORELAXER Botanical Based No-Lye Relaxer
Natural Alternative

Although this relaxer kit isn't ideal for everyone, it's worth a try for consumers who either need a product that's gentler to damaged hair, or prefer not to use harsh chemicals.

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Natural Alternative
Bottom Line

Although this relaxer kit isn't ideal for everyone, it's worth a try for consumers who either need a product that's gentler to damaged hair, or prefer not to use harsh chemicals.

Pros

An acceptable option for delicate, color treated, or damaged hair, as it is made with natural ingredients and doesn't contain lye, talc, parabens, silicone, or other harsh chemicals. Made with plant extracts that moisturize and condition.

Cons

Expensive, plus the portion sizes may not be enough to cover long hair. May not work on very coarse textures or extremely tight curls.

Why trust BestReviews?
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. About BestReviews  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.About BestReviews 
HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

Click here for testing insights
First Reviewed
December 18, 2021
57
Models
considered
18
Hours
researched
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Jennifer Manfrin
Written by Jennifer Manfrin

Updated March 2023

Curls are beautiful, but if you also like to wear straight styles without daily styling, using a chemical relaxer is an option. Also sometimes called permanent straighteners, these products work similarly to hair perms for straight hair, but in reverse – they chemically alter the structure of waves, curls, and coils to straighten hair, and typically last until new hair growth appears. Although these products can be drying to hair, modern varieties are made with moisturizers and conditioners that help prevent damage. In addition, today's relaxers straighten hair without extremely harsh ingredients like lye, and leave locks smooth and shiny.

Our Top Picks
ORS Olive Oil
Best of the Best
ORS Olive Oil
Full Application No-Lye Hair Relaxer
Bottom Line
This product contains an ultra-moisturizing blend of oils to protect hair from damage while relaxing.
Shop Now
SoftSheen Carson
Best Bang for the Buck
SoftSheen Carson
Dark and Lovely
Bottom Line
If you are looking for a tried-and-true product for a decent price, Dark and Lovely is the relaxer to choose. It has earned a loyal customer base for the reliable results it produces.
Shop Now
Iso MAINTAMER
Top Pick
Iso MAINTAMER
Two-Step Straightening System
Bottom Line
This relaxer is on the harsh side, but is worth considering if you have coarse hair. It's known to deliver nice results in spite of its somewhat offensive scent.
Shop Now
SoftSheen Carson
Top Pick
SoftSheen Carson
Optimum
Bottom Line
While this relaxer gets high marks for treating new growth so it blends in with previously-straightened hair, the formula is somewhat harsh.
Shop Now
Phyto Specific
Top Pick
Phyto Specific
PHYTORELAXER Botanical Based No-Lye Relaxer
Bottom Line
Although this relaxer kit isn't ideal for everyone, it's worth a try for consumers who either need a product that's gentler to damaged hair, or prefer not to use harsh chemicals.
Shop Now
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