Thick, coarse, and curly hair is always hard to manage, especially during those warm, sunny, and humid days. The struggle is so natural that it can ruin any blissful day. However, fighting the frizz and softening the strands can make your hair silky smooth, giving it a sleek and manageable texture. In this article, we have curated a list of India’s ten best hair-smoothing creams to help you smooth out your tresses and tame your flyaways like a breeze.
Why Does Hair Become Frizzy?
Our hair is made of a fibrous protein called ‘keratin,’ made of a specific amino acid called ‘cysteine.’ In each hair strand, these cysteine molecules bond through strong ‘disulfide’ bonds (linked sulfur atoms), which determine the texture of the hair (1). Wavy and curly hair comprises more disulfide bonds than straight ones, as the shape and angle of follicles facilitate bond formation. This eventually turns them rough, frizzy, and unmanageable.
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What is Hair Smoothing?
Hair smoothing is a temporary frizz-fighting treatment that breaks apart the hair’s disulfide bonds and rearranges them in a sleek new pattern (2). The salon treatment process makes use of certain chemical compounds for this purpose. It makes hair smooth, shiny, and easy to manage, thus dramatically decreasing the blow-drying time at home—the smoothing effects last between 2 months and five months based on care and maintenance.
Hair smoothing does not restructure the hair completely and hence, is not suitable for people of all hair types. It is not ideal for extremely thick or curly hair. Rather, women with wavy and frizzy hair should try it.
Adverse Effects of Hair Smoothing Treatments
Though the chemicals used for hair smoothing treatments in salons are less intense and less damaging than similar treatments, they still cause harm to our locks. Typically, the ingredients used in hair grinding solutions are methylene glycol or glyoxylic acid, called formaldehyde-releasers (3). They are often linked to burning sensations in the eyes, mouth, nose, headaches, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and rashes (4). Studies have also found that such ingredients can lead to serious respiratory tract problems, increasing the risk of developing asthma (5). In addition, the heat generated due to flat ironing during the procedure may also damage your hair in the long run.
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What are Hair Smoothing Creams?
Hair smoothing creams are professional-grade products available as cream, gel, or serum. They do not use formaldehyde-releasers as their primary ingredients. Moreover, they cut down on the time and expenses needed for a salon visit. Hence, they can help you tame your frizz and add moisture to your hair without causing severe damage. Smoothing creams help strengthen and hydrate your hair, leaving it glossy and lustrous. In addition, they do not weigh down the hair. Instead, they make you look like you are just out of the salon! The creams can be leave-in creams that can be used instead of a conditioner or wash-off creams used as masks.
10 Best Hair Smoothing Creams in India
Following are the best hair smoothing creams in India that can give you soft, silky hair at home:
1. L’oreal Professionnel Hair Spa Smoothing Creambath
The L’Oreal Professionnel Hair Spa Smoothing Creambath is a fantastic spa alternative for dry hair. It protects the locks against heat and environmental damage and makes them more manageable.
Key Features:
- Enriched with water lily, glycerin smoothing actives, hydrating cationic agents, and purified water
- Tames thick, rebellious hair
- Hydrates and moisturizes stubborn frizz
- Provides intense nourishment
- Adds volume and shine
- Leaves hair soft and silky smooth
Price: Rs. 800 for 490 gm.
2. Tresemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Creme
The Tresemme Anti-Frizz Secret Smoothing Cream is a professional formula that beats dryness and locks in moisture to keep hair smooth and silky even during high humidity. It also eliminates the need to blow-dry the hair every day.
Key Features:
- Features a unique frizz defense complex
- Controls frizz and flyaways
- It makes hair soft and ultra-sleek
- It gives smoothness for up to 5 days
- It does not weigh hair down
- Provides intense nourishment
- It adds a brilliant shine
- Protects from heat damage
- For everyday use
- Suitable for all hair types
Price: Rs. 554 for 113 gm.
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3. Himalaya Herbals Protein Hair Cream
The Himalaya Herbals Protein Hair Cream is a strengthening and smoothing cream for dry and lifeless hair. Being full of natural goodness, the rich cream nourishes the tresses and makes them healthy.
Key Features:
- Natural ingredients like amla and chickpea
- Packed with proteins and antioxidants
- Strengthens and smoothens hair
- Extra nourishment for scalp and hair
- Leaves hair soft and shiny
- Best for dry, frizzy, and lifeless hair
- Reduces hair loss
- Promotes hair growth
- Safe for colored and permed hair
Price: Rs. 100 for 100 ml.
4. Aloe Veda Skin Essentials Silk & Keratin Hair Protein Cream
Give your hair a salon-like feel in an easy-going way with the Aloe Veda Skin Essentials Silk & Keratin Hair Protein Cream. Its rich protein complex makes hair soft, smooth, and frizz-free to manage and style effortlessly.
Key Features:
- The rich hair protein complex provides nutrition and moisture
- All-natural ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, and vitamin E
- Enriched with hydrolyzed keratin and hydrolyzed silk protein
- Soothes irritable scalp
- Reduces hair fall and stimulates hair growth
- Repairs damaged hair through cell detoxification
- It makes hair stronger, softer, and shinier
- Protects against UV, heat, and chlorine damage
- pH-balanced
- Paraben-free
- Suits all hair types, including colored and treated hair
Price: Rs. 350 for 100 gm.
5. The Nature’s Co. Atmospure Tea Tree Hair Nourishing Cream
The Nature’s Co. Atmospure Tea Tree Hair Nourishing Cream is a leave-in smoothing treatment offering the nourishing goodness of tea tree oil. It keeps the scalp healthy and moisturizes the hair to give it a smooth and radiant look.
Key Features:
- Combines tea tree oil, lemon oil, and vegetable glycerin
- Heals and prevents scalp infections
- Keeps dandruff away
- Revitalizes scalp and hair
- Adds intense moisture to the hair shafts
- Boosts softness and smoothness
- It makes hair shiny and bouncy
- Ideal for all hair types
Price: Rs. 525 for 125 ml.
6. Marc Anthony True Professional Bye Bye Frizz Keratin Smoothing Blow Dry Cream
While looking for a perfect blowout, the Marc Anthony True Professional’s Bye Bye Frizz Sulfate Free Keratin Smoothing Blow Dry Cream is the answer. It smoothes out curly and frizzy hair, giving it a sleek and polished finish.
Key Features:
- Formulated with amino acid blend, K-silk complex, and vitamin E
- Blocks humidity for ultimate frizz-control
- Locks in moisture for a sleek and polished finish
- Protects against damage
- Improves health and texture of hair
- Adds shine to dull and lifeless hair
- It does not weigh hair down
- It gives a perfect blowout every time
- Best for chronically dry and frizzy hair
- Free from sulfates, parabens, and phthalates
Price: Rs. 1,249 for 140 ml.
7. Sebastian Professional Taming Elixir Weightless Smoothing Creme Serum
The Sebastian Professional Taming Elixir Weightless Smoothing Creme Serum is a weightless and mild frizz-tamer. It beautifully smoothes out the locks and makes them touchably soft.
Key Features:
- Weightless formula with frizz-taming and soothing qualities
- Infused with avocado oil
- Hydrates scalp and hair
- It offers maximum frizz control
- Boosts softness and radiance
- Adds a natural definition to hair
- Provides thermal protection
- Ideal for blow-drying
- Suitable for curly and coarse hair
Price: Rs. 2.200 for 140 ml.
8. L’Oreal Paris Professionnel Tecni Art Liss Control Smooth Gel-Cream
L’Oreal’s Paris Professionnel Tecni Art Liss Control Smooth Gel Cream is the best choice for smooth, defined, unruly hair. It also provides heat and humidity protection to make your hair look gorgeous for 24 hours.
Key Features:
- Unique gel-cream formula
- Smooth and frizz control
- 24hr anti-humidity protection
- UV filter for thermal protection
- Ideal for unruly hair
- Defines curls and adds volume
- It makes hair more manageable
Price: Rs. 575 for 150 ml.
9. Marc Anthony True Professional Nourishing Argan Oil 3-Day Smooth Perfect Blow Dry Smoothing Cream
The Marc Anthony True Professional Nourishing Argan Oil 3-Day Smooth Perfect Blow Dry Smoothing Cream is a luxurious formulation that controls frizz and keeps hair smooth for up to 3 days. It softens, smoothens, and straightens hair for a manageable and stylish look.
Key Features:
- Enriched with Moroccan argan oil, keratin protein, and vitamin E
- Luxurious and ultra-lightweight cream
- Controls frizz and hydration for up to 3 days
- It makes hair smoother and straighter
- Repairs hair damage
- Protects against heat damage
- Adds a reflective shine to hair
- Free from sulfates, SLS, parabens, and phthalates
- Suitable for both chemical- and color-treated hair
- Smooths frizzy hair and adds shine
- Works from the first use
Price: Rs 1,299 for 200 ml.
Read Also – Best Sulfate-Free Shampoos in India for Soft, Shiny, and Healthy Hair
10. Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream
Make your hair look smooth and glossy with the Matrix Style Link Smooth Setter Smoothing Cream. It strengthens hair, protects it from damage, and smoothens dry ends without causing any greasiness.
Key Features:
- Lightweight smoothing formula
- Offers long-lasting frizz control
- It makes hair look natural yet reflective
- It gives it a beautiful satin finish
- Strengthens hair shafts
- Eliminates split ends
- It acts as a blow-dry cream
- Suitable for wavy, curly, and straight hair
Price: Rs. 1,335 for 11 8 ml.
Summary:
Hair smoothing creams make hair softer, smoother, and shinier sans the damage caused by salon hair smoothing treatments. Best hair smoothing creams available in the market also improve the overall health and texture of hair by protecting it from damage, making it stronger, and controlling frizz.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Which is Better for Hair – Keratin or Smoothening?
The permanent keratin or hair straightening treatment works by breaking the bonds in the hair entirely and rebuilding them. This causes extreme damage to the hair shafts, which cannot be repaired quickly. On the other hand, hair smoothing adds shine and softness to the hair while restructuring its bonds temporarily. It is less damaging and can be done on bleached, permanently dyed, and relaxed hair.
How to Maintain Smoothened Hair?
Proper maintenance of smoothened hair is essential to keep it in shape. Regularly massage your scalp and hair with coconut, sunflower, or mineral oils to reduce protein loss (6). Ensure that your hair care products are all silicone-based, as they will protect your hair from abrasive actions and rejuvenate it. Also, try to limit the use of heat-styling tools as much as possible.
How to Apply Hair Smoothing Creams?
Put a dime-sized amount of cream in your palm and emulsify it by rubbing your hands together. Then, apply it uniformly to your towel-dried hair and comb it thoroughly.
References:
- “6 Surprising Causes of Frizzy Hair“, healthline.com
- “What You Need to Know About Hair Smoothing Treatments?“, WebMD.com
- “Hair Cosmetics: An Overview,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Hair Smoothing Treatments: Perceptions and Wrong Practices Among Females in Saudi Arabia,” JDDSJournal.org
- “Asthma from Hair Straightening Treatment Containing Formaldehyde: Two Cases and A Review of the Literature,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
- “Effect of Mineral Oil, Sunflower Oil, and Coconut Oil on Prevention of Hair Damage,” ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
