Curl Cream Vs Leave-in Conditioner, What's The Difference?

Curly hairlines keep coming up with different products to make our curly hair journey smoother and easier. However, two essential must-have products on your curl shelf are a leave-in conditioner and curl cream.

While they both promise to enhance curls and used for your wash and go, which one works? Or are they the same product?

These products have been around for a long time and are a good addition to your curl products. You won't want to miss out on their benefits.

This post will explain these two products, including their differences, benefits, and other information you need to know.

What is a Curl Cream?

Curl creams are made to enhance and define your curls. They contain a blend of styling and conditioning agents, which makes them give desirable results—manage frizz, define curls, and moisturize.

Curl creams are easy to use and are quite versatile. Most times, they are usually creamy and dense in texture, so you don't have to use a lot to get volume, provide hold, and achieve the curl pattern you want.

What is a Leave-in Conditioner?

On the other hand, leave-in conditioners are hydrating products. They are made to nourish your hair without the need to rinse them out. This is unlike the rinse-out conditioners you use after shampoo.

Leave-in conditioner also helps to detangle your strands and protect them from external elements. They are like a supplement that locks in moisture and adds shine.

Curl Cream Vs Leave-in Conditioner: Their Differences

There are a bunch of differences that set these staples apart from each other. This is from their key ingredients to their effectiveness and work in the hair. So, although both work to enhance the hair, other aspects are different. Let's see some of them in this section.

1. Styling

The primary aim of curl cream is to shape and define your curls. That's different for leave-in conditioners. While they are also a styling product, the focus isn't to define your curls. In fact, you will discover that your style won't hold with a leave-in conditioner. This is a key difference you must note when styling your curls.

2. Protection

Curl cream and leave-in conditioner protect your hair to a certain degree. However, their primary focus is not to protect your strands.

3. Ingredients

The formulation of curl creams is not the same as leave-in conditioners. While they both work as styling products, they serve different purposes. This means their composition is different.

Leave-in conditioners usually contain natural oils and glycerin to hydrate, retain moisture, and shine. But curl creams contain proteins, humectants, natural oils, etc., which help to define your curls, manage frizz, and do much more.

4. Consistency

Typically, curl creams are thick in texture. However, leave-in conditioners are lightweight, which helps to replenish moisture in the hair without weighing it down.

5. Application

There's a little difference when it comes to the application of these two products. While leave-in conditioners are applied to damp hair, then finger combed or combed to detangle and evenly distribute the product, curl creams are applied to the hair, then scrunch or raked through. You will also want to focus on the mid-length and ends of your hair since it's to add definition to your curls.

From everything we’ve mentioned so far, it’s clear that these products have their differences, but they also share some similarities. They’re alike in one key way—they both do a great job of enhancing your hair.

Check out this table to understand their differences more.

Benefits of Using a Curl Cream

• Curling creams moisturize and define the hair. They help to hydrate your curls while making them smoother and more defined. You'll also see that they look healthier and stay frizz-free.
• This product is versatile since you can use it for all hair types. But when buying, pay attention to the needs of your hair.
• Curl cream contains polymers and styling agents that provide hold. This makes your curls maintain their shape and look all day long.

Benefits of a Leave-in Conditioner

• Leave-in conditioners contain moisturizing ingredients that help to replenish moisture and fight dryness.
• They also help fight against frizz, making sure your hair becomes more manageable.
• Leave-in conditioners are good for detangling. They can smoothen out every knot and make the process easy.

When to Use a Curl Cream and Leave-in Conditioner?

Using your curl cream and leave-in conditioner at the right time helps you reap all the richness. While one can do without the other, they become a powerhouse when used together.

Generally, it's recommended to use a leave-in conditioner immediately after showering. Apart from making detangling easy, it also softens and hydrates your hair. We've said this countless times in this article and that's the truth.

Next, use your curl cream. This should do the job of defining and shaping your curls. It will also help to retain the moisture provided by the leave-in conditioner.

Layering these products gives you a moisturized, hydrated, and defined curly or wavy hair.

Check out the straightforward steps below:

• - Apply a leave-in conditioner to your freshly washed hair. Make sure it's evenly distributed by finger-combing every part of your hair.
• - Now use your curl cream afterward. You don't need to focus more on the root. Instead, pay attention to the middle part and the tip.
• - Scrunch to remove the excess water from your hair, then leave it to air dry. If you want it to dry faster, you can use a diffuser. But use it correctly to avoid frizziness.

Can I Use Curl Cream instead of Leave In Conditioner?

Curl cream doesn't necessarily do the job of a leave-in conditioner. If you want to detangle, hydrate, and nourish, then make sure to use a leave-in conditioner. However, if your curls are already hydrated and detangled, you can use only curl cream.

For those with thick hair, be sure your hair is conditioned with a rinse-out conditioner if you'd like to skip a leave-in conditioner.

Are Leave-in Conditioners Bad?

No, they are not. They contain ingredients the hair needs, so get a good-quality leave-in conditioner and apply it.

But note that when getting a leave-in conditioner, it's always good to choose the ones that meet the needs of your hair and suit your hair type.

Then, make sure to apply it appropriately.

Common Challenges You May Face and Their Solutions

1. Frizz

You can fight frizz by using enough leave-in conditioner and curl cream. These products help you maintain hydration. However, don't overuse them on your hair, and apply them correctly. At times, frizz is caused by using heat to blow dry your hair. So, consider air-drying your hair.

2. Crunchiness

This might be caused by using too much product on your hair. A little curl cream goes a long way. So, apply it on your palms, then saturate it on your hair.

3. No Definition

Your curls need a good curl cream to flourish. Get the best and apply it to your hair after leaving the shower. Don't forget to scrunch and squeeze out the excess water once you're done.

FAQs and Answers

Is a leave-in conditioner the same as a conditioner?

No, a leave-in conditioner is not the same as a regular conditioner. While a regular conditioner will be rinsed out after using it to condition the hair, leave-ins are left in the hair.

Do I put leave-in conditioner before curl cream?

Of course! Usually, you apply a leave-in conditioner to your damp hair, before going in with your curl cream. What the leave-in does is prepare your strands for the curl cream. It will hydrate and moisturize your strands.

Can I use curl cream as a leave in conditioner?

No, this is impossible. These products have different purposes. Meaning, you can't replace one with the other. What you can do is layer them for good results.

Note: A leave-in helps to nourish and hydrate. However, a curl cream defines curls and reduces frizz.

Do you put curl cream on wet or damp hair?

Apply it immediately after showering. You can use it while your hair is still wet or damp. But we advise against using it on your dry hair. It's not always very effective.

Is curl get and curl cream different?

Yes, these products are not the same. While they are both styling products and provide hold, curl creams are more moisturizing. In other words, they do the same job but are different products.

Conclusion

Hey curly girl, we hope this article provides everything you need to know about the differences between curl cream and leave-in conditioner.

If there are any other questions you need answers to, drop them in the comment section below.