19 Brands Like Shea Moisture for Natural Hair Care

Explore top brands like Shea Moisture for natural hair care. Discover nourishing formulas with ethically sourced ingredients for textured, curly, and coily hair.
Written by: 
Ash Read
Last updated: 

Chances are, if you have textured, curly, or coily hair, your product graveyard contains at least one empty tub of a favorite Shea Moisture mask or styler. Known for its rich, nourishing formulas using ingredients like ethically sourced shea butter, it's an accessible superstar in the natural hair care world for good reason.

The brand nails the combination of effective, plant-based ingredients, an affordable price point, and products that genuinely celebrate and care for natural hair. But if you're looking to branch out or find something new that shares a similar vibe, you're in luck. Here are 19 amazing brands like Shea Moisture to add to your hair care rotation.

1. Cantu Beauty

Cantu is another cornerstone of the natural hair community, loved for its intensely moisturizing formulas and incredibly affordable price tag. Like Shea Moisture, their products heavily feature shea butter and focus on providing deep hydration and definition for coils, curls, and waves. Their lineup includes everything from shampoos and conditioners to their iconic curl activator creams and leave-ins.

While Shea Moisture offers a wider variety of collections for specific hair needs, Cantu is a reliable go-to for straightforward, no-frills products that deliver consistent results. If you need dependable moisture on a budget, Cantu will never let you down. Shop now at cantubeauty.com.

2. Mielle Organics

If you love Shea Moisture's commitment to natural ingredients but want to lean even more into the organic, wellness-focused trend, Mielle Organics is your brand. Their science-backed, plant-based formulas are designed to promote strength, length, and overall hair health using ingredients like rosemary oil, biotin, and honey. Their Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil is a viral sensation for a reason.

Mielle feels like a slightly more targeted, ingredient-transparent version of Shea Moisture, focusing on nutrient-rich blends that address hair concerns from root to tip. It’s an excellent choice for those prioritizing clean formulations and hair growth. Shop now at mielleorganics.com.

3. Aunt Jackie’s

Known for its fun, vibrant packaging and effective, budget-friendly moisturizers, Aunt Jackie's hits many of the same notes as Shea Moisture. Their products are designed to combat dryness, frizz, and unmanageable hair with nourishing ingredients like shea butter and flaxseed. Their curling custards and leave-in conditioners are particularly praised for the slip and definition they provide.

Aunt Jackie’s stands out with its playful vibe and targeted solutions that make tackling tough hair situations feel a lot more fun. It’s a fantastic, equally accessible alternative for keeping textured hair happy and hydrated. Shop now at auntjackiescurlsandcoils.com.

4. Carol’s Daughter

If you're looking for a more luxurious spin on natural hair care, Carol’s Daughter is a staple. Founder Lisa Price started creating products in her Brooklyn kitchen, growing the brand into a powerhouse known for high-quality, plant-based formulations. Their collections, like the popular Goddess Strength and Black Vanilla lines, offer deep moisture and repair for curly and textured hair.

While sharing Shea Moisture's use of ingredients like shea butter and essential oils, Carol's Daughter often feels more indulgent and carries a slightly more premium price point. It’s perfect for when you want to give your hair a spa-like treat with dependable, natural formulas. Shop now at carolsdaughters.com.

5. TGIN (Thank God It’s Natural)

TGIN is all about creating simple, effective, and clean hair products to promote healthy curls and coils. Founded by a Harvard Law graduate who battled breast cancer, the brand emphasizes using a minimalist approach with natural ingredients to restore dry, damaged hair. Their Honey Miracle Hair Mask and Rose Water Curl Refresher are community favorites for reviving thirsty strands.

Compared to Shea Moisture, TGIN has a similar mission of harnessing natural goodness for hair health but with a focus on ease and everyday routines. Think of it as the no-fuss, incredibly reliable choice for deep hydration and moisture retention. Shop now at tgin.com.

6. Alikay Naturals

Alikay Naturals feels like that friend who makes their own amazing, ingredient-packed remedies. With a handcrafted-with-love vibe, their products are full of nourishing, nutrient-dense ingredients like lemongrass, avocado, and aloe vera. The brand offers solutions for moisture, growth, and scalp health, making it a go-to for those who want their routine to feel holistic and healing.

While Shea Moisture is widely accessible, Alikay Naturals brings a more artisanal touch to the natural hair care space. It’s an ideal pick if you’re concerned with scalp issues or want to infuse your routine with high-quality, botanical ingredients. Shop now at alikaynaturals.com.

7. Oyin Handmade

"Oyin" means "honey" in Yoruba, and this brand lives up to its name with rich, sweet-smelling, and deeply moisturizing creations. Oyin Handmade delivers a boutique, homemade-style experience with products centered around natural humectants and nourishers. If your hair loves whipped butters, hydrating infusions, and gentle cleaners, this family-owned brand is a must-try.

While still prioritizing natural ingredients like Shea Moisture, Oyin Handmade focuses on indulgent, food-grade ingredients that feel extra-luxurious. Their Hair Dew daily leave-in and Honey Hemp Conditioner are perfect examples of their gentle yet effective approach. Shop now at oyinhandmade.com.

8. Karen’s Body Beautiful

For those who prioritize organic ingredients and pure formulations, Karen's Body Beautiful is a perfect fit. This brand creates luxurious natural hair and body products that feel as good as they smell, focusing heavily on slip, curl enhancement, and deep moisture. Their Sweet Ambrosia Leave-In Conditioner is lauded for making detangling a breeze.

Think of Karen’s Body Beautiful as a more upscale, boutique alternative to Shea Moisture. It still delivers all the hair-loving benefits of natural butters and oils, but with an elevated, spa-like experience and a commitment to organic purity. Shop now at karensbodybeautiful.com.

9. Jamaican Mango & Lime

Infused with the spirit of the Caribbean, Jamaican Mango & Lime uses tropical ingredients to moisturize and strengthen locs, twists, braids, and natural hair. Their products, featuring ingredients like mango seed butter and lime extract, are designed for both hair health and scalp care. The refreshing, vibrant scents alone are enough to transport you.

Similar to Shea Moisture in its focus on natural ingredients, this brand brings a unique tropical flair and specializes in formulas perfect for maintaining protective styles and promoting scalp wellness. Shop now at jamaicanmangoandlime.com.

10. Design Essentials

Design Essentials brings salon-quality results right to your bathroom shelf. Used and loved by professional stylists for years, this brand offers a wide range of products for natural, relaxed, and transitioning hair. Their Almond & Avocado collection is a fan favorite for providing maximum moisture, softness, and manageability.

While Shea Moisture has a strong at-home, DIY feel, Design Essentials offers a slightly more professional edge without sacrificing its commitment to nourishing, natural ingredients. It’s a great option when you want to achieve that fresh-from-the-salon look on your own. Shop now at designedessentials.com.

11. Kinky-Curly

Kinky-Curly is a cult-classic brand built on a few hero products that really, truly work. Best known for its Knot Today leave-in detangler and Curling Custard, the brand is hyper-focused on providing amazing curl definition without harsh ingredients. Its formulas are plant-based and celebrated for their clump-forming, frizz-fighting abilities.

Unlike Shea Moisture's extensive product catalog, Kinky-Curly keeps it simple and powerful. If your primary goal is to get popping, defined, and shiny curls, their small but mighty lineup is a must-have. Shop now at kinky-curly.com.

12. Eco Styler

Every natural hair enthusiast knows about the iconic tub of Eco Styler gel. While Shea Moisture offers a broad range of care products, Eco Styler zeroes in on one thing and does it exceptionally well: styling gels. Their gels, infused with various ingredients like olive oil, argan oil, and black castor oil, provide incredible hold for wash-and-gos and sleek styles.

This is the super-affordable, can't-beat-it staple for styles that need to last. While it doesn’t offer a full haircare regimen, it’s the perfect complement for locking in the moisture provided by your favorite shampoos and conditioners. Shop now at ecostylergel.com.

13. As I Am

As I Am is laser-focused on creating effective products specifically for curly and coily hair. Their formulas are rich with natural ingredients like coconut, shea butter, and royal jelly, all carefully balanced to meet the unique needs of textured hair. From their legendary CoWash to their leave-in conditioners and twisting creams, every product is designed to enhance and hydrate your natural pattern.

In comparison to Shea Moisture's broader family-focused appeal, As I Am is made squarely for the person on a dedicated natural hair journey. Their straightforward, curl-enhancing approach makes them a trusted and reliable choice. Shop now at asiamatlanta.com.

14. Uncle Funky’s Daughter

With fun packaging and even more fun product names (like Glossy Finishing Hair Polish), Uncle Funky's Daughter is all about bringing an energetic, bold approach to natural hair. Their range uses botanicals and natural extracts to help define and moisturize frizz-prone curls. Their award-winning Curly Magic Curl Stimulator is hailed as a must-have for achieving perfectly clumped, defined curls.

Similar to Shea Moisture in its inclusive feel and plant-based formulas, Uncle Funky's Daughter stands out with its dynamic branding and knockout styling products that deliver serious results with a side of personality. Shop now at unclefunkysdaughter.com.

15. Naturalicious

Are you trying to simplify your routine without sacrificing results? Naturalicious is the brand for you. Founded on the idea that wash day shouldn't take all day, they create multi-tasking products that cleanse, condition, detangle, and style in fewer steps. Their Rhassoul Clay treatment is a fan favorite for its ability to do it all in one go.

While Shea Moisture offers an extensive catalog that lets you mix and match, Naturalicious is all about efficiency. It’s perfect for busy naturals who still want the benefits of high-quality, plant-based ingredients but in a much shorter time frame. Shop now at naturalicious.com.

16. The Doux

Created by a professional hairstylist and lover of 90s hip-hop culture, The Doux is about achieving pro-level results with products that have a ton of personality. The packaging is bold and vibrant, and the formulas are designed for serious performance - think Mousse Def Texture Foam for insane definition or BONITA AFRO BALM for shine and moisture. This brand proves you can have fun *and* have healthy, amazing-looking hair.

The Doux has the same passion for helping people embrace their natural texture as Shea Moisture, but with a louder, more stylistic edge that comes from a salon background. Shop now at thedoux.com.

17. Herbal Essences

A long-standing drugstore favorite, Herbal Essences has revamped its offerings to embrace the power of botanicals and natural extracts approved by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Their Bio:Renew collections focus on plant-based ingredients like aloe, birch bark, and honey to provide nourishment for all hair types, including wavy and curly textures.

Though it's a more mainstream option than Shea Moisture, Herbal Essences now shares a similar appreciation for plant-based power and affordability, making it a surprisingly effective and accessible choice for everyday care. Shop now at herbalessences.com.

18. Aussie

Best known for its distinctive grape scent and its promise of mega-moisture, Aussie offers surprisingly great options for dry, textured hair at a very low price point. Their 3 Minute Miracle Moist Deep Conditioner is a holy-grail product for many curlies looking for a quick and powerful hydration boost. The formulas often incorporate Australian botanicals like jojoba oil, sea kelp, and aloe.

Like Shea Moisture, Aussie is incredibly accessible and focused on tackling dryness. While less focused on being 'all-natural,' it’s a brilliant and wallet-friendly choice when you need a reliable moisture fix, fast. Shop now at aussie.com.

19. Camille Rose Naturals

Camille Rose feels like a gourmet meal for your hair. The brand crafts unique, foodie-inspired formulas using high-end natural ingredients like marshmallow root, almond oil, and macadamia nut to hydrate and nourish every strand. Their products have an almost delightfully edible quality and are beloved for their rich textures and amazing results.

Known for standouts like the Almond Jai Twisting Butter and the Curl Maker gel, Camille Rose occupies a slightly more premium space than Shea Moisture but justifies it with carefully curated, effective ingredients. If you love discovering unique and luxurious natural blends, this brand is a treat. Shop now at camillerose.com.

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