12 Best Hair Products to Fight Frizz in 2022

The GH Beauty Lab tests anti-frizz products both in the Lab using technical instruments and on consumer testers of all hair types to find the ones that perform best. Scientists assess a product’s ability to prevent frizz on human hair samples in the Lab’s humidity chamber over a period of up to 20 hours. At home, consumer testers also use the products (with labels masked to eliminate brand bias) as part of their regular hair routine, then report feedback on attributes such as ease of application, scent and look and feel of hair after use, as well as smoothness of hair throughout the day. In the Lab’s most recent anti-frizz styling products test, scientists tallied a total of 5,666 laboratory data points and consumer tester responses to zero in on the top formulas on the market.

“Hair damage and the environment are the external factors to blame, though some hair textures, including curly hair types, are inherently more frizz-prone,” says Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. “Hairstyling tools, regular brushing and chemical treatments, like hair color, can lift the outer layer of strands, making the cuticles more porous.” In high humidity, this allows moisture to enter, causing hair strands to swell and frizz; in dry weather, it means moisture escapes, producing flyaways. “To help ward off both frizz and flyaways, you need to make sure hair stays conditioned, which helps seal the cuticle,” Aral explains.

“Both styling products and cleansing and conditioning products should align with your hair type and needs,” says GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann. Hair texture (fine, medium or coarse), shape (straight, wavy, curly or coily), density (how much hair you have on your head) and porosity (hair’s ability to absorb and retain moisture) are all important factors to consider when seeking out the best anti-frizz products. Wizemann explains what to look for, according to your hair type:

✔️ For fine hair (whether straight, curly or coily), lightweight styling creams are a good option to help style and smooth, especially when applied to wet strands. Both light sprays and serums can work for fine-textured hair when used sparingly to tame flyaways and combat frizz. For fine curly and coily hair, you want ingredients that maintain curl elasticity and prevent breakage, like hydrolyzed protein, to enhance curls without feeling heavy.

✔️ For medium and coarse hair types, nourishing creams and oils can tame unruly strands, make hair shinier and keep frizz at bay. But the usage is key: medium textured hair will need less product than thicker, coarse hair. Shea butter and coconut and castor oils are all excellent emollients that will detangle hair, seal the cuticle and create more shine and less frizz. Look for products that say “nourishing” and “moisturizing” on the packaging, as they are packed with conditioning ingredientsv—vlike silicones and emollients — that keep hair soft and frizz-free.

GH Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D. has 15 years of experience leading clinical and consumer testing in the Beauty Lab, including the testing of anti-frizz hairstyling and haircare products. She has contributed to content in countless beauty categories ranging from haircare and styling to anti-aging products and sunscreen safety. She also has written explainers that tease out the science behind beauty products and debunk misconceptions.

GH Beauty Lab Senior Chemist Sabina Wizemann executed the Lab and consumer test on anti-frizz hairstyling products, including serums, creams, sprays and more. Over her years in the Health, Beauty and Sustainability Lab, she has conducted lab and consumer studies on all types of haircare and styling products, such as at-home hairdyes, shampoos and conditioners, hair serums, hair volumizers and dry shampoos. She also leads the testing of hairstyling tools like hairdryers and curling irons while continuously evaluating the latest innovations in hairstyling.

GH Beauty Director April Franzino has over 15 years of experience researching, writing and editing haircare and hairstyling-related content utilizing the expertise of the Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty Lab scientists and top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, from stylers like anti-frizz products to shampoos, conditioners, treatments and tools to hair color, professional services and more. April works closely with the GH Beauty Lab to coordinate hair product testing and translate test results into best-in-class compelling, factually accurate science-backed content for Good Housekeeping. April contributed to both the research for and writing of this piece.

GH Freelance Beauty Editor Dori Price has over 15 years of experience researching and writing haircare and hairstyling stories, combining her knowledge with the expertise of top industry professionals such as hairstylists, hair colorists and trichologists. She is an expert in all hair product categories, from stylers like anti-frizz products to shampoos, conditioners, treatments and tools to hair color, professional services and more. Dori contributed to the research for and writing of this piece.