Are there ANY silicone free conditioners out there that will moisturize my (somewhat) dry, thick, type 3b/c hair? I really like Neutrogena Triple Moisture, but it contains 2 types of silicones (amodimethicone and dimethicone) - I like Smooth Down also - but it has cones. It seems everything has silincone in it.

Am I wrong - aren't silicones not good for our hair? They coat the strands, and are hard to remove...and CO-ing won't fully remove silicones from the hair?...right? So, if I want to CO - i need to avoid cones? Its really frustrating because all I want to do is keep my hair soft and moisturized and now I don't know what to do. (...proving that ignorance truly is bliss.)

Anyone (especially curlies) using cone containing conditioner and doing CO and successfully and gently growing?

thanks!!!

I use Timotei Honey and Monoi Conditioner, which is cone-free and is really great for moisture. The whole Timotei range seems to be cone-free (the ones I've tried anyway) but I'm not sure if they're available outside of Europe...?

Elucence Moisture Balancing Conditioner and Jessicurl Too Shea are two well-liked cone-free conditioners. I really like Aubrey Organics conditioners too. I am currently using their Island Naturals, White Camellia (though I don't really like this one as much) and GPB conditioners. Devacurl also has a nice conditioner that people like called One Condition, but it has amodimethicone. That cone doesn't seem to build up too terribly though, so a lot of people on the CO routine use it and shampoo infrequently to avoid buildup.

Cones aren't necessarily bad... but if you aren't using shampoo to get them out, they can build-up and cause problems that way. I personally am avoiding them.

Theres always the the excellent Natures Gate products. Many really like
the Original Herbal (think Myrr and Patchoulli), I use the Jojoba and leave it sit
for 10-20 min with hair wrapped in warm towel and its great.
HTH
Deb :)

My hair is not curly, but it is thick..I've used Aubrey Organics conditioners (no cones) after using henna to prevent dryness (esp. Island Naturals and Honeysuckle Rose); they've worked well. I've also blended the conditioners with oil and shea butter (Fox's Shea Butter Conditoning Cream in the recipes forum)....pretty darned moisturizing!!

ITA the Elucence MB (too moisturizing for my needs) and I loooooove Jessicurl Too Shea, as well as ter weekly deep treatment.

I also agree with Elucence MBC, Jessicurl Too Shea and Devacurl One Condition. Elucence is great as a leave in too! :)

There's been some great suggestions here so far. Have you tried Giovanni Smooth As Silk and their Direct leave in conditioner? No cones there and the leave in conditioner has always left my hair nice and soft...as long as I don't use it with a heavy hand. How about Kiss My Face Miss Treated?

There are also "drug store" conditioners that don't have cones. I don't know if you will find them moisturizing enough, but here is a short list:

VO5: Strawberries and Cream, Freesia, Tea Therapy (Nourishing), Sun Kissed Raspberry, Tangerine Tickle...

White Rain: Extra Body, Lavender Vanilla...

Suave: Aloe Vera, Green Apple, and most Suave Naturals.

There are more....I just don't know them right now.

HTH!

ETA: Garnier Fructis Fortifying Conditioner (must be the formula for fine hair) and Aussie Real Volume.