Why Your Hair Gets Frizzy—and the Best Products to Fix It

If you deal with frizzy hair—whether constantly or intermittently—you know humidity, dryness and friction are some of the biggest culprits behind hair that won’t lie flat. You may also notice flyaways from a lack of moisture, overprocessing or excessive heat styling. Underneath it all, what’s actually happening is that “the cuticle isn’t lying flat, which makes the hair look rough and causes the strand to swell in different directions,” says professional hairstylist and trichologist Vanessa Ocando. The good news: While you can’t control the weather, you can help smooth frizz with the right hair-care routine, including targeted treatments and heat protectants.

Ahead, we break down what causes frizz, the ingredients that make a difference and the expert tips and products to help smooth it.

What Causes Frizzy Hair in the First Place

We all know humid weather can trigger frizz, but it’s not the only cause. “Other factors that contribute to frizz include naturally curly and super curly hair structures, as these are more fragile. Sometimes, people like to straighten their hair if they fall in these categories, but any kind of dampness in the air will make it revert to frizz, especially around hairlines where baby hairs can snap before they get long.”

According to creative director, master stylist and colorist with Paul Labrecque Salon and Skincare Spa, Paul Labrecque, “Grays are a big cause of frizz.” Why is that so? As Labrecque explains, “They have much less weight than other pigmented hairs, and they usually start out shorter. This combination can make them subject to becoming frizzy when it is humid.”

Best Ingredients for Frizzy Hair (What to Look For)

Finding the right mix of ingredients can help smooth frizz and restore the hair’s surface. “Frizz starts to calm the moment you smooth and rehydrate the cuticle, and several ingredients work together to do exactly that,” says Ocando.

Laura Polko, celebrity hairstylist and House of Frieda ambassador, says to start with moisturizing ingredients, pointing to oils like argan and coconut as some of the most popular in frizz-fighting formulas. She also notes that silicones are worth considering, as they act as a protective coating that helps prevent moisture loss. Celebrity hairstylist Lacy Redway also points to keratin as an ingredient to look for, as it’s known to help smooth hair for a sleeker finish.

Additional ingredients may be less familiar, but they’re equally important: “Cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate and behentrimonium chloride help condition the hair and keep the cuticle lying flat, which is essential for reducing surface roughness,” says Ocando. “Polyquaternium-10 and hydrolyzed silk add a lightweight, flexible smoothing effect that controls frizz and boosts shine without heaviness.”

Lastly, it’s important to prevent the strand from swelling, one of the biggest drivers of frizz. What helps with that? “Humectants like glycerin, propanediol and panthenol (vitamin B5) pull in balanced moisture,” says Ocando.

How to Prevent Frizzy Hair

While certain temperatures and humidity levels can make frizz hard to avoid, there are habits that can help minimize it. According to Labrecque, limiting heat styling, incorporating a hair oil or serum and prioritizing conditioning are all effective ways to nourish strands and keep frizz in check.

“For the maximum amount of frizz protection, you can go the chemical route for ultimate frizz-killer,” says celebrity hairstylist Jonny Lavoy. “My go-to is a Brazilian Blowout. What is great about a Brazilian Blowout is that it’s customizable—you can get rid of frizz, waves or control your curl for frizz-free ringlets. I’m also a fan of at-home maintenance products like frizz-free shampoo and conditioner and styling products.”

The Best Products for Frizzy Hair

Whether you have curly or coily hair, are dealing with grays or just struggle to achieve sleek strands, here are some of the best frizz-fighting products on the market, according to NewBeauty editors who’ve tested countless formulas, along with hair-care experts and celebrity hairstylists.

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John Frieda’s Frizz Ease line is well-known and widely loved for its frizz-fighting capabilities, and this shampoo just adds to that reputation. For shinier, sleeker and easier-to-control strands, cleanse with this 2026 NewBeauty Award winner.

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Clinically proven to repair damaged hair while also providing 24 hours of frizz protection, 78 percent reduction in split ends, 104 percent more shine and heat protection up to 450º, it’s no surprise that K18’s Molecular Repair Hair Oil made Labrecque’s list of best frizz-fighting products for keeping hair healthy, shiny and radiant.

BUY ON K18 – $65

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Reach for this 2026 NewBeauty Award–winning styling cream when you want to tamp down flyaways and frizz. It’s lightweight enough to feel like nothing on your strands, but strong enough to sculpt hairstyles and keep everything in place.

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Delivering heat protection up to 450º, reducing breakage by up to 77 percent, controlling frizz for up to 72 hours and improving shine by up to 125 percent, Olaplex’s No. 7 Bonding Hair Oil is something of a holy grail when it comes to taming and smoothing your strands, making it one of Labrecque’s favorites.

BUY ON SEPHORA – $32

BUY ON AMAZON – $32

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Salon-quality brand Unite offers frizz-fighting benefits for up to 72 hours, even in high humidity. The heat-activated mist (a 2026 NewBeauty Award winner) should be sprayed on damp hair, then blow-dried for full effect.

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ColorWow’s Dream Coat has won the hearts of beauty aficionados and celebrities alike, and it’s also one of Lavoy’s favorite products for fighting frizz. “Saturating the hair with Color Wow’s Dream Coat for Curls is an amazing frizz fighter,” says Lavoy. “It’s like making the hair waterproof.” The formula uses a proprietary waterproofing technology to help block frizz for up to three to four shampoos, while heat protectants help keep hair soft and healthy.

BUY ON AMAZON – $26

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This 2026 NewBeauty Award–winning cream helps smooth the hair cuticle, which is key for fighting frizz. Great for anyone who colors or heat styles their hair, it also offers heat protection. Bonus points for its luxurious woody-citrus fragrance.

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This John Frieda serum works hard to keep your hair sleek and smooth. It contains ingredients such as silk proteins and oils, including argan, coconut and moringa, to repel humidity and nourish strands. And the best part? You can work it in whenever you please across hair types. “I love it because you can apply it to wet or dry hair,” says Polko. “It works for any style, from curly to straight.”

BUY ON AMAZON – $11

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A pick from Redway, this leave-in conditioner is a keratin-infused formula that smooths flyaways and helps repair damaged strands. Pro tip: Redway recommends using it before styling to prep hair and lock in moisture.

BUY ON WALMART – $7

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To lock your hairstyle in place, turn to this anti-humidity spray. It offers a flexible hold to smooth hair and control frizz, while remaining lightweight with a soft, satin finish.

BUY ON R+CO – $36

BUY ON AMAZON – $36

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Celebrity hairstylist T. Cooper loves this heat protectant cream as it locks in hydration and keeps hair feeling soft and smooth. It’s made with nourishing oils such as rosehip, argan and coconut to lock in moisture and protect hair from environmental aggressors. As an added bonus, it boasts frizz protection of up to 48 hours.

BUY ON NORDSTROM – $26

BUY ON ULTA – $26

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Another pick from T. Cooper, this lightweight serum uses a special blend of oils, such as jojoba, coconut and castor, to help lock in moisture and keep frizz at bay. It’s also made with squalane and hyaluronic acid to boost your hair’s moisture level and give it a more radiant shine.

BUY ON AMAZON – $33

BUY ON SEPHORA – $33

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This mousse enhances your natural curl pattern and adds volume. It’s made with shea butter, coconut oil and silk protein to control frizz and boost shine.

BUY ON AMAZON – $12

BUY ON ULTA – $13