Anyone with curly hair knows that the right styling products can mean the difference between dry curls and soft, bouncy ringlets. The best curl cream will help you achieve the curls of your dreams. Curl creams also enhance and encourage your hair’s natural curl formation, says Irinel de León, celebrity hairstylist and brand ambassador for Ouidad. “In addition, curl creams are often more moisturizing and contain conditioning properties to help curls be the best version of themselves.” Depending on the porosity of your hair, you may need either a heavier or lighter curl cream. Determine how well your hair can retain and absorb moisture, and choose a formula accordingly.

Keep an eye out for ingredients like argan, avocado, and coconut oils or aloe vera, as well as mango or shea butter to help hydrate and nourish your curls. “It’s important that the cream includes hydrating and moisturizing properties, as well as an element of hold,” says Marlisa Sears, artistic director for Marc Anthony hair care. “It’s difficult to achieve great curls without moisture, as your curls will be dry.” AQUA/WATER/EAU, CETEARYL ALCOHOL, GLYCOL STEARATE, CETYL ALCOHOL, BEHENTRIMONIUM METHOSULFATE, PARFUM/FRAGRANCE, DIMETHICONE, PHENYL TRIMETHICONE, POLYQUATERNIUM-11, STEARETH-2, ARGANIA SPINOSA (ARGAN) KERNEL OIL, HYDROLYZED VEGETABLE PROTEIN PG-PROPYL SILANETRIOL, CELLULOSE, HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE, PG-HYDROXYETHYLCELLULOSE COCODIMONIUM CHLORIDE, GLUCOSE, CETEARYL GLUCOSIDE, SORBITAN OLEATE, DIPHENYL DIMETHICONE, ACRYLATES COPOLYMER, POLYQUATERNIUM-10, POLYQUATERNIUM-37, POLYQUATERNIUM-55, PPG-1 TRIDECETH-6, BUTYLENE GLYCOL, CAPRYLYL GLYCOL, PROPYLENE GLYCOL DICAPRYLATE/DICAPRATE, CITRIC ACID, DISODIUM EDTA, C10-40 ISOALKYLAMIDOPROPYLETHYLDIMONIUM ETHOSULFATE, SODIUM ACETATE, POTASSIUM SORBATE, CHLORPHENESIN, PHENOXYETHANOL, ALPHA-ISOMETHYL IONONE, BENZYL BENZOATE, HYDROXYCITRONELLAL, LINALOOL. MOCDC04

Of course, the curl cream that works best for you won’t necessarily be the right product for someone else’s spirals—it all depends on your curl pattern and your individual hair’s specific needs.To help you find your perfect match, we rounded up the best curl creams for a variety of textures and concerns. A curl cream is a styling cream that helps to define your natural curls,” explains Annagjid “Kee” Taylor, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Deeper Than Hair in Philadelphia. “Not only will it give curls definition, but it will provide them with moisture you need to smooth your strands.”