Natural Hair TikTok Says Botanical Gels Will Unlock Your Bounciest Curls Ever

TikTok is a treasure trove of beauty content, and it is especially helpful for hair tips and tricks. On that front, there are a ton of curly and coily hair content creators flooding the platform with incredibly informative tutorials. And as of late, these natural hair influencers have been buzzing about one particular hair care product type—botanical gels. As the name suggests, these gels are infused with lightweight, moisture-boosting plant ingredients beneficial for textured hair. Ahead, learn more about why #curltok can't stop raving about botanical gels.

What Are Botanical Gels?

Botanical gel is a styling product that is typically plant-based and water-soluble. It is formulated with oils, herbal extracts, or humectants that help define the hair, prevent it from drying out, and don't cause buildup. A few of the common ingredients you might find in botanical gels include flaxseed, aloe, and marshmallow root. "Botanical hair gels don't always contain [synthetic] ingredients like standard hair gels," cosmetologist Ghanima Abdullah says. "Some of the best gels on the market are botanical gels."

Many of the videos about botanical gels have spotlighted products from Black-owned brands. A few widely-mentioned ones include: Uncle Funky's Curly Magic, infused with organic aloe vera, jojoba, marshmallow seed extract, and nettle. Camille Rose's Curl Maker also contains marshmallow root, aloe, and nettle. Another fan-favorite is Curls' Goddess Botanical Gel, developed with plumeria alba flower extract and aloe leaf juice. Adwoa Beauty's Melonberry Vitamin C Frizz-Fighting Hair Gel (which contains strawberry seed oil) and Bread's Hair-Gel (loaded with red algae extract) are also popular amongst curly creators. 

The Benefits

Botanical gels offer several benefits for natural hair. First and foremost, they can help define your ringlets. "You can get bouncy and well-defined curls with botanical gels," hairstylist and founder of My Beauty Squad Quelia Doyle says. "They are great for controlling frizz."

Since textured hair is prone to dryness and breakage, it is also beneficial that botanical gels are often made with humectants. This ingredient helps draw moisture to the hair, promoting water retention and keeping your curls hydrated longer. "Botanical gels don't contain harsh preservatives and are PH balanced, which means your hair will look shinier due to the hydration being delivered to the cuticles," hairstylist Fabian Martinez adds. 

Aside from hydration, this type of styling product can help you maintain hair and scalp health. "[They often] contain essential oils that aid hair growth, like peppermint, rosemary, or lavender," Abdullah explains. "Or, they might contain essential oils that stimulate blood flow to the scalp, like citrus and woodsy oils."

Another perk is that botanical gels are easy to work with—these formulas are known to have fantastic slip. The lightweight texture allows it to glide effortlessly onto your hair and create a lasting hold without feeling sticky or crunchy. Similarly, these formulas are typically easy to layer with other products and wash out (since they are water-soluble). "If you like to style your hair, they can provide a flexible base for braid-outs, protective styles, and wash-and-go's," Doyle adds. 

How to Apply

For optimal results, it's best to apply your botanical gel of choice to freshly washed and detangled hair (the damper the hair, the better). You'll want to rake and smooth a generous amount of product onto your hair—you can also scrunch your curls to help with definition. If you feel your hair needs additional product, apply a topper gel (a botanical gel with extra hold). To lock in the definition, our experts recommend setting your curls with heat. You could use a hooded dryer or diffuser on a low setting. 

The Final Takeaway

If your current hair gel isn't cutting it, consider swapping it out for a botanical-infused one. Countless curly and coily influencers are singing its praises, thanks to its ability to keep their hair hydrated and defined. These plant-based gels are also worthwhile because they feel so lightweight (i.e., no crunchy cast), easily rinse out of the hair, and offer additional hair care benefits (like soothing your scalp and adding a glossy shine to your hair).