Table of contents
- Best hair products for thick and coarse hair
- Best products for thick, coarse, curly hair
- What is coarse hair?
- How to determine hair coarseness
- Why is my hair so coarse?
- What ingredients are best for thick hair?
We know that thick and coarse hair can sometimes seem like a blessing and a curse. On one hand, you’re blessed with full, luscious locks but cursed with more hair to take care of. It takes a bit of dedication, a little more product and just the right routine to get your thick hair looking its best.
Hydration is key to keeping coarse hair looking fresh, so we’ve created this guide with everything you need to know about thick,coarse hair and a routine with some of our favorite moisturizing Verb products.
Best hair products for thick and coarse hair
On a day-to-day basis, thick to coarse hair may appear rough or dry because the increased diameter of the hair strands makes it the most prone to moisture evaporation and dry ends. So, it’s incredibly important to utilize a routine with products for coarse hair to ensure strands get plenty of hydration which will help your hair stay healthy, feel smoother and add softness. To help keep your hair hydrated and healthy, we’ve rounded up our favorite hydrating Verb products:
Glossy Collection
Our Glossy Shampoo and Glossy Conditioner include all of these powerhouse ingredients which is just what you need to give thick, coarse hair the high shine and moisture it needs!
Powered by rosehip oil, squalane, peach oil and a shine-enhancing complex, our Glossy Shampoo and Conditioner are clinically proven to increase hair shine by 126%* and reduce frizz by 79%*.
glossy collection
rich formulas
that give thick coarse hair
glass-like shine
*proven results in a third-party testing lab when using Verb® Glossy Shampoo and Glossy Conditioner.
Hydrate Shampoo
Our Hydrate Shampoo is formulated with key hydrating ingredients like argan oil, babassu oil, a moisture-locking ceramide and a hydrating complex, this shampoo lightly cleanses hair while gently moisturizing.
Shampooing tip: We recommend only washing the scalp directly. Massage product into the scalp (no other area of the hair) and when you rinse, that will cleanse the rest of your hair. This is the best way to get rid of buildup and oil at the root without stripping or putting the rest of your hair through the added damage of scrubbing brittle hair.
Hydrate Conditioner
Follow up your shampoo session with the Hydrate Conditioner to add back in all the moisture your thick hair needs. Apply generously to your hair and leave it in for a good three to five minutes to ensure your locks are fully replenished. Rinse after five minutes and notice how your hair will start feeling softer and easier to run your fingers through.
explore the
hydrate collection
designed to moisturize,
and nourish
dry, frizzy hair
Hydrate Mask
Whether or not you use our Hydrate Mask will depend on how often you like to deep condition. If you have extremely thick hair, you may want to use the Hydrate Mask each time you shower instead of your normal conditioner. If you have coarse hair that’s not too thick, you may want to use the mask once a week.For an added boost of hydration, use the Hydrate Mask after being out in the sun during hot months, or after long periods of heat styling. Here are a couple different methods for using the Hydrate Mask:
- Method 1: Substitute for conditioner and leave on for five to seven minutes. Put hair up in a bun for max hydration. Rinse and continue with your routine.
- Method 2: Apply on dry hair and leave for your desired amount of time. Put hair up in a bun or throw on a shower cap for max hydration. Put on a face mask or take a nap. Rinse and continue with your routine, washing your hair with shampoo if you have oily hair.
- Method 3: Mix with your favorite DIY hydrators and follow methods one or two.
Ghost™ Oil
A bestseller for a reason, Ghost™ Oil is light enough for fine hair and also a staple in thick hair routines to minimize frizz and tame flyaways. Use two to three pumps of Ghost™ Oil on damp hair to finish your routine for shiny, hydrated locks. Need a quick refresh on dry styling days? Squeeze a pump or two onto your hands and apply midshaft to ends for added shine throughout the week.
Bonus: Ghost™ Dry Oil
Ever feel like your hair is too clean? Well, it may only be a problem that thick-haired folks understand but we created Ghost™ Dry Oil to help refresh your hair and add back in a bit of that second-day oil that makes your hair look its best. For those days between washes when your hair needs a quick refresher, spritz evenly onto your hair and let it work its magic.
explore the
ghost™ collection
add shine, smooth and
protect for weightless, easy
styling in all hair types
Best products for thick, coarse, curly hair
Let’s say you have thick, curly hair and are struggling to find products that give your hair extra hydration and curl retention. We suggest you look for products that feature the following ingredients:
- Sunflowers are rich in linoleic acid, which helps maintain hair’s natural barrier and lock in moisture. It helps smooth the hair cuticle, making coarse curls feel softer and less rough.
- Jojoba oil closely mimics the natural oils your scalp produces (aka sebum), which makes it ideal for balancing moisture without buildup. It helps soften thick strands, reduce scalp dryness, and add shine—all while keeping your curls bouncy and defined.
- Castor oil is heavier, but that’s a good thing for thick, coarse curls. It’s full of ricinoleic acid, which boosts moisture and helps fight breakage. Castor oil also adds slip and control to unruly curls.
Powered by our proprietary SunflowerCurl™ Complex, castor oil and jojoba oil, our Curl Collection nourishes curly hair of all textures. Curl Shampoo and Curl Conditioner cleanse and detangle curly hair while providing hair with extra moisture and increasing curl elasticity. Products like our Curl Cream are great for giving thick, dry, curly hair the extra hydration it needs to reinvigorate curls and increase hair definition.
explore the curl collection
formulated to hydrate,
protect and define waves,
curls and coils
What is coarse hair?
Coarse hair is a type of hair texture characterized by strands that are thicker and wider in circumference than other hair types. This is different from hair density. This is because the three layers of each hair strand (cortex, cuticle and medulla) are thicker compared to fine or medium hair.
(Source: ATOZHairstyles)
How to determine your hair coarseness
The easiest way to determine if you have coarse hair is by rolling a strand between your fingertips. If you can’t feel anything — you have fine hair. If you can barely feel the strand — you have medium hair. If you can clearly feel the strand — you have thick, coarse hair.
Why is my hair so coarse (when it wasn’t before)?
If you usually have medium or fine hair but notice it’s become thicker and coarse, this could be caused by several reasons:
- Dry weather: If you spend a lot of time outdoors in dry weather, your hair will dry out which can increase coarseness.
- Excessive use of hot tools: Using hot tools to style your hair will strip locks of moisture resulting in dry and coarse strands.
- Hormonal changes: Hormonal changes can cause changes in your hair, especially because it can change the sebum production from your scalp leading to oily or coarse hair.
- Age: As you get older, your hair will naturally produce less oil resulting in coarser, thicker hair.
What ingredients are best for thick hair?
Thick and coarse hair can often be frizzy or appear “unruly” but that’s not necessarily the case. When hair is frizzy, it might mean that your hair requires hydration. Some of our favorite ingredients for taming frizz and hydrating coarse textures include:
- Rosehip oil: an oil full of essential fatty acids and antioxidants to improve hair health.
- Squalane: helps smooth and soften hair while adding a healthy overall shine and also helps detangle and soften hair.
- Peach oil: coats the hair with a natural shine and is great for softening and conditioning. It adds a dose of hydration and helps improve manageability, which thick or coarse hair usually needs.
Together, these oils don’t just sit on top of the hair—they actually work to hydrate, soften, and protect from within, which is key when you’re working with more texture or coarseness.
