Cantu Creamy Lotion is one of my absolute favourite HG leave in curl creams. But in the insta-curl world, I’ve seen more people raving about the Cantu Curl Activator Cream so I purchased this a while ago.
Description by Cantu:
Smoothes and enhances natural curl pattern revealing frizz-free volume. Made with pure shea butter and formulated without harsh ingredients.
Benefits/Features
- Activates curls revealing frizz-free, bouncy curls
- Delivers volume & shine
- Great for a quick Wash n’ Go
Price: 2000 INR (You only need a really small quantity so this would last you a long time!). You can buy it here (India) or here (US).
Ingredient Analysis:
- Water (Aqua, Eau)
- Glycerin – humectant
- Propanediol – emollient, improves moisture binding
- Fragrance (Parfum)
- Polyquaternium-10 – provides light hold
- Stearalkonium Chloride – smoothens the cuticles
- Stearyl Alcohol – emollient, softens hair
- Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
Ingredients after the first 5 to 8 ingredients are in negligible amounts and can be ignored if you are not trying to avoid any ingredient in particular – Read the Ingredients List, Not the Product Claims
I love the ingredients list. No alarming ingredients. Great conditioning ingredients.
Cantu Curl Activator Cream Checklist:
CG Friendly: Yes
Texture: Velvety-creamy texture. It’s softer than the Cantu Creamy Hair lotion.
Smell: I love almost all shea butter products. They smell soooo good. This lotion is a mix of shea butter and some tropical fruity smell. Love it.
Packaging: A sturdy really tall plastic bottle with a press button opening.
Cantu Curl Activator Cream Performance:
Here is a post on how I use this product – How to apply products and scrunch curly hair and here is a post with my full curly hair care routine – My curly hair routine .
Results of Cantu Curl Activator Cream on my hair
+ It is the ultimate ringlet former! Just look at those ringlets.
+ Provides great shine and moisture
+ Imparts curl definition and coiling
+ A little goes a long way
– It’s quite heavy for my curl type. My curls get easily weighed down with this. See the crown part above the ringlets?
In short: Cantu Curl Activator Cream is a great curl defining and moisturizing cream for hair types that don’t get weighed down easily. I almost always recommend this to my readers over the Creamy Hair Lotion because I think it would work better for their hair type. (I also did gift 2 bottles of this on my Instagram Giveaway :D)
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Rekshma Rajendran
August 10, 2017 at 12:07 pm
Hi Anjana: Your hair is looking lovely as usual. In this pic, you styled only with Cantu Curl Activator or did you to top it with any gel ?
Anjana
August 10, 2017 at 4:10 pm
Thanks Rekshma 🙂 I applied Cantu Define & Shine Custard after this
Bhakti
September 22, 2017 at 9:36 pm
Hi Anjana,
I was looking for review of Cantu Define and Shine custard from our Indian curlies, but couldn’t find it. Could you please review it?
Anjana
September 25, 2017 at 2:36 pm
Sure Bhakti! Soon 🙂
Debasmita
August 10, 2017 at 12:14 pm
Wow…those ringlets look amazing ….Anjana,have you tried this brand called Argan ThairEPY? Their curl cream also gives good definition…I bought it from habbana.com at 500 bucks,although I have seen it been sold at absurd prices in amazon.
Anjana
August 10, 2017 at 4:13 pm
Thank you Debasmita 🙂 No I haven’t heard of this brand / product 😐
Priya
August 15, 2017 at 1:21 pm
Hi Anjana, did you squish to condish or super soaker when applying the cantu curl activating cream? And how much did you use? My hair is similar to yours but slightly shorter. Thankyou so much for this blog – I am love love loving my curls again thanks to you (and getting sooooo many compliments too!)
Anjana
August 15, 2017 at 1:25 pm
Squish to condish followed by scrunching. . I used about a lime sized quantity. So glad to hear that Priya. Would love to see your curls..Can you mail them to me (info@curlsandbeautydiary.com) 💜
Priya
August 15, 2017 at 1:31 pm
Wow, that was fast – thankyou! 😊 I am having trouble working out the absolute best order of products. After washing, I used the cantu leave in conditioner (squished in) and then the curl activator cream. Tried the gel on top last week but not sure I applied it very well as was a bit frizzy, but I was a bit scared of it so may not have used enough 🙈. I’m finding scrunching gives me more fly aways though 🙁
Anjana
August 16, 2017 at 10:16 am
Which gel did you use? And mythic oil can be used as the last step for added shine.
Priya
August 17, 2017 at 12:19 pm
Thanks Anjana. I started with a l’oreal spray so I didn’t have to touch my hair, but it had too much silicone in it so I’ve now got Enliven gel – do I put this on before plopping? And the mythic oil after diffusing?? Sorry to sound so dim!
Priya
August 17, 2017 at 12:44 pm
Sorry, meant Eco styler gel! (Argan oil one)
Anjana
August 17, 2017 at 7:46 pm
Gel on dripping wet hair after the cream..I’d avoid the serum after so many products. But you can use a few drops after diffusing
Anjana
August 17, 2017 at 7:46 pm
And please feel free to ask questions😊
Priya
August 15, 2017 at 1:34 pm
I also have the mythic oil and am really confused about when to use that…. (Smells amazing)
rads
August 29, 2017 at 4:34 pm
how is this different from the lotion
Anjana
August 29, 2017 at 5:51 pm
The lotion is lighter and better suited for hair that gets weighed down easily
Sailaja
December 24, 2017 at 6:20 pm
Hi… I’m a very lazy person in terms of hair grooming. Can I use the cantu curl activator cream after hair wash without any conditioner? Can I use this as a leave in conditioner?
Anjana
December 27, 2017 at 11:58 am
Conditioning is a very important step and should never be skipped Sailaja
ankita
January 10, 2018 at 10:33 am
what is the difference between curl activator, a gel, and a leave in. and do u club these and apply one after other or just one product at a time.
Anjana
January 10, 2018 at 10:45 am
Curl cream is a mix of a leave in conditioner and gel – it has moisturizing and curl enhancing properties. Leave in is for moisture. Gel is for hold, definition and frizz control. I use them in this order – leave in > cream > gel
Anjali khandelwal
January 18, 2018 at 9:52 pm
Hey anjana , i have 3b curly hair. My hair is not fine but they easy weigh down with products. So normally i don’t apply so many products. I want to ask that this cream is enough to get definition or i have to apply gel top of it.
One other question which gel you suggest me for my type of hair. I have tried shwarzkopf but it give me 2nd day stiff and weird hair. Should i try set wet gel? Will it also give stiff results. I want gel in 500 rs. Only.
Anjana
January 23, 2018 at 11:47 am
I always apply a gel, but you could try it without a gel and see if you like the results. Almost all gels will give you a curl cast
Priyanka Gaikwad
January 30, 2018 at 10:29 pm
Hi Anjana, can i use this as a leave in conditioner?
Anjana
January 31, 2018 at 9:14 am
Yes
Betty
February 8, 2018 at 8:20 am
Is the smell same for cantu curl activator and cantu creamy lotion?
Anjana
February 8, 2018 at 2:40 pm
Yes exactly the same
Charu
February 28, 2018 at 8:30 am
Hey anjana, I’ve this basic doubt about expiry date of the products like cantu’s hair cream which I’m going to buy online. Do they really have any expiry date or how check the shelf life of the products?
Anjana
February 28, 2018 at 11:04 am
No they don’t. They usually have a “Use within this time after opening the bottle” time frame of 12months
Sanjana
March 19, 2018 at 3:35 am
Hi Anjana, have you tried the maui moisture products? Shea moisture is too heavy for my hair (it doesn’t moisturize as much but makes it kinda greasy and dry feeling sometimes) and Cantu was too heavy for my hair as well. There aren’t that many reviews on maui moisture for non-ethnic hair so was just wondering if you could try / review it 🙂
Anjana
March 19, 2018 at 10:03 am
No I haven’t Sanjana. These are some really light leave ins – https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/as-i-am-leave-conditioner-review/
https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/devacurl-b%E2%80%B2leave-review/
Kavya
April 12, 2018 at 12:54 pm
Hi Anjana,
After reading your blog, I choose bblunt conditioner and Cantu moisturizing and curl activator cream
I use dove shampoo to wash my hair.
Post washing and drying my hair (naturally) , my hair feels dry and rough to touch.
I doesn’t look fluffy, it looks a little weighed down.
Any suggestions. I want my curls to look well nourished and soft to touch.
Anjana
April 12, 2018 at 2:31 pm
Mail me some pics of your hair
Sarita
May 24, 2018 at 10:33 am
My hair is between a 2a and 2b mostly because I use a straightening iron and tie it in a pony tight behind if I don’t. I have a graduated bob and want to stop ironing. My hair forms nice waves at the bottom.
Was thinking of buying the body shop rainforest range of product and Cantu curl activator. Gel could you suggest. I have short ,, fine frizzy hair. Thanks a ton.
Anjana
May 24, 2018 at 11:06 am
first, you need to stop using heat completely and also be patient – Heat damage in curly hair. Check this for product recommendation (Cantu maybe too heavy for you) – Beginner Friendly Products – Curly Hair Starter Kit
Thabitha
June 20, 2018 at 7:36 pm
Can cantu be used everyday will it result in hair loss or any other damage ?
Anjana
June 21, 2018 at 8:31 pm
Yes it can be used. Read the FAQ for your worries – Curly Hair FAQ
Dania
July 29, 2018 at 10:38 am
Hi, Anjana
I wanted to know if the curl activator cream may be used as a gel? I’ve just bought my Cantu hair products and can’t wait to use them. I bought the leave in conditioner and the curl activator. I plan on using the curl activator as a gel to hold my curls in place.
Anjana
July 30, 2018 at 1:37 pm
The activator is a cream not a gel. It may hold some curl types. Give it a try and see if your curls are holding
Ami K
August 6, 2018 at 1:03 am
Hey!
Have been going through your blog for weeks now. I’ve 2B type hair. Currently am using WOW shampoo and conditioner, they work fine for me. I’ve been considering to buy a leave-in cream. The reviews of Cantu products are so enticing!! I was wondering if I can use a small amount for my hair? I’ve searched for mousses for wavy hair for hours, they just seem bleh or too expensive. What do you suggest?
Also, thanks a lot for sharing so much knowledge 🙂
Anjana
August 6, 2018 at 3:37 pm
It maybe too heavy for you. Have you seen this https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HaIp3-AuZTg
Siri
August 8, 2018 at 4:22 pm
Hello Anjana!
Are these cantu products on Amazon genuine? I’ve heard that it has a lot of fake products as well.
Anjana
August 8, 2018 at 8:38 pm
Always check for the seller rating and reviews before buying 🙂 I have never got a fake one
Kavya
August 4, 2020 at 11:09 pm
Amazon has three product links with three different prices for cantu cream. Checked review. It says original. But still confused which one. Can you please check and send the link
Anjana
August 6, 2020 at 4:10 pm
You can pick the lowest cost if you have check seller rating and review
Abhishree
August 28, 2018 at 9:16 am
Hi anjana. I used an aloevera gel today after reading your blog and added to my tiny routine and the results were lovely.
However, i stay in mumbai and it can get pretty humid here. So in a 15 mins ride. Ny hair became less bouncy and some curls lost their definition. I do know thay maybe a strong hold gel would help or a lot of gel to get the curls to hold especially in humidity. I wanted to know how do i manage my hair in daily commute since i take a rickshaw everyday. I couldnt find any post on your blog hence im afraid i had to trouble you.
Anjana
August 28, 2018 at 1:21 pm
Yes a hard hold gel is really important. Also cover your hair in a silk scarf when outside.
MM
August 29, 2018 at 11:00 pm
Hi, I love cantu curl activator but it makes my hair slightly ‘crunchy’— am I using too much ?
Anjana
August 30, 2018 at 1:54 pm
Yes, or before that have you tried scrunching out the crunch once hair is fully dry?
Annie
October 13, 2018 at 9:22 pm
Hi !Anjana.I am Annie .I used Shea moisture cononut and hibiscus curl enhancer smoothie and Cantu Shea butter moisturising curl activator .i am happy with the curl definition it gave me but my hair looks so volumeless than it usually used to be .shd I use very little about of this product for more volume ? Or can u pls suggest me what shd I do for more volume
Anjana
October 15, 2018 at 1:58 pm
Yes, that’s correct, use less for volume
Annie
October 14, 2018 at 4:43 pm
And the next thing is when I applied Cantu Shea butter moisturising curl activator my hair was with ‘0’frizz until it was wet .but when it started to dry it became a bit frizzier .and I didn’t apply the products harshly too but still it becomes little frizzy what shd I do to get frizz free hair after a wash
Anjana
October 15, 2018 at 1:59 pm
Include a gel
Annie
October 16, 2018 at 7:48 pm
I do apply aloe Vera gel after these styling products but then too it becomes frizzy.here’s what I use
1.shampoo :-Dove
2.Conditioner:-L’Oréal Paris smoothening intense conditioner
3.leave in:-Shea moisture cononut and hibiscus curl enhancer smoothie
and Cantu Shea butter moisturising curl activator
4.More on Aloevera gel
Pls suggest me what to do with this frizziness bec how much ever products I use the end result is a frizzy hair .and moreover I am not harsh in applying the products.
Anjana
October 17, 2018 at 2:35 pm
Aloe is not a strong hold gel
Savita yadav
October 29, 2018 at 5:03 pm
My hair is like wavy but gets frizzy like a wire after 2 to 3 days of wash.. I’m not using any product right now.. Will you please tell me, does it soften hair n provide frizzy free hair?
Thank you
Anjana
October 29, 2018 at 7:28 pm
This product is not for every curl type. Please check this https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Gahana
November 2, 2018 at 9:32 am
Hi Anjana,
Cantu curl activator cream should be followed by hair gel, or i should use it alone?
I felt like gel not giving proper cast when i applied it after applying curl activator cream.
Anjana
November 5, 2018 at 2:44 pm
If you like the results without gel you can use it alone. Gels may not give exact if there is too much/rich product underneath
Neha
December 2, 2018 at 12:08 am
Hi I have type 3b curls. If I have to pick between the two which one should I go for the Cantu Shea butter curl activator or the OGX curl defining? Also, how much product should I use to maintain my volume? Which is the best shampoo/conditioner for maintaining the volume? Thank you Anjana so much love to you💓
Anjana
December 3, 2018 at 4:37 pm
I guess Cantu. Use very less product if you prefer volume over definition. You can use any shampoo/condish. It’s how you style that matters
S
December 6, 2018 at 10:30 pm
Hi Anjana! I was wondering if I could use this as a leave in conditioner. Does it work well enough as that or just more as a curl activator? Thanks!
Anjana
December 10, 2018 at 4:12 pm
It is great as a leave in 🙂
diksha
December 29, 2018 at 12:45 pm
Hi Anjana, my query here is bit different from other naturally curly hair girls. Let me tell u briefly about my hair.
I have naturally thick, wavy hair…they arent curly….they are just wavy…..probably u can call them like 1c or 2a…thats it….when I tie them in a bun at night, next morning i get beautiful curls which will last only for 5 minutes and moment you comb, arghhh, they are wavy again. I am not actually looking for making it curly like yours though i like your hair so much (seriously ) 🙁 bcoz full curls (from root to end ) doesnt suit my face. What i have learnt from experience is that curls at the bottom is what suits my face. Not fully curly. Now i am anti heat kinda person. My mother has warned me not to use any heat on my hair as it will spoil texture and make my hair rough , drier, frizzy and what not,
Anjana can u pls guide me what should i do ?
What i want actually ?
I want to wash my hair , then want to wait it gets semi dry so that i get all the volume. Then i want to apply some product to my lower half of the hair and tie them in a bun and leave it overnight so that when i wake up, i get LONG LASTING CURLS . So can this product be used as a styling cream after every wash ? ( i am prefering this bcoz its CG friendly) . IF NOT, anjana what do u think would be most approriate for me. I would be really thankful to you if u guide me bcoz i am so tired watching hundreds of videos with no output. I m just so confused. Thank you girl ..
Anjana
January 2, 2019 at 1:53 pm
Yes, if that works for you, of course you can do it Diksha
Tanya
January 29, 2019 at 5:25 pm
So I’ve just purchased cantu curl activator cream and styling custard for my daughter’s hair as recommended by the lady in the shop. Would you use the custard after the activator? Searched all over Google but can’t seem to find the right answers!
Thankyou
Anjana
January 30, 2019 at 1:54 pm
Yes that’s right
Sonia
January 30, 2019 at 7:53 am
Hi Anjana:
I already have Cantu Shea Butter leave-in, and the moisturizing curl activator. Could you please recommend me a gel? I need the gel step. Notice that some girls post their comments in this matter but there is no gel recommendation.
Thank you.
Anjana
January 30, 2019 at 1:55 pm
https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Yogita
April 11, 2019 at 3:23 pm
Hi,
I am planning to buy Wow shampoo and conditioner for my curly hair, is these good product?
and also suggest some good curly hair gel.
I want to use after cantu curl activator.
and how do I know my curly hair type? ( Ex. like 2b, 2c, etc.. I read on your comments like these)
please suggest.
Thank you
Anjana
April 11, 2019 at 10:37 pm
Yogita, this post will answer all these questions https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/beginner-friendly-simple-curly-hair-starter-kit/
Mini
April 27, 2019 at 1:23 pm
I have very short curly hair.may be shoulder length. After it dries up the hair tends to go up. Can you suggest any products which keeps my hair down.thanks .
Anjana
April 29, 2019 at 1:50 pm
Shrinkage is a sign of healthy hair Mini. Check point 6 https://www.curlsandbeautydiary.com/curly-hair-faq/
Anonymous
June 28, 2019 at 9:10 pm
Hey Anjana so now I have bought the Cantu leave-in conditioner and the Cantu curl activator and I’m just confused of when to use them. So should I apply both of them at the same time after my shower or apply curl activator while in the shower and the leave-in conditioner after the shower…
Anjana
July 1, 2019 at 2:19 pm
Hey, it’s an either/or 🙂 I use only 1 during 1 wash day
Ashima
February 6, 2020 at 1:50 pm
It got FRAGRANCE in the TOP of the list! How is it not alarming?
Anjana
February 6, 2020 at 3:14 pm
Hi Ashima, the ingredients analysis is from a “hair” perspective only, as not everybody follows EWG recommendations for picking products 🙂
diparati
May 18, 2020 at 9:53 pm
Hi. Can I use this cantu curl activator cream as a leave-in? I have type 2c curls.
Anjana
May 19, 2020 at 3:53 pm
Hi Diparati, yes you could use it, if it doesn’t weigh down your hair
Kavya
August 4, 2020 at 11:10 pm
Amazon has three product links with three different prices for cantu cream. Checked review. It says original. But still confused which one. Can you please check and send the link
Jismy Sebastian
September 28, 2020 at 12:52 am
Hey Anjana,
This product is not working on my 2c/3a hair. Any idea why? It’s not even clumping . When I style with conditioner I could see clumps but frizzy. Cantu just makes my hair soft. I have sent an email with details. It would be great if you could reply.
Thank you
Anjana
September 28, 2020 at 3:07 pm
Hi Jismy, what do you mean “not working”?
Jismy Sebastian
September 28, 2020 at 11:13 pm
My hair is not clumping . It’s soft but frizzy. The curls are not defined and the strands starts sticking out ones the hair starts to dry
Anjana
September 29, 2020 at 7:51 pm
Do you have this issue with only this product?
Jismy Sebastian
October 5, 2020 at 11:12 am
I tried Giovanni mousse, it didn’t turn out well. That’s when I decided to get cantu since it seems like working for everyone. But looks like it’s me 😅. I’m not sure what I am doing wrong. I squish condition and it gets clumped pretty neat though frizzy. But with cantu once the hair is dried the clumps disappear.
Anjana
October 5, 2020 at 6:37 pm
Maybe you should include a gel
Sera
December 18, 2020 at 11:30 am
does this work in humid climate? i travel and live in kerala and banglore . Both have a pretty humid climate.
Anjana
December 18, 2020 at 8:26 pm
Hi Sera, I’ve lived in Bangalore for 2 years and haven’t felt that it is a humid place anytime. This works really well in Bangalore.
Kerala is very humid and I don’t use it in Kerala.
Tanya Gupta
April 26, 2021 at 4:39 pm
First of all, a big THANK YOU for making me fall in love with my curls. I used to have wavy hair until I found your post & tried CG method during lockdown last year. I resonated with the way you check ingredient list & then believe in the product. Now, I simply love & appreciate my hair.
I had a question – Since I ran out of my re’equil murumuru conditioner & I had ‘L’Oreal Hair Spa deep Nourishing Creambath With Water Lily For Dry Hair’ on my bathroom shelf. I gave it a try & socked my hair for 20-25 minutes with SOTC. I followed my regular routine of washing conditioner, using DIY flax seed gel, plopping hair(20-30min) and then diffusing. To my surprise I loved the curls – they were super shiny, beautifully curled, less frizz, no hair breakage & stayed beautiful for at least 3 days.
I tried few more times as I loved the results & it felt working for me. Please could you suggest if its a good to use as a conditioner for curly hair. Below are the ingredient list:
Water, Cetearyl Alcohol, Behentrimonium Chlorihexidine Dihydrochloride, Hexyl Cinnamal, Benzyl Salicylate, Linalool, Cetrimonium Chloride, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Benzyll Alcohol, Nymphrea Alba Flower Extract.
Thank you.
Anjana
April 27, 2021 at 9:46 am
Hi Tanya, I am glad to hear that. I haven’t seen an ingredient called Behentrimonium Chlorihexidine Dihydrochloride. Behentrimonium Chloride and Chlorihexidine Dihydrochloride are different.