Styling cream · Cantu
Cantu Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream
Not enough opinions for a Curl Score yet
9 opinions from 9 people
- Positive
- 7
- Mixed
- 0
- Negative
- 2
How is the Curl Score calculated?
We read 3 public Reddit discussions and logged each person's opinion of each product as positive, mixed or negative, and members add theirs when they review a product here. The Curl Score puts those on a scale of 1 to 5: every opinion positive would be 5, every one negative 1, and an even split 3, with a mixed opinion counting as half positive. Passing mentions aren't opinions, so they don't count, and each person counts once per product. Every brand is scored the same way, but these are comments, not verified purchases or a survey. Sources and method
The verdict
A long-time favourite for soft, shiny, defined curls, though too heavy for some fine hair.
The full verdict
Fans say they never change it: it's hydrating without being sticky, gives the shiniest, most defined curls, and keeps hair frizz-free and soft. One wavy reviewer has finished four bottles, and a reviewer with fine, low-porosity hair uses a tiny amount in winter. Two reviewers found it too heavy, and one long-time user is unsure it still suits their changed technique.
- Best for
- Softness and definition on curly to coily hair
- Skip it if
- Your hair is fine and easily weighed down
Reviewer experiences
A representative mix, good and bad, from the commenters.
- u/Imuta_811r/curlyhair, 2026
It keeps my hair frizz-free and really soft; it works for me.
- u/AffectionateLead5329r/curlyhair, 2025
I find Cantu Curl Activator too heavy.
- u/Elaeg42r/curlyhair, 2026
I love it, though I haven't used it recently (too many products).
- u/dumpster_kittyr/curlyhair, 2026
One of my favourites; it works great on my 3B hair.
3B
- u/Reasonable-Garlic-67r/curlyhair, 2026
I like it even though, as a wavy, I'm 'not supposed to'; I've finished 4 bottles.
Wavy
- u/brenegader/curlyhair, 2026
I use it when my ends feel dry.
2b/c; super dense
See all 9 reviews
PositiveReddit comment
It keeps my hair frizz-free and really soft; it works for me.
u/Imuta_811r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I use the curl activator cream and I’ve liked it because it’s kept my hair frizz free and really soft. It works for me personally
NegativeReddit comment
I find Cantu Curl Activator too heavy.
u/AffectionateLead5329r/curlyhair, 2025Original comment
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Is the NYM heavily scented? Is it sticky? I find Cantu curl activator too heavy and the Marc Anthony too sticky.
PositiveReddit comment
I love it, though I haven't used it recently (too many products).
u/Elaeg42r/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I love the curl activator cream, though I haven’t used it recently. I have too many products in my bathroom. 😂
PositiveReddit comment
One of my favourites; it works great on my 3B hair.
u/dumpster_kitty3Br/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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The curl activator cream is one of my favorites. Works great with my 3B hair
PositiveReddit comment
I like it even though, as a wavy, I'm 'not supposed to'; I've finished 4 bottles.
u/Reasonable-Garlic-67Wavyr/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I like the Curl activator cream even though I’m not supposed to as a wavy girlie I’ve finished 4 bottles lol
PositiveReddit comment
I use it when my ends feel dry.
u/brenegade2b/c; super denser/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I like the avocado gel and I have the curl activating cream which I will use when my ends feel dry. 2b/c hair super dense hair
PositiveReddit comment
In winter, a tiny amount makes my hair soft, defined and shiny.
u/lobsterbanditoFine; low porosity; 2b/3ar/curlyhair, 2026Original comment
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I have fine, low porosity 2b/3a hair, and most of this line isn’t for me, BUT, in the winter, I use a tiny, tiny bit of the curl activator cream and it makes my hair soft, defined, and shiny.
NegativeReddit comment
I had the same too-heavy experience with Cantu Curl Activator.
u/beagoodbearFine on topr/curlyhair, 2025Original comment
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Not heavily scented. Is sticky when you squirt it into your hands, but completely dries in your hair. I’ve had the same experiences with Curl Activator and the Marc Anthony simply hates my hair
PositiveReddit comment
I never change it; hydrating without being sticky or tacky.
A deleted accountr/curlyhair, 2023Original comment
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The only product I don’t change in my routine is Cantu Curl Activator. I’ve tried numerous other curl creams and this one just seems to have the right amount of hydrating properties without being sticky or tacky.
What reviewers say
- Praised: Soft, shiny, defined curls
- Praised: Hydrating without stickiness
- Complaint: Too heavy for some
- Complaint: Best in small amounts on fine hair
More from Cantu
The brand reviewBest liked: rated by at least 4 people, more than half of them positive.
How we collated these reviews
Drawn from 9 comments in 3 Reddit discussions below. We read every comment in each, logged each product a commenter had an opinion on, and classified each opinion as positive, mixed or negative. This is public commentary, not verified purchases or customer ratings. Our full method