Sponsored
Cantu Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream - 12 fl oz
$5.99 ($0.50/fluid ounce) was $6.49
New lower price
save $0.50 (8% reduction)In Stock
Eligible for registries and wish lists
At a glance
Sponsored
About this item
Highlights
- Style strands with moisturizing shea butter & 7 essential oils
- Adds shine & shape to natural curls, coils & waves
- Activates curl shape while hydrating with pure shea butter
- Great for waves, curls, and coils
- No Harsh Ingredients: formulated with no mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin or propylene
Description
The Cantu Shea Butter for Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream 12 oz enhances your natural curl pattern to produce definition and the added volume you crave. The award-winning blend of shea butter and essential oils nourishes dry strands and adds a natural shine. Enjoy increased curl definition with each use and elevate your curly styles no matter your hair type. This staple styling product is formulated without harsh ingredients such as mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, and propylene glycol. To use, apply the Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream to wet hair, section by section. Style as desired. Diffuse for faster drying time and increased volume. Since the beginning, you’ve pushed us to advance skin and hair science to honor your locs, your curls, your waves, your braids, your natural. At Cantu, we support your journey with care and we celebrate all the styles you rock!
Hair Type: Curly, Textured
Product Warning: Keep out of reach of children
Product Form: Cream
Sustainability Claims: Cruelty-Free
Beauty Purpose: Volumizing
Net weight: 12 fl oz (US)
TCIN: 16970519
UPC: 817513010002
Item Number (DPCI): 063-05-1346
Origin: Made in the USA
If the item details aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.
Ingredients:
aqua (water), glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, propanediol, butyrospermium parkii (shea), butter, fragrance, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, polyquaternium-10, phenoxythenol, behentrimonium methosulfate, polysorbate 60, glycin soja (soybean) oil, polyquaternium-11, olea europaea (olive) fruit oil, ethylhexylglycerin, canola oil, arachidyl alcohol, silk amino acids, lactobacillus ferment, aloe barbadensis (aloe vera) leaf juice (decolorized), hydrolyzed silk, lonicera caprifolium (honeysuckle) flower extract, macrocystis pyrifera (kelp) extract, salvia officinalis (sage) leaf extract, urtica dioica (nettle) extract, vitis vinifera (grape) seed extract, argania spinosa (argan) kernel oil, cocos nucifera (coconut) oil, daucus carota sativa (carrot) seed oil, macadamia ternifolia (macadamia) seed oil, persea gratissima (avocado) oil, prunus amygdalus dulcis (sweet almond) oil, simmondsia chinensis (jojoba) seed oil, vitis vinifera (grape) seed oil, benzyl benzoate, benzyl salicylate, coumarin, hexyl cinnamal' '
Shipping details
Estimated ship dimensions: 1.86 inches length x 1.92 inches width x 8.9 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 0.89 pounds
Return details
This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, shipped, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or made ready for pickup.
See the return policy for complete information.
Q: Does the cream contain any harsh chemicals?
submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 8 days ago
A: No, it is formulated without mineral oil, sulfates, parabens, silicones, phthalates, gluten, paraffin, or propylene glycol.
submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 8 days agoAi generated
Q: How should the cream be applied for best results?
submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 8 days ago
A: Apply to wet hair, section by section, and style as desired. Diffuse for faster drying and increased volume.
submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 8 days agoAi generated
Q: Can this product be used on all curly hair types?
submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 8 days ago
A: Yes, it is suitable for waves, curls, and coils, enhancing natural curl patterns.
submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 8 days agoAi generated
Q: Is this product tested on animals?
submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 8 days ago
A: No, the product is cruelty-free, aligning with sustainability claims.
submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 8 days agoAi generated
Q: What is the main ingredient in the cream?
submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 8 days ago
A: The main ingredient in the cream is pure shea butter, which moisturizes and adds shine.
submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 8 days agoAi generated
Q: Does provide any hold or do I need to layer a gel on top?
submitted by Racheljana - 2 months ago
A: Cantu’s Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream is designed to define, moisturize, and enhance your natural curl pattern with a soft, touchable finish. It provides light hold that helps reduce frizz and boost definition, but it is not a firm-hold styler. If you’re looking for longer-lasting or stronger hold, many customers like to layer it with a styling gel on top.
submitted byCantu Product Expert - 2 months agoBrand expert
Q: Can I use a heat styling tool after applying this product? Thanks
submitted by Retroredhead85 - 3 months ago
A: Cantu’s Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream defines curls and deeply hydrates textured hair, but it does not provide heat protection. If you plan to use hot tools, apply a dedicated heat protectant.
submitted byCantu Product Expert - 3 months agoBrand expert
Q: Did they change the formula of this item?
submitted by babs29 - 1 year ago
A: Hey Bobbi, Great question! There is a claim on the Cantu Natural Hair Moisturizing Curl Activator Cream with a New & Improved Formula, up to 9x more moisture to help encourage healthy hair growth. For all your future beauty questions, get real-time answers using the “Chat with a Virtual Beauty Consultant” button, found on every product page.
submitted byTarget Beauty Consulting - 1 year agoBrand expert
Q: can I use the Cantù moisturizing curl activator cream and the next day curl revitalized together daily?
submitted by Elaine - 3 years ago
A: Hey Elaine, Yes! You can first use the Cantu Shea Butter Comeback Curl Enhancer and spray it all over in sections. Then you can apply the Cantu moisturizing curl activator cream in sections all over to hydrate your curls. For real-time answers to all your beauty questions, use the “Chat with a Virtual Beauty Consultant” button on any beauty product page.
submitted byTarget Beauty Consulting - 3 years agoBrand expert
Q: will this product alone be good to give volume and definition or will i have to use more than one product
submitted by anonymous - 4 years ago
A: HI! This product alone will give the volume and definition your curls need! After day one styling try Cantu’s Comeback Curl to refresh and eliminate frizz .
submitted byCantu Product Expert - 4 years agoBrand expert
Frequently bought together
$6.49($0.54/fluid ounce)
4.2 out of 5 stars with 667 ratings
$4.99 - $10.19
Lower price on select items
4.5 out of 5 stars with 875 ratings
$6.89($0.86/fluid ounce)
4.4 out of 5 stars with 287 ratings
$3.49 - $15.99
Buy 3, get 1 free on select beauty minis on select items
4.4 out of 5 stars with 3036 ratings
$5.99 - $12.39
Lower price on select items
4.4 out of 5 stars with 3230 ratings
$4.99 - $10.19
Lower price on select items
4.5 out of 5 stars with 827 ratings
Guests also viewed
$6.49($0.54/fluid ounce)
4.2 out of 5 stars with 667 ratings
$5.99 - $12.39
Lower price on select items
4.4 out of 5 stars with 3230 ratings
$4.99 - $10.19
Lower price on select items
4.5 out of 5 stars with 875 ratings
$4.99 - $10.19
Lower price on select items
4.5 out of 5 stars with 827 ratings
$6.49($0.41/fluid ounce)
4.4 out of 5 stars with 665 ratings
Discover more options
$5.99 - $12.39
Lower price on select items
4.4 out of 5 stars with 3230 ratings
$6.49($0.54/fluid ounce)
4.2 out of 5 stars with 667 ratings
$5.99
was $6.49 New lower price
4.3 out of 5 stars with 707 ratings
$4.99 - $10.19
Lower price on select items
4.5 out of 5 stars with 875 ratings
Related Categories
Guests are saying
This curling cream is celebrated for its ability to enhance and define curls, offering hydration and frizz control for various hair types. Guests appreciate its pleasant scent and the softness it imparts on hair, making it a go-to for both adults and children. It's recognized for its affordability and effectiveness, especially when used as part of a haircare routine that includes other complementary products.
Summary created by AI from text of reviews reflecting recent feedback provided across different star ratings (includes incentivized reviews)
4.4 out of 5 stars with 1052 reviews
effectiveness: 4.11 out of 5
quality: 4.08 out of 5
value: 4.18 out of 5
77% would recommend
181 recommendations
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
5 October, 2025Verified purchase
Irish waves
Works great and smells heavily.
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
10 September, 2025Verified purchase
Cantu Curl Activator formula is different
They changed the formula.
4 out of 5 stars
20 August, 2025Verified purchase
It's okay for wavy hair
I have a variety of textures in my hair ( varying from as straight to 2c waves). I have tried it with wet hair after a leave in conditioner; brush/comb after application and scrunch. The curls are defined but they do get crunchy. The crunch does go away eventually after if dries and is scrunched again. I'm still looking for that perfect styling cream. This will do for now.
4 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
18 July, 2025Verified purchase
Coconut Tropical Smell
I actually really like the way it works but I cannot get over the smell. It coconut scented and I don’t like coconuts. For that reason only I will be returning it.
5 out of 5 stars
11 July, 2025Verified purchase
Priceless Product
I actually got a tip about this product when I told the girl who brought my drive up order out how nice her curls looked! Bought the product immediately, she said to use it on wet hair, and I love how it came out! Yes, it's stiff waves at first...waited till very dry to tousle it with my fingers, and next day used a wide tooth comb. Just in time for humid weather, this product controls my wavy hair and it makes it look luscious!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
30 June, 2025Verified purchase
Don't waste your money
Too sticky , the residue in your hair
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
27 June, 2025Verified purchase
100% Must have item
Must have for curls of any texture. We have 3 different curl types in our house and this product is perfect for all of them!
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
11 June, 2025
Nope
Heavy crunchy hair. No definition. No frizz control. I can’t wait to wash it out.
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
6 May, 2025Verified purchase
New Formula is terrible.
I've been buying this product for years, but they recently changed their formula, and it's terrible. It leaves my hair crunchy, doesn't define my curls, and quickly builds up in my hair.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
2 March, 2025Verified purchase
Love the curls
I love this product keeps the frizz away makes the curls look nice and curly.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
31 December, 2024Verified purchase
Love this product!!!
Love this product!! Great hold, definition, not crunchy curls.
3 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
27 December, 2024Verified purchase
Makes your hair smell bad
Although the product did work and did what it was meant to do, it made my hair smell bad…
4 out of 5 stars
17 December, 2024
cantu!
my favorite curl cream!! smells good and i get compliments on my curls all the time. i love embracing my natural hair
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
23 July, 2024
Holy grail for me
My hair is maybe 2c, and coarse. This is one of my top 2 favorite products out of the many I’ve tried, and it’s affordable! My waves clump together so nicely and once dried they looked sooo soft and had a nice bounce. Hold was also good. I was fussing with it a lot and it still held up. The next day my hair felt incredible—conditioned and glossy and still with bounce and NO FRIZZ. I usually wake up feeling a lot of build up if I use a creamy product but not this one. I’m annoyed I tried this so late!
2 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
1 July, 2024Verified purchase
Curl activator cream
I can’t stand the smell :( it smells weird. If they change the smell it’s will probably be doable but no I can’t and my hair supposed to look shiny and not dry and as it’s drying I could tell it’s kind of dry :( it’s a little sticky
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
25 June, 2024Verified purchase
Change in formula to save money?
They have changed this formula 2-3 times in the last year. It went from a thick, opaque, white cream to a translucent, grainy, runny cream. I have an old cream and a new cream and you can see the difference. Watered down. Only lasts me 1-2 weeks compared to 1-2 months. I would have paid more for the original formulation if it was about cost…
4 out of 5 stars
11 June, 2024
I liked the smell
[This review was collected as part of a promotion.] I enjoyed the smell. It did leave my hair soft and silky. I unfortunately didn't like how long it took to rinse out. Maybe I used too much.
4 out of 5 stars
5 June, 2024
originally posted on influenster.com
Works great
I just ran out but I plan on getting more. My curls feel really nice after using it. I use it on my wet hair as well as my dry hair. My hair doesn’t feel hard either. It smells pretty good. I feel like my hair is moisturized after using it.
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
30 May, 2024Verified purchase
Love love love it
Love this!!! I’ve been trying to find a curl cream that was good! Years it took!! I love this stuff I’m so happy!!!
5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
23 May, 2024Verified purchase
Great product!
I purchased this cream for my teenage boys who are starting to experiment with hair styles. They love it. It not only smells amazing but it gives them the curls and waves they want with little effort. Will definitely continue to buy this for my handsome guys.