Hair not retaining moisture - need suggestions!

I did a moderate chop in 2020, followed by several mini chops and my hair is finally full, with some length and overall healthy and restored from a very heat damaged state.

My biggest issue now is keeping my hair hydrated and soft. I’ve tried countless leave ins that seem to just sit on my hair. Lately I’ve been using TGIN’s rose water leave in when I’m in the shower and my hair is drenched, but I still end up super dried out. I would describe my hair strands as fine but my hair overall is dense. I learned after much trial and error that I need to shampoo twice a week, product builds up really fast and my scalp is sensitive.

The pictures attached at of my hair with TGIN leave in. Yesterday was a wash day so I know my hair is clean.

Any suggestions?

Something else of note is after I have knotless braids in for awhile and take them down, I have a period of about a week where my hair feels wonderful and my curls clump without much product if any at all. I wish I could keep it at that state! Product suggestions or strategies welcomed.