I second this comment, plus the suggestion to find something with hold that doesn't leave white flakes - especially if you're planning on using a longer-term protective style, like two stand twists or braids. I am obsessed with ECO styler's olive oil gel - this amazon link is much more expensive than the usual. I buy 5 pound containers of it (about 2/3 of a gallon) at my local beauty supply store for $9.99. That much gel lasts me around 9 months, and I use it for everything - braidouts, twistouts, buns, wash and gos, box braids etc. It doesn't flake and doesn't dry out your hair and it's cheap af.
Eco Style Gel is pretty good about not going crunchy. You have to way too much on for it to crunch and even if you do just spray some water on it and scrunch it a bit and it will soften. I love this gel :)