![15 Best At-Home Keratin Treatments That’ll Help You Get Smoother and Softer Hair Fast, According to Experts (1) 15 Best At-Home Keratin Treatments That’ll Help You Get Smoother and Softer Hair Fast, According to Experts (1)](https://i0.wp.com/hips.hearstapps.com/hmg-prod/images/el-peinado-royalty-free-image-1643669901.jpg?crop=0.745xw:1.00xh;0.0946xw,0&resize=640:*)
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We updated this article in February 2023 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team.
If you’re looking to achieve smoother, sleeker, frizz-free strands, you’ll definitely need to add an at-home keratin hair treatment to your haircare routine. The best keratin treatments for at home will help repair damage, enhance shine, and smooth flyaways. Plus, they come at much more affordable price points than taking a trip to the salon.
“Keratin treatments are designed to temporarily smooth the hair by infusing keratin into porous strands to deliver frizz-free, shiny, healthy-looking hair. The treatments are less damaging than relaxers, which chemically break the hair bonds and reseal the now weaker shaft in a straight formation with heat,” explains Jessie Cheung M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics & Wellness.
Meet the Experts: Jessie Cheung M.D., board-certified dermatologist and founder of Cheung Aesthetics & Wellness and Sarah Ludd, professional hairstylist and session stylist at Kevin Murphy.
Popular for their strengthening abilities, keratin treatments are commonly used to address various hair concerns. Looking to smooth out your curls? You can use a keratin treatment for that. Want to repair damaged strands? Turn to a keratin treatment for help. “Protein is an essential building block for the hair, especially when treating fragile, damaged strands,” says Sarah Ludd, professional hairstylist and session stylist at Kevin Murphy. “Hair is mainly composed of keratin protein, while there are many different effective vegetable-based proteins we could use, keratin is an effective tool in rebuilding the hair strand to deliver strong, healthy hair.”
Our top picks
1
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment With Rice
Nexxus Keraphix Gel Treatment
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2
3
Best Deep Conditioner At-Home Keratin Treatment
HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
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4
5
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment for Color-Treated Hair
RUSK Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Smoothing Shampoo
Read more
6
7
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment Mask
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask
Read more
8
9
Best Leave-In At-Home Keratin Treatment
Kevin.Murphy Leave-In Repair
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10
Best Keratin Treatment Conditioner
Kérastase Resistance Conditioner
Read more
It’s important to note that if you’re looking for extreme, long-lasting results, a pro salon visit is in order. However, at-home keratin treatments (in the form of hair masks, shampoos, leave-in conditioners, and more) will certainly maintain the shine between appointments. Below are our expert-approved picks.
1
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment With Rice
Nexxus Keraphix Gel Treatment
1
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment With Rice
Nexxus Keraphix Gel Treatment
Pros
Good for all hair types
5-minute leave-in time
Cons
Some users don’t care for the smell
Infused with a unique protein fusion blend of keratin and black rice, this gel-based hair treatment is a favorite among Amazon customers, receiving a 4.4-star rating. It strengthens and repairs severely damaged hair, by restoring the cuticle cortex. The brand also notes that it’s safe for all hair types and over-processed strands.
Type | Deep conditioner/treatment |
---|---|
Active Ingredient(s) | Black rice, keratin protein |
2
Best Keratin Treatment Kit
GK HAIR Global Keratin The Best Kit
2
Best Keratin Treatment Kit
GK HAIR Global Keratin The Best Kit
Pros
Results last up to 5 months
Formaldehyde-free
Cons
Pricey
“This is as close as you can get to a salon treatment,” says Dr. Cheung. “The kit comes with four different products—a clarifying shampoo, moisturizing shampoo, a hydrating mask, and moisturizing conditioner. And each product mimics the salon protocol with a shampoo prep, mask, blow-drying, and finally flat iron.”
Type | 4-step kit |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Juvexin, natural seed oils, coconut, |
3
Best Deep Conditioner At-Home Keratin Treatment
HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
3
Best Deep Conditioner At-Home Keratin Treatment
HASK Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner
Pros
Good for all hair types
Fruity floral scent
Cons
Single-use packaging
With over 1,400 five-star global ratings on Amazon, you can rest assured that this moisturizing deep conditioner will enhance your locks. Designed to work on all hair types, this deep conditioner has a clean formula that helps reduce breakage and add shine. “LOVE these masks,” wrote one satisfied Amazon customer. “So much cheaper than salon keratin treatments.”
Type | Deep conditioner |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s): | New Zealand keratin protein, coconut oil |
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4
Best Keratin Treatment Shampoo
ALOXXI Reparative Shampoo
4
Best Keratin Treatment Shampoo
ALOXXI Reparative Shampoo
Pros
Easy to use
Prevents further damage
Cons
Not as moisturizing as other treatments
“A great way to avoid doing more harm than good is to go for a plant-based keratin treatment,” says Robertina Martinez, hair color specialist and international educator for Aloxxi Hair. “This reparative shampoo and conditioner duo contains plant-based keratin and amino acids, which will prolong the treatment’s results by continuously restoring depleted proteins while reinforcing and strengthening hair fibers,” she explains.
Type | Shampoo |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Plant-based keratin, peptides, amino acids, natural antioxidants |
5
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment for Color-Treated Hair
RUSK Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Smoothing Shampoo
5
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment for Color-Treated Hair
RUSK Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Smoothing Shampoo
Pros
Contains nourishing vitamin E
Easy to use
Cons
Conditioner required for best results
“This mask washes off after five minutes and it’s a deep penetrating shampoo with marine botanicals to add moisture and shine,” says Dr. Cheung. The formula works to strengthen and repair weak strands, restore elasticity, lock out humidity, and improve the overall texture and condition.
Type | Shampoo |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s): | Marine botanicals, vitamin E |
6
Best Value
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Anti Frizz Serum
6
Best Value
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Anti Frizz Serum
Pros
Can be used on dry hair
Non-greasy
Cons
Short-term results
In this convenient, affordable serum, keratin and marula oil smooth over damp or dry strands to seal the hair cuticle and reveal healthier looking hair. Ends feeling dry? Fly aways out of control? This is also a great fix for that.
Type | Serum |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin, marula oil |
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7
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment Mask
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask
7
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment Mask
K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask
Pros
Good for all hair types
Silicone-free
Cons
Small bottle
“This is an easy-to-use, one-step leave-in treatment that delivers peptides throughout the hair shaft to smooth and strengthen hair,” says Dr. Cheung. The key K18 ingredient works to “reconnect broken keratin chains and stay put.” (In other words, it won’t wash away with water or shampoo.) The best part about this mask is that you use it in place of conditioner so you’re not actually adding a step at all.
Type | Mask |
---|---|
Active Ingredient(s) | Patented peptide blend |
Pros
Prevents future damage
Can be applied to dry hair
Reviewers love the scent
Cons
Short-term results
Formulated with a blend of silk, wheat, and soy proteins, this keratin hair treatment is helpful for those with dry and weak hair. It helps replenish super thirsty cuticles with its antioxidant-rich formula without stripping the hair of its natural oils. This rich leave-in treatment also works to reduce frizz and improve shine. “This oil is fabulous!!!!! It makes my hair so soft,” one shopper wrote.
Type | Leave-in/serum |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Protein blend, jojoba oil |
9
Best Leave-In At-Home Keratin Treatment
Kevin.Murphy Leave-In Repair
9
Best Leave-In At-Home Keratin Treatment
Kevin.Murphy Leave-In Repair
Pros
Doubles as a heat protectant
Good for all hair types
Cons
Pricey
“This works as a leave-in treatment and includes keratin and green pea proteins along with an abundance of vitamins that get to work to repair damage and restore strength where it’s needed most,” says Ludd.
Type | Leave-in |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin protein, pea protein, jojoba oil |
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10
Best Keratin Treatment Conditioner
Kérastase Resistance Conditioner
10
Best Keratin Treatment Conditioner
Kérastase Resistance Conditioner
Pros
Easy to use
Good for all hair types
Cons
Pricey
This conditioner is formulated with dual-action technology and a special vita-ciment ingredient to help support the internal substance of each hair fiber. It’s also an award-winning product, thanks to its mult-beneficial properties. The rich formula will help prevent breakage, add shine, and leave your strands feeling soft.
Type | Conditioner |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Protein blend, ceramides, plant sap |
11
Most Versatile At-Home Keratin Treatment
It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin
11
Most Versatile At-Home Keratin Treatment
It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin
Pros
Doubles as heat protectant
Protects against UV damage
Detangles
Cons
Some users say it’s heavy
“A little goes a long way with this product,” wrote one Ulta Beauty customer. “A couple sprays of this and my hair is noticeably softer and smoother after blow-drying. I absolutely love it!” Its formula includes keratin amino acids, sunflower seed extract, and green tea leaf extract, which all work together to restore natural moisture while adding shine and protein.
Type | Leave-in |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin, panthenol, aloe, natural extracts |
12
Best At-Home Keratin Cream
Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher
12
Best At-Home Keratin Cream
Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin Replenisher
Pros
Award-winning formula
Shortens blow dry time
Cons
Pricey
This blow-dry cream will help cut down time spent styling while reducing frizz and adding shine. Its key ingredients include rosemary leaf extract to condition strands and hydrolyzed wheat protein, which creates a shield to protect the hair from heat-styling.
Type | Cream |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin, wheat protein |
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13
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair
KERATIN RESEARCH Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment
13
Best At-Home Keratin Treatment for Curly Hair
KERATIN RESEARCH Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment
Now 11% Off
Pros
Long-lasting results
Best for curly hair types
Cons
Users say it has a strong smell
This keratin hair treatment duo comes with a treatment and clarifying shampoo. Together both products work to smooth, repair, and condition the hair using an intense conditioning formula that restores damaged strands by repairing your locks from the inside out. The brand also notes that the formula straightens and smooths your hair for four to six months!
Type | Shampoo and treatment |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin, moroccan and argan oils |
14
L’anza Keratin Healing Oil Intensive Hair Masque
14
L’anza Keratin Healing Oil Intensive Hair Masque
Pros
Intensely moisturizing
Sulfate-free
Cons
Some users hoped for more dramatic results
Infused with resveratrol, a powerful antioxidant to heal damaged hair, this intensive hair mask is a must-have for those with brittle, dry strands. Its formula works to replenish moisture, restore elasticity, creating an overall softer, smoother look. It’s also safe for all hair types, according to the brand.
Type | Mask |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Keratin, ceramides, natural oils |
Pros
Can be applied to dry hair
Convenient spray bottle packaging
Cons
Small bottle
This top-rated oil seals your hair cuticles to give you fuller, softer hair while making your strands stronger from the outside and in. The formula works to prevent split ends, strengthen the hair fibers, and increase the overall brightness of the strands. “Wow, I found something to put on my gray hair,” wrote one reviewer. “It helps from looking dry and dull to looking lively and shiny.”
Type | Spray |
---|---|
Active ingredient(s) | Rice protein |
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How to choose the best at-home keratin treatment
Consider hair type: Some keratin treatments, such as multiple-step kits, are best for those with curly and coily hair who are looking for dramatic straightening results, whereas leave-in sprays and creams may be more ideal for those with wavy to fine hair.
Consider function: Are you looking for a quick post-wash leave-in or something you can use in the shower? The answer to that question will narrow down your picks.
The benefits of keratin treatments at home
At-home keratin treatments can prolong hair smoothness, straightness, and shine between salon visits. They can also prevent and remedy damage, dryness, and overall dullness, revealing sleeker, shinier, and healthier strands.
How we chose the best at-home keratin treatments
We consulted Dr. Cheung, a board-certified dermatologist, and professional hairstylist Ludd for their expert input and at-home keratin treatment recommendations. We also browsed hundreds of customer reviews to narrow down the top picks.
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Why trust us
For more than 70 years, Prevention has been a leading provider of trustworthy health information, empowering readers with practical strategies to improve their physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our editors interview medical experts to help guide our health-focused product selections. Prevention also examines hundreds of reviews—and often conducts personal testing done by our staff—to help you make informed decisions.
Shauna Beni
Shauna Beni is the Associate Commerce Editor at Prevention. An NYC native and beauty product lover, Shauna has written for Beauty Magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, and ABC News. She enjoys testing out new beauty products, watching makeup tutorials on Youtube, and binge-watching her favorite shows on Netflix. When she’s not writing, you can find her taking Zumba classes at Crunch, trying out natural curly hairstyles, and giving her friends advice on what makeup and haircare products they should buy. Follow her on Instagram @Beni127.