Editor’s Note: Keratin is one of the most important proteins in our hair, but I find that it is one that is rarely talked about when it comes to building stronger, healthier hair, and replacing hair damage. Keratin treatments can really act as a miracle product for damaged or dull hair, though these treatments can be harsh if used too often. To make sure that you understand how to best apply a Keratin treatment, make sure you skip down to our guide to buying the best keratin treatment where we help you understand everything about this essential hair product.
When it comes to taking care of your looks, few things are more important than your hair. Store shelves are teeming with products that claim to leave your hair smoother and silkier than before, and some of them make the mark. However, a more important question to consider is why your hair needs all this TLC in the first place. How does your hair gradually lose its natural luster?
It’s simple: When you brush or style your hair, or even simply as you age, your hair starts shedding protein. Consequently, you get dull, thinning hair that’s prone to breakage. However, keratin treatments can help restore your hair to its natural sheen by fortifying it with keratin, a naturally-occurring protein in your hair that seals the hair cuticle to make it smooth and shiny.
Today we’re going to discuss all the whats and whys of keratin treatments, so that you can choose the one best suited to your needs.
- Factors to Consider for Keratin Hair Treatments
- Top 10 Best Keratin Treatments for Hair 2026
- 1. Best Overall Keratin Treatment L’ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil
- 2. Best Keratin-Infused Hair Mask Vitamins Keratin Deep Conditioner
- 3. Best Budget Keratin Treatment CHI Keratin Silk Infusion
- 4. Best Keratin-Infused Conditioner Nexxus Conditioner for Damaged Hair
- 5. Best Fast-Acting Keratin Treatment ApHogee Intensive 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor
- 6. Best Premium Treatment Moroccan Keratin Most Effective Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment Set
- 7. Best Keratin Treatment for Thinning Hair Toppik Hair Building Fibers
- 8. Best Long-Lasting Keratin Treatment Lasio Keratin-Infused Treatment One Day Formula
- 9. Best Keratin Shampoo and Conditioner Set Puretanica Cool Bliss
- 10. Best Daily Keratin Treatment Keratin Express Daily Heat Protector
- Guide to Buying the Best Keratin Treatment for Your Hair
- What Ingredients Go Into Keratin Treatments?
- Are There Any Formaldehyde-Free Options?
- Are Keratin Treatments and Japanese Straightening Treatments the Same Thing?
- What are the Differences Between In-Salon and At-Home Treatments?
- What’s an In-Salon Keratin Treatment Like?
- Do At-Home Keratin Treatment Products Work?
- What Can I Do in Between Treatments to Maintain My Results?
- The Best Keratin Treatments Bring Your Hair to Life
Factors to Consider for Keratin Hair Treatments
Ease of Use
At-home keratin treatments vary widely in how time-consuming or tricky to apply they are to apply. Some require just a few moments of your time, while others may take hours out of your day. Make sure to pick one that fits with your lifestyle and schedule.
Your Hair Type
What head of hair will respond best to keratin treatments?
- Coarse, frizzy hair will receive them quite well, as the treatments will make the hair smoother, shinier, and much easier to manage.
- Fine, thin, straight, or overly-processed hair should steer clear of keratin treatments. The heat and chemicals used in the treatments may irreparably damage these already vulnerable tresses.
- Curly-haired people who love their natural curls are not advised to get keratin treatments, as they’ll soften the curls and make your hair a bit less wavy.
Potential Damage
Keratin treatments can certainly damage your hair if you get them too often. However, the keratin itself isn’t what does the damage, but the heat that seals it into the hair. Unfortunately, almost all in-salon keratin treatments require flat-ironing your hair to get the best results. If you have any concerns about how your hair might react to the heat, consult your stylist to see which heat level would be the most appropriate for your mane.
Formaldehyde
Many keratin treatments release this carcinogenic gas during use. Interestingly, this is because formaldehyde has some excellent de-frizzing and straightening agents for your hair. However, it’s only a concern for people who regularly expose themselves to it, like salon workers.
FDA-approved keratin treatments all release safe levels of formaldehyde, but some salons tinker with their treatments’ chemicals to achieve better smoothing results. Consult with your stylist about the ingredients they use in their keratin treatments before you choose one; it never hurts to be vigilant.
Maintenance
You won’t maintain your silky smooth locks for long if you continue using that cheap dollar-store shampoo and conditioner. If you’re going to invest in a keratin treatment, you’re going to need to invest in shampoo and conditioner specifically designed to maintain keratin-treated hair. Just watch out for sulfates; these chemicals can frizz your hair like no other, so steer clear of any sprays, shampoos, or conditioners that have them.
Now that you know the main considerations, we can dive into the 10 best keratin treatments out today!
Top 10 Best Keratin Treatments for Hair 2026
1. Best Overall Keratin Treatment L’ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil
Editor’s Rating:
Review: Just as the name suggests, this keratin treatment is truly healing for your hair. Even long-haired folks will discover that the ends of their hair feel nourished and hydrated after just a single use. While it isn’t exactly cheap, the investment is most definitely worth it. Dry hair, especially, will easily absorb this oil, and therefore will look smoother, shinier, and healthier as a result.
Moreover, this fragrant oil treatment is pretty versatile. Whether you massage in a pea-sized drop or a quarter-sized dollop doesn’t matter; your hair will absorb it just as well, and all without leaving it looking stringy or greasy. Moreover, its Phyto IV Complex blend of natural botanical oils is good for all hair types with varying levels of damage. Acai fruit and coffee seed oil rejuvenate your strands with antioxidants, while babassu kernel oil softens and moisturizes your hair. You can also apply this treatment to wet, damp, or dry hair, and only need to wear it for around ten minutes or so before going about your day, making this treatment easy to incorporate into your daily routine.
While some find that this product produces less-than-desirable results for the price, most respond well to this keratin treatment, and it’s definitely worth a shot if you have the money to spare. Plus, it smells great, which is another major plus in its favor!
Pros
- Great scent
- Easy to apply
- Great for all types of hair
- Can apply on both dry and wet hair
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- A little pricey
2. Best Keratin-Infused Hair Mask Vitamins Keratin Deep Conditioner
Editor’s Rating:
Review: Few hair masks do more to restore your hair than this one. The keratin smoothes split ends and hair cuticles to control unwanted frizz and volume while the sunflower seed oil simultaneously adds shine and bounce. Hair will be soft to the touch after just a single use, and may even replenish it to the point where it feels thicker.
In addition to its all-natural ingredients, there are some other chemical compounds in this mask that have a surprisingly nourishing effect on your hair. Stearyl alcohol and cetyl alcohol, two compounds on the ingredient list that are a part of a larger subgroup known as long-chain fatty alcohols, are plant-based humectants, meaning they have a significant hydrating effect on hair.
This nourishing hair mask is a great maintenance product to use in tandem with intensive at-home keratin treatments like the Lasio One-Day Formula.
Thankfully, the long-chain fatty alcohols in this hair mask mean you’ll deeply hydrate your hair without weighing it down. Not only that, but you’ll also improve the texture of your hair and leave it feeling clean. However, the smell can be a bit harsh – though the fact that you only have to leave it in for ten minutes makes it easier to bear.
Pros
- Only need to wear it for ten minutes
- Long-chain fatty alcohols hydrate hair
- Works exceptionally well on dry, thin, or curly hair
- Advanced formula made from a blend of natural ingredients
- Paraben and sulfate-free
Cons
- Unpleasant smell
3. Best Budget Keratin Treatment CHI Keratin Silk Infusion
Editor’s Rating:
Review: This restorative leave-in keratin treatment nourishes hair and brings it back to life, and achieves results similar to the Vitamins Keratin Hair Mask. Infused with jojoba and argan oils, you’ll see noticeable smoothing and defrizzing without weighing your hair down. However, using too might make your hair greasy – a little goes a long way. The general rule of thumb for this product is a quarter-sized dollop for longer hair.
You’re likely to see softer, smoother, and silkier hair even just after one use. This product will also restore your hair’s natural elasticity. The thermal protection provided by this product also means you can use your blow dryer or hair straightener without doing too much damage. In fact, the heat may even help your hair absorb the treatment better; flat ironing or blow drying your hair after application can help the keratin bond with your hair cuticles better.
Some find that the results are not worth the price. However, investing a little in a DIY keratin treatment can help you maintain salon treatment results in between the treatments themselves. People with ultra-frizzy hair will respond especially well to this product.
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Thermal protection
- Improves hair elasticity and prevents breakage
- Smoothes and defrizzes hair well
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
- More expensive at some retailers
- Too much makes hair greasy
4. Best Keratin-Infused Conditioner Nexxus Conditioner for Damaged Hair
Editor’s Rating:
Review: The secret ingredient in this conditioner is black rice. Rice water has been used to fortify hair for quite a long time, with accounts of its use for maintaining healthy hair stretching back for centuries in both Japan and China. Japanese researchers decided to test this theory out in the lab, and discovered that inositol, a chemical compound found in rice water, had a strengthening effect on hair during a visual simulation.
Still, not enough evidence exists yet to rule one way or the other. Even though the verdict is still out on the scientific findings of rice water’s effects on hair, a healthy tradition of anecdotal evidence suggests promising results.
This salon-grade conditioner’s gentle detangling effects will leave hair soft and easy to brush. You’ll also get smoother, shinier hair after just a wash or two, which might be enough to make you never want to go back to your old hair care regimen. Its effects are enhanced even more when used with its counterpart, Nexxus Shampoo for Damaged Hair.
However, this product makes normal hair a bit greasy, causing a filmy product buildup that is cumbersome to wash out. That being said, this conditioner works very well on dry, frizzy, or damaged hair. Those with normal hair should look for a conditioner with a more lightweight formula.
Pros
- Infused with black rice for stronger locks
- Smoothes, defrizzes, and adds shine to dry hair
- Salon-grade
- Affordable
- May notice results after one or two washes
Cons
- May make normal hair greasy
- Very little scientific evidence to support black rice’s benefits for hair
5. Best Fast-Acting Keratin Treatment ApHogee Intensive 2 Minute Keratin Reconstructor
Editor’s Rating:
Review: Just as the name suggests, all you need is two minutes to get your hair looking healthier and fuller. While the ingredient list is fairly comparable to those in the Vitamins Keratin Hair Mask, this product also boasts green tea extract, which contains chemical compounds called polyphenols that are known to nourish the scalp and hair follicles, as well as slow hair loss. This protein-enriched deep conditioning treatment works wonders on curly, chemically-damaged hair, and you’ll be able to tell the difference almost right away.
Like other keratin treatments, applying heat to your head during the application process will maximize the benefits of this reconstructor. Furthermore, if you’ve ever damaged your curls to the point where they were no longer curls, this deep conditioning reconstructor will help them bounce back–literally.
Some people might be put off by the parabens in the formula, but this is justified by the superb blend of natural ingredients found in there, too. Coarse, frizzy, or chemically-damaged hair will respond best to this treatment. However, people with other hair types may find that this product does little to improve their tresses. Moreover, using this product too often will damage your hair, too.
Pros
- Revitalizes curls
- Repairs fragile, brittle, chemically-damaged hair
- Green tea extract nourishes scalp and roots
Cons
- Can damage your hair if used too often
- Contains parabens
Editor’s Rating:
Review: The Moroccan 4-in-1 Keratin Treatment Set’s sophisticated four-step process produces stronger, shinier, and overall healthier hair. The clarifying shampoo strips it of any impurities before applying the treatment itself, which uses Moroccan oil, hydrolyzed keratin, and amino acids to tame and fortify the hair.
The sulfate-free, formaldehyde-free, and Argan oil-infused shampoo and conditioners will help maintain your new, healthy sheen anywhere from three to seven months. The conditioner, in particular, will help restore your hair’s flexibility and elasticity, thereby reducing the risk of damage and breakage.
For a 4-in-1 at-home keratin treatment, this product is both relatively inexpensive and easy to apply. If you don’t have the time or money for the Lasio One-Day Keratin Treatment, this 4-in-1 treatment is a great alternative.
Blow drying your hair after the treatment might release some strange fumes, so stick to flat-ironing if you want to boost the effectiveness of your keratin treatment sans the smell. Frizzy, virgin hair that has never been dyed or treated with chemicals will respond especially well to this treatment; it will only add to the already good health of the hair.
Pros
- Formaldehyde-free
- Convenient 4-in-1 keratin treatment
- Includes sulfate-free shampoo and conditioner
- Lasting results when applied and maintained properly
- Infused with sunflower seed oil for extra strengthening properties
Cons
- Not as effective as in-salon treatments
- Somewhat expensive
- May release strange-smell fumes
7. Best Keratin Treatment for Thinning Hair Toppik Hair Building Fibers
Editor’s Rating:
Review: This product is a bit of a mixed bag. On the one hand, it does a great job of covering up thinning patches of hair, but only if there’s hair there already. Nearly bald people won’t have much luck with these all-natural keratin fibers, as there won’t be much natural hair for them to hold onto. Fortunately, good candidates for Toppik’s hair-building keratin fibers can choose between a wide selection of natural hair colors, including brown, black, red, and blonde.
While it is sweat, rain, and wind resistant, be careful to not overdo it or rub your head on any light-colored surfaces; the Toppik fibers may smudge. Moreover, this product is more suited for occasional use, as frequent use tends to clog the pores on the scalp; make sure to keep some deep-cleansing shampoo on hand. It wouldn’t hurt to invest in some holding spray, either, just to make sure those fibers stay where they’re supposed to.
Also, those with sensitive skin may want to steer clear of this product altogether. Two of its ingredients, phenoxyethanol and chlorphenesin, are both linked to dermatitis and allergic reactions. Moreover, the former has also been linked to nervous system malfunction in infants. While you probably won’t lose a limb if you use this product a few times, beware of becoming too dependent on it.
Despite this product’s drawbacks, though, this product works wonders for smaller thinning hair patches that still have a good amount of hair for the keratin fibers to bond with.
Pros
- A quick coverup for thinning hair
- Precipitation and perspiration-proof
- All-natural formula
- Easily removed with shampoo
- Comes in different colors
Cons
- May stain scalp or rub off on other surfaces
- Not suitable for nearly-bald people
- Clogs pores
- Not good for those with sensitive skin
8. Best Long-Lasting Keratin Treatment Lasio Keratin-Infused Treatment One Day Formula
