Wait, Are At-Home Keratin Treatments Actually Legit?
Wait, Are At-Home Keratin Treatments Actually Legit?
K, not to totally crush your hopes and dreams, but true keratin treatments aren't really something you can DIY by yourself. Because real keratin treatments—the ones that'll leave you with smooth, soft-AF hair for months—require a salon-grade formula (which can give off formaldehyde fumes) and a trained stylist to apply it (since five hours worth of heat styling can destroy your hair if you don't know what you're doing). That said, you do have a couple options when it comes to at-home keratin treatments—so long as you go into it the process knowing that they won't permanently smooth or straighten your hair like a salon version would.
Instead, at-home treatments are all about blasting your hair with hydrating and strengthening proteins (including, you guessed it, keratin) to help repair damage, enhance shine, and smooth flyaways. The best part? These treatments come in so many variations, whether you're looking for an easy-to-apply hair mask, a lightweight leave-in, or a rich oil. Ahead, 12 at-home keratin treatments you'll want to add to your styling routine immediately.
1) Nexxus Vitall 8-in-1 Masque for All Hair Types
Nexxus
ulta.com
$3.99
TBH there's little this keratin hair mask can't do, thanks to its lightweight, easy-to-apply formula and impressive ingredients list (it's got everything from strengthening keratin to hydrating coconut oil). After shampooing, comb it through mid-length to ends, let it sit for five minutes, and rinse it all the way out—you'll be left with smoother, softer, and shinier hair.
2) Matrix Biolage Advanced Keratindose Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray
Matrix
ulta.com
$23.00
Spritz this keratin treatment spray through damp hair and the protein-rich formula works to strengthen and hydrate even the driest, most over-processed of strands. Don't just take it from me, though—there are literally hundreds of five-star reviews on Ulta hyping it up.
3) L'Anza Keratin Healing Oil Treatment
L'Anza
ulta.com
$45.00
Even though this keratin treatment oil is rich and hydrating, it's also incredibly lightweight. Just pump a small amount into your hands, rub your palms together, and gently work it through clean, towel-dried hair. Let it air dry or turn on your blow dryer—either way, your hair will feel super soft and silky (not greasy or heavy) in the end.
4) Redken All Soft Heavy Cream Super Treatment
Redken
ulta.com
$21.00
Not only does this creamy treatment from Redken have keratin and soy proteins to strengthen brittle ends, but it's also spiked with a sh*t ton of oils, like argan and avocado oild, to hardcore hydrate your hair. Think of this bb as a weekly replacement for your conditioner—run it through your wet hair after shampooing, let it sit for five minutes, and rinse.
5) Keratin Complex Repair Therapy Ionic Keratin Complex Intense Rx
Keratin Complex
ulta.com
$63.00
If oil- or cream-based treatments are too heavy for your hair texture, look towards this lightweight keratin serum instead. It's basically a godsend for dry or split ends (shout out to that sweet, sweet keratin) and it's super easy to apply (just smooth it through damp hair and style how you want).
6) IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
IGK
ulta.com
$32.00
If you're trying to get a smooth and sleek blowout, you need to have this spray on deck. While it doesn't technically have keratin, the formula's spirulina protein works to strengthen and hydrate your hair just the same. Working with towel-dried hair, you'll want to coat every single strand—yes, really—from root to tip and then blow-dry in sections. The result? Smooth-AF hair with, like, half the drying time.
7) Chi Silk Infusion Silk Reconstructing Complex
Chi
ulta.com
$49.50
This strengthening treatment is spiked with three proteins: silk, wheat, and soy, all of which work together to soften your hair and enhance its shine. Perfect for prepping your hair for heat styling, just smooth a dollop or two through mid-length to ends as an extra layer of protection.
8) It's A 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin
9) Klorane Keratin Strength Fortifying Spray for Thinning Hair
Klorane
ulta.com
$32.00
Thanks to the strengthening abilities of keratin, it's also a great ingredient for treating thin or brittle hair. This formula from Klorane combines keratin with scalp-stimulating caffeine to add back strength, moisture, and volume—just spritz it through your damp hair and scalp one to two times a week and you'll notice a difference over time.
10) Tresemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo
TRESemme
walgreens.com
$4.99
Looking to take your at-home keratin treatments to the next level? Swap out your regular shampoo for this keratin-spiked formula from Tresemmé (which, BTW, is also loaded with marula oil to help detangle and smooth out flyaways). Oh, and that drugstore price tag isn't so bad, either.
11) Kérastase Resistance Conditioner for Damaged Hair
Kérastase
sephora.com
$34.00
Yup, you might as well go for a keratin treatment conditioner while you're at it too. This one from Kérastase is especially great for over-processed or damaged hair, thanks to the formula's combination of strengthening keratin and smoothing ceramides.
12) Olaplex Hair Perfector No. 3
Olaplex
sephora.com
$28.00
K so there isn't technically any keratin in this cult-favorite treatment, but it's a great alternative for folks with bleached or damaged hair who aren't seeing any major results. Instead of slapping a protective coat on the outside of your hair, this one works from the inside, repairing broken bonds from heat or chemical damage. I personally like to slather it over damp hair, go to bed, and rinse it out the next morning with shampoo and conditioner.
Surprisingly, yes—as long as you know what you expect.