Our hair is mainly composed of a versatile protein called keratin. It accounts for nearly 95 percent of every hair strand. Moreover, it is found both inside the hair as well as on its surface.
In fact, every hair strand’s structure can be divided into three parts. The innermost layer is called the medulla, the middle layer is called the cortex, and the outermost layer is called the cuticle. Keratin is present in two of these three layers.
In the middle layer, keratin is present in the form of long chains that make the hair elastic. In the outermost layer, though, keratin’s role is protective. It is a key component of scale-like cells that keep the hair shaft safe from excessive moisture, heat, pollution, and dust.
However, when hair is exposed repeatedly to heat and chemicals commonly seen in styling treatments, its keratin content starts breaking down. This can make the hair brittle and weak. In terms of appearance, protein loss often causes the hair to look limp, listless, and lackluster.
While nothing can replace a good lifestyle paired with a healthy diet, it is possible to counter this protein loss by using keratin-rich hair products too. Because hair masks are supposed to stay in the hair for extended periods, they can be perfect vehicles for keratin.
| Budget |
|---|
 |
| HASK KERATIN PROTEIN Hair Mask Treatment |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 12 x 1.75 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $1.33 |
| Easily, the best budget option in the market if your hair needs extensive repair and strengthening along with some beautification too and very pocket-friendly. |
| Check Amazon |
| Best Value |
|---|
 |
| Vitamins Hair Cosmetics Keratin Hair Mask |
| 4.5/5.0 |
| Volume: 8.5 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $2.35 |
| A very popular keratin hair mask that is exclusively designed to be lightweight enough for thinning, fine, or damaged hair and cruelty-free rated product. |
| Check Amazon |
| Top Pick |
|---|
 |
| VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask |
| 4.75/5.0 |
| Volume: 5 ounces |
| Cost per ounce: $13.20 |
| Based on patented technology, this is the best keratin hair mask and its super quality shows unbelievable results when it comes to lifeless and damaged hair. |
| Check Amazon |
This is why keratin hair masks are becoming so popular amongst people who style their hair regularly. If you’re one such individual, then you can also use the right keratin hair masks to negate the negative effects of your hot tools and chemical treatments.
We’ve created this guide to help people like you. We’ve not only found and reviewed the best keratin hair masks on this page but also explained some fundamentals of using keratin hair masks. Everything you’ll find in this guide has been arranged in the following navigation panel. It is clickable and will allow you to jump to specific sections.
- Why Should You Use Keratin Hair Masks?
- How Are Keratin Hair Masks Different from In-Salon Keratin Treatments?
- How to Use Keratin Hair Masks?
- How Should You Choose Keratin Hair Masks?
- Top 10 Keratin Hair Masks Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
Why Should You Use Keratin Hair Masks?
The main reason why you need keratin hair masks is that they can compensate for any protein loss that your hair may be going through.
Practically speaking, this will result in an immediate uptick in the health and appearance of your hair. The extent to which you’ll see results will vary on the basis of various things. For instance, if your hair is damaged and you’re experiencing a lot of breakages, using keratin hair masks will give you a reprieve.
However, if the source of that weakness such as poor diet or excessive use of hot tools is not taken care of, then the results you get from your mask will only be temporary. In contrast, if you use the keratin hair mask while dealing with the source of the problem, then the results you’ll see will be much more long-lasting.
At the very least, you can expect a keratin hair mask to make your hair smoother, and softer than before in the short term. Further, using keratin hair masks will ensure that your hair looks vibrant and lustrous. Also, if you’re someone who has undergone keratin treatment at the salon, you can expect a keratin hair mask to prolong the smoothing effects of that treatment.
How Are Keratin Hair Masks Different from In-Salon Keratin Treatments?
Many men and women look into keratin hair masks expecting the same kind of results that in-salon keratin treatments can produce. However, it is important to realize that keratin hair masks are different from in-salon keratin treatments.
The key difference is that while keratin hair masks can increase the time between two in-salon keratin treatments, they cannot replace them. The reason for this is that they’re not designed to straighten curly hair or smooth hair that naturally tends to be coarse for very long. They neither depend on heat nor chemical reactions to create the results. Instead, they depend on simple mechanics and the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
This means that if you already have straight hair, then you can expect keratin hair masks to make the straightness more pronounced. Similarly, if your hair already tends toward sleekness, you can expect a keratin hair mask to make it smoother.
The trick is to have realistic expectations from the keratin hair mask you’ve decided to try.
How to Use Keratin Hair Masks?
A keratin hair mask is used in the same way that you would use any other mask. However, if you’re new to the world of hair masks, here are the steps you need to follow.
- Wash your hair with shampoo like you normally do. If you want results to be amplified, look for shampoos with a lot of keratin in them.
- Towel dry the hair lightly to remove excess water. Apply the keratin hair mask to damp hair. Focus specifically on the tips to deal with split ends but don’t ignore any part of the hair shaft.
- If the keratin hair mask you’ve chosen is lightweight, go ahead and apply it to the roots. If it is a heavy product, avoid the roots because it would lead to buildup. If you’re using a heavy keratin hair mask, we recommend clarifying your hair every fifteen days or even a month.
- Let the hair mask rest in your hair. Depending upon how damaged or dry your hair is, you can leave the mask in for anything between five minutes to overnight.
- Pay special attention to the product you’ve chosen, as different ones recommend different resting times. Typically, lighter keratin hair masks will recommend under five minutes, medium-weight will suggest between five to ten minutes, and heavier ones will advise up to 30 minutes. Overnight use is only recommended if you’re looking at deep conditioning and repair work for your hair.
- Rinse the hair mask out of your hair thoroughly but don’t use shampoo again if you want long-lasting results. Don’t make the mistake of leaving it in either as most keratin hair masks are not designed to be leave-in conditioners. This will cause massive buildup and grease within two to three uses.
- You can use a keratin hair mask once a week at most. People with healthier hair can go as long as two to three weeks.
- In the majority of cases, you won’t need to follow the hair mask up with a conditioner because they contain strong moisturizing agents.
How Should You Choose Keratin Hair Masks?
When choosing a keratin hair mask, the most important factor you need to keep in mind is your hair type. People with dryer, more damaged hair will need very strong keratin hair masks to see results while people with healthier, normal to oily hair type would be better off with lighter options.
To differentiate stronger keratin hair masks from weaker ones, you need to study their ingredients lists. The law requires manufacturers to list substances in their products in decreasing order of their concentration in the formula. This means that stronger masks will list keratin higher in the list than milder ones.
Another way to evaluate the strength of a mask is to note whether it includes keratin in different forms or not. The strongest products will mention keratin in different forms separately. Forms you should look for are specialized keratin compounds, keratin amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin, oxidized keratin, and simply keratin.
We also recommend paying attention to other ingredients. Sometimes, the mask’s formula will include ingredients that work especially well with keratin. For instance, collagen is a common companion of keratin in such masks. It is hugely beneficial too as it is another protein found in hair.
Similarly, you can expect to find many naturally strengthening ingredients such as argan oil, jojoba oil, and coconut oil in the formula. Further, you can also expect to see a few containing essential oils such as avocado oil, tea tree oil, and sage oil amongst others.
Top 10 Keratin Hair Masks Comparison Table
| Product Name | Volume | Cost per ounce (*Approx.) | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Nature Lux Spa Argan Oil Hair Masque | 8.45 ounces | $1.18 per ounce | Check Price |
| Natural Formula Keratin Intense Repair Hair Mask | 2 x 11.8 ounces | $1.27 per ounce | Check Price |
| HASK KERATIN PROTEIN Hair Mask Treatment | 12 x 1.75 ounces | $1.33 per ounce | Check Price |
| Artnaturals Argan Hair Mask Conditioner | 8 ounces | $1.62 per ounce | Check Price |
| Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe All Blondes Keratin Restore Bonding Mask | 16.9 ounces | $1.72 per ounce | Check Price |
| Vitamins Hair Cosmetics Keratin Hair Mask | 8.5 ounces | $2.35 per ounce | Check Price |
| RVBY Revicare Beauty Keratin Hair Mask Natural Intensive Treatment | 8 ounces | $2.87 per ounce | Check Price |
| Blondwood Keratin Hair Mask | 8 ounces | $3.49 per ounce | Check Price |
| Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Hair Treatment | 5.1 ounces | $5.88 per ounce | Check Price |
| VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask | 5 ounces | $13.20 per ounce | Check Price |
Top 4 Budget Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
1. Pure Nature Lux Spa Argan Oil Hair Masque
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
Hair is resilient. It takes multiple chemical treatments and repeated exposure to high temperatures for its internal structure to break down. Since most people don’t expose their hair to such extreme conditions regularly, their hair never becomes brittle enough to need a heavy-duty keratin hair mask.
At the same time, even a little exposure to heat and chemicals can cause superficial damage to your hair. This kind of damage won’t cause breakage but it will make your hair look lifeless.
A lightweight keratin hair mask can help you deal with this problem and the Argan Oil Hair Masque from Pure Nature Lux Spa is perfect for the task. It is one of the lightest keratin masks you’ll find on the market because it doesn’t contain keratin in huge concentrations.
Instead, it tries to combine the benefits of keratin with the qualities of argan oil and jojoba oil. It even makes use of collagen to support the work of keratin. As a result, while this hair mask will moisturize your hair, it will do it without causing buildup. This makes it very effective when it comes to smoothing and softening straw-like hair and ideal for hair that isn’t very heavily damaged.
Additionally, this hair mask is also perfect if you need to exfoliate your scalp. It incorporates beads which create sufficient friction in the scalp for this task. However, the downside is that they can be quite difficult to rinse out.
Like most keratin hair masks, this one also contains silicones but it is free of all other artificial substances such as parabens. It is even rated to be cruelty-free which should appeal to animal lovers.
Despite being so effective, this is an incredibly cheap keratin hair mask. The company also backs it with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee.
The scent of this mask, though, doesn’t reflect its low pricing. This is a very premium smelling product. Its scent is also subtle and won’t overpower any other products you may be using.
Who’s it for: If your hair isn’t heavily damaged and you’re looking for the smoothing benefits of keratin along with some exfoliation, get this mask.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8.45 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, argan oil, hydrolyzed keratin, and caviar extracts |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Quite effective at smoothing and softening hair |
| Contains beads that help exfoliate the scalp |
| Has a subtle, premium-smelling scent |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free rated product |
| Very pocket-friendly |
| Supported by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only contains keratin in smaller concentrations |
| Contains silicones |
| Contains exfoliation beads that don’t rinse off easy |
2. Natural Formula Keratin Intense Repair Hair Mask
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
One of the most commonly utilized benefits of keratin-infused hair products is that they prolong the effects of straightening treatments.
In straightening treatments, the hair is coated with keratin to make it straighter. However, this keratin tends to breaks down over time. The resulting keratin loss slowly causes the hair to return to its original texture.
However, when you use keratin hair masks in-between keratin straightening treatments, you replace a lot of the keratin that you lose. This extends the effects of the straightening treatment you underwent. When it comes to extending straightening effects, this is one of the best keratin hair masks available in the market.
In fact, according to the company, Natural Formula, their Keratin Intense Repair Hair Mask can extend the effects of a straightening treatment by as much as three times. This keratin hair mask can do this because it contains large quantities of keratin.
The keratin has been incorporated in this formula in two different forms too. It is present in its smallest form i.e., amino acids as well as its more commonly used hydrolyzed form. The company has even incorporated pentanol, which they say augments keratin’s impact, into the formula.
Other than extending the effects of straightening treatments, this hair mask also excels at strengthening and smoothing dry, damaged hair. While it is decent at moisturizing the hair too, its mineral oil content does cause problems in this regard.
Mineral oil can build up in the hair, making it feel stiff and dry. The presence of mineral oil and silicones, in fact, is the biggest flaw of this product. Fortunately, it doesn’t contain any other synthetic substances such as parabens.
Another flaw of this product is the strength of its scent. It is a bit too overwhelming for people who are used to milder smells. The smell, though, comes across as quite fresh and fruity.
You can get this keratin hair mask in single and double packs. The jars in the packs contain 11.8 ounces of the mask each. The double pack is cheaper but this product won’t hurt your pocket even if you buy the single pack.
Who’s it for: If you want to prolong the results of your straightening treatment and are not averse to putting mineral oil in your hair, get this keratin hair mask.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 2 x 11.8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Mineral oil, silicones, keratin amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin, provitamin B5, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Quite effective at strengthening and softening hair |
| The formula incorporates keratin in higher concentrations |
| Includes keratin in two different forms |
| Has a fresh and fruity scent |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Available in two different sizes |
| Very pocket-friendly |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Contains mineral oil that can make hair feel dry |
| Its scent can be a bit too strong |
3. HASK KERATIN PROTEIN Hair Mask Treatment (Best Budget)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The strongest keratin hair masks are developed primarily to help repair and strengthen heavily damaged and over-processed hair. In the process, they also end up making the hair look healthier, prettier, and vibrant.
Of all the keratin hair masks that are effective at providing such results, the Protein Hair Mask Treatment from Hask is the best. While being marketed as a treatment, this product is effectively a hair mask because of the way it is used.
In fact, it is such an impressive keratin hair mask that it can strengthen and repair even the most damaged, over-processed, and parched of hair types. This automatically makes it excellent when it comes to softening, smoothening, and shining the hair.
This hair mask is able to offer such amazing results because it contains two proteins in multiple formats along with a series of highly beneficial natural ingredients. These two proteins are keratin and collagen.
Keratin is present in its amino acid as well as hydrolyzed forms while collagen is present in its hydrolyzed and cocoyl hydrolyzed forms. They are then supported by hydrolyzed rice protein and rice extract.
Other ingredients in this product that are worth mentioning are coconut oil and jojoba seed oil. These ingredients combine incredibly well to give this product all its qualities. In fact, for some people, this product might be a bit too effective. For instance, if your hair tends towards being oily, this hair mask might end up leaving it greasy.
The product is also clean in terms of synthetic ingredients. It doesn’t contain either parabens or silicones. The absence of silicones is especially important because this is one of very few keratin hair masks in the market without it. Further, this mask is also gluten-free, making it a good choice for people with celiac disease.
This mask has a blend of fruity and floral scent that most people tend to like. Notably, the scent tends to linger as opposed to dissipating after the hair dries. This might be considered as a flaw by some people.
You can get this product in multiple sizes too. The smallest size contains two pouches while the biggest one contains 12 pouches. Each pouch contains about 1.75 ounces of the product. Most people can get anything between one and four uses out of these pouches, depending on hair type and length. The pouches are very helpful if you travel a lot but a double pack with two 6-ounce jars is available too.
The best part about this product is that it offers these amazing results and options without being too expensive. It is competitively priced.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for your keratin hair mask to repair your hair while making it prettier, Hask offers the best product in the market.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 12 x 1.75 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Keratin amino acids, hydrolyzed keratin, cocoyl hydrolyzed collagen, hydrolyzed collagen, coconut oil, hydrolyzed rice protein, rice extract, jojoba seed oil, radish root ferment filtrate, and quaking aspen bark extract |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Super effective at strengthening, softening, and repairing damaged hair |
| The formula incorporates keratin and collagen in incredibly high concentrations |
| Includes keratin in two different forms |
| Has a fruity and floral scent |
| The scent is quite mild |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain silicones |
| Available in multiple different sizes |
| Very pocket-friendly |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Can leave hair a bit too greasy |
| Its scent can linger in the hair |
4. Artnaturals Argan Hair Mask Conditioner
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
If this wasn’t exclusively a guide on the best keratin hair masks and we were only reviewing great hair masks, this product from Artnaturals would have been in the running for being the best.
As it is, it hasn’t received as great a rating because it doesn’t contain a lot of keratin. Even though it doesn’t contain a lot of keratin, there are other proteins in its formula that make up for the lack.
These include hydrolyzed wheat protein, silk amino acids, and even hydrolyzed quinoa protein. While not the same as the keratin found in the hair shaft, these proteins do help this mask provide good results when it comes to strengthening, hydration, smoothing, and shining the hair.
However, other ingredients in this product’s formula deserve credit for this too. It contains some of the best naturally occurring ingredients when it comes to hair health such as argan oil and jojoba oil. Other ingredients in this product include green tea, sage, aloe vera, ground ivy, burdock, hydrolyzed oats, vitamin A, and provitamin B5.
Further, the formula is also free of all artificial substances, except for silicones. The presence of silicones means that you have to use this hair mask moderately in terms of quantity and frequency. If you use it too much or too often, you’ll end up with scalp buildup and greasy hair. It is also rated to be vegan and cruelty-free.
Because it contains so many different types of ingredients, this hair mask has a very complex scent. The scent is sweet and clean but it is also very strong and overpowering.
Who’s it for: If you’re looking for a strong hydrating hair mask that contains keratin and multiple other proteins, get this one from Artnaturals.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Green tea leaf extract, sage leaf extract, aloe vera leaf juice, ground ivy extract, burdock, silicones, hydrolyzed wheat protein, silk amino acids, hydrolyzed oats, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed quinoa protein, vitamin A, argan oil, jojoba seed oil, and provitamin B5 |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Quite effective at strengthening, smoothing, and softening hair |
| Has a very impressive natural ingredients list |
| Has a clean but sweet scent |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free and vegan rated product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only contains keratin in smaller concentrations |
| Contains silicones |
| Can leave hair a bit too greasy |
| Its scent can be a bit too strong |
Top 3 Value Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
5. Schwarzkopf Professional BlondMe All Blondes Keratin Restore Bonding Mask
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
When you color your hair, you use dyes to achieve the targeted shade. These dyes are chemical compounds that penetrate inside the cuticle layer of every hair shaft to give it the desired color. However, they also end up damaging the hair’s inherent structure, making it weaker and more brittle.
Typically, the damage caused by these dyes is hidden if the chosen color is dark. However, when the color is light as seen with blondes, the damage becomes very apparent very quickly.
A good keratin hair mask designed specifically for this hair color can be effective against this problem. The BlondMe All Blondes Keratin Restore Bonding Mask from Schwarzkopf Professional is one such keratin hair mask.
Designed specifically for blonde color treated hair, this hair mask doubles up as a bonding mask too. This means that when it comes to blonde colored hair, this hair mask delivers the best results possible. The main reason why this hair mask is so effective is that it contains keratin in high concentrations. Moreover, it contains keratin in more than one form making it even more effective.
This mask contains other ingredients that support keratin too such as provitamin B5 and marula seed oil. These ingredients work well together when it comes to repairing, strengthening, smoothing, hydrating, and shining damaged hair.
However, like all products designed specifically for colored hair, this one also contains parabens and silicones. These can build up in the scalp over time, which means that you’ll need to clarify your scalp monthly.
Products for colored hair also tend to be stronger when it comes to hydration which can make them unsuitable for normal hair types. When used on oily or normal hair types, these products can leave the hair feeling extra greasy and weighed down. This is true for this hair mask too.
In terms of its smell, though, this product performs very well. Most people who use this product end up liking its light scent.
Who’s it for: If you color your hair blonde regularly and need keratin hair masks to strengthen it, then get this one from Schwarzkopf Professional.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 16.9 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, cocodimonium hydroxypropy lhydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed keratin, provitamin B5, marula seed oil, and parabens |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Specifically developed for blonde or light-colored hair |
| Very effective at repairing, strengthening, and softening hair |
| Improves color vibrancy as well |
| The formula incorporates keratin in higher concentrations |
| Includes keratin in two different forms |
| Has a very likable, mild scent |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Contains parabens |
| Not that great on non-colored hair |
6. Vitamins Hair Cosmetics Keratin Hair Mask (Best Value)
Editor’s Rating: 4.5/5.0
This product stands tall amongst some of the most popular keratin hair masks available in the market today. The popularity of this product is a result of the fact that it is incredibly effective. In fact, it has been effective for a very long time because the Vitamins Hair Cosmetics has been around since 1943.
This hair mask is designed specifically for people with thin to normal hair types. However, its effects are most visible when it is used on extremely dry or damaged hair. Like the best keratin hair masks, this one not only contains keratin in large concentrations but also incorporates collagen into the formula.
While these are the most major ingredients in this mask, it contains a slew of natural ingredients too. These include oils like Moroccan argan oil, wheat germ oil, castor oil, linseed seed oil, rosemary leaf oil, jojoba seed oil, tea tree leaf oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, and sea buckthorn oil. It even contains vitamin E and biotin.
The moisturizing qualities of these natural oils combine particularly well with the hydrating and nourishing qualities of the keratin and collagen in this product. In the process, the hair gets detangled and de-frizzed while its natural texture gets enhanced.
It is also worth mentioning that the only synthetic ingredient this hair mask contains are silicones. It is free of all other types of chemical compounds including parabens and sulfates. The product is also not tested on animals, which makes it cruelty-free.
The smell is an area where this product struggles. The scent of this mask is very traditional. It has a rose scent that reminds many people of either old lady perfumes or even men’s colognes. There’s also a chemical note to the smell that people don’t like. In addition to all this, the scent tends to linger long after the product has been applied.
This is neither an expensive nor a cheap product, irrespective of which size bottle you buy. It is available in a 3.4-ounce and an 8.5-ounce bottle.
Who’s it for: If you have thin, fine, or damaged hair and need a keratin hair mask to boost its resilience, try this one from Vitamins Hair Cosmetics.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8.5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, hydrolyzed keratin, biotin, collagen, argan kernel oil, coconut oil, castor oil, linseed seed oil, rosemary leaf oil, wheat germ oil, jojoba seed oil, sea buckthorn oil, sage leaf extract, tea tree leaf oil, sunflower seed oil, sweet almond oil, and vitamin E |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Specifically developed for thinning, normal, and damaged hair |
| Super effective at strengthening, softening, and repairing damaged hair |
| The formula incorporates keratin and collagen in high concentrations |
| Has a very impressive natural ingredients list |
| Has a soft rose scent |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free rated product |
| Available in two different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Might be too lightweight for very curly and thick hair |
| Its scent can be a bit too strong |
| Some people find its scent to be masculine |
7. RVBY Revicare Beauty Keratin Hair Mask Natural Intensive Treatment
Editor’s Rating: 4.0/5.0
In every price segment of this guide, we’ve reviewed at least one lightweight keratin-infused hair mask. While lightweight hair masks aren’t great for heavily damaged and extremely processed hair, they’re excellent for hair that is only slightly damaged or has undergone few styling treatments.
In fact, if heavy-duty keratin hair masks are used on less damaged, almost normal hair types, they can leave them greasy and weighed down. This is why lightweight keratin hair masks are recommended for dry to normal hair with minimal damage.
In the value price segment, one of the best lightweight keratin hair masks is this one from RVBY Revicare Beauty. It is an excellent choice if you want a hair mask that will help you moisturize, smooth, and soften your dry hair.
This mask is based on coconut oil and contains other great natural ingredients such as aloe vera and vitamin A along with extracts from green tea and orange. Most of these ingredients are known for their hydrating properties which is what makes this mask such as a great deep conditioning agent.
Keratin is way down the list which means that it is only present in smaller concentrations. It still contributes towards making the hair smoother, stronger, and shinier. This mask also depends on silicones to create the smoothing and shining effect on the hair. However, it is free of all other synthetic, harmful ingredients such as parabens and sulfates.
The scent of this hair mask is fresh but it has floral notes to it. It is likable enough that most people who use this product end up appreciating how it smells.
The product is a little on the expensive side. This is understandable because it is manufactured domestically in the US.
Who’s it for: If you want to buy a lightweight keratin hair mask that is manufactured in the US, get this one from RVBY Revicare Beauty.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Coconut oil, silicones, aloe vera leaf juice, vitamin E, green tea leaf extract, orange fruit extract, hydrolyzed keratin, and vitamin A |
| The Pros |
|---|
| • Quite effective at smoothing and softening hair |
| • Has a subtle and fresh, floral scent |
| • Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only contains keratin in smaller concentrations |
| Contains silicones |
| A little on the expensive side |
Top 3 Premium Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
8. Blondwood Keratin Hair Mask
Editor’s Rating: 4.25/5.0
When it comes to premium-grade keratin hair masks, most are designed to deal with extremely damaged and heavily over-processed hair types. They’re meant for people who go through extensive chemical treatments and use styling tools regularly.
However, this Keratin Hair Mask from Blondwood is different. While it is very much a premium-class product, it tries to create a balance between repairing, nourishing, and moisturizing qualities. To that end, it doesn’t only depend on keratin. It contains collagen and biotin as well. In fact, collagen and biotin are more prominent ingredients in this mask than keratin.
These ingredients are supported ably by natural ones too. For instance, the base of this mask is aloe vera which has great anti-inflammatory and moisturizing qualities. It even contains green tea leaf, vitamin A, vitamin E, and provitamin B5 which combine to nourish the hair.
In terms of synthetic ingredients, this mask doesn’t contain any except for silicones. The silicones help the hair retain moisture, smooth it, and give it a nice shine. At the same time, they can also buildup in the scalp over time. Therefore, as is the case with most keratin hair masks, you’ll need to clarify your scalp at regular intervals to keep the buildup under control.
This keratin hair mask smells like a premium-grade salon-quality product. Its scent is very fresh and pleasant but it is also mild and gentle. As a result, even if you’re sensitive to strong scents, this product won’t bother you.
Again, like all premium-quality products, this one is expensive. It is manufactured in the US, though, which means that it was produced under proper standards.
Who’s it for: If your hair is only mildly damaged and you need your mask to nourish and moisturize as well as strengthen your hair, try this one from Blondwood.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 8 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, aloe vera leaf juice, biotin, green tea leaf extract, hydrolyzed keratin, hydrolyzed collagen, vitamin A, vitamin E, and provitamin B5 |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Quite effective at strengthening, softening, and repairing damaged hair |
| Pairs keratin with collagen and biotin |
| Has a mild and pleasant, premium-salon scent |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Only contains keratin in smaller concentrations |
| Contains silicones |
| An expensive product |
9. Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Hair Treatment
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
The Awapuhi Wild Ginger Keratin Intensive Hair Treatment is one of the most effective and popular keratin-based hair masks in the industry. In fact, if it wasn’t for another product that excels all realistic expectations, this one would have been the best in the market. As it is, it comes very close to being near perfect when it comes to repairing and nourishing hair.
It is manufactured by John Paul Mitchel Systems even though the name isn’t put on the label. Developed specifically for damaged, dry hair, this product relies heavily on the company’s proprietary keratin complex called KeraTriplex. The complex uses keratin in two forms, hydrolyzed and oxidized. The presence of oxidized keratin is what makes this complex and this hair mask special.
The KeraTriplex complex is supported by another ingredient rarely found in hair products – awapuhi wild ginger extract. According to the company, this ingredient specializes in moisturizing the hair and making it more vibrant in terms of its shine.
This hair mask also contains silicones even though it is free of parabens. These silicones help greatly in smoothing and softening the hair along with sealing moisture inside the hair shaft. Unfortunately, they do build up over time. We recommend only using this product once a week and using a clarifying agent once a month to deal with this buildup.
This keratin hair mask is also exceptional because of its scent. The unique scent has hints of citrus and flowers both along with the earthiness of ginger. Despite being so complicated, the scent is still very mild and subtle. Moreover, it plays surprisingly well with the scents of most other products.
You’ll like this product also if you’re an animal lover because John Paul Mitchel Systems doesn’t test its products on animals. As a result, this mask is rated to be cruelty-free.
This product comes very close to being perfect. Its biggest flaw, in fact, is its cost. It is very expensively priced and most people would think very carefully before buying it.
Who’s it for: If you have the money and want a unique smelling, highly-effective keratin hair mask, consider this one based on awapuhi wild ginger.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5.1 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, provitamin B5, keratin, hydrolyzed keratin, oxidized keratin, wheat amino acids, white ginger root extract, and hydrolyzed vegetable protein |
| The Pros |
|---|
| Specifically developed for damaged, dry hair |
| Super effective at strengthening, softening, and repairing damaged hair |
| The formula incorporates keratin in incredibly high concentrations |
| Includes keratin in two different forms |
| Has a floral scent with distinct citrus notes |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| A cruelty-free rated product |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| A very expensive product |
10. VIRTUE Restorative Treatment Hair Mask (Top Pick)
Editor’s Rating: 4.75/5.0
If we were only rating keratin hair masks in terms of their effectiveness, this would easily be the best hair mask in the industry. It is simply incredible when it comes to repairing damaged hair and making them look healthy. It can transform limp and straw-like hair overnight into vibrant, luscious locks.
More importantly, it ensures that they stay that way by protecting them from the elements and even further exposure to styling-related heat and treatment-related chemicals.
All its capabilities come from the fact that it contains keratin in a proprietary structure – Alpha Keratin 60ku(R). The company says that this keratin molecule is extremely similar to the keratin found naturally in our hair. It was discovered by a veteran retired doctor who specialized in regenerative medicine.
This molecule works directly by occupying the space left in the hair shaft due to protein loss that occurs over time. The result is healthier, smoother, and shinier hair that is considerably more resilient than before.
The keratin molecule in this hair mask is supported by multiple naturally occurring proteins as well. These are hydrolyzed quinoa and hydrolyzed pea protein.
Additionally, this hair mask’s formula incorporates multiple other highly-beneficial ingredients such as extracts from brown algae, tassel flower seed, baobab seed, and artichoke. The company says that brown algae helps repair the hair, tassel flower seed helps nourish the hair, baobab oil helps it store water better, and artichoke keeps the cuticle layer sealed.
The product is free of most synthetic chemicals and compounds but it does contain silicones. These can build up over time which means that you’ll need to cleanse your scalp every month or so.
However, you won’t find any parabens in this product. It also happens to be gluten-free making it ideal for people coping with celiac disease. Animal lovers will love it too because it is a cruelty-free rated product.
The effectiveness of this product’s formula is unquestionable. Most people who have used this mask have enjoyed great results. The company has even hired independent labs to test this product with amazing results.
For instance, their findings show that this hair mask can increase color vibrance by 138 percent, reduce frizz by 67 percent, thicken the hair by up to 22 percent, and repair 97 percent of the split ends it encounters. The product has been so successful that it has even won awards. The most notable of these was the 2019 Beauty Award from Glamour.
This is a luxury product that is going to cost you a small fortune to get and use. This is the only real flaw of this keratin hair mask but it is significant. If the cost is making you hesitate, we suggest testing the product by buying the smaller 1.7-ounce jar. However, be aware that it will cost you more. The bigger 5-ounce jar is cheaper on a per-ounce basis.
Like all luxury products, this one also has a very attractive and impressive scent. Its scent is woodsy but with distinct citrus notes. Virtue says that it has created this scent by combining extracts from coconut and yuzu. Yuzu is an East Asian citrus fruit that traces its roots to the mandarin orange. If you were wondering, most people tend to like the scent.
Who’s it for: If you’re willing to pay anything for the certainty that your damaged hair will become like it used to be, buy this hair mask from Virtue.
| Tech Specs |
|---|
| Product weight: 5 ounces |
| Active ingredients: Silicones, alpha keratin, provitamin B5, sunflower seed oil, moringa seed oil, tassel flower seed extract, vitamin E, rosemary leaf extract, corn starch, sessile oak fruit extract, African baobab seed oil, hydrogenated olive oil unsaponifiables, rice bran extract, artichoke leaf extract, grapefruit fruit extract, hydrolyzed quinoa, brown algae extract, vitamin E, pea extract, hydrolyzed linseed extract, hydrolyzed pea protein, shea butter, and jojoba esters |
| The Pros |
|---|
| An award-winning keratin hair mask |
| Super effective at strengthening, softening, and repairing damaged hair |
| Backs claims through studies |
| The formula incorporates keratin in incredibly high concentrations |
| Includes keratin in a proprietary form |
| Has a very impressive natural ingredients list |
| Has an earthy scent with distinct citrus notes |
| Doesn’t contain parabens |
| Doesn’t contain gluten |
| A cruelty-free rated product |
| Available in two different sizes |
| The Cons |
|---|
| Contains silicones |
| Super expensive product |
Contents
- Why Should You Use Keratin Hair Masks?
- How Are Keratin Hair Masks Different from In-Salon Keratin Treatments?
- How to Use Keratin Hair Masks?
- How Should You Choose Keratin Hair Masks?
- Top 10 Keratin Hair Masks Comparison Table
- Top 4 Budget Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Value Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
- Top 3 Premium Keratin Hair Masks: Detailed Reviews
