Not All At-Home Keratin Treatments Are Created Equal (2024)

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Gussi Hair At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit

Alon Shalom, owner of Alon Shalom Salon in West Hollywood, California, is obsessed with Gussi's results. "One of my long-time clients recently came in for her balayage and I was blown away by the restored health of her hair—it was so much stronger and shinier than usual," he says. "I was totally shocked when she told me this was all fromGussi’sAt-home Keratin Treatment! After checking outGussi, I’m even more impressed that this is a clean, non-toxic formula delivering these impressive results."The kit promises results lasting a grand total of six weeks and works across all hair types. That said, it's not going to remove curls—it'll just elongate the curl pattern.

Pros: Long lasting; Mimics salon results; Fast acting

Cons: Only lasts six weeks; Won't permanently straighten

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Formaldehyde-free

Type: Priming Shampoo and Keratin Treatment Spray

GK Hair Smoothing Keratin Treatment

Clear your schedule,then get ready for one of the most effective at-home treatments available. Start with clean hair, then use the included application brush to (rather painstakingly) smooth the cream from root to tip on 1/2" sections of hair. Wait up to an hour, depending on your hair texture. Then blow dry andflat-iron."I love that the proprietaryjuvexin, akeratin-based protein blend, will keep your hair smooth for three to five months," says Campbell.You can shop one bottle on its own or shop multiples on Amazon.

Pros: Lasts three to five months; Mimics salon results; Cruelty free

Cons: Takes one hour to activate; Requires precise application

Hair Type: Curly

Key Ingredients: Keratin, Coconut

Type: Shampoo and gel

Nutree Amazonliss Keratin Smoothing Treatment

If you're determined to hold on to frizz-free hair for up to four months, try this three-step system. The treatment is comprised of strengthening ingredientslikeacai,cocoa extracts, and shea butter for added hydration and shine. Consumers have given this system great reviews. The consensus? It reduces frizz, leaves hair shinier and more manageable, and provides pretty true-to-description results. On the downside, many people have found that it doesn't truly straighten hair, can have a subtle odor once heat activated, and has a multi-step application process that requires careful attention to detail.

Pros: No fumes; Last four months; Combats Frizz

Cons: Time consuming to apply; Slight odor; Confusing instructions

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Formaldehyde-free, Rice Protein

Type: Gel, shampoo, and conditioner

Moroccan Keratin Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment

The name on the bottle says it all: Keratin and silk work together to strengthen damaged hair cuticles from the inside out, resulting in long-lasting and glossy strands. "The main allure of this product is that not only are you going to see a noticeable difference after just one use, but the technology works to prevent any additional breakage," says Campbell. Once your hair is straightened, it's impossible to deny that it added some silky shine.

Pros: Long lasting; Hydrating

Cons: Time-consuming to apply; Strong Fumes

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Argan oil

Type: Shampoo, conditioner, gel

Keratin Research Complex Brazilian Keratin Hair Blowout Treatment

Think of this duo as an express two-step keratin treatment. First you'll shampoo with the sulfate-free formula, then you'll get to work painting your hair with the hydrolyzed keratin straightening formula. The set promises a straight and shiny texture for up to six months—minus the money and wait time. Campbell says, "While the benefits are numerous, we do want to call out that this is a chemical solution that might fume and make your eyes water when you activate the treatment with heat."

Pros: Lasts four to six months; Affordable; Can shower directly after

Cons: Only works on 1A to 3A hair types; Fumes when straightening

Hair Type: Course, curly, or damaged

Ingredients: Argan oil, Amino acids

Type: Shampoo and gel treatment

Novex Brazilian Keratin Deep Conditioning Mask

This at-home treatment is an Amazon gem, boating more than 1,200 five-star ratings thanks to its quick, extremely effective formula. They key to its success is that it uses liquid keratin to do damage control on weak hair follicles, so hair ends up stronger, straighter, and shinier after just one use. It also reduces volume and straightens existent curl patterns, making it far more suitable for people with tighter curl patterns as opposed to loose waves.

Pros: Amazon; Powerful results

Cons: Can leave hair weighed down

Hair Type: Straight

Key Ingredients: Non-animal keratin

Type: Cream

K18 4 Minute Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

The second beauty editors ask Instagram about leave-in keratin treatments, K18's is one of the most popular responses—and it's not hard to see why. Creating hair "that feels like new" is one of its key claims. It has a vegan, color-safe formula that quite literally seals up damaged hair cuticles over a few treatments. While this will boost shine and does have frizz-fighting properties commonly associated with professional keratin treatments, it doesn't create naturally straight hair. Those with curly hair will still have curly hair after this treatment—it'll just feel smoother, softer, and healthier.

Pros: Repairs damage; Restores Shine; Leave-In Treatment

Cons: Might weigh down fine hair; Won't change hair texture

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredient: Peptides

Type: Cream mask

OGX Anti-Breakage + Keratin Oil Fortifying Anti-Frizz Conditioner

Welcome this conditioner into your beauty regimen, and you can wave goodbye to frizz, split ends, and fragile hair that breaks at the slightest swipe of abrush. Keratin and argan oil come together in this formula to repair and strengthen your hair. "The best part about this product is that it adds absolutely nothing extra into your routine," says Campbell. "You can use every day, without weighing down your hair, and will see more impactful results over time." Plus, the smell is divine.

Pros: Good for daily use, Repairs split ends

Cons: Not great for color-treated hair

Hair Type: Dry and damaged

Key Ingredients: Keratin and argan oil

Type: Liquid conditioner

Davines Nourishing Keratin Sealer

This top-rated oilworks to repair the hair cuticle from the inside out. When the cuticle is sealed up tight, water doesn't sneak in and frizz is avoided. Sounds pretty good, huh? It gets better. "A few sprays on damp hair makes combing a breeze, reduces the appearance of split ends, and gives an unmatched shine once the hair is blow dried or styled," says Campbell. "As is true with all Davines products, the smell can't be beat. This treatment features a natural, earthy scent."

Pros: Boosts shine; Repairs hair over time

Cons: Doesn't make hair straighter; Doesn't include heat protection

Hair Type: Damaged

Key Ingredients: Keratin

Type: Serum-oil

L'anza Keratin Healing Oil Intensive Hair Masque

Sometimes, hair needs a solid reboot due toclimate change and heavy-duty styling, which is where thishealing hair mask comes in. The keratin works as a building block for the hair bond and theantioxidant, resveratrol, has restorative powers that brings dry and brittle strands back to life."Even though it's deeply hydrating and has an oil base, this products isn't too heavy," says Campbell. "In fact, it even adds a little bounce and body to hair."

Pros: Volumizing; Strengthening; Editor-approved

Cons: Very fragrant; Can be drying

Hair Type: Dry and course

Key Ingredients: Keratin protein

Type: Cream

It's a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin

If the mere thought ofdetangling gives you anxiety, relieve yourself by reaching for this miracle worker of a styling spray, which is infused by hydrolyzed keratin. The brand is best known for its strengthening products to make your hair feel more manageable. Afterwards, you'll be able toeasily glide your wide tooth comb through your hair without the stress of that strenuous arm workout."It's the only product you'll need in your routine," says Campbell. "In addition to its strengthening and smoothing powers, it also offers heat protection from your hot tools."

Pros: Detangles; Protects from heat damage

Cons: Fragrant

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Hydrolized keratin

Type: Cream

Virtue Restorative, Hydrating Treatment Hair Mask With Keratin

Even if your hair has never touched dye or chemical treatments, it could use some TLC from time to time, and this hair mask will provide just that. Every product in this line has Alpha Keratin 60ku, a protein that's identical to the keratin that makes up 90 percent of hair. So while this mask is working to provide intense hydration, it's also filling and smoothing the cracks of damage. What results is softer, less-damaged hair that's easier to manage—all it takes is just three minutes with this mask.

Pros: Clinically tested; Vegan; Color safe; Repairs damage; Sulfate- and paraben-free

Cons: Expensive

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Keratin, Baobab Seed Oil, Brown Algae Extract, Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract

Type: Mask

Chi Keratin Silk Infusion

The name of this popular treatment says it all: Keratin and silk work together to strengthen damaged hair and reinforce cuticles from the inside out, resulting in long-lasting, glossy hair. "The main allure of this product is that not only are you going to see a noticeable difference after just one use, but the technology works to prevent any additional breakage," says Campbell. Once hair is straightened, it's impossible to deny that didn't add some silky shine.

Pros: Unscented; Adds strength and silkiness

Cons: Can weigh down fine hair

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Keratin silk

Type: Oil

Keratin Complex Keratin Replenisher

Hydrolyzed keratin is the second ingredient in this effective leave-in cream that also contains strengthening proteins (soy, wheat). It really will minimize the amount of time you spend wielding ahair dryer—and extend the number of days before you need to do it again. Unlike more intense, heat-activated treatments, this simple blow dry cream can be used on repeat and will take all of two seconds out of your day. It's not going to break down your hair's bonds for jaw-on-the-floor straightening results, but it will give you smoother, shinier hair every damn time.

Pros: Boosts hydration; Fights Frizz; Lightweight

Cons: Short-term results; Minimal difference on curly and coily hair

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Proprietary Keratin Complex

Type: Leave-in cream

Awapuhi Wild Ginger Intensive Treatment

This intensive treatment from Paul Mitchell’s Awapuhi brand is formulated with KeraTriplex and Awapuhi extract to restore damage, leaving you with your softest, shiniest, and most moisturized hair yet. The invigorating scent of ginger tea and florals in this formula is borderline addictive. While it works wonders on the shine front, you'll probably want to find an everyday treatment to help control frizz, and be advised that this mask is only designed to be used once per week.

Pros: Hydrating; Restores shine; Color safe

Cons: Not the best option for frizzy hair

Hair Type: All

Key Ingredients: Keratin protein and Awapuhi extract

Type: Cream

Hers Rapid Repair Hair Mask

Give your hair a boost with this deep conditioning hair mask. The keratin will go to work smoothing your hair while ingredients like coconut oil, shea butter, and jojoba seed oil will condition, so you’ll be left frizz-free and shiny. That said, it should be used in tandem with other hydrating haircare products, as this is a once-weekly treatment. "To apply, just shampoo, rinse, and let the mask do its job for up to 10 minutes," says Campbell.

Pros: Vegan; Easy to apply

Cons: Not hydrating enough for some

Hair Type: All hair types

Key Ingredients: Keratin, coconut oil, shea butter

Type: Cream mask

Keranique Lift and Repair Treatment Spray

This spray's keratin amino complex nourishes, strengthens, and protects your hair while adding volume. "It’ll give your hair a lift and make it thicker and fuller—even if you're dealing with a thin, fine texture," says Campbell. Reviewers are obsessed with this product's ability to fight frizz and applaud it for its lightweight texture, however some note it has a sticky texture and can dry out the hair.

Pros: Frizz-fighting; Volumizing

Cons: Sticky; Drying

Hair Type: Fine and thin

Key Ingredient: Proprietary Keratin Amino

Type: Spray