Keratin for Hair: Repair, Strengthen & Smooth
Learn how keratin treatments and products rebuild damaged hair. Understand the difference between keratin treatments, products, and what your hair actually needs.
What Is Keratin?
Keratin is the fibrous structural protein that makes up approximately 90% of your hair. It is composed of amino acids, particularly cysteine, which forms disulfide bonds that give hair its strength and shape. In hair care products, hydrolyzed keratin (broken down into smaller molecules) is used because it can penetrate the hair shaft and temporarily repair damage by filling in gaps in the protein structure.
Benefits of Keratin for Hair
- Fills in gaps and cracks in the hair cuticle, creating a smoother surface
- Temporarily repairs damaged areas by binding to weakened sections of the cortex
- Reduces frizz by smoothing the cuticle layer
- Increases hair strength and resistance to breakage
- Makes hair more manageable and easier to style
- Adds shine by creating a smoother, more reflective surface
Best For
Hair Types
Hair Concerns
How to Use Keratin
In shampoo and conditioner: Use keratin-infused products as part of your regular wash routine for ongoing maintenance.
As a treatment: Apply a keratin hair mask or treatment weekly for damaged hair, biweekly for maintenance.
Leave-in products: Keratin leave-in conditioners provide daily protection and ongoing repair.
Professional treatments: In-salon keratin treatments provide longer-lasting smoothing (3-6 months) but involve formaldehyde or alternatives.
Is Keratin right for your hair?
Take our quiz to find out which ingredients your specific hair type and concerns need most.
Products with Keratin in our ingredient records
These products are linked to this ingredient in our catalog. Formulas can change; check the current label before buying.
Briogeo
Curl Charisma Rice Amino + Quinoa Frizz Control Gel
$24.00
Paul Mitchell
Awapuhi Wild Ginger HydroCream Whip Mousse
$30.00
Color Wow
Raise The Root Thicken + Lift Spray
$26.00
Not Your Mother's
Curl Talk Refreshing Curl Foam
$10.99
Sexy Hair
Style Sexy Hair Hard Up Hard Holding Gel
$21.95
Virtue
6-In-1 Vitamin E Hair-Smoothing Styler
$38.00
INCI Names (How It Appears on Labels)
When reading product ingredient lists, look for these names to identify Keratin:
Cautions and Considerations
Related Ingredients
Protein Hydrolysates
(protein)Understand how hydrolyzed proteins repair damaged hair by filling structural gap...
Ceramides
(emollient)Learn how ceramides restore the lipid barrier of damaged hair, reduce porosity, ...
Panthenol
(vitamin)Learn how panthenol penetrates hair to add moisture and thickness from within. O...
Collagen
(protein)Explore what collagen can and cannot do for your hair. Understand the difference...
Learn More
Get Products Matched to Your Hair
Stop guessing which ingredients you need. Our 2-minute quiz analyzes your hair type, porosity, and goals to recommend products with the right ingredients, including keratin, for your hair.
Get My Product Recommendations