The 13 Best Keratin Shampoos for Damaged Hair
Packed with keratin protein, these shampoos will heal your hair right from the shower.
Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
Keratin is the structural building block of hair—so you can imagine how important it is for your hair's overall health. The more you color, flat iron, blow-dry, and heat style your hair, the more likely you are to have areas of damage running along your cuticle. Those rough patches cause not only frizz and tangles, but can also make your hair look dull.
The good news is that you can fight back while you shower with a shampoo fortified with keratin protein. Ahead, meet the 13 keratin-infused cleansing products we love for boosting shine, repairing damage, and keeping frizz at bay. Then, keep reading to find out more about how to use these hair-smoothing products.
Nexxus Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Shampoo
Pros
- Works quickly to repair visible damage
Cons
This contains black rice which is an amazing source of glutamic acid, a key amino acid lost when hair is damaged. Better yet? It makes hair look healthier in just one use.
Fatty acids, shea butter, and vitamin E help your hair retain moisture so it can grow longer and stronger.
Pros
- Specially made for blonde hair
Cons
Just because you want stronger hair doesn't mean you need to sacrifice the brightening power of purple shampoo. This delivers the best of both worlds for particularly delicate bleached strands.
Plant-based proteins and fruit derived oils team up to nourish your hair from the inside out and deliver maximum shine—and it smells crazy-delicious.
This sulfate-free formula helps restore flexibility, tame frizz, and detangle especially unruly and uncooperative strands.
Pros
- Safe for color-treated hair
Cons
Notable for everything it doesn't have, this option contains no sulfates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, alcohol, or artificial colors, which makes it particularly great for color-treated hair.
It's a 10 Miracle Shampoo Plus Keratin
Pros
- Cult-favorite product
Cons
This just works. A super moisturizing shampoo leaves your hair feeling smooth and conditioned. Bonus: It helps fortify your hair against breakage from heat styling.
ORIBE Gold Lust Repair & Restore Shampoo
Pros
- Great for shine
Cons
Containing shine-boosting argan and maracuja oils, and strength-building amino acids and biotin, this restorative formula makes washing your hair feel extra indulgent.
Virtue uses humans-sourced keratin protein to repair and replenish damaged hair unlike any other line out there. It's also endorsed by a major celebrity hairstylist, so you know it really works.
Vernon Francois Pure Fro Shampoo
Pros
- Sulfate-free
Cons
Ideal for tighter curls, this is loaded with hydrating oils and is also sulfate-free so your spirals are left soft, not stripped.
A patented Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex sends repairing proteins right to your most-damaged hair strands—giving you help where you need it most. Consider it a smart shampoo.
When used with the matching conditioner, this drugstore formula promises to fight frizz for up t0 72 hours. We've never timed it, but the smoothing results last until we wash our hair again.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use smoothing conditioner with smoothing shampoo?
Yes! You'll often get the most out of your shampoo if you use its corresponding conditioner, and this is especially true when it comes to in-shower smoothing products. Think of them like a team—they're working together to deliver the best results possible.
Do I need to leave smoothing shampoo in longer?
Nope. Use smoothing shampoo just as you would any other shampoo, unless the directions tell you otherwise. Just massage it in, scrub, and rinse!
Should I follow with leave-in conditioner?
It can't hurt! If you're dealing with a lot of frizz, apply a leave-in conditioner or smoothing serum on damp hair from roots to ends, then comb through. If you have thick hair, begin at the roots and work your way down.
Sam Neibart is the assistant beauty editor at Harper's BAZAAR. Previously, she was at ELLE and Town & Country.
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