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Hair rebonding and relaxing used to be all the rage when it comes to permanently straightening and taming one’s hair. Keratin is responsible for making the hair healthy, smooth, and silky. We curated a list of the best products you can buy online as well as a buying guide that can help you choose the products perfect for you and your hair needs.
Dr. Katrina Habaluyas Luz is the face behind Ask Your Derma. She is a board-certified dermatologist in Metro Manila. She is also an educator and digital creator on all things skin, hair, and nails. She is a Diplomate of the Philippine Dermatological Society and offers online video consultations. You can also catch her on her Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube channel.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
Table of Contents
Keratin treatment is a process that infuses your hair with proteins to make it feel softer and smoother. It fuses hair bonds together with the treatment using heat, either through blow-drying, steam, or flat iron. If done in a salon, the results could last up to a couple of months but if it is done with a home keratin treatment, the result can last for a couple of weeks only.
The good thing is, there are a variety of hair products that incorporate keratin into their formula for easy maintenance at home. With regular use, your hair will be revitalized in no time and it will lessen your use of styling tools. It will also keep your hair healthy inside and out!
Keratin is a major protein of human hair, and it is important in maintaining its tensile strength. Chemical treatment of hair (e.g., bleaching) may damage keratin leading to a decrease in strength of the hair. It's important, however, to be familiar with the different options out there. Remember, not all keratin treatments are created equal.
A study by Basit, A. et al. found that the application of keratin, particularly, K31 allows it to fill in the gaps of damaged hair, leading to a significant increase in hair diameter, tensile strength, and surface smoothness.
You can achieve silky smooth hair right in the comfort of your own home. Nowadays, keratin is infused in different hair products, ranging from your everyday conditioner to the more intensive hair masks. It depends on which one suits your preference.
Although keep in mind that at-home treatments would not have exactly the same effect as a salon treatment would. They would not last as long and are considered temporary fixes which would need constant maintenance in order to achieve your desired effect.
Hair masks have more moisture content and are comprised of nourishing oils and strengtheners that soften, moisturizes, and regenerates hair. It functions by penetrating deep into your hair follicles and nourishes it from the inside that is why it is applied from root to tip.
Masks take a bit of time for it to take effect, around 20 minutes to an hour to allow it to deeply condition and nourish your hair. Sometimes masks need a bit of heat to activate the product.
Due to the potency of its moisturizing effects, while great at repairing damage, is not ideal for everyday use as it could weigh down your hair and make it oily. Ideally, masks are meant to be used once or twice a week, it can be applied on dry hair before you shampoo it for intense repair.
Masks for the hair help restore moisture and softness. A journal published by Gavazzoni Dias on hair cosmetics identified the need for moisturizing hair and one option is through hair masks preferably containing hydrolyzed amino acids, silicones, and vegetable oils to remove the residues on the hair without stripping the fiber.
Another study by Helen, I. et al. explored the effect of vegetable proteins in a hair mask and the experimental results showed increased hair smoothness, hair strength, and morphology of damaged hair.
Conditioners function to smooth your hair and tame frizz however, it can only make hair silky and smooth temporarily. Its effects are not as lasting as hair masks as it is applied on your hair and not your scalp. All sorts of hair types can utilize the right conditioner.
Its effects can be seen almost immediately, after about 2-5 minutes. It is ideal for everyday use as it is specifically designed that way that is why it is more lightweight compared to masks. Unlike masks, conditioners must be applied after shampooing to remove oil, and dirt as it is a post-wash type of treatment.
Sprays are ideal if you don’t have a lot of time for treatment and deep conditioning your hair, as it does not take up too much time. It can condition and protect your hair from damage and styling tools by acting as a barrier, strengthening it, and at the same time making it smoother and softer instantly.
Simply mist the keratin spray to your hair before going about your hair routine such as blow drying or ironing for an instant fix, as this will activate the product leaving you with more manageable hair without much effort.
At the end of the day, it's important that you research what you're putting onto your hair as some products may be labeled as keratin-infused with a hefty price tag but are really just overpriced conditioners.
Also, it would be good to take extra care with sprays as the contents can be sprayed onto not just your hair but your face or other parts of your body. You wouldn't want to develop a reaction to these products in other exposed areas.
Like conditioners, leave-in treatments can soften and tame hair to make styling easier. It provides the ideal nourishment to your hair especially if you lack the time making it softer, and strengthening it at the same time.
It acts as a barrier to protect hair against heat and protects it from damage from the environment and your styling tools. Moisturizes and smooths frizzy, and tangled hair, taming it. Apply it while your hair is still damp, and comb through your hair to make sure it is distributed evenly.
Leave-in keratin treatments provide nourishment by filling in the gaps of damaged hair, leading to a significant increase in hair diameter, tensile strength, and surface smoothness.
Protein hydrolysates, in particular, those with low molecular weight, have been shown to protect hair against chemical and environmental damage. Look for keratin hydrolysates - these are efficient restorers in hair care processes.
When buying keratin treatments, try to choose products that have natural moisturizers such as olive oil, argan, coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil. This will aid the keratin and give you optimum results while nourishing your hair.
Olive oil is great for moisturizing your scalp and reducing irritation, making your scalp healthier. Argan oil is another excellent moisturizer and contains a lot of antioxidants and helps fight dandruff. It is also responsible for making your hair shiny and reducing frizz. Coconut oil is ideal for reducing oil buildup in your hair, as well as reducing hair breakage by strengthening and nourishing it.
Shea butter softens your hair and contains a lot of vitamin A and E, which has healing properties as well as reduces frizz. Lastly, sunflower oil contains antioxidants and vitamin E to soothe hair, and lock in moisture. It is ideal for dull and dry hair, as it moisturizes and reduces frizz, and stimulates healthy hair growth.
Studies have shown that applying hair oil is important in protecting the hair from damage. Some oils penetrate the hair and reduce the amount of water absorbed in the hair, leading to less swelling. This can reduce the cycle of repeated swelling and drying, a factor that can damage hair.
Hair oils can fill the gap between the cuticle cells and prevent the penetration of aggressive substances such as surfactants into the follicle. Also, applying oil on a regular basis can enhance lubrication of the shaft and help prevent hair breakage.
Formaldehyde is a colorless, odorless, and strong smelling gas commonly used in furniture, countertops, even nail polish. It is found in keratin treatments to help lock in straightened hair. However, it raises concerns as it is considered a carcinogen. It can also cause irritation to your eyes and nose.
It was discovered, however, that formaldehyde is a carcinogen and the maximum safe concentration of formaldehyde set by the US Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel is less than 0.2%. Unacceptably high concentrations of formaldehyde have been reported in some keratin treatments. So definitely, choosing a formaldehyde-free product is a must!
A word of caution! Keep an eye out for products listed as formaldehyde-free but actually contain ingredients such as formalin, formic aldehyde, methanol, methylene glycol, methylene oxide, that break down into formaldehyde during the heat application stage. Tricky!
Try this leave-in crème if you want to add variety to your usual smoothing treatments. Unlike regular keratin products, it uses its own blend of bond-building technology to smooth, strengthen, and make hair more manageable for up to 72 hours. It contains grapeseed oil, excellent for moisturizing and conditioning hair and reducing frizz.
It also contains coconut oil to add shine and soften hair, as well as sunflower oil to reduce hair breakage. It is suitable for all hair types as it can hydrate hair without weighing it down and reduces styling time, therefore less damage to your hair. It is also paraben, sulfate, and phthalate-free.
Known as one of the go-to brands for hair products, you will surely be in for a treat with TRESemmé’s deep conditioner. It is enriched with Kera10 Protein Complex, which works 10 layers deep into your scalp, giving you smooth and manageable hair that’s resistant to frizz and flyaways.
It also contains Oleo serum, which will not only help in moisturizing your hair but cleansing it as well. That way, your hair can also experience a bit of detox. This conditioner will also extend your hair’s smoothness for up to 72 hours. Now you can get sleek, shiny, and gorgeous locks all day long.
This hair mask is infused with Triple Keratin Formula making it more potent than your usual conditioners. It has their 3-in-1 formulas of keratin hair relaxers, keratin serum, and keratin essence to ensure it deeply penetrates into your hair and restores it, making it beautiful inside and out.
This treatment is guaranteed to instantly tame even your most frizzy hairs, turning it smooth, and straight while nourishing it. Simply massage onto wet hair for optimum absorption. The good thing about this product is that it only takes 3 minutes unlike other masks, which take longer. Use it once a week to get best results.
Apply this primer before blow-drying your hair to protect it from the heat. It is enriched with Morpho-Keratine Complex to coat your hair strands to make it smoother and provide a more even texture. It will also tame your frizz and flyaway hairs.
Part of its Morpho-Keratin complex includes an anti-reticular polymer that acts as a seal to provide a glaze-like finish to your hair, making it shiny. It also has anti-humidity and anti-frizz properties to ensure your hair stays put for longer. Using this also helps cut down on your styling time!
For those always on the go, consider Davines’ Keratin Sealer spray. It seals hair cuticles, so you can instantly achieve shinier and softer hair after just one use. The best part is, you don’t have to rinse it, unlike other formulas. Just leave it on your hair, and you’re good to go!
The spray utilizes vegetal keratin, made from rice protein and amino acids, as well as their own blend of bioacidic bond complex. Together, these ingredients also strengthen hair strands and prevent the occurrence of split ends. Not to mention, it is free from parabens and sulfates.
Want to reduce your hair’s frizz, and straighten it in a matter of 3 minutes? Pantene’s conditioner promises just that. It is formulated with Pro-Vitamin B5, which is great for sealing in hair’s moisture, making it softer, and more manageable without the added oiliness.
It is combined with keratin straighteners that would nourish your hair while keeping it straight and smooth all day. You won’t have to worry about greasy hair due to the product accumulating in your hair either as this is specifically designed for everyday use. Enjoy straighter and tamer hair with this product.
If you’ve got damaged hair, look to Hask’s keratin protein treatment. It is a deep conditioner that moisturizes, smoothes, and nourishes all types of hair - even damaged ones. It also helps repair breakage, making a must-have in your hair care supplies.
Moreover, their formula is also beneficial for those with colored and over-processed hair due to styling. For best results, it is recommended to massage it onto your hair and focus on damaged areas. You could even leave it for up to 10 minutes to truly let the product soak into your hair.
OGX’s conditioner contains keratin proteins that work together with argan oil to protect it from damage and fight frizz. It is formulated to help you lose split ends, as well as flyaways and broken bits of hair caused by brushing and styling.
This product also aims to maintain your hair’s inner strength and moisture by nourishing it from the inside, making it stronger and healthier. This product is ideal for those with dry hair; however, those with oily hair may find the formula on the heavier side.
Luxe’s treatment contains castor oil, which is rich in antioxidants and great for repairing and renewing your hair follicles for healthier hair growth. It also contains Omega 9 acid, which makes hair grow faster, as well as Omega 6, which helps fight hair loss.
This 3-minute treatment is ideal if you have damaged hair as it promotes healthier, stronger, and more resilient hair. It also contains no parabens and is sulfate-free. Remember that a little goes a long way with this product—a sachet is good for 2 uses!
Hairfix’s Keratin Straight product features a no-rinse product, which is perfect if you don’t have a lot of time to do hair treatments or even conditioners. It is also versatile because you could apply it both on dry and damp hair, saving you time, particularly on busy days.
Aside from keratin, this spray is also infused with argan oil, which moisturizes hair and scalp. With this hair spray, you can now achieve straighter hair and shinier hair without heading to the salon!
As with all things that we apply to our skin, keratin treatments aren't an exception to the risk of developing irritant or allergic contact reactions to the ingredients contained in it. Always keep an eye out for signs of irritation, especially on the scalp, hairline, face, and neck - areas where the product can inadvertently reach.
Make your hair treatments last by adopting healthy hair habits!
If you want healthy hair that looks and feels good, check out these other products. We've got you covered for your other hair concerns.
Author: J. Cuizon
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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