Vogue

Hair

The Best Protein Treatments to Restore Hair’s Strength and Shine

 

For anyone serious about hair health, the best protein treatments deserve a permanent spot in your routine—especially if your strands are feeling limp, brittle, or mysteriously dull. While they may sound clinical, these powerhouse formulas are anything but basic. Designed to target the structural integrity of your hair, protein treatments work beneath the surface, filling in weak spots along the shaft and reinforcing its natural strength. Not to mention, they can also smooth frizzy flyaways, prevent split ends, and tackle dryness.

Think of them as rehab for lengths that have seen one to many chemical treatments, and heat styling on the daily. With consistent use, the benefits of protein treatments accumulate with each use delivering smoother, stronger strands with every use. Whether it’s a weekly mask infused with hydrolyzed keratin or a lightweight serum that strengthens as it styles, the right protein treatment can transform your hair from fragile to fortified—without sacrificing softness or shine.

Ahead, the Vogue-approved formulas worth weaving into your routine.

Best Leave-In Mask: K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Why We Love It: K18’s TikTok-famous hair mask is a Vogue editor-favorite that works in just four minutes to repair damaged hair through a blend of peptides and proteins. “This is a great option if you’re unsure where to start,” celebrity colorist Travis Ogletree previously told Vogue.“I’ve seen the most noticeable transformations in my clients’ hair from consistent use of this mask.” Fellow celebrity colorist Aura Friedman agrees, adding that this pick keeps hair shinier and more manageable after consistent use. “The formula of this mask is essentially the molecular copy of the 18 peptides that make up keratin. This also lowers the pH of the hair, which keeps the cuticles tight, and maintains both color molecules and moisture. The results mean hair is shinier and more manageable,” Friedman previously told Vogue.
Key Ingredients: K18Peptide, hydrolyzed wheat protein, and wheat starch
Type: Leave-in mask
Scent: A light floral scent with jasmine and peony
More to Know: Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, safe for color treated hair
How To Use: Skip conditioner, after shampooing—then apply to freshly wash lengths. Wait four minutes before brushing, drying or styling. No rinsing required!
Size: 0.5 oz, 1.7 oz

Love it

• Lightweight, repairs damaged hair
• Leave-in treatment is fast acting

Leave It

• A little goes a long way, and using more than a dime-size amount may weigh the hair down

Best with Biotin: Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Hair Mask

Why We Love It: Celebrity hairstylist Bridget Brager describes this protein-rich hair mask as “a great deep-conditioning mask that works to lock in moisture and improve shine.” Free of sulfates, silicones, and parabens, this seeks to repair signs of damage across all hair types and textures. The formula is also loaded with rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, biotin and B vitamins to nourish strands and add shine. “This celebrated product offers the best of both worlds, combining strengthening proteins with rich moisturizers,” celebrity hairstyling Davey Matthew previously told Vogue. “It’s a great option for someone looking to boost and maintain their hair’s health.” Plus, it’s a staple in senior beauty shopping writer Kiana Murden’s routine, who never fails to be impressed by how quickly it revives her dry hair.
Key Ingredients: Rosehip oil, algae extract, almond oil, biotin, avocado oil, hydrolyzed corn and soy protein
Type: Rinse-out hair mask
Scent: A clean and soapy mix of white musk and floral woods
More to Know: Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, color-safe
How To Use: Apply to freshly shampooed hair from mid lengths to ends. Leave for 10 minutes before rinsing and repeat weekly.
Size: 2 oz, 8 oz, 12 oz, 32 oz

Love It

• Strengthens, boosts shine, clean ingredients 
• Naturally derived ingredients

Leave It

• Some users wish it were more hydrating

Best for Hair Wash Days: Vegamour GRO Revitalizing Kit

Why we love it: “Never skimp on shampoo and conditioner, because it’s the thing you use the most,” Bridget Brager previously told Vogue. Enter: Vegamour’s GRO line. Their innovative shampoo and conditioner is powered by the brand’s proprietary Karmatin, a vegan silk protein that bonds with hair, aiding in repair and protection against damage. Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Noah Gratch notes that it also includes key ingredients shown to support hair growth, such as caffeine, biotin, and biomimetic peptides. “The combination of caffeine and biomimetic peptides helps stimulate the scalp to promote hair growth and also nourish the scalp,” Dr. Gratch previously told Vogue.
Key ingredients: Karmatin, marula, baobab, murumuru butter, red clover, mung bean
Type: Shampoo and conditioner
Scent: Citrus Scent
More to Know: Cruelty-free, sulfate-free, safe for color-treated hair
How To Use: Rinse, lather, and repeat—as per usual!
Size: 50 mL, 236 mL

Love It

• Fortifies strands to help reduce breakage, clears buildup, has a clean citrus scent
• Safe for color treated hair and regular hair washing

Leave It

• Results require patience

Best for Fine Hair: Ouai Treatment Mask for Fine and Medium Hair

Why We Love It: Fine hair needs TLC too, particularly from products that won’t weigh their hair down. Ouai’s mask does exactly that. “This is one of those tried-and-trusted products that you can turn to when you need instant results,” Hairstylist Justin Toves-Vincilione previously told Vogue, saying this pick’s ingredient list is heaven-sent. “It immediately penetrates the hair strands, propelling in shea butter, tamarind seed extract, and hydrolyzed keratin.”
Key Ingredients: Hydrolyzed keratin, panthenol, shea butter, coconut water, ginger-root extract
Type: Rinse out hair mask
Scent: Floral woody musk
More to Know: cruelty-free, color-safe, reef-safe
How to Use: After shampooing your hair, remove excess water from your lengths. Apply a quarter sized amount from ends to mid lengths. Rinse with cool water after five minutes.
Size: 8 oz

Love It

• Deeply nourishing formula
• Lightweight feel that won’t weigh down fine hair

Leave It

• Not for all hair types—those with thick hair should opt for Ouai’s Thick Hair Treatment Mask instead

Best for Sleek Hair: Answr At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit

Why We Love It: Keratin is, in fact, a protein—and Answr’s at-home keratin treatment makes it easier than ever to achieve salon-smooth, straight hair without the salon visit. This powerful trio includes a spray-on treatment, along with a keratin-safe shampoo and conditioner designed to prolong your results. Formulated with 100% vegan keratin and the brand’s patented technology, it works to smooth the hair cuticle, restore softness, and deliver a glossy, mirror-like shine. To keep your strands looking their best, use the included shampoo and conditioner as part of your ongoing routine.
Key Ingredients: Keratin amino acids, grape fruit extract
Type: At-home keratin treatment
Scent: N/A
More To Know: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free, vegan, cruelty-free, fromaldehyde-free
How To Use: On clean, dry hair, the brand advises saturating hair with the spray treatment and allowing it to sit for 60 minutes. Next, rinse, blow dry and straighten hair to seal in the treatment. To extend results, make sure to use the brand’s included shampoo and conditioner duo, formulated specifically for post-keratin care. You can repeat this process every two months.
Size: 3.4 fl oz

Love It

• A gentle at-home keratin treatment free from harsh chemicals
• Improved hair manageability and smoothness

Leave It

• Results will not be as dramatic or effective as an in-salon treatment

Best for High-Shine: Color Wow Money Masque

Why We Love It: If there’s one thing that celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton is known for, it’s ultra shiny hair—and you can spot those luminous lengths on his celebrity clientele from Christina Aguilera to Kim Kardashian. His collaboration with Color Wow delivered a mask that maximizes shine with a unique texture. Unlike other deep conditioning masks, this one has a featherlight, gel-like feel that won’t weigh down hair follicles. A powerful blend of blue sea kale, kelp, algae, and a hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex work together here to nourish even the most chemically processed hair. “This mask is a great option if your hair is feeling dull,” hair stylist Raven Hurtado previously told Vogue. “It provides shine, strengthens hair, and helps moisturize a dry and flaky scalp. It also works on all hair types to create healthy, shiny hair.”
Key Ingredients: Blue sea kale, sea kelp, algae, hydrolyzed vegetable protein complex
Type: Rinse out hair mask
Scent: Light, beachy fragrance
More To Know: color-safe, cruelty-free
How To Use: Apply the mask generously to freshly shampooed hair from mid-lengths to ends. Comb through to distribute evenly, and let sit for five to 20 minutes before rinsing.
Size: 7.5 oz

Love It

• Works on all hair types
• Lightweight and deeply hydrating

Leave It

• Large tub can be slippery in the shower

Best for Chemical Damage: Virtue Restorative Treatment Mask

Why We Love It: As with all Virtue products, their signature signature ingredient—Alpha Keratin 60ku—steals the show, repairing and filling hair cracks with its protein-rich formula (think about it like binding cracks in cement). This super-rich treatment mask moisturizes, repairs, and boosts shine. Board-certified dermatologist Kristina Collins cosigns the formula, noting that regular use promotes healthier and stronger hair over time. The formula is particularly beneficial for colored or chemically treated hair.
Key Ingredients: Alpha Keratin 60ku, brown algae extract, baobab seed oil, plant-based protein, artichoke leaf extract
Type: Rinse out hair mask
Scent: Naturally derived coconut
More to Know: Sulfate-free, color-safe, keratin-safe
How To Use: After shampooing, distribute the product evenly throughout the hair; let it sit for two to three minutes before rinsing it out. The brand recommends using the product once a week.
Sizes: 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz.

Love It

• Intensive hydration for medium to thick hair types
• Works on all hair textures

Leave It

• Some find the scent overwhelming

Best Serum: Oribe Hair Alchemy Fortifying Treatment Serum

Why We Love It: Think of this as liquid strength for fragile strands. This lightweight serum provides hydration with a featherlight feel. A powerhouse blend of chia seed and bio-fermented bamboo leaf helps reinforce the hair’s structure from within, while plant-based protein creates a protective shield around each strand. The result? Stronger, shinier, more elastic hair that resists breakage—without ever feeling weighed down. It’s a favorite of Vogue’s beauty commerce writer Conçetta Ciarlo. “Even though my hair is thick and wavy, I’ve noticed how it gets weighed more easily since wearing it shorter,” says Ciarlo. “This serum adds instant shine and never feels greasy.”
Key Ingredients: Chia seed, bio-fermented bamboo leaf, plant-based protein, and Oribe’s signature blend of antioxidants and botanical extracts.
Type: Serum
Scent: Bergamot
More To Know: Color-safe, keratin-safe, and free from parabens, sulfates and gluten. Builds hair resilience overtime.
How To Use: Work a small amount through damp or dry hair, focusing on mid-lengths to ends. Style as usual. Use daily for best results.
Size: 1.7 fl oz

Love It 

• Deeply reparative with a lightweight feel
• Antioxidant rich formula prevents against color fade

Leave It

• Some find the scent overwhelming

Best for Coily Hair: Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask

Why We Love It: Clinically proven to repair damaged hair while enhancing shine and strength, Cécred’s formula is powered by its patent-pending Bioactive Keratin Ferment. Infused with scalp-nourishing antioxidants—like vitamin E—and a carefully curated blend of oils, it works to seal split cuticles and leave hair noticeably smoother, stronger, and radiant. Toves-Vincilione considers this pick ideal for weakened curls and coils. “Many people experience periods of limp and lifeless hair, whether it be from heat damage, relaxer damage, protein overload, or lightening processes. Cécred formulated this mask to get in there and get the job done with noticeable results after just one use,” he previously told Vogue.
Key ingredients: Bioactive keratin ferment, hydrolyzed rice, sea buckhorn oil, squalane
Type: Rinse out mask
Scent: Woody floral musk
More To Know: cruelty-free, color-safe
How To Use: 20 minutes
Size: 2.5 oz, 10 oz

 

Love It 

• Ideal for softening curls and coils
• Increase shine, and curl resilience

Leave It

• Not suitable for fine or straight hair

Everything You Need To Know

What are protein treatments for hair?

First and foremost, it’s essential to understand what hair actually is. “Hair strands are literal protein threads, once they protrude out of the hair follicle, it becomes a fine fabric,” trichologist Bridgette Hill previously told Vogue. That’s where protein treatments come in. Formulated with hair-loving ingredients like soy protein, keratin, wheat protein, and collagen, these reparative treatments work by mending the amino acid bonds that form the hair’s keratin structure—like filling in potholes in a road—leaving hair healthier, stronger, and noticeably smoother.

What to Look for in a Protein Hair Treatment

When shopping for a protein hair treatment, it’s important to consider several factors—form product type to texture. The experts break it down below:

• Ingredients: In addition to protein rich formulas, Ogletree advises looking for nourishing ingredients to boost overall reparative results. Think restorative oils like argan and jojoba, or humectants like glycerin. Last but certainly not least, always avoid silicones and sulfates at all costs—these harsh ingredients can be stripping.
• Texture: Olgetree offers an easy-to-remember rule—the texture of your protein-rich hair product should always match your natural hair texture. “Thicker masks tend to be more hydrating and better suited for coarse or dry hair, while lighter, creamier masks are ideal for finer textures or hair prone to buildup,” he previously told Vogue, noting it’s best not to assume a product works across a range of hair types unless explicitly stated.
• Concern: When it comes to choosing the right protein treatment, experts say it all depends on your hair goals. For long-term repair and strength, a weekly protein-rich mask can help rebuild damaged strands from within. But if you’re after instant smoothness and shine, a fast-acting serum or oil may be the better fit, coating the hair shaft for a sleek, polished finish. It’s all about matching the formula to what your hair needs most in the moment.

How often should you use protein treatments for hair?

Those looking to incorporate protein treatments into their hair routine should follow the product instructions carefully and consider their hair’s condition—more isn’t always better and moderation is key. “These are not to be used too frequently as it can cause protein overload to the hair and result in dry, dull, flat, and lifeless hair,” Caspara previously told Vogue.

While protein treatments can dramatically improve hair health over time, Caspara advises reducing frequency once your hair begins to feel restored in order to maintain balance and avoid overdoing it.

Meet the Experts

• Bridget Brager is a celebrity hairstylist and groomer whose clients include Allison Williams, Maude Apatow, and Kiernan Shipka.
• Shab Caspara, New York City-based trichologist and founder of hair-care platform Leona
• Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist in Austin, Texas.
• Bridgette Hill is a New York City based certified trichologist
• Raven Hurtado is a stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago.
• Travis Ogletree is a Los Angeles-based colorist and the founder of Treehouse Studio.
• Davey Matthew is a celebrity hair stylist based in New York City whose clients include Kate Hudson, Avantika, and Phoebe Tonkin.
• Justin Toves-Vincilione is a professional hairstylist based in Los Angeles.