Don't Waste Your Money is supported by our readers. When you purchase an item through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

The Best Protein Treatment For Hair

Last updated on September 6, 2022

We looked at the top 10 Protein Treatments For Hair and dug through the reviews from 19 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best Protein Treatments For Hair.

Our Review Process

Don't Waste Your Money is focused on helping you make the best purchasing decision. Our team of experts spends hundreds of hours analyzing, testing, and researching products so you don't have to. Learn more.

Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in a category.

Human hair can be put through some challenges, particularly if you use chemical treatments on them. Despite advancements in other areas, hair colors and dyes still typically use harsh chemicals that can damage the hair.

Color-treated hair can tend to be more porous than hair that hasn’t been exposed to these chemicals. That porosity can make hair more sensitive to hair products, heat and the environment.

But your hair doesn’t have to endure chemical dyes to suffer damage. If your hair has breakage or lacks elasticity, it might need some TLC. There are different types of hair treatment, so it’s important to narrow down the exact issue you’re facing before you start treatment. You may simply need the right conditioning product that can deliver moisture to the strands where you need it.

Protein treatments are designed to strengthen hair strands to protect them against these daily rigors. However, protein treatments can cause hair to frizz if used incorrectly or in cases where your hair didn’t need them in the first place. Salon professionals can examine your hair and recommend a treatment specific to your issue, but salon-based protein treatments, also called keratin treatments, can cost hundreds of dollars. Once you’ve determined your hair needs this type of treatment, you can purchase over-the-counter products and get similar results for a fraction of the cost.

But it’s important to note that protein treatments aren’t magic potions. Often it will take multiple treatments, spread out over time, to see real results. You may even not like the results at first, as your hair adjusts to the introduction of extra protein. Follow the instructions carefully, and make sure you apply the treatment evenly. Some products require you to wrap your hair while the protein does its work, while others have you applying heat using a blow dryer to help the protein settle into the strands.

Our Picks For The Top Protein Treatments For Hair

View All Recommendations
Product Overview
Our Take
Pros
Cons
 Top Pick

Aphogee Moisturizer & Two-Step Protein Treatment For Hair

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval

Aphogee

Moisturizer & Two-Step Protein Treatment For Hair

This two-step treatment infuses your strands with protein while also offering conditioning. You’ll need to apply heat to set the protein treatment, and then repeat the treatment periodically to maintain results. The protein treatment comes in a 4-ounce bottle that’s easy to store.

Overall Take

Super ConvenientThis two-step protein treatment comes in convenient squeeze bottles similar to your other shampoos and conditioners.

Pros
" Hair feels soft and silky. Fresh, clean scent. Good value."
Cons
"It is VERY messy. drips orangey-yellow drops everywhere, so make sure you are not moving around, and you have towels around you! (The Orangey-Yellow drops also taste and smell horrible, so make sure it isn’t dripping down into your face/mouth..."
 Runner Up

Shea Moisture Manuka Honey Hydrating Protein Treatment For Hair

Shea Moisture

Manuka Honey Hydrating Protein Treatment For Hair

The formula builds in manuka honey to keep your hair looking shiny, while yogurt helps moisturize chemically damaged hair strands. The pleasant scent makes this a treatment you can use even before leaving the house for the day. There are no parabens, phthalates, mineral oil or sulfates in the ingredients, giving you a more natural hair product.

Overall Take

Strengthens, ProtectsNatural ingredients help return your hair to health while also offering lasting protection.

Pros
" Shea butter and manuka honey deliver ample moisture for dry hair. Yogurt helps replenish protein to strengthen damage. Brand promises reduced breakage up to 76 percent. Is ideal for over-processed hair from heated tools and chemical-based products."
 We Also Like

VITAMINS Hair Cosmetics Keratin Conditioner Protein Treatment For Hair

VITAMINS Hair Cosmetics

Keratin Conditioner Protein Treatment For Hair

You’ll get 8 1/2 ounces of keratin treatment in this jar, which is designed to strengthen and hydrate. The formula includes argan and coconut oils to make your hair smooth and shiny. The jar format makes it easy to store with your other beauty products.

Overall Take

Easy to UseSimply apply this treatment after shampooing and wrap your hair in a towel for 5 to 10 minutes for a convenient solution.

Pros
" Heat protection. Tames split ends. No harmful chemicals. Revives the scalp and cuticles. Nurtures and heals damaged hair. Boosts health in color-processed hair."
 Strong Contender

Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment For Hair

Elizavecca

CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment For Hair

Collagen ingredients mixed with ceramide make up the formula of this hair mask. You’ll simply apply after shampooing, leave on for 5 to 20 minutes, and rinse out. It comes in a squeeze tube with fun packaging for a fun addition to your beauty collection.

Overall Take

For Frequent TravelersThe squeeze bottle format of this protein treatment makes it great for taking on the go with you.

Pros
" Non-greasy texture. Moisturizes hair. Strengthens hair. Detangles. Minimizes frizz. Adds shine. Quick action. Residue-free. Smells incredible. Works on colored hair."
Cons
"The cap doesn't close completely. You only get 50 ml of product for $8-15."
Don't just take for granted what one reviewer says. Along with our own experts, DWYM analyzes the top expert reviews of the leading products and generates a score you can actually trust.
17

Products Considered

We identified the majority of the protein treatments for hair available to purchase.
10

Products Analyzed

We then selected the leading and most popular products for our team to review.

View All Product Rankings

19

Expert Reviews Included

In addition to our expert reviews, we also incorporate feedback and analysis of some of the most respected sources including: Style Craze, Good Housekeeping, Allure, Byrdie, Cosmopolitan.

260,934

User Opinions Analyzed

We also incorporate user reviews from the leading retailers including

Our experts reviewed the top 10 Protein Treatments For Hair and also dug through the reviews from 19 of the most popular review sites including and more. The result is a ranking of the best of the best Protein Treatments For Hair.

DWYM is your trusted roduct review source. Our team reviews thousands of product reviews from the trusted top experts and combines them into one easy-to-understand score. Learn more.

Don't Waste Your Money Seal of Approval
Look for the DWYM seal for products that are the best in their category.

The Best Bang For Your Buck

Elizavecca CER-100 Collagen Protein Treatment For Hair

Our Expert Score

10.0
2 expert reviews

User Summarized Score

8.8
32,884 user reviews

Our Take

Collagen ingredients mixed with ceramide make up the formula of this hair mask. You’ll simply apply after shampooing, leave on for 5 to 20 minutes, and rinse out. It comes in a squeeze tube with fun packaging for a fun addition to your beauty collection.

What other experts liked

Non-greasy texture. Moisturizes hair. Strengthens hair. Detangles. Minimizes frizz. Adds shine. Quick action. Residue-free. Smells incredible. Works on colored hair.
- Style Craze
Works wonders on my curly hair! The design of the box is funny. Smells nice. Easy to get (online).
- Cherry Colors

What other experts didn't like

Expensive.
- Style Craze
The cap doesn't close completely. You only get 50 ml of product for $8-15.
- Cherry Colors

What to Look For

  • It’s important not to overtreat your hair, as protein treatments can damage your hair with overuse. Only do protein treatments when your hair needs it, and always allow for at least a week between treatments.
  • Your hair type should factor into the protein treatment you choose. Not all treatments will work for all hair types, despite what the label says.
  • If you’re treating damaged hair, you’ll want to avoid chemicals that can cause further problems. Formaldehyde, isopropyl alcohol, parabens, silicones and sulfates all should be eliminated from your haircare product selection.
  • Protein treatments can dry out the hair, so many products will build in conditioning ingredients to make sure you’re not furthering the problem.
  • Treatments come in a variety of packaging. You can find some in bottles, similar to the shampoo and conditioner you already use. Others come in jars with screw-off caps. If you’re doing your treatment in the shower, you might find the squeeze bottle format easier to use. Squeeze bottles can also be more portable, particularly if they’re smaller.
  • Some treatments rely on natural ingredients. Yogurt has both protein and moisturizing properties, so you may find it’s a viable option.
  • Also check the scent of any product you choose, particularly if you’ll be using it before leaving the house for the day. You may find light, pleasant scents allow you to do your treatment as part of your morning routine and may actually make you look forward to using the product.
  • You may find formulas that not only repair damage to your hair but also protect it against future damage.
  • Some protein treatments require that you leave them on the hair for a while. Keep this in mind before you buy if you don’t want to schedule yourself to spend hours at home with your hair wrapped in a towel. You may want to look for a treatment that you can use once in just a few minutes.

More to Explore

Throughout history, humans have relied on products to strengthen and hydrate their hair. Research on mummies has revealed that hair products in Ancient Egypt were made from animal and plant fats. In Ancient Greece, meanwhile, olive oil was used as a hair conditioner.

During the Victorian era, plenty of tonics were peddled, promising to repair any number of hair issues. A pill called Capsuloids Hair Restorer was aimed at hair loss and graying, using hemoglobin from bull blood. Styling tools also came into vogue at the time, with hair-curling tongs that women heated in the fire, then applied to the hair. In the early 1900s, retailers sold vacuums that promised to cure baldness, with a design that supposedly increased scalp circulation to promote hair growth.

More to explore