Stylists Love These At-Home Keratin Treatments

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links."

Salon keratin treatments are unrivaled in their ability to smooth and straighten hair, but they can cost upward of $300 (and with the holidays right around the corner, we know you want to save some dough for gift-giving). The good news: There are at-home versions that'll save time you and money and—bonus!—may also be better for your hair.

Meet Our Experts: Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist; Adam Reed, founder of ARKIVE Headcare; Brittney Shockey, salon lead at Stonedrift Spa in Galena, Illinois

That said, the ones you do in your bathroom might not be quite as strong as those professional, salon-quality versions. “At-home [keratin] treatments are not as powerful, as they coat the hair rather than altering the structure of the hair, so they generally only last a week at most,” says celebrity hairstylist Andrew Fitzsimons.

But if you're more interested in making things easier on your wallet, these are the best at-home keratin treatments for smoother, softer hair.

No. 6 Bond Smoother Reparative Styling Creme

Rather than keratin, this treatment uses its own bond building technology to restore damaged hair along with sunflower seed, grape seed, and coconut oil to smooth and hydrate.

Rave Review: "This product gave me results after the first use! It noticeably reduced frizz when I blow dried my hair. Love it and use it every time. It does have a scent but nothing strong and I don’t mind it."

Recovery Shampoo

Every product in this line boasts an Alpha Keratin 60ku protein that's "identical to the keratin that makes up 90% of hair." Promising to "repave and refill keratin" with each use so your hair gets stronger and healthier over time.

Rave Review: "I have dealt with fine hair all my life and not much of it. I have been using this for almost 2 years now and I have more hair than I have ever had in my life. The keratin is donated from human hair so it bonds with the hair better than any other product. I have a full ponytail and my hair is growing. I did at first have ingrown hairs on my scalp but then it all came in. I recommend this to everyone dealing with hair loss, over processed hair, etc. You will not regret this purchase."

Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

K18 found a peptide that could "reconnect broken keratin chains and stay put" (aka: It won't wash away with water or shampoo). The best part about this mask if that you use it in place of conditioner so you're not actually adding a step at all.

Rave Review: "My hair has been highlighted and color treated for 20 years and always bounced back after each treatment with shine. The last time I got highlights my hair got absolutely fried and my hair felt like straw in a way that I never experienced before. I tried coconut oil, other hair treatments, and nothing. I texted my colorist and told what had happened and she immediately responded with this recommendation. I have used it once and i immediately felt the difference—my hair was shiny again and back to its normal state!"

Global Keratin Treatment

Possibly the most similar to an in-salon treatment, this keratin treatment is applied by swiping it on 1/2-inch sections with a brush. Leave it on 40-60 minutes before rinsing. The results are said to last for weeks—even after shampooing. (Note: You have to use the complete set, followed by blow-drying and straightening your strands.)

Rave Review: "It really works! I have dark, thick, wavy hair, currently with blonde highlights. My Brazilian wore off months ago and was having trouble with my rebellious long freezy bangs. I followed the instructions, used the GK shampoo, conditioner and serum drops, and my hair is just super smooth and tameable now! I don't even have to blow dry/iron it."

Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer

Smooth this primer onto towel-dried hair for a smoother blowout. The mix of keratin and plant sap help build up the protein of the hair and smooth down unruly strands for a salon-worthy finish that will hold for days.

Rave Review: "I use this after I wash my hair and before I blow dry it. I blow dry my hair every day and you would never know because i believe this stuff has kept it strong and healthy. I don’t have a lot of breakage and my ends don’t get split or frail. It only takes a very small amount of this on the ends of my hair to do the trick. Highly recommend!"

Keratin Silk Infusion

This styling treatment uses real silk to help add moisture and shine back into dry, damaged strands while also working alongside keratin proteins to smooth and straighten. Smooth it on pre or post blowdry for a glossy finish.

Rave Review: "This stuff works wonders! My hair was fried do to highlighting split ends were terrible, fly aways, frizzy. I started using this and it made it shine, be more manageable and less frizzy. You only have to use a small amount!"

Keratin Protein Smoothing Deep Conditioner Packette

Keratin and rice proteins help give strength back to damaged strands while coconut and jojoba seed oil deliver major moisture in this conditioning mask.

Rave Review: "My wavy/curly hair had been looking lifeless and frizzy even after styling. The difference after using this is HUGE for me. My hair looks better styled and I styled. I've used it every 2 or 3 washes with amazing results that I wasn't expecting!"

Keratin Healing Oil Intensive Hair Masque

Keratin and resveratrol (an antioxidant found in wine) help repair damaged strands for stronger, healthier looking hair. Smooth it in before a workout to reap benefits from the heat as well.

Rave Review: "It is absolutely fabulous! My hair is shiny and moisturized, even the ends are nice. The smell is just heavenly too. I've tried plenty of the popular branded masks like Briogeo, Pureology, etc. and nothing works like this does."

Complex Brazilian Keratin Hair Blowout Treatment

With more than 5,000 ratings on Amazon, this two-step keratin treatment is a popular pick among straight-hair enthusiasts. Ingredients including argan oil, coconut oils, and proteins make this treatment ideal for stronger, straighter locks.

Rave Review: "My hair is manageable, not frizzy, and I saved so much not having to go to the salon. This is a perfect alternative, and great for the hot summer months to prevent frizzing."

Amazonliss Keratin Smoothing Treatment Hair Straightening Set

Featuring an Anti-Residue Shampoo, Brazilian Smoothing Treatment and Brazilian Intensive Hair Mask, this three-step system uses keratin and antioxidants (like acai and cocoa) to help rebuild and smooth out the hair structure for a sleek look that will last up to 16 weeks.

Rave Review: "This is great! Perfect is you want to have a healthy hair! I had damage hair for bleaching it for several years! But now my hair looks amazing, shinning, healthier and smooth!"

Brazilian Keratin Hair Treatment

This treatment from Moroccan Keratin includes two types of shampoos (a sulfate-free and clarifying) as well as a sulfate-free conditioner and, of course, a keratin treatment. Use them all together for a smooth finish that the brand claims can last up to seven months.

Rave Review: "Wow, a keratin treatment that REALLY works! And reasonably priced!! I bought this for myself as I will going on a cruise soon and have long, curly, frizzy, wild hair. I have always hated my hair after going swimming or being in humid climates because it was such a hassle to deal with. I like some curls, like beachy waves, but my hair never did that naturally on it's own, until now!"

Nourishing Keratin Sealer

This hair sealer revives dull strands by sealing your hair cuticles and locking in moisture and shine. You can easily work the serum through your hair with a comb and style it like you typically would.

Rave Review: "My hairdresser recommended this stuff and I’ve been buying it ever since. Makes me hair so soft and smooth, I love it."

Absolute Keratine Ultimate Repair Serum

Rene Furterer is known for exceptional hair products that restore thinning hair, but this treatment is a hidden gem that strengthens and heals split ends. Not only does the serum protect against future damage, but it also shields hair against potential damage from hot styling tools.

Deepshine Smooth Keratin Care Deep-Penetrating Treatment

Do you have chemically and color-treated hair? If yes, give this deep conditioning treatment a shot—it strengthens and smooths hair with a blend of keratin, vitamins, and marine botanicals.

Rave Review: "Makes my coarse, curly hair feel silky smooth and moisturized."

Infusion Therapy Replenisher

If you want a treatment that's not too harsh on your hair, you can always start with a product that is not as damaging as a typical keratin treatment. This blow-dry cream is the perfect way to get the benefits of a keratin treatment via a blowout. The cream fights frizz and replenishes shine.

Rave Review: "This keratin complex is amazing!!! Helps my hair dry very fast with a blow dryer. Leaves your hair smelling and feeling good."

How at-home keratin treatments work

At-home keratin treatments work wonders by harnessing the power of keratin, an important protein for hair health. "This transformative protein rebuilds and repairs lackluster hair, replenishing each strand with intense moisture and radiant shine," says Brittney Shockey, salon lead at Stonedrift Spa in Galena, Illinois. "The treatment works its magic by coating each individual strand, effectively smoothing down the hair cuticles and delivering a glossy, frizz-free finish."

What should I look for in an at-home keratin treatment?

When purchasing an at-home keratin treatment, Fitzsimons suggests looking for formulas that are formaldehyde-free. “Formaldehyde is a harmful gas that is considered to be a carcinogen,” he warns. “If you have thicker strands, you should also look for a formula that adds moisture and shine, while damaged hair could use more softening and smoothing ingredients."

How to give yourself an at-home keratin treatment

Before performing an at-home keratin treatment, hairdresser, and founder of ARKIVE Headcare, Adam Reed emphasizes the importance of knowing that the process can easily damage hair if done incorrectly.

“It’s a long and complicated process that I would always recommend having a professional do to minimize any risk,” he says. But, if you still prefer to perform the treatment yourself, just remember that it’s vital to properly prepare your hair. Before you do anything, you should shampoo your hair thoroughly. After applying the treatment, you should leave it on for up to 30 minutes, but if you experience any burning, rinse it out immediately.

After rinsing the hair, add a deep conditioner. “Then look after it at home with a treatment like K18 and Arkive The Prologue Hair Primer,” Reed notes.

What are the potential side effects of keratin treatments?

Like any other hair process, keratin treatments also have risks when not done correctly. Some treatments can be too harsh for specific hair types and can leave hair completely damaged and brittle, which leads to more frizz and dullness. "Individuals with fine, thin hair, or heavily damaged, bleached hair are advised to avoid keratin treatments," says Shockey.

You Might Also Like

• Jennifer Garner Swears By This Retinol Eye Cream

• These New Kicks Will Help You Smash Your Cross-Training Goals