Stylists love these at-home keratin treatments (2025)

Salon keratin treatments are unrivaled in their ability to smooth and straighten hair, but they can cost upward of £300 (and with summer right around the corner, we know you want to save some dough for holidays). 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.'

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.'

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.