Keratin Complex’s salon favorite is a good choice for people who’ve had keratin treatments and want to stretch the results as long as humanly possible. It’s sulfate-free and loaded with keratin and wheat protein, so it doesn’t just clean—it smooths and seals the cuticle to prevent that halo of frizz from creeping back in. If your hair tends to puff up the second you step outside (hi, me), this shampoo gives you a fighting chance—especially if you pair it with the matching conditioner. Just beware if you have a wheat allergy or celiac, since this is made with protein derived from the plant.
Best Keratin Shampoo for Textured Hair: Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Shampoo
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Original photo from Neha Tandon testing Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Shampoo
- What we love: Deeply nourishing for curls without heaviness; great detangling
- What’s worth considering: Bottle design is a little bulky for small showers
Textured hair needs moisture and protection. Loved by Tandon, Dickson, Cavalcante, and Los Angeles hairstylist Elizabeth Rexroat, Davines offers a formula that’s creamy and rich, yet somehow still lightweight enough to rinse clean without residue. “It leaves my curls feeling moisturized and defined, not puffy or frizzy,” says Tandon. “And the smell is luxe without being too much—it feels like I’m borrowing the expensive stuff from a fancy friend.” Keratin and rice proteins strengthen, while grape phytoceuticals bring antioxidant protection, making this one of the most well-rounded options for curls, coils, and waves. “Gentle yet rich, this one’s ideal for dry or damaged hair,” says Cavalcante. “It deeply hydrates and strengthens thanks to a blend of proteins and natural oils.”
Best Keratin Shampoo for Damaged Hair: Nexxus Keraphix Damage Healing Shampoo
- What we love: Deeply reparative for chemically processed or fried hair
- What’s worth considering: May be too heavy for fine or low-porosity hair types
There’s damaged hair, and then there’s post-bleach, multiple hot tools, maybe even extension-damaged hair. Nexxus Keraphix is made for the latter. A special “ProteinFusion” blend—keratin and black rice—that targets the kind of internal structural damage you can’t fix with a leave-in spray alone. If your hair feels gummy when wet or constantly tangles on itself, this helps restore strength and elasticity without making hair feel stiff or overloaded.
Best Keratin Shampoo for Scalp Care: Virtue Recovery Shampoo
- What we love: Repairs hair and calms scalp in one step; noticeably strengthens over time
- What’s worth considering: Pricey
This one’s a bit of a unicorn in that it takes your scalp into account, too. Virtue’s star ingredient is a bioidentical protein that mimics what your hair is actually made of. It binds to damaged areas to restore strength, but the formula also includes baobab seed oil and hydrolyzed quinoa for moisture and soothing benefits. If you’re dealing with dry hair, flaking, or general scalp irritation and you want smoother hair, this clarifying shampoo checks both boxes.
Best Vegan Keratin Shampoo: Vegamour Hydr-8 Hydrate and Repair Shampoo
- What we love: Vegan and cruelty-free without sacrificing performance; deeply hydrating
- What’s worth considering: Less smoothing than traditional keratin formulas
Traditional keratin is animal-derived, which can be a deal-breaker if you’re vegan. Vegamour’s Hydr-8 line uses a plant-based protein alternative that mimics the strengthening effects of keratin, paired with marula oil and murumuru butter for serious softness. You won’t get the same ultra-sleek finish as a salon-grade formula with hydrolyzed keratin, but if you’re looking for a cleaner, cruelty-free option that still smooths and strengthens, this is a standout.
Best Sulfate-Free Keratin Shampoo: Keratherapy Moisture Shampoo
- What we love: Safe for post-treatment hair; gentle yet effective cleansing
- What’s worth considering: Ultra-hydrating formula may be too heavy for fine or oil-prone hair
If you’ve had a keratin treatment, or just want to baby your hair with as little harshness as possible, a sulfate-free shampoo is non-negotiable. Keratherapy’s Moisture Shampoo is specifically designed to extend the life of in-salon smoothing treatments, using keratin and argan oil to reinforce damaged strands while locking in shine. It lathers more than you’d expect for a sulfate-free formula, and it leaves your hair feeling clean but not squeaky. Think of it as the shampoo equivalent of a cashmere sweater: soft, protective, and kind to sensitive types.
All your keratin shampoo questions, answered
Keratin is the stuff your hair is literally made of—structurally speaking. When your hair starts to feel weak, frizzy, or just…off, a keratin-infused product can help fill in the gaps where that natural protein has worn down. “Keratin is a protein component in hair that is the structural basis for healthy hair,” says hairstylist, and owner of STRND Premium Hair Studio, Elizabeth Rexroat. “Keratins in our products provide strength, improve elasticity, and can reduce frizz and damage.”
Do keratin shampoos really work?
Short answer: yes—but like most things in hair care, it depends on the formula. “Keratin smooths and strengthens the hair. It also adds so much shine,” says hairstylist Lona Vigi. In other words, keratin can be transformative—but like protein in your diet, more isn’t always better. “Yes, keratin shampoos really do work, but not all are created equal,” says Rexroat.
“Some are only going to give you a strengthening element, which isn’t always the best for the hair,” she continues, saying that too much strength and not enough moisture will harden the hair to the point that it can’t bend and move in its natural way. “That will actually leave you with more breakage.”
This isn’t an everyday shampoo for everyone. Unless your hair is particularly fragile or processed, you’re better off alternating it with a moisturizing formula to keep everything balanced. “Keratin shampoos are best used in rotation with moisturizing shampoos, especially if your hair isn’t severely damaged or chemically treated. Balance is key when it comes to protein care,” says Cavalcante.
Who is a good candidate for keratin shampoo?
If your hair feels like it’s been through something—frequent coloring, heat styling, weather-induced puffiness, thinning hair—you’re probably in the target demographic. “Keratin shampoos are especially great for damaged, frizzy, or chemically treated hair,” says Rogerio Cavalcante, hairstylist and founder of Second Floor Salon.
“I will recommend a keratin shampoo to a client who just had a blonding service and needs to replenish the moisture and strength that the color service altered,” says Rexroat. “I will also recommend it to the client whose hair breaks while brushing and has a ‘snowing’ effect [dandruff] even when taken the best care of.”