12 Best At-Home Keratin Treatments for Smoother, Sleeker Hair

Products are independently selected by our editors. We may earn an affiliate commission from links.

There’s no way around it: salon keratin treatments are pricey and time-intensive, often taking several hours to achieve that pin-straight finish. Enter the best at-home keratin treatments—a more time-efficient (and certainly more budget-friendly) alternative designed to soften texture and smooth frizz. Even better, there’s no shortage of options to choose from.

Vogue’s Favorite At-Home Keratin TreatmentsBest For Sleek Hair: Answr At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit, $70Best Serum: Virtue Damage Reverse Serum, $60Best For All Hair Types: Gussi At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit, $65Best Customizable: GK Hair The Best Smoothing Keratin Treatment, $175In This StoryDo At-Home Keratin Treatments Really Work?What’s the Difference Between an At-Home Keratin Treatment vs. a Salon Service?How To Prepare for an at Home Keratin ApplicationMeet The Experts“At home, you’ll find keratin in a few different forms—there are kits that mimic salon treatments with smoothing formulas and heat-sealing steps; daily serums, deep-conditioning masks infused with keratin to soften and control frizz, and everyday shampoos and conditioners that help maintain smoothness over time,” celebrity hairstylist and colorist Dimitris Giannetos tells Vogue.

Ahead, we’ve curated the best at-home keratin treatments to tame your mane, straight from the comfort of your own bathroom.

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

At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit

Why We Love It: The ultimate keratin trio, Answr’s at-home kit features a spray-on keratin treatment paired with a complementary shampoo and conditioner. Powered by 100% vegan keratin, the brand’s patented formula works to smooth the hair cuticle, restoring softness and delivering a mirror-like shine. In the meantime, the included shampoo and conditioner help maintain frizz-free results for up to three months.Key Ingredients: Keratin amino acids, grape fruit extractMore To Know: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, silicone-free, alcohol-free, Vegan, cruelty-freeHow To Apply: On clean, dry hair, the brand advices 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.Best For All Hair Types: Gussi At-Home Keratin Treatment KitGussi Haircare

Keratin Treatment Kit

Why We Love It: Gussi delivers a foolproof at-home keratin treatment that only takes one hour from start to finish. Infused with keratin and a powerful blend of peptides to strengthen hair bonds, the formula also features vegetable proteins and botanically-derived oils to smooth frizz and enhance shine. The result? Visibly healthier-looking hair with reduced breakage for up to four weeks. Unlike many traditional salon formulas, Gussi’s treatment is formaldehyde- free. While results may vary depending on hair porosity and texture, the brand promises smoothing benefits for all hair types—curls included.Key Ingredients: Glyoxyloyl Keratin Amino Acids, hydrogenated Castor Oil, Dipropylene Glycol, Aloe Leaf Juice, Glycerin, Tocopherol, Niacinamide, Pea Extract, Castor)Seed Oil, Hydrolyzed Pea ProteinMore To Know: Fromaldehyde-free, Sulfate-free, cruelty-freeHow To Apply: Start by washing your hair twice with Gussi’s priming shampoo to prep your hair. Once out of the shower, apply and comb through the keratin treatment, allowing it to sit for 30 minutes. After, rinse and thoroughly dry your hair. The final step requires flat ironing hair in small sections to activate the treatment. For curly hair types who want to keep their ringlets but achieve smoother strands, you can immediately rinse your strands after straightening to return hair to its bouncy glory. Gussi recommends waiting five hair washes for those with color-treated hair before applying their treatment.Best Serum: Virtue Damage Reverse SerumVirtue

Damage Reverse Serum

Why We Love It: Virtue’s serum features its patented, vegan keratin protein designed to replenish lost keratin and fill in follicle damage. Meanwhile, peptides and a mushroom extract act as a hyaluronic acid alternative to hydrate and fortify strands, improving overall elasticity. Best of all, there’s no multi-step application process here. This cream-to-serum formula applies like any other post-shower styling product.Key Ingredients: Peptides, tremella mushroom polysaccharideMore To Know: Color safe, paraben-free, phthalates-free, sulfate freeHow To Apply: Apply to clean, damp hair using two to three pumps from below the roots to ends.Best Hair Mask: Olaplex No.3 Hair PerfectorOlaplex

No. 3 Hair Perfector

Why We Love It: Rather a full-blown keratin treatment, Olaplex’s at-home deep conditioning mask acts as a weekly treatment to revive damaged hair. It contains keratin and other ingredients, such as soy protein, vitamin E, vitamin A, and amino acids. You’ll get smoother and softer hair results without needing to lock in the treatment with heat styling.Key Ingredients: Glycerin, jojoba seed oil, citric acid, sweet almond oilMore To Know: Paraben-free, sulfate-free, phthalate-free, gluten-free, vegan, color-safeHow To Apply: After shampooing, opt for this mask in lieu of your conditioner. Ring out hair and apply from roots to ends until fully saturated. Leave the mask on for up to 10 minutes and then rinse thoroughly.Best for a Quick Touch Up: Oribe Mirror Rinse Glass Hair TreatmentOribe

Mirror Rinse Glass Hair Treatment

Why We Love It: Adding Oribe’s Mirror Rinse will revive your keratin results as the treatment starts to fade, adding colorless shine to all hair textures. Plant-derived humectants create a lightweight, moisture-retaining barrier while softening to detangle. A blend of watermelon, lychee, and edelweiss flower extracts boasts antioxidant properties to defend against photoaging and keratin deterioration from sun exposure.Key Ingredients: Watermelon, lychee, edelweiss flower, polymer blendMore To Know: Sulfate-free, cruelty-free, Keratin-safeHow To Apply: According to the brand, After shampooing, squeeze out excess water and apply from mid-length to ends in place of conditioner. For thick, coarse, or extra dry hair requiring more replenishment, apply after conditioner. Leave on for up to one minute then rinse thoroughly.Best for Keratin Upkeep: K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair MaskK18 Biomimetic Hairscience

Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

Why We Love It: Another keratin-safe product, the K18 leave-in hair mask, has gone from a TikTok viral product to a salon mainstay for repairing damaged hair. The popular bond-repair treatment uses the brand’s signature biotech-developed peptides to reconnect broken bonds caused by bleaching, color, chemical treatments, and heat. After use, hair appears stronger, smoother, and bouncier.Key Ingredients: K18 Peptide, hydrolyzed wheat protein and wheat starchMore To Know: Vegan, color-safe, cruelty-freeHow To Apply: Apply to clean, damp hair after the shower. Wait four minutes before combing or styling.Best for Quick Shine: Davines Naturaltech Nourishing Keratin SealerDavines

Naturaltech Nourishing Keratin Sealer

Why We Love It: Consider this spray from Davines the ultimate finishing touch—an extra dose of shine to perfect your post-keratin routine. This protective and strengthening leave-in fluid seals the hair cuticle to ward off future split ends, thanks to a blend of vegetable keratin and hydrolyzed rice protein. The best part? Hair looks noticeably shinier and feels softer after just one use.
Key Ingredients: Hydrogenated farnese, hydrolyzed rice proteinMore To Know:How To Apply: Apply evenly on towel dried hair to conclude the Nourishing routine, distribute the product with a comb and follow with the usual styling routine.Best Customizable: GK Hair The Best Smoothing Keratin TreatmentGK Hair

The Best Smoothing Keratin Treatment

Why We Love It: Complete with a precision brush for easy application, this heavy-duty formula stars Juvexin—a plant-based protein derived from quinoa and peas—designed to fortify and repair damaged strands. A nourishing blend of natural oils and plant seed extracts works in tandem to smooth texture and fight frizz. Depending on how long you leave the treatment on, you can customize your results—from subtly tamed waves to sleek, pin-straight lengths.Key Ingredients: Quinoa protein, pea protein, glycerinMore To Know: Paraben-free, Vegan, Sulfate-free, Phthalate-free, fromaldehyde-freeHow To Apply: Start by washing with a clarifying shampoo to prep the hair, then towel dry and brush thoroughly. Using the included application brush, apply the treatment to half-inch sections, starting at least a quarter inch from the scalp to prevent irritation. Make sure each strand is fully saturated, then let the product sit for 40 to 60 minutes. After, rinse and dry your hair completely. To seal in the treatment, flat iron each section—passing over strands two to four times.Best for Sensitive Skin: Epres Bond Repair Treatment Starter KitEpres

Bond Repair Treatment Starter Kit

Why We Love It: Those looking to repair damage rather than mask it can opt for Epres’s bond-repair treatment, which works similar to a traditional mask without the heaviness or buildup. The brand’s 100% vegan treatment can also be used overnight to repair chemical, mechanical, and environmental damage.Key Ingredients: Diethylhexyl maleate, oleyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, etearamidopropyl dimethylamineMore To Know: color safe, vegan, cruelty-free, scalp safeHow To Apply: Unlike other products, Epres recomends applying their treatment to dry, unwashed hair—don’t worry, even if you’re using styling products, the bond repair treatment will still penetrate your hair follicles. Pour one concentrate vial into the included spray bottle, filling the rest of the bottle with water (tap, distilled, or bottled—dealer’s choice!). Shake well and then spray onto hair until fully saturated. Leave on for at least 10 minutes before washing, or sleep on it overnight. Repeat once to twice weekly.Best Blow Dry Cream: Keratin Complex Infusion Keratin ReplenisherKeratin Complex

Infusion Keratin Replenisher

Why We Love It: Say you’re a regular blow-dry brush user. In that case, a keratin-infused blow-dry cream will not only fight against frizz and add shine but also add a dose of heat protection (two for one!). In addition to keratin, the lightweight formula also includes rosemary leaf extract to smooth strands and hydrolyzed wheat protein protects against heat damage. Meanwhile, soy protein locks out humidity to prevent unwanted poofiness.Key Ingredients: Soy protein, hydrolyzed wheat protein, rosemary leaf extractMore To Know: Sulfate-free, paraben-free, heat protectantHow To Apply: Apply to wet or dry hair, from mid lengths to ends prior to heat styling.Best for Beginners: Chi Keratin K-Trix 5 Smoothing TreatmentCHI

Keratin K-Trix 5 Smoothing Treatment

Why We Love It: Chi’s thermally-activated smoothing serum locks in moisture for frizz-free styles lasting up to five days. Ideal for beginners, there’s no complicated application with this at-home keratin treatment—simply work it through your hair before blow drying as you would any heat protectant.Key Ingredients: Keratin amino acids, hydrolyzed silk, argania spinosa kernel oil, jojoba seed oil, panthenolMore To Know: Cruelty-free, paraben-free, sulfate-freeHow To Apply: Before blow drying, apply a small amount to hair and work through evenly. Blow dry hair and follow with the CHI Ceramic Hairstyling Iron.Best on Amazon: Nutree Amazonliss Keratin Hair Treatment SetNutree

Amazonliss Keratin Hair Treatment Set

Why We Love It: It’s called a Brazilian Blowout for a reason—straight from the source (Brazil, of course!), Nutree’s anti-frizz treatment trio delivers long-lasting results of up to 16 weeks when used as directed. The system includes a clarifying shampoo, keratin treatment, and nourishing hair mask, each infused with hydrolyzed keratin and antioxidant-rich açaí and cacao to restore hydration, combat oxidative stress, and unveil a noticeably smoother, more manageable texture.Key Ingredients:More To Know: Cruelty-free, paraben-free, phlate-free, VeganHow To Apply: Each product in the trio is conveniently numbered to guide you through the application process. Start with the anti-residue shampoo, lathering thoroughly before rinsing clean. Towel dry, then section your hair into six equal parts for even application. The brand recommends wearing gloves to protect your hands during this step. When applying the keratin treatment, avoid the scalp by starting about an inch from the roots. Let the product sit for 40 minutes, then rinse thoroughly. Blow-dry and flat iron your hair during this time to fully activate the formula. To maintain results, avoid washing your hair for at least 72 hours. For added longevity, incorporate the repair mask between treatments to keep strands smooth and hydrated.Do At-Home Keratin Treatments Really Work?

The long and short of it is that while at-home, keratin treatments will work; they’re simply not as strong as a treatment provided in a salon, so managing expectations is key. “It’s important to know at-home keratin treatments won’t give you that pin-straight, glassy finish you’d get in a salon! At-home treatments are great for smoothing frizz, softening texture, and adding shine, but the effects are more subtle and won’t last as long,” says Giannetos. “Since at-home keratin treatments do noticeably improve the hair’s condition, I see them as excellent maintenance tools between professional services,” adds Heemskerk.

What’s the Difference Between an At-Home Keratin Treatment vs. a Salon Service?

“The primary difference is in the concentration of ingredients and the precision of the application,” says Heemskerk. “Professional treatments rely on high-performance formulas and controlled heat to restructure the hair fiber from within, offering longer-lasting, transformative results. At-home versions, by contrast, are designed for ease and safety, with gentler formulas that smooth the surface of the hair rather than altering its internal structure.”

How To Choose an At-Home Keratin Treatment

“I always tell clients to look for hydrolyzed keratin because it penetrates the hair better, and to avoid formulas with harsh sulfates since those can strip the treatment out. It’s a bonus if the product is heat-activated for longer-lasting results, and added hydrators like argan oil make a huge difference in keeping hair soft and shiny,” says Giannetos.

How To Prepare for an At-Home Keratin Application

The experts agree, preparation is key for optimal results. Heemskerk recommends always starting by cleansing the hair to remove any product buildup—a clarifying or gentle shampoo is ideal. Once the hair’s clean, Heemskerk suggests dividing it into manageable sections “for precise, even application.” Giannetos reminds us to resist the temptation to overload hair: “Remember that too much product can weigh your hair down. If your treatment calls for it, make sure use a blow dryer and flat iron to lock it in. I also recommend avoiding washing your hair for 48 to 72 hours after applying,” he says.

Dimitris Giannetos is celebrity hairstylist and colorist. His clients include Gigi Hadid, Amal and George Clooney, the Kardashians, and more.Kasper Heemskerk is an international Education Director & Brand Development Manager for Balmain Hair.