We all know that haircare involves far more than simply choosing the right best shampoo and conditioner, particularly when you have natural hair. When you have textured hair, it's important to choose moisturizing leave-in conditioners, shampoos for natural hair, hair masks, and scalp treatments so that your hair can look its bounciest and healthiest. Because hair strands are made entirely of protein, it's also important to take in enough of this nutrient—ideally through your diet, but also through a topical protein treatment for natural hair.
"Hair is naturally made of protein, so when your hair lacks it, it's important to restore it with the protein it needs," says Kiara Brumfield, a chemist and cosmetologist who works in Product Development at Universal Beauty Products. "Protein treatments are a great way to repair hair strength and prevent breakage, which, in turn, can contribute to hair retention."
She adds that protein treatments can be the perfect pick-me-up for tired, over-treated, or damaged hair.
"Everyone needs protein but those who often chemically treat their hair, use excessive heat, or cause damage from constant style manipulation may need protein treatments more often," she explains.
Protein treatments are especially great products for natural hair, curly hair, and high porosity hair, particularly if you're experiencing dryness, frizz, dull hair, or weighed-down curls.
"Healthy natural or curly hair, with the proper amount of protein, has great elasticity, shine, and strength," she says. "But if there is a lack of protein it can cause curls to loosen and hair strand breakage, affecting the overall appearance."
If you're new to the world of protein treatments, you may be wondering when, how, and what to do from here. So I asked Brumfield to break down all there is to know about protein treatments—what to use, how to use it, and when.
When and How To Use a Protein Treatment
Incorporating new products into one's well-established hair wash routine is never easy or intuitive. Luckily, many protein treatments are created with ease of use in mind, so adding a new step can be quick and seamless rather than complicated and time-consuming. Brumfield breaks it down for us.
First, she says, "Make sure your hair is clean and free of any build-up before applying a protein treatment." Otherwise, "your hair will not be able to absorb any proteins from the treatment."
When in doubt? "Protein treatments should be applied by following the manufacturer’s instructions," she advises. So if the bottle says it should be applied to clean, build-up-free hair, be sure to cleanse before use. Then leave the treatment on for the time specified in the product's instructions, and wash out.
As for how often you should break out your go-to protein treatment, Brumfield advises, "Protein treatments should only be used when your hair needs it. Using protein treatments when your hair doesn’t need it will not have any benefits for your hair. You should only use protein treatments if you experience symptoms like breakage when combing, loose curl definition, or low elasticity."
Unlike deep conditioners, which can be incorporated weekly or even bi-weekly into your routine for maintenance, these treatments are more like triages for your curl woes.
Below, the most effective protein treatments money can buy, per hair experts and reviewers.
Shop The Best Protein Treatments for Natural Hair
- Best Protein Treatment for Damaged Hair: Curlsmith Bond Curl Rehab Salve
- Best Protein Treatment for Color-Treated Hair:
- Best Protein Treatment Overall: SheaMoisture Manuka Honey & Yogurt Hydrate + Repair Protein-Strong Treatment
This affordable protein hair mask is a number one bestseller on Amazon. It's great for mitigating and treating damage from all sorts of sources, from heat tools to UV damage to excessive coloring. It works after just one use, it suitable for all hair types and curl patterns, and never strips color from strands.
Pros: affordable; color-safe; fragrance-free
Cons: a little goes a long way, so it's easy to overdo it
Customer Review: "Don't overdo it because this is obviously a protein treatment, but I'm in amazement and I'm going to buy a ton of bottles... This is OUTSTANDING. There is also no fragrance." -Elizavecca
Countless reviewers swear by Olaplex for reviving hair that's been damaged by heat, bleach, dyes, and more. In addition to triaging breakage and split ends, the formula helps curls look more defined and minimizes frizz, no matter how humid it is outside. Simply apply it to clean, towel-dried hair and wash off after about 10 minutes. It's also great for those who suffer from a dry scalp—glycerin, one of its key ingredients, moisturizes skin as well as it does hair.
Pros: clean; color-safe; great for all curl patterns; repairs damaged hair; great for scalp health
Cons: high price for a small bottle
Customer Review: "This made my hair so soft!!! I have straight dark hair... Everyone always compliments me on how soft my hair is. I don't gatekeep, so I tell them I use this product!" -Sephora
This product from Mielle Organics was made with natural hair in mind, and it makes getting your protein fix easier than ever. It's a deep conditioner that can be used in place of or along with your regular conditioner during your wash day and/or once a week. Like many of Mielle's products, it's infused with rosemary and mint, and has a strong, fresh scent that many reviewers adore.
Pros: affordable; clean; cruelty-free; free of parabens and sulfates
Cons: mint scent is too strong for some
Customer Review: This conditioner has a thick, pudding-like consistency, making it easy to apply. It softened and detangled my hair in the shower very well. The scent is a pleasant lemony one and not strong. I like that it comes packaged in a tub rather than a tube which makes it easy to extract and enables all of the product to be used up. Also that all of the ingredients are organic Be warned though that upon rinsing out it can make your shower slippery." -Target
This treatment promises to restore damaged, limp curls to their shiny, defined glory within six weeks or less. Reviewers say that these effects often materialize in even less time, yielding soft, healthy curls that feel stronger even to the touch. The formula only needs to sit in clean hair for two minutes to work, and it's particularly beneficial for those with naturally thin strands and for those whose hair has been severely damaged by coloring and/or bleaching.
Pros: quick results; easy to use; affordable
Cons: strong smell
Customer Review: "Been using this product since high school. If you hair is damaged whether natural or relaxed I would recommend. Use directly as instructed." -Aphogee
This popular formula from Redken is recommended for use one to three times a week, for three to five minutes each time it's applied. Reviewers write that they immediately noticed an improvement in how bouncy and healthy their curls looked, and users with damaged hair attest that this treatment made their hair look and feel stronger with just a few uses.
Pros: great for repairing damaged hair; perm-safe; good for all hair types and curl patterns
Cons: contains sulfates
Customer Review: "This protein is great for damaged/bleached or permed hair. I use it when I wash my hair, put conditioner over it, then rinse it out after a few minutes. It makes your hair stronger/bouncier." -Ulta
This protein treatment is made with two different types of protein. The first is Alpha Keratin 60ku (did you know that your hair is made entirely of keratin?), which specifically targets damage to reduce the appearance and incidence of breakage. The second protein is Amaranthus Caudatus Seed Extract, which is a plant-based protein with antioxidant properties that enhances (and never strips!) color and helps hair to better retain moisture in the long-term.
Pros: color-enahncing; protein-rich; moisturizing; shine-enhancing
Cons: may be too rich for thin hair
Customer Review: "I love hair masks and this one is great. The mask smells amazing and it works well. I used a little with conditioner and I got great results. The mask is very thick so a little goes a long way." -Dermstore
Reviewers with curls and coils say that this pre-shampoo treatment saved their limp, dull curls, restoring shine and bounce. Because it fortifies individual strands to such an extent, it minimizes breakage, split ends, and shedding. Meanwhile, its hydrating ingredients help it detangle and reduce frizz. Customers say it's easy to use, but if you have long hair you may go through the bottle quickly.
Pros: vegan; cruelty-free; clean ingredients; supports all curl patterns; great for damaged hair
Cons: high price for a small bottle; strong smell
Customer Review: "I use this before washing my hair once every three weeks, it always leaves my hair super soft and it looks incredible every single time... [I] cannot recommend it enough if you've dyed your hair and want to get it healthy again!" -Ulta
I love SheaMoisture's products for the way that they hydrate curls without weighing them down, and I'm certainly not alone. Several reviewers with hair types three and four highly recommend this product for the way it softens and defines curls in just a single use. It requires only 10 to 15 minutes to work, and because it's so thick, a little goes a long way and one container will last you for ages.
Pros: cruelty-free; free of parabens, sulfates, phthalates, and silicones; made with natural hair in mind; affordable
Cons: strong smell
Customer Review: "This product really made a difference the first time I used it on my hair. My hair felt softer, moisturized, and was more manageable. My hair felt brand new." -Sally Beauty
This hair mask provides a powerful boost of intense hydration, and is made specifically for thick hair that needs a little TLC. Curly-haired reviewers are obsessed with how this mask hydrates and adds shine to their curls without weighing them down, and multiple people note that its floral fragrance is pleasant but not overwhelming. Per its name, it's made with thick hair in mind, so it may be too rich for thin hair.
Pros: gentle scent; cruelty-free; enhances shine; reduces frizz; fast-acting
Cons: contains sulfates; expensive
Customer Review: "This hair mask is amazing! I have healthy hair, but my ends do tend to get pretty dry, even with frequent trims and bond building treatments. The jar holds a lot of product and will definitely last a while as the mask itself is very thick! My hair feels even better than when I leave the salon!" -Sephora
Meet the Expert
Kiara Brumfield is a chemist and licensed cosmetologist. A graduate of Howard University, she currently works in product development at Universal Beauty Products and is based in greater Chicago.
