Keratin shampoos should definitely be on your shopping list, especially if you frequently undergo chemical processes to maintain your colored and styled hair.
Enter keratin shampoos, the heroes of the hair care world. Keratin is a protective protein that forms the foundation of your hair, skin, and nails. By strengthening your hair and making it smoother, keratin shampoos make it much easier to manage.
We’re here to guide you through the workings of keratin shampoos, where keratin comes from, and even provide you with a list of the top keratin shampoos available. So, you’ll be well-equipped for your next hair care purchase.
How keratin shampoo works
When you check the ingredient list on the back of the bottle, you should be able to find the words “hydrolysed keratin” or “keratin amino acids”. As long as keratin is in the ingredients list, it is a keratin shampoo.
While hair is usually made up of 89% keratin, Asian hair actually contains 94% keratin, which is almost 100%. It’s no surprise that keratin is responsible for your hair’s strength and resilience.
When some keratin is removed from your hair, the structure becomes unstable and your hair weaker, hence becoming damaged. Keratin shampoos help fill up the “holes” of your hair, stabilize the structure, and undo some of the damage.
This means your hair is stronger and smoother again and there is less chance of breakage. Keratin shampoos also help to reduce frizz.
There’s also no such thing as too much keratin for the hair, as your hair can only absorb a certain amount. Once the hair is ‘full’, keratin cannot be accepted anymore.
Compared to vegetable ingredients, keratin can fill up holes in the structure while vegetable ingredients plaster the surface, which is less stable.
Where keratin comes from
Keratin for hair repair used to come from human hair, but now is derived from animals. Hooves, feathers, animal hair, and horns are made from keratin.
It cannot be derived from plants and flowers as the keratin is not identical to the keratin in human hair. There is no such thing as synthetic keratin, which can be problematic if you’re going vegan or cruelty-free.
One example of animal keratin is sourcing it from wool, which has mostly the same amino acid composition as the keratin in human hair, so it can potentially repair your hair.
Keratin shampoo recommendations
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Shampoo Affordable!
TRESemmé is a trusted hair care brand and this keratin shampoo does not fail to deliver. Sourced from sheep wool, it promises 10 salon benefits in just one wash including soft and smooth hair, anti-frizz, and detangling.
It is designed to protect against seven different types of hair damage such as brushing, blow-drying, bleaching, colouring, curling, flat-ironing, and braiding.
It retails for RM35.90.
OGX Brazilian Keratin Therapy Shampoo
Formulated with a blend of coconut oil, keratin proteins, avocado oil, and cocoa butter, this shampoo strengthens and softens the hair while giving it a brilliant shine.
Supposedly this product smells richly of coconut oil and cocoa butter due to the ingredients, so you’ll be left with pleasant smelling hair too. This is definitely a keratin shampoo that works.
It retails for RM52.90. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Virtue Labs Recovery Shampoo
This shampoo is formulated with Virtue Labs’ Alpha Keratin 60ku which is apparently sourced from pure human hair and not animal products, which means the protein binds seamlessly to hair.
Ideal for all hair types, it works hard to fill in the cracks in the cuticle to heal strands and repair damage from heat, chemicals, and colour treatment.
It retails for RM187.
OUAI Medium Hair Shampoo
Ideal for all hair types, this keratin shampoo hydrates and nourishes your hair with babassu and coconut oils and adds shine with kumquat extract.
In the end, your dry and dull hair is left shiny and silky. What’s nice is that this shampoo has a lovely floral scent which reminds you of walking in a flower garden. One of the best keratin shampoos in the market? Definitely.
It retails for RM157.
Kérastase Resistance Bain Force Architecte
This keratin shampoo is combined with ceramide to strengthen the hair fibre from the inside and rebuild the hair, so the hair is soft and shiny and doesn’t break easily.
It also has Sève de Résurrection or “Resurrection Sap” which is taken from the leaves via high-temperature water-based extraction and mixed with tamarind gum to stimulate regeneration in the hair.
It retails for RM117.
CBD Professional Keratin Pro Daily Treatment Shampoo Most affordable!
Infused with vitamins and keratin, this keratin shampoo may be available at a super attractive price, but it doesn’t mean that it’s any less effective than other similar shampoos.
In fact, this promises to repair hair damage caused by UV, styling, ageing, and colouring, and deliver frizz-free hair for 72 hours.
On top of that, the shampoo comes in a pleasant scent so you’ll feel good after each wash. No wonder those who have bought it has been raving about it!
It retails for RM18.
Percy & Reed Give Me Strength Strengthening Shampoo
This keratin shampoo reduces hair breakage, improves strength, and promotes new hair growth. It contains nourishing ingredients like aloe vera, wheat proteins, and Sweet White Lupine.
What’s great is that this product is also sulfate free, paraben free, and silicone free, so it won’t strip your hair of its moisture and colour.
It retails for RM137.
L'Oreal Paris Elseve Keratin Smooth 72H Shampoo Affordable!
This keratin shampoo helps manage frizzy hair by smoothing is fibre by fibre so you can look forward to frizz-free tresses in three days,
In fact, you’ll already feel that your hair is smoother, softer, and bouncier within one wash, and over time, you’ll find that it gets progressively more manageable.
It retails for RM35.50. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Kerafill Keratin Treatment Shampoo
Containing keratin and highly concentrated collagen, this shampoo works on all hair types to smoothen and soften hair.
Besides repairing the fibres of your hair, this is also highly hydrating and contains smoothing agents so that your tresses look shininer and is easier to manage.
It retails for RM90. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Schwarzkopf BC Keratin Smooth Perfect Shampoo
German brand Schwarzkopf is known for its professional hair care products for more than a century.
This is why you’ll often see its products used at professional salons to care or style your hair.
For an effective keratin shampoo, consider the brand’s BC Keratin Smooth Perfect Shampoo.
This is designed to perfect hair from frizziness in humid weather – perfect for those of us in Malaysia!
It retails for RM60.
Joico K-Pak Shampoo
Great for frizzy and dry hair, this keratin shampoo nourishes hair from the roots.
Thanks to the exclusive Keratin Silicone Complex in its formula, the shampoo reconstructs the fibres of your hair while gently cleansing it, so that it can regain its elasticity, strength, and shine.
It retails for RM87.50.
ANSWR At-Home Keratin Treatment Kit
A new hair care brand to enter Sephora, ANSWR offers a h0me kit that lets you care for your hair with the help of keratin.
The kit contains a keratin shampoo, conditioner, as well as a keratin treatment.
The award-winning set is seen as an alternative to salon keratin treatments and is formulated with vegan keratin. Frizz-free results can last up to three months after one application!
It retails for RM305.
Hair System by Watsons Keratin Silk Shampoo Affordable
Besides cleansing hair thoroughly, this keratin shampoo also rebalances and nourishes scalp.
You’ll love that it works up a good lather and every wash feels very luxurious.
It retails for RM32.90. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Moist Diane Extra Smooth & Straight Shampoo Affordable
This shampoo contains Cuticle Keratin that can help manage and repair the damaged surfaces of unruly hair.
Besides looking forward to fantastic results, this keratin shampoo also has a gorgeous bottle and a pleasant scent to boot.
It retails for RM32.90. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Kerasys Advanced Repair Ampoule Shampoo
This keratin shampoo contains a powerful ampoule in its formula to deliver intensive nourishment to your hair.
After several washes, you’ll find that hair feels softer but stronger and you’ll see less damaged hair and less split ends.
It retails for RM59.90. There’s an ongoing promotion at the time of writing. Tap on the link for updated price.
Featured image credit: Glow with Nishi
