The best protein shampoos noticeably strengthen and restore hair, halting or slowing breakage and helping you achieve that luxurious mane you're hoping for. There are several types of proteins used in shampoos. While they can do an excellent job of improving the condition of your hair, temporarily repairing split ends, and benefiting fried hair, you should generally use them as just one item in a larger arsenal of hair products because overuse could do more harm (usually in the form of breakage) than good.
Not all protein shampoos are created equal, so finding the best one for your hair may take some trial and error. What works for thick, unruly hair may not be the one for fine hair that's going through a major bout of breakage after bleaching. There are some, however, that consistently get good reviews and acknowledgments from beauty publications. The following nine protein shampoos offer premium formulas and dramatic hair transformations, and while there are pros and cons to each, we've laid it all out so you can find the one that's right for you.
The Aveda Damage Remedy Restructuring Shampoo says it can be used daily or weekly. It contains quinoa protein, coconut, and babassu (a type of Brazilian palm). Aveda recommends this product for damaged or chemically treated hair, and it's part of a four-step restructuring system. Reviewers with sensitive skin rave about its gentle and nourishing formula.
What We Like
▪ Good for sensitive skin
▪ Ultra-moisturizing
▪ Good for fine hair
▪ Lightly scented
What We Don’t
▪ High price point
Redken Extreme Shampoo can also be used daily on any type of distressed hair. It's designed to make hair shiny, soft, and strong by adding protein back in, preventing breakage, and healing split ends. It uses 18-MEA for shine, ceramide for breakage, and an interlock protein network to strengthen hair inside and out.
What We Like
▪ Strengthening
▪ Fortifying
▪ Good for overly processed hair
What We Don’t
▪ High price point
When a product has received nearly 60,000 five-star ratings, it's pretty much a given that it delivers impressive results. Olaplex No. 4 Bond Maintenance Shampoo has a serious cult following in the beauty community, and taking a peek at the before-and-after photos in the reviews will make you see why. It works on all hair types, offers intense hydration, and the lightweight formula won't weigh down fine or thin hair.
What We Like
▪ Good for fine hair
▪ Smoothes and softens
▪ Reduces frizz
What We Don’t
▪ High price point
▪ Watery consistency
Avalon Organics Thickening Biotin B-Complex Shampoo has biotin, saw palmetto, quinoa protein, and vitamin E. For fine, thinning hair that could use a boost in strength, this could be the perfect solution. It's designed to make hair feel thicker, stronger, and softer while stimulating the scalp so hair will grow. It's paraben-free, organic, sulfate-free, and reviewers love that it makes their hair look and feel shiny, strong, and healthy.
What We Like
▪ Organic formula
▪ Low price point
▪ Good for fine hair
What We Don’t
▪ Smaller bottle
▪ Dispenser prone to leakage
The OGX Anti-Breakage Keratin Oil Shampoo is a winner for several reasons, like its accessibility (get it in any drugstore or Ulta), its price (less than $10.00), and eco-friendly materials. This product is made with sulfate-free surfactants, argan oil, and keratin proteins. Plus, the tropical scent makes it a customer favorite.
What We Like
▪ Low price point
▪ Fortifying
▪ Good for long hair
▪ Tropical scent
What We Don’t
▪ Can make hair feel weighed-down
Another OGX pick (also under $10.00 and available in drugstores), Thick & Full Biotin & Collagen Shampoo, uses wheat protein to strengthen and volumize the hair and won the Self Magazine Healthy Beauty Awards title for Best Volumizing Shampoo. Reviewers love how their hair smells after they use this shampoo, plus how hydrated, soft, and strong it feels.
What We Like
▪ Volumizing
▪ Hydrating
▪ Low price point
▪ Strengthening
What We Don’t
▪ Can be too heavy for fine hair
The Bain de Terre Keratin Phyto Protein Strengthening Sulfate-Free Shampoo is not only sulfate-free but contains no parabens and is listed as color-safe. It uses wheat, corn, and soy proteins along with argan and monoi oils to strengthen and moisturize the hair, leaving you with a silky, manageable mane. Reviewers love that it isn't harsh and makes their hair feel strong and healthy.
What We Like
▪ Strengthening
▪ Restores shine
▪ Good for color-treated hair
What We Don’t
▪ Strong perfumey scent
Serious damage requires serious solutions, and this Keraphix Shampoo With ProteinFusion from Nexxus is powerful enough to transform even the most dry, brittle, and overly processed locks. The formula is infused with keratin protein, which repairs each strand from the inside out. Hair shows visible signs of healing from just one use, and more than 6,000 customers have given it a perfect five-star rating on Amazon.
What We Like
▪ Good for severely damaged hair
▪ Good for curly hair
▪ Ultra-moisturizing
What We Don’t
▪ Dispenser prone to breakage
Vitamins Keratin Shampoo Hair Treatment is infused with biotin, collagen protein, and caster oil, making it a perfect fit for hair that's prone to split ends or breakage. The clarifying effect removes build-up and offers itchy scalp relief, and the gloss-enhancing glaze promotes incredible shine. The formula is cruelty-free, sulfate-free, and paraben-free.
What We Like
▪ Clarifying
▪ Good for curly hair
▪ Promotes hair growth
▪ Anti-breakage formula
What We Don’t
▪ Smaller bottle
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