The 12 Best Hair Breakage Treatments of 2024

Let’s start with the bad news first: Pretty much anything and everything we do to our hair can damage it. We’re talking about everything from brushing to heat styling to coloring to even spending time outdoors. Enter hair breakage remedies. “By using a hair breakage treatment, you can replenish the hydration of the hair, strengthen the inner core, and begin to rebuild the cuticle, all of which are key elements to regaining the health of the hair,” explains celebrity stylist Anthony Cristiano.

Hair breakage treatments fall into one of two categories—those that are hydration-based and those that are protein-based. He suggests alternating between the two; while hydration products can be used daily, protein-based formulas should be used slightly more sparingly since a build-up of protein may potentially make the hair drier and more brittle.

Ready to give your hair a little extra TLC? We scoured the internet, read through countless reviews, tapped two experts for recommendations, and even tried a few top-rated products for ourselves to compile this list of treatments that actually work.

Our Top Picks

• Best Overall: Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector at Amazon
• Best Drugstore: Pantene Miracle Intense Rescue Shots at Amazon
• Best Natural: Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil at Amazon
• Best for Bleached Hair: Matrix Total Leave-in Conditioner at Ulta
• Best Shampoo: Tresemme Keratin Repair Shampoo at Amazon
• Best for Fine Hair: Shu Uemura Silk Restorative Treatment at Amazon
• Best for Curly Hair: Nexxus Curl Pre-Wash Treatment at Amazon
• Best Fast Fix: Amika Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment at Amazon
• Best Castor Oil: Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil at Amazon
• Best Leave-In: K18 Biomimetic Leave-In Hair Mask at Amazon
  

Best Overall

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

$30 at Amazon $30 at Sephora $30 at Ulta

What We Like: Very effective, great for all hair types, and beloved by hair pros.

What We Don't Like: Super concentrated and can be overused.

This aptly-named product is the at-home version of an in-salon treatment that colorists love. The DIY option is just as beloved by pros and consumers and beauty editors alike, coming in at number one on this list. It uses a unique technology to help rebuild the bonds that are broken when hair is damaged and delivers impressive results after just a few uses. It’s a favorite of Cristiano’s. “The once-a-week treatment helps maintain the hair’s structure, strength, and overall luster,” he says.

Byrdie contributor Ashley Rubell tried out Olaplex’s Bond Maintenance System Kit (which includes this product, along with its shampoo and conditioner) and gave it a perfect five-star rating. She writes that the Hair Perfector felt like “a magic hair potion,” leaving her hair healthier, silkier, and stronger overall after each use.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: None | Size: 3.3 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Drugstore

Pantene Miracle Intense Rescue Shots

$15 at Amazon $9 at Target $8 at Walmart

What We Like: Affordable, easy to use, and very hydrating.

What We Don't Like: No protein-rich ingredients.

These single-use ampoules house the beloved drugstore brand’s most concentrated formula to date, a deep conditioning treatment that targets damage caused by heat styling, coloring, chemical processing, and more. It also helps prevent split ends and restores tons of moisture; happy reviewers (with all hair types and textures) rave about how well it works and the impressive effects they notice even after one use. 

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Yes | Size: 0.5 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Natural

Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil

$8 at Amazon $17 at Walmart

What We Like: Affordable, and great multi-tasker.

What We Don't Like: Coconut oil may cause acne.

Per Cristiano’s previous point, go ahead and use moisturizing and hydrating products with reckless abandon. Arguably the most natural option for this purpose? Straight-up coconut oil. This extra virgin, totally pure option is great for either dabbing onto damaged ends or even being used as an all-over mask—there’s really no wrong way.

Hair Type: Thick, dry | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 16 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Bleached Hair

Matrix Total Results Unbreak My Blonde Reviving Leave-in Conditioner

$25 at Ulta $17 at Walmart $25 at Jcpenney.com

What We Like: Repairs bleaching-induced damage, and great for all hair types.

What We Don't Like: Must use with accompanying shampoo and conditioner.

It may say "blonde" in the name, but this newbie is actually a good choice for anyone who lightens their hair (and lest we forget that hair bleaching is a prime cause of damage). It claims to balance the hair’s pH and reinforces the protein bonds while also conditioning hair to leave it generally softer and shinier—and stronger, too, of course. Reviewers rave about how good it makes their hair both look and feel.

Hair Type: Lightened | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Yes | Size: 5.1 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Shampoo

Tresemme Keratin Repair Shampoo

$10 at Walmart

What We Like: Easy to incorporate into your routine, and great for daily use.

What We Don't Like: Not as effective as when using mask.

Broadly speaking, damage-repairing treatments shouldn’t necessarily be used every day, but a reparative shampoo like this one can be. It’s a great way to make sure you’re getting a daily dose of hair repair. This sudser touts a bond-building technology to help strengthen hair while also keeping it protected from future damage. It smells amazing and leaves hair feeling noticeably softer, even pre-conditioner.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: No | Scent: Yes | Size: 20 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Fine Hair

Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Restorative Treatment

$65 at Amazon $73 at Sephora

What We Like: Great for fine hair, and ceramide-rich.

What We Don't Like: Pricey.

Those with fine hair are in a little bit of a tough position. Fine hair can be more susceptible to breakage, yet many products out there can tend to be too rich or heavy for finer textures, ending up weighing them down. Enter this pick, an effective solution to that catch 22. Argan oil, ceramides, vitamin E, intensely hydrate the hair from the inside, out. All you have to do is swap it out in place of your conditioner and leave it on for five to 10 minutes, once per week.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Yes | Size: 6 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best for Curly Hair

Nexxus Curl Define Ultra-8 Pre-Wash Treatment

$28 at Amazon $15 at Walmart

What We Like: Designed specifically for proteins in curls and coils, and quick and effective.

What We Don't Like: Adds an extra step to your routine.

The formulators behind this product discovered that certain proteins are two to six times more prevalent in curly hair than in straight hair. They used that knowledge to develop the unique protein blend in this treatment, a must for those with curly or coily hair. Work it through hair and leave it in for five to 10 minutes before shampooing as usual. After even one use, it helps strengthen curls, while also detangling, hydrating, defining the shape...you name it, it can do it. 

Hair Type: Curly | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: Yes | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: No

Best Fast Fix

Amika Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment

$32 at Amazon $32 at Sephora $32 at Revolve

What We Like: Works in seconds, and great for all hair types.

What We Don't Like: Can cause tangles.

Short on time? This wash-out speed demon works in, wait for it, just 60 seconds. Credit a bond-repairing technology that helps both undo existing damage and prevent damage super fast. It’s so effective that after just three uses, it leaves hair up to 2.4 times stronger and with 58% less breakage, making it one of our favorite bond-building hair products. Though the product works quickly, be gentle. Too much product or too rough an application can cause tangles.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 6.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Castor Oil

Tropic Isle Living Jamaican Black Castor Oil

$7 at Target $17 at Walmart $8 at Riteaid.com

What We Like: Clean formula, and rich in hair-loving ingredients.

What We Don't Like: Can be too heavy for fine hair.

Castor oil is another great option in the "ingredients that naturally strengthen" department. Anecdotally, many say that it helps with hair growth (though we do need to point out that there’s no scientific evidence backing up that claim). It is, however, rich in fatty acids, antioxidants, proteins, and vitamins, which are beneficial for both your scalp and hair. It also helps to lock in moisture and leaves hair beautifully shiny, too. Follow team Byrdie’s lead and massage a little bit into your mid-lengths and ends before using hot tools.

Hair Type: Dry, thick | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 8 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Leave-In

K18 Biomimetic Hairscience Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

$75 at Amazon $29 at Sephora View on K18hair.com

What We Like: One less step in your routine, and a little goes a long way.

What We Don't Like: Can feel sticky if you use too much.

Though it's on the pricier side, this leave-in treatment from K-18 is worth every single penny. Formulated with a patented peptide, this mask repairs hair damage from bleach, color, chemical services, heat, and more. It’s intended to be left in (meaning it doesn’t need to be washed out), but it starts reversing damage after four minutes. It’s safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair, and comes in a convenient, travel-friendly mini size, too.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Spray

Maya Chia Mane Agent Advanced Molecular Bond Repair

View on Mayachia.com $65 at Credo Beauty

What We Like: Superfine mist, lightweight, and potent science-backed formula.

What We Don't Like: Pricy.

This no-rinse bonding spray helps to deeply repair existing damage and protect against future breakage. The fine mist is great for all hair types, especially those with hair that gets weighed down by thicker products. Just because it’s lightweight doesn’t mean it lacks in potency; the formulation contains a proprietary Chiaplex complex that deploys a combo of chia seed extract, amino acids, and bonding molecules to repair broken hairs from the inside out. 

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Best Mask

Briogeo Don't Despair Repair Rice Water Protein + Moisture Strengthening Treatment

$44 at Sephora

What We Like: Nutrient-rich, and naturally fragranced.

What We Don't Like: Time-consuming.

This dual-action mask from Briogeo helps revive dry, damaged hair. It has two functions—one side pumps out a protein-rich formula, while the other doubles down on moisture—for easy multi-masking once a week. To use, it's recommended that you apply it after shampooing and wringing out any excess water. Then, once it's been lathered from root to tip, it should be left in for a minimum of 10 minutes. For an extra intensive treatment, you can sleep in it before rinsing it out.

Hair Type: All | Sulfate-Free: Yes | Scent: No | Size: 3.4 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes

Final Verdict

Top marks go to the Olaplex No 3 Hair Perfector—it's got a well-deserved following that literally sings its praises all thanks to a truly impressive strengthening formula. For a natural, supremely hydrating option, try the Viva Naturals Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil. This natural, classic formula is cold-pressed and unrefined, so every nutrient is preserved to nurture your hair back to life.

What to Look For in a Hair Breakage Treatment

Ingredients

Formulas that include reparative ingredients are key to restoring healthy hair. Look for moisturizing ingredients like coconut oil, avocado oil, castor oil, and botanical blends. Oils are especially effective at delivering hydration and maintaining it. In terms of application, however, try not to go overboard, as bond builders and other breakage treatments are typically potent and a little can go a long way.

Texture

Treatments come in many different forms, and depending on your lifestyle and needs, you’ll want one that works with you. Solid oils—that emulsify when warmed—are ideal for intensive overnight treatments. Creams are a great everyday product to apply after cleansing and right before styling. Liquid oils can be used interchangeably—either as a deep treatment or after styling.

Time

Incorporating anti-breakage products to your routine does just that—it adds an extra step. Keep time in mind when looking for a product, since some require more dedication than others. When time is of the essence, reach for the Amika Kure Multi-Task Repair Treatment, which works in just 60 seconds and delivers seriously impressive results after just three uses. The Shu Uemura Silk Bloom Treatment Hair Mask, on the other hand, requires the formula to sit in the hair for up to 10 minutes. Product like K-18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask, however, can stay in your hair and doesn't have to be washed out.

How We Researched

To compile this list, our team of editors and contributors spent hours researching the best products on the market in this category, evaluating their key features—like ingredients, shade range, or design—in addition to reviews from customers and other trusted sources. We then used this research to assign a star rating from one to five (five being the best; one being the worst) to certain products on the list.

Why Trust Byrdie

Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. Her hair is both fine, highlighted, and often styled with hot tools—AKA she makes sure to use a hair breakage treatment regularly. The Olaplex and Tresemme products featured in this round-up are two of her current personal favorites.

In addition to our own research, Byrdie also consulted with two professional hairstylists to get their top tips:

• Celebrity stylist Anthony Cristiano
• Nunzio Saviano, award-winning hairstylist and the owner of Nunzio Saviano Salon
  

According to our Diversity Pledge, 15% of products in our newly-published market roundups will feature Black-owned and/or Black-founded brands. At the time of publishing, we were not able to find enough hair breakage treatments from Black-owned and/or Black-founded businesses to meet this percentage. If you know of one we should consider, please email us at contact@byrdie.com and we will evaluate the product ASAP.