Keratin shampoo is a favourite for frizzy, unruly hair. Learn what keratin is, how keratin shampoo works, who it suits and how to use it.
If your hair frizzes the moment it sees rain, or never quite looks smooth after a blow-dry, a keratin shampoo could be the missing step in your routine. In this guide we explain what keratin is, how keratin shampoo works, who it suits and how to use it, plus how it compares to argan oil shampoo.
What Is Keratin?
Keratin is the protein that hair, skin and nails are naturally made of. Each strand of hair is covered in a protective outer layer called the cuticle. When the cuticle is smooth and flat, hair looks shiny and feels sleek. When it is raised or damaged — from heat, colouring, brushing or humidity — hair looks frizzy, rough and dull.
How Does Keratin Shampoo Work?
Keratin shampoos are formulated to cleanse while helping hair feel smoother and more manageable. They are designed to support the look and feel of a smooth cuticle, which is why people use them to fight frizz and make styling easier.
It is worth knowing that a keratin shampoo is not the same as a salon keratin treatment. A salon treatment is a longer process that lasts for weeks; a keratin shampoo is an everyday product you use at home to keep hair smoother between washes and styles.
Benefits of Keratin Shampoo
- Frizz control: helps hair feel smoother, especially in damp or humid weather.
- Easier styling: smoother hair is quicker to blow-dry and straighten.
- Softer feel: reduces that rough, straw-like texture on dry lengths.
- Great after salon treatments: many people use keratin shampoo to maintain smooth, sleek results at home.
Who Should Use Keratin Shampoo?
- People with frizzy, unruly or wavy hair that puffs up easily
- Anyone who straightens or blow-dries their hair regularly
- People who want a sleeker, smoother finish
- Anyone maintaining a salon smoothing treatment
How to Use Keratin Shampoo
- Wet your hair thoroughly.
- Massage a coin-sized amount into the scalp and work it into a lather.
- Let the lather run through the lengths, then rinse well.
- Follow with a conditioner on the mid-lengths and ends.
- Blow-dry in a downward direction, nozzle pointing down the hair shaft, for the smoothest finish.
Our Savon de Royal Miracle Smooth Perfect keratin shampoo pairs well with the biotin Ultimate Repair conditioner.
Keratin Shampoo vs Argan Oil Shampoo
Both are excellent, but they solve slightly different problems:
- Choose keratin shampoo if frizz is your main issue and you want a sleek, smooth finish.
- Choose argan oil shampoo if dryness and damage are your main issue and you want softness and shine.
Many people alternate between the two. Read our argan oil shampoo guide or try the Repair Expert argan oil shampoo.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use keratin shampoo every day?
Yes, it is designed for regular use. If your hair is fine, every other day may be enough.
Is keratin shampoo good for curly hair?
It can help curls feel softer and less frizzy. If you want to keep volume, use it alternately with your usual shampoo.
Will keratin shampoo straighten my hair?
No. It helps hair feel smoother and more manageable, but it will not permanently change your hair's natural pattern.
Shop Keratin Shampoo
See our full shampoo range: keratin, argan oil, collagen and shea oil formulas in 500ml bottles, sold in value cases of 12.