Keratin is the protein your hair is made of. When colouring, straighteners or the sun take their toll on it, the ends feel rough and tangle. Here we explain what a keratin mask does and how to get the most out of it.
Short answer: A keratin mask delivers hydrolysed keratin to ends damaged by colouring, straighteners or the sun: hair feels softer, detangles more easily and shines more. Use it once a week, after shampooing and instead of conditioner, from mid-lengths to ends, and leave it on for five minutes.
In short
- A keratin mask delivers hydrolysed keratin to ends damaged by colouring, straighteners and the sun.
- Use it once a week, after shampooing and instead of conditioner, from mid-lengths to ends, and leave it on for five minutes.
- It works best on hair that is free of silicone and product residue.
What a keratin mask does
It delivers hydrolysed keratin, in tiny fragments, to the hair fibre. What you notice is a softer feel, ends that detangle more easily and more shine. It is cosmetic care: it improves the look and feel of your hair, it does not "cure" or permanently seal split ends. Badly split ends can only be fixed with a trim.
Who it is for
- If you colour your hair or have highlights.
- If you use straighteners or a hairdryer every day.
- If your hair is dry, porous or prone to frizz.
- After summer, sun and chlorine.
How to apply it
- Wash with shampoo and remove excess water with a towel.
- Apply from mid-lengths to ends, never on the roots.
- Leave it on for 5 minutes. With gentle warmth (a hot towel) it penetrates better.
- Rinse with lukewarm water and finish with a cooler burst.
How often?
Once a week, instead of conditioner. If your hair is badly damaged, you can use it twice a week for the first few weeks.
Why cleanse deeply first?
If the fibre is loaded with silicone and product residue, the mask stays on the surface. That is why we recommend alternating it with a purifying shampoo such as RESET WASH.
What hydrolysed keratin is
Keratin is the protein hair is made of. In cosmetics it is used hydrolysed: broken down into smaller fragments that spread better along the fibre. That is why it appears on the INCI list as Hydrolyzed Keratin. It is of animal origin, so formulas that contain it are not vegan.
Mask, conditioner or leave-in
| Product | When | What for |
|---|---|---|
| Conditioner (DAILY SOFT, DEEP HYDRATION) | Every wash | Softness and detangling |
| Mask (MASK REPAIR) | Once a week, instead of conditioner | Ends damaged by colouring, heat and sun |
| Leave-in mist (KERAGLOSS) | After washing, before drying | Detangling, shine and touch-ups on dry hair |
Step by step, in detail
- Wash with shampoo in two rounds.
- Squeeze your hair with a towel: if it is dripping, the mask gets diluted.
- Spread a walnut-sized amount (more if you have long hair) from mid-lengths to ends, never on the roots.
- Comb through with a wide-tooth comb to distribute it.
- Leave it on for five minutes and rinse well.
Common mistakes
- Putting it on the roots: it weighs hair down.
- Leaving it on much longer: after five minutes the result does not improve.
- Using it on hair with residue: silicone and built-up product make it spread less well. A deep cleanse first, such as RESET WASH, helps.
- Using it every day: once a week is enough; use conditioner for the other washes.
Sources and references
- Hair Cosmetics: An Overview. M. F. R. Gavazzoni Dias, International Journal of Trichology (2015). Scientific review of surfactants, silicones, conditioners and protein hydrolysates in hair care.
- CosIng. European Commission. Official database of cosmetic ingredients: look up any INCI name on a label and see its function.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use it every day?
There is no need. Once a week instead of conditioner; on the other days, conditioner.
Is it suitable for fine hair?
Yes, always from mid-lengths to ends and without using too much. If fine hair gets weighed down, use it every ten days.
Is it suitable for colour-treated hair?
Yes. It is one of the cases it is designed for.
Is it vegan?
No. It contains hydrolysed keratin, which is of animal origin. It is not tested on animals.
How long does a 170 ml pot last?
With weekly use, about three months.
All the details on every product (who it’s for, how to use it, size, price, ECOCERT and whether it’s vegan) are in Nitiel in numbers.
Ours
MASK REPAIR contains hydrolysed keratin, shea and vitamin E, is ECOCERT COSMOS Natural certified and has 98% ingredients of natural origin. To finish, KERAGLOSS is the leave-in mist that keeps hair feeling soft between washes.
Note: MASK REPAIR and KERAGLOSS contain hydrolysed keratin, which is of animal origin, so they are not vegan.