Dr. Sison is a board-certified dermatologist who practices in the Philippines and sees both medical and cosmetic dermatological cases on skin, hair, and nails.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 05-08-2023).
Table of Contents
To learn how to choose a hair mask that's fit for your needs, read through our buying guide below.
Not all hair is the same, which means that you can’t expect all hair masks to work for you. That's because certain formulas are only best used on certain hair types or concerns. Make sure to check the product's formulation and determine if it's best for your hair type.
For those who have coarse hair or if your hair strands are thick, go for richer oils like olive, avocado, coconut, and shea, which are packed with vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids that can revive your hair and boost its growth.
Hair masks are deep conditioners that contain more concentrated ingredients or more viscosity than regular conditioners. They contain cationic surfactants, long-chain fatty alcohol, or other lipid components. Cationic polymers are also used.
Oils in hair masks protect the hair from damage. Coconut oil was found to reduce protein loss from undamaged and damaged hair. It also has a high affinity for hair proteins and, because of its low molecular weight and straight linear chain, is able to penetrate inside the hair shaft.
Keratin, honey, and panthenol are just some of the ingredients that can help repair your hair and prevent further damage. Keratin is a protein that is naturally found in our hair and nails and is what gives them structure, so products with keratin can temporarily protect your hair and give it shine until it washes off completely.
Honey is a natural ingredient that seals in moisture, strengthens hair follicles, and boosts hair growth. It’s also rich in antioxidants which can prevent further damage. Panthenol is a B vitamin that repairs damaged hair by promoting hair elasticity and moisture retention.
The keratin in hair masks is actually hydrolyzed keratin. These are usually prepared from keratin-containing animal parts, such as feathers, horns, hoofs, hair, and wool, collected from discarded materials. It is then broken down into smaller fragments to fill in the gaps in the hair shaft. It can also enhance hair tensile strength.
Go for hair masks with powerful clarifiers like clay, charcoal, or apple cider vinegar. Clay and charcoal soak up oils to keep the roots clean, while apple cider vinegar balances pH levels to prevent excess oil production. You can also check for prickly pear seed oil, which exfoliates the scalp and adds a little volume to hair.
Clarifying ingredients are used to remove excess buildup of dirt, oil, and hair product residues. Just make sure not to overdo it to prevent irritation or drying of the hair and scalp.
That dryness can be solved by using hair masks formulated with rich, hydrating oils like coconut, castor, olive, and marula oil. These oils are heavy enough so they can shape and define curls while protecting and strengthening your strands.
Frizzy hair can be due to several factors such as friction, static buildup, and high relative humidity. Hair masks improve manageability by decreasing static electricity because they provide deep conditioning of the hair. Following combing or brushing, the hair shafts become negatively charged, causing the hairs to repel one another.
Conditioners and hair masks deposit positively charged ions on the hair shaft, neutralizing the electrical charge. They also improve manageability by reducing hair shaft combing friction by as much as 50%, and they smooth the hair cuticle to increase hair shine.
If you want to repair the damage, go for hair masks with a rich, creamy formula infused with oils such as macadamia, coconut, olive, and almond oil that can coat your hair and give it a glossy finish.
If you’re looking to preserve color, go for masks that contain linseed extract and rice protein. Linseed extract preserves the melanin content of your hair, while rice protein repairs oxidative damage.
Coloring of the hair makes use of hydrogen peroxide, ammonia, and dyes containing para-phenylenediamine. Hydrogen peroxide lightens the previous color by oxidizing melanin, and it causes the dye to “develop” and deposit color. Alkaline pH leads to swelling and disruption of the cuticle, allowing the dye to penetrate into the hair cortex.
Adverse effects of hair coloring include dull, brittle hair (especially with permanent color), allergic contact dermatitis, and staining of the skin. Look for ingredients like coconut oil because it can penetrate the hair shaft and protect it from further damage.
They also offer protection from heat styling. That’s why a lot of hair products usually use some kind of silicone in their formulation. Silicones form a waterproof coating that makes your hair less likely to absorb humidity, reduces moisture loss, and lubricates the surface to give it that smooth and silky feeling.
The downside is all that is temporary, and that shine you get is technically from that plastic coating on top of your hair, so it’s not recommended for people with curly and dry, brittle hair. Your actual hair strands haven’t improved, and that silicone coating may be stopping your strands from getting the nourishment they need.
Silicones are hybrid, inert, heat-resistant, and rubber-like polymers derived from quartz. Dimethicone is the most widely used silicone in the hair care industry. Dimethicone has the effect of protecting the hair shaft from abrasive actions.
Smaller molecules like hydrolyzed keratin can penetrate the hair shaft. These have positive charges; thus, it is possible that the negative charge of the damaged hair attracts the positively charged hydrolyzed keratin, neutralizing the electrical charges and reducing frizz and friction.
The downside is that keratin is an irreplaceable protein with respect to its mechanical and protective properties. Using these molecules for the hair does not replace or restore the damaged keratin.
From ₱1,611
This hair mask is a global bestseller, and satisfied customers can vouch for it! Olaplex's No 3 Hair Perfector Treatment can repair even the most damaged hair, thanks to its powerful active ingredients like vitamins A, C, and E, Aloe vera leaf juice, panthenol, and wheat amino acids. Not only does it repair damage, but it also prevents damage by strengthening the hair cuticles.
Best of all, it can be used by all hair types, including oily, curly, and chemically-treated. It's also pH-balanced, vegan, and free from nuts, gluten, parabens, and phthalates, so even those with allergies can use this. Countless reviews mention that it made their hair visibly healthy and silky smooth. Get yours now and try it yourself!
Volume | 100ml |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Damaged, Oily, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Retinyl Palmitate (Vitamin A), Ascorbic Acid (Vitamin C), Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Aloe barbadensis Leaf Juice, Panthenol, Wheat Amino Acids |
From ₱1,688
Get healthy, luxurious locks with the help of L'Oreal's Serie Expert Absolut Repair Gold Hair Mask! It's infused with gold quinoa and protein that restores your hair's natural shine and protects it from damage. Moreover, it has a cream-in-gel texture that feels light on the hair and doesn't leave any residue.
Although this hair mask is specifically targeted at those with dry and damaged locks, this can be used by those who recently bleached their hair, as mentioned in the reviews. Users also say that it helps reduce frizz and it made their hair softer. Given all these qualities, this is definitely worth the purchase!
Volume | 250ml |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Damaged Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Gold Quinoa, Protein |
From ₱696
Volume | 180g |
---|---|
Best For | Damaged Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Hydrogenated Rapeseed Oil, Tocopherol, Lactic Acid, Glycerin |
From ₱2,630
If you have weak, damaged, and lifeless hair and are looking for a treatment that contains naturally-derived ingredients, this product is your best bet! This hair mask is a cut above the rest because it doesn't contain harsh chemicals like sulfates, silicones, parabens, phthalates, DEA, and artificial dyes. Furthermore, it is safe for chemically-treated hair.
Its formulation includes all the best things for your hair, such as rosehip oil to tame frizziness, B-vitamins to repair damage caused by heat and chemical treatments, and algae extract to provide antioxidant protection for your tresses. Users applauded its hydrating quality, especially for thick, curly, and color-treated hair—though some say it's quite pricey. But if you're ready to shell out some money, applying this mask once a week will give you the intended results!
Volume | 236ml |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Damaged, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Rosehip Oil, B-vitamins, Algae Extract |
From ₱2,894.49
You might've heard that purple shampoos are a must for those who want to keep their blonde or bleached hair vibrant. Now pair that with a purple mask, and you'll get hair that's softer, brighter, and not brassy! Kérastase's Blond Absolu Purple Mask contains hyaluronic acid that strengthens the hair's cuticles, Edelweiss flower, an antioxidant that protects hair from future breakage, and ultraviolet neutralizers that tone down yellow undertones and brassiness.
Buyers said that it delivers its promises—this mask indeed neutralized their brassy tones and made their hair super soft. If you want to bring the best out of your highlighted blonde hair and protect it from damage, oxidation, and pollution, check out this product!
Volume | 200ml |
---|---|
Best For | Damaged, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Hyaluronic Acid, Edelweiss Flower, Ultraviolet Neutralizers |
From ₱1,750
Volume | 250ml |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Curly Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Noto Almond Seed Extract, Jojoba Seed Oil, Panthenol |
From ₱1,644.72
Volume | 200g |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Shea Butter, Sweet Almond Oil, Provitamin B5 |
From ₱1,450
Volume | 250ml |
---|---|
Best For | Oily Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Kaolin, Salicylic Acid, Charcoal Powder |
From ₱313.27
Human Nature boasts natural and cruelty-free products that are available at an affordable price. This hair mask is 99.52% natural, so it is guaranteed safe for all hair types, including thick, curly, and treated hair. Its main ingredient is virgin coconut oil, which prevents hair loss and locks in moisture.
To further moisturize and strengthen the hair, it also contains avocado seed oil, beetroot oil, and Aloe vera juice extract. Reviewers say this is their go-to hair mask, as it leaves their locks soft and tangle-free. They like its refreshing tropical scent, too, which stays on their hair 'til the next day.
Volume | 150g |
---|---|
Best For | Dry, Damaged, Curly, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Coconut Oil, Avocado Seed Oil, Beet Root Extract, Aloe vera Leaf Juice |
From ₱350
If you're on the lookout for a budget-friendly hair mask that'll tame your frizzy hair, this is the perfect product for you! TRESemme's Keratin Smooth Professional Weekly Treatment Mask is formulated with keratin complexes that coat your hair, leaving it soft and shiny the whole day. It also helps you deal with the humid weather in our country since it nourishes and protects from within.
Moreover, it's infused with sunflower seed oil and jojoba seed oil, which are rich in omega fatty acids, to repair damaged hair. Loyal users can attest to its effectiveness—they say that it keeps their hair straight and frizz-free for up to 2 days. They love its light scent as well and recommend it for rebonded or colored hair.
Volume | 400ml |
---|---|
Best For | Damaged, Color-Treated Hair |
Silicone-Free | Yes |
Notable Ingredients | Hydrolyzed Keratin, Sunflower Seed Oil, Jojoba Seed Oil |
Hair masks may differ on how long you should leave the product on your hair. Besides reading the instructions on the label, there are more ways to ensure you get the most out of your hair mask. Check out our tips below:
Follow the directions in the packaging and concentrate the hair mask from the middle part until the tip of the hair. Make sure to rinse thoroughly to avoid the buildup of the product residue in your hair and scalp.
Always consult a board-certified dermatologist to guide you on how you can care for your hair and scalp.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by Dr. Meg Sison.
Hair masks are more concentrated than regular conditioners so it is advised to use them once or twice a week.
Yes, just make sure to rinse the hair mask very well and concentrate the product on the length of the hair instead of the scalp.
It is recommended to shampoo prior to using the hair mask. There is no need to shampoo after using a hair mask because this serves as a conditioner that keeps the hair smooth and protects it from further damage.
The hair truly is one's crowning glory that should be well taken care of, especially if you do a lot of styling and other chemical treatments. Check out our recommendations for the best products that will make your locks strong, smooth, and shiny!
Re-editors: Andi Sanchez, Aprille Jarcia
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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