As someone in their late 30s, my hair has suffered immense wear and tear over the years. From poor at-home dye jobs, daily straightening and swimming in salt water, I've put my locks through a lot. If you’re anything like me, tending to your dry tresses is a daily struggle and requires multiple conditioning treatments. Hair masks for damaged hair are having a moment on social media, and experts are ready to weigh in on the hype.
According to Dr. Dara Spearman, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder/owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana, a hair mask is “a deep-conditioning treatment designed to nourish, repair and hydrate hair.”
Not to mention, “masking is one of the easiest things you can do at home to make your hair look healthier,” Juan Carlos Maciques, a celebrity, editorial and runway hairstylist, previously told Shop TODAY.
Say goodbye to brittleness by shopping our curated list of expert-recommended and editor-tested hair masks for damaged hair. Scroll down to score affordable and award-winning products from well-known brands like Sun Bum, Moroccanoil, Kérastase and more — starting at only $10. We also included a few tried-and-true winners from our Shop TODAY Beauty and Hair Awards to help round out the list.
Affordable editor favorite$15.00$15.00
Best bond-building treatment$22.50$30.00
The benefits of using a hair mask for damaged hair
Spearman explains that hair masks are thicker and more concentrated than regular conditioners, ultimately providing more intense benefits.
The India-based dermatologist spells out the various benefits of hair masks for damaged hair below:
- Adding moisture: “For dry or damaged hair, masks with ingredients like oils (argan, coconut or jojoba) or butters (shea or mango) can provide intense hydration,” Spearman says.
- Repairing hair: “Some masks are formulated with proteins (like keratin or silk) to strengthen weak, brittle hair and restore elasticity,” she continues.
- Controlling frizz: “Masks with smoothing ingredients like honey or aloe can help manage frizz and add shine,” Spearman adds.
- Nourishing scalp: “Some masks target the scalp, using ingredients like tea tree oil or charcoal to cleanse or balance oil production,” she suggests.
That’s not all, though. “Hair masks help balance the pH of your hair by restoring its natural acidic level, which typically ranges from 4.5 to 5.5,” states Mandy (Mandy B. Beauty) Buechner, a certified trichologist at Thairapy Wellness Center.
“This slightly acidic environment keeps the hair cuticles smooth and closed, preventing damage, frizz and moisture loss,” she concludes.
Ryan Hill, a licensed colorist and hairstylist since 2005, also noted that “for color treated, frequently heat-styled or generally damaged hair, you want to have hair masks that are bond-building but also moisturizing.”
Expert-recommended and editor-tested hair masks
Commerce editor Vivien Moon loves how this budget-friendly treatment has improved her hair instantly. "It's rare that a product works immediately and this one really does," she says. "I am impressed each time I use it because it's so quick. You don't need to use it too often, but it does make a huge improvement right away. The way it revives my hair in seconds is a miracle and I will keep repurchasing this for as long as they make it. My hair immediately looks silkier, softer and shinier after each use."
Garlin tested this NatureLab hair mask on her dry, damaged hair and instantly fell in love. “Unlike other hair masks that I’ve tried, this one doesn’t just target your strands, it contains ingredients to promote scalp health, too,” she explained.
“This mask gives me the ‘90s blowout of my dreams; my roots are lifted and they stay lifted throughout the day. My coworkers always say my hair looks great when I walk into work,” added Garlin.
Associate editor Shannon Garlin is a super fan of this nourishing mask from Kristin Ess. “My hair has been blonde, red and brown so it’s suffered a lot of damage and dryness,” she said. “This mask is really moisturizing and makes my hair look shiny after using!” raves Garlin.
Production associate Audrey Ekman loves how silky this mask makes her hair feel and how it smells “just like bananas!”
“It was actually the brand’s first-ever hair product and was based on a homemade mask made by surfers to repair their hair after hours in the sun and salty waves — but it works its wonders on my dye-damaged locks year-round,” said Ekman.
“For dry or dehydrated hair, this is packed with argan oil and nourishing ingredients to deeply moisturize and smooth the hair while enhancing softness and shine,” explains Spearman. “It’s especially good for thick or coarse hair,” she adds.
Associate editor Emma Stessman said this mask made her damaged hair feel more hydrated and softer after years of bleaching. “I was originally sent a sample from the brand and have repurchased it on my own multiple times, because I love it so much,” she explained.
Hill previously suggested this Olaplex treatment for anyone looking for a hair mask that offers bond repair. Formulated with glycerin and jojoba seed oil, this detangling mask is designed to strengthen breakage and can reverse hair damage in as little as three minutes, according to the brand.
"I started using this hair mask around its launch time in August and it couldn't have been better timed ahead of the start of the driest season," says Ekman. "Fall always wreaks havoc on my hair, which harbors some damage from dying my hair for years. But this mask makes my hair feel silky smooth, tames frizz and helps my wild ends lay neatly with the rest of my hair."
Deputy managing editor Jess Bender recently recommended this keratin mask to her mom, who saw positive results from day one. "My mom's always looking for new hair products to revitalize her strands after stressing them out with her dye jobs," she shares. "Luseta's a brand that our team swears by for their highly effective products at reasonable prices, and their keratin hair mask (sent courtesy of their PR team) was an instant winner. From her first use, you could immediately see her tresses looking less frizzy and brittle, which gave we an instant confidence boost."
"I'm a sucker for a hair mask that smells great, and this one really is marvelous," shares Moon. "It also helps keep my hair feeling healthy and moisturized. I love that it's for all hair types and that you can really see improvement over time. I also have thin/fine hair, and this doesn't weigh it down."
Commerce writer Jannely Espinal also swears by this hydrating hair mask with ceramides as well. "I exhausted the entire jar of this honey-infused hair mask," she admits. "My hair is very dry, curly and frizzy due to years of heat exposure. This mask always leaves my hair lustrous and hydrated compared to other ones I use. This one is ideal if you have very dry hair as it is super concentrated, plus the addition of ceramides and hyaluronic acid offer an extra shine to your strands."
Garlin also recommends this Color Wow Money Mask that she uses to the very last drop and is suitable for fine, medium and thick hair. “It’s really hydrating, minimizes frizz and leaves your hair looking shiny,” she explains. “I also like that it doesn’t feel heavy on the hair.”
"I recently ran out of my favorite hair mask, so I've been picking up travel-sized versions of new-to-me options to spruce up my hair routine a bit," notes Bender. "Out of all the ones I've tried so far, this Christophe Robin find is my favorite (which is unfortunate for my bank account). A quarter-sized dollop and five minutes is all it takes to take my frizzy, stressed-looking hair into something that I spent time caring for, thanks to how concentrated the conditioning is."
Award-winning hair masks
Senior associate Donna Pilikyan loved how this this Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner for best budget hair mask left her hair hydrated and smelled amazing. “I got a couple of compliments on the smell of my hair after I used this. I really like Mielle products and this one is no exception!” raved Pilikyan.
This Shop TODAY Hair Awards 2025 winner is a go-to of Bender’s and won’t break the bank at under $20. This conditioning mask helps strengthen hair and is suitable for all hair types, including dry, damaged hair.
Not only is this Hairtamin product a Shop TODAY Beauty Awards winner for best overall hair mask, but it’s also free of artificial colors and parabens. Infused with biotin, coconut oil, rosemary and vitamin E, this softening hair mask is designed to replenish dry, damaged hair.
This award-winning mask for curly hair is an all-time favorite of associate editor Kamari Stewart. “This mask left my hair feeling really soft and smooth,” she explained. “I noticed after applying a little to my roots (not too much), I didn’t have as much flaking/dryness as I usually do, so it definitely provides moisture and hydration,” she added.
Frequently asked questions
Spearman says that you should leave a hair mask on from five to 30 minutes (depending on the product), which allows the ingredients to penetrate deeply into the hair shaft.
However, you should always follow the instructions for the specific hair mask that you're using, as some timelines might differ.
Maciques advises that if your hair is overly wet, it won't absorb nutrients — so be sure to gently dry your hair after shampooing (and before applying the mask).
"And consider wrapping your hair in a warm towel fresh out of the dryer to help the formula penetrate more quickly and deeply,” he suggests.
Buechner says yes, you can use a hair mask if you have oily hair. "However, opt for a mask that is specifically formulated for your hair type — look for lightweight or clarifying options," she explains.
"Avoid heavy oils or thick masks, as they may weigh your hair down. Focus on hydration and repair instead of added oils," adds Buechner.
Buechner says the answer is no. "While a hair mask can provide deep nourishment, it’s not a direct replacement for your regular conditioner," she suggests.
"A conditioner is typically lighter and is used for daily maintenance, while a hair mask offers intensive treatment and is meant to be used occasionally," she explains.
“Using a hair mask that addresses both protein and moisture is essential for healthy, balanced hair," suggests Buechner.
"Too much protein without enough moisture can leave hair feeling stiff and brittle, while too much moisture without protein can result in weak, limp hair. That’s why it’s important to choose a mask that targets both needs, based on your hair type and condition," she advises.
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How we chose
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best hair masks for damaged hair by enlisting (and revisiting) the recommendations of one board-certified dermatologist and two hairstylists. We also asked our editors to share a few tried-and-true favorite products and including various award-winning picks.
Meet the experts
At Shop TODAY, our reporters interview a range of qualified sources and experts to capture a wide scope of perspectives on hair masks for dry, damaged hair. We also make sure that all expert guidance and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Dr. Dara Spearman, MD, FAAD is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder/owner of Radiant Dermatology Associates in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
- Juan Carlos Maciques is a celebrity, editorial and runway hairstylist based in New York City at the Oscar Blandi Salon.
- Ryan Hill has been a licensed colorist and hairstylist since 2005.
- Mandy (Mandy B. Beauty) Buechner is a certified trichologist at Thairapy Wellness Center.
