how to fix dry damaged hair

The 17 Best Hair Masks to Help Transform Dry and Damaged Hair

Even if your ends are dryer than the Sahara.

17 Best Hair Masks For Dry and Damaged Hair in 2020 That Actually Work — Images courtesy of Ulta, Nordstrom, and Amazon

A great hair mask for dry and damaged hair is like your wash day's MVP when it comes to boosting moisture, strength, and the health of your hair overall. While leave-in conditioners and regular rinse-out options can also be helpful for keeping your hair hydrated, the best hair masks and deep conditioners are optimized with intensely hydrating ingredients like coconut and almond oils to help retain moisture, detangle knots, and fortify your strands even further.

For dry and damaged hair types—whether you have color-treated or natural and tightly coiled hair—hair masks can also add softness, shine, and thickness when your hair needs it the most. If you're looking to find the perfect complement to your go-to shampoo and conditioner, we've pulled together a list of best-selling, raved-about hair masks from brands like Amika, Pattern, and Olaplex—many of which we've written about before—that might come in handy if you've been looking to expand your hair-care regimen or aren't able to access your regular salon treatments right now.

All products featured on SELF are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Target

Mielle Overnight Hair Mask

We love how this overnight mask—which features shea butter, avocado, and coconut oils—leaves your hair feeling super hydrated once it's rinsed out in the morning. It's ideal for curly or natural hair types looking to maximize their beauty rest.
Amazon

Curls the Green Collection Bamboo Protein Treatment

This protein treatment is a SELF Healthy Beauty Award winner for dry hair types and is made with dermatologist-approved ingredients, like hydrolyzed keratin, to provide optimal hair hydration.
Dermstore

Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Deep Conditioning Mask

For particularly dry hair, experts recommend mixing a moisturizing hair mask, like this one from Briogeo (which is a beauty editor favorite), with a protein treatment once a month. Doubling up helps you reap the benefits of both types of hair treatments, for extra-soft, strengthened hair.

Sephora

Kérastase Paris Resistance Length Strengthening Mask

All you need are a couple of walnut-size amounts of this strengthening mask and less than 10 minutes to help fortify weak, brittle hair.
Nordstrom

Oribe Moisture and Control Deep Treatment Masque

This deep treatment mask from cult-favorite brand Oribe recently won a SELF Healthy Beauty Award for the best deep conditioner for damaged, natural hair.
Amazon

Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector

Known for its supremely nourishing hair-care essentials, Olaplex is a cult-y salon favorite professionals love using on color-treated hair. We've raved about how the treatment strengthens hair from within and smoothly glosses over brittle, overprocessed strands.

Amazon

L'Oreal Elvive Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm

This hairstylist-recommended hair mask lends extra shine to hair and uses ingredients like almond, protein, and ceramides to smooth out hair cuticles.
Ulta

Pattern Heavy Conditioner for Coilies

This buzzy deep conditioner from actress Tracee Ellis Ross's hair-care line, Pattern, is made for tighter textured hair in need of extra moisture. Its creamy formula features ingredients like avocado and safflower oil, with floral notes of neroli, rose, and patchouli scents.
Sephora

Shu Uemura Ultimate Reset Hair Mask

Hair stylists love recommending this color-safe, restorative mask to clients with damaged, thinning hair, since it "imparts a smooth texture and smells divine."

Nordstrom

Christophe Robin Regenerating Mask With Prickly Pear Seed Oil

This cult-favorite rejuvenating mask from French colorist Christophe Robin uses prickly pear seed oil and plant ceramides to penetrate the hair follicle and provide concentrated moisture to excessively dry hair.
Amazon

It's a Ten Miracle Hair Mask

This creamy hair mask is a tried-and-true essential among professionals and is ideal for nourishing color-treated or heat-styled hair that needs some extra care.
Amazon

Moroccanoil Restorative Hair Mask

This fast-acting and protein-rich treatment from Moroccanoil helps rebuild hair strength and elasticity in about five to seven minutes, with hydrating ingredients like argan oil and shea butter that help seal in moisture. True to Moroccanoil products, it has a fresh, fruity scent to it too.

Amazon

Amika Soulfood Nourishing Mask

Fans of Amika's dry shampoo may be familiar with the sea buckthorn-infused scent of this best-selling mask, which can be used as a weekly deep conditioning treatment or daily conditioner.
Dermstore

Ouidad Curl Immersion Triple Treat Deep Conditioner

Anyone with curls or coils will appreciate this supremely rich deep conditioner from Ouidad that uses three types of oils (coconut, avocado, and grapeseed) to infuse hair with added moisture, but without weighing it down.
Sephora

Living Proof Restore Repair Hair Mask

This creamy, nurturing mask from Living Proof helps repair existing dry, damaged hair, while protecting it from future heat or color damage at the same time.

Dermstore

Rahua Omega 9 Hair Mask

For drier, color-treated hair, this rahua- and sunflower-seed-oil-infused mask helps replenish moisture while managing frizz. As an added aromatherapy bonus, it's also scented with lavender.
Target

Kristin Ess Strand Strengthening Reconstructive Moisture Mask

For people on a budget, this intensive moisturizing mask is only $14 and easily accessible at Target. Hairstylist Kristin Ess's strengthening moisture mask strengthens weak areas of the hair and smooths hair cuticles, while mending split ends in the process.

Tiffany Dodson is the commerce writer at SELF, starting with the title in early 2017. Whether first-person or curated round-up, each of Tiffany's stories are fueled by her knowledge of beauty, style, and wellness trends. Fun fact: She's also known to moonlight as a branded content model for the magazine.... Read more

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