Whether your hair is damaged from styling products or chemical treatments, a good hair care routine that is catered specifically for overly processed hair can help prevent a bad situation from getting worse. Additionally, it would help if you remembered that the products you use on your normal, non-processed hair would differ from what your processed hair needs. Most times, your old products can be quite drying on your over-processed hair. Well, you don’t have to worry anymore because, in this article, we have listed the 11 best products for over-processed hair that will repair any damage and strengthen your lovely strands. Keep reading to know more!
11 Best Products For Over-Processed Hair To Keep It Happy And Healthy
1. Best For Color-Treated Hair:BIOLAGE Advanced Keratindose Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray
If you are looking for the perfect leave-in conditioner that works wonders on over-processed hair, then your search ends here. The Pro-Keratin Renewal Spray by BIOLAGE works great on dry, tangled hair without causing any annoying buildup that will weigh it down. It can be used on chemically and color-treated hair without compromising the texture or the color. The formula is packed with keratin which ensures that your strands are strong and get frizzy. We highly recommend this product on naturally wavy or curly hair because it won’t ruin your hair pattern and keep it intact even when you go to bed. All you have to do is spray it on, 4 times a week, on freshly washed hair and gently comb it out with a wide-tooth comb for the best results. Pros
Doesn’t cause buildup Easy to apply Tames frizz Mild fragrance Suitable for wavy/curly hair Detangles
Cons
May contain alcohol
2. Best For Heat Styling:SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Leave-In Conditioner
This hair mask is excellent for over-processed hair that is long and dry towards the ends. The hydrating formula is made with natural ingredients like Jamaican black castor oil and shea butter, which help nourish each strand and increase its elasticity; this helps prevent breakage when you’re brushing your hair out. This leave-in conditioner is perfect for people who regularly straighten, perm, or use any heat to style their hair. It also works great on people who have loose or tight-coiled curls. The conditioner works by creating a hydrating layer on your hair shaft; this retains moisture and prevents any split ends. Use this product for over-processed hair, once or twice a week, for a few months straight, and you will notice soft and healthy hair. This product is deemed a holy grail for people with curly hair because it knocks frizz and flyaways right out of the park. Pros
Hydrating Strengthens and protects Suitable for loose and tight curls Nourishing natural ingredients Tames frizz and flyaways Suitable for heat and chemical processed hair
Cons
May leave a greasy residue
3. Best For Thick Hair:Kerastase Discipline Bain Fluidealiste Smooth-In-Motion Shampoo
This shampoo is a cult favorite amongst salon professionals, and with good reason! The gentle formula doesn’t strip your hair or make it drier than before; rather, it nourishes each strand, making it soft and shiny. The shampoo is infused with morpho-keratine complex technology, and it’s sulfate-free, so it’s specially created for sensitized and color-treated hair. It also contains a surface perfector that ensures that your hair is detangled and uniform after every wash; the high precision care agent restores your hair’s natural touch and gives it a nice weightless effect. The shampoo is suitable for humid and hot weather, especially if you have thick hair that frizzes up easily. Pros
Anti-frizz protection Optimal hair manageability Detangling Smoothening Softens Enhances the natural movement of your hair Strengthens each strand Sulfate-free
Cons
May not be suitable for fine hair
4. Best Affordable Option:Carol’s Daughter Almond Milk Restoring Conditioner
Everyone knows that almonds are filled with vitamins that benefit your hair, and this conditioner does just that! The nourishing formula is made from almond milk and is aimed at repairing super-damaged hair. It also has shea butter, aloe vera, and proteins aimed at all types of curly hair because it moisturizes each strand from top to bottom. The formula is lightweight and won’t weigh your hair down, no matter how much you apply. The moment you slather on the conditioner, it creates a protective layer on your hair that shields it from harmful external factors like heat and pollution. Also, the product makes the detangling a breeze, so you don’t have to worry about any snags or breakage while styling your hair. In the end, you will surely be delighted with your shiny and bouncy curls. Pros
Lightweight Suitable for all types of natural and processed curls Detangles Stimulates hair growth Shields and strengthens weak strands
Cons
Some may find the fragrance strong
5. Best For Shiny Hair:Majestic Cosmeceuticals Premium Quality Pure Coconut Oil Hair Mask
You can never go wrong with coconut hair oil, can you? But what about when it comes to over-processed hair? Won’t it damage your precious strands even further? Well, fear not because this coconut hair oil mask will fix all your hair woes, even on chemically processed hair. This potent repair mask is filled with the goodness of coconut fats and vitamin E, which are crucial factors responsible for hydrating and nourishing your hair. The hair mask ensures that each strand is deeply conditioned and hydrated so that it results in a silky texture and a brilliant shine. We recommend that you use this mask twice a week, just before you wash your hair, and keep it on for 20 minutes. If you have thick, long hair that is damaged due to heat or chemicals, then this mask is the savior your strands need. Pros
Hydrating Suitable for thick straight or curly hair Doesn’t fade color Shine enhancing Strengthens hair shaft
Cons
Must not be applied directly to the scalp
6. Best pH Balanced Formula:GIOVANNI 50:50 Balanced Hydrating Clarifying Shampoo
Update your hair care products for over-processed hair by adding this clarifying shampoo. The formula is a potent blend of vitamins, nutrients, and proteins that enhance hair strength while keeping it dry and lifeless. It is infused with gentle ingredients like aloe vera, rosemary, and botanical extracts specially designed to hydrate over-processed and damaged hair. Unlike ordinary clarifying shampoos, this one cleanses your scalp without stripping any moisture. The formula is quite gentle and can be used every day without worrying about split ends or dull hair. Also, it’s great for sensitive scalps because it won’t trigger any itching or nasty allergic reactions while ensuring your hair is hydrated, moisturized, and pH balanced. Pros
Vegan Cruelty-free Sulfate-free Gentle formula Suitable for frequent use Hypoallergenic Suitable for fine hair
Cons
Some may find the consistency thin
7. Best For Healthy Hair:MATRIX Total Results the Re-Bond Shampoo
Turn your fried and over-processed hair around with this game-changing shampoo by MATRIX. Not only does it make your scalp squeaky clean by removing any annoying product buildup, but it also primes and fortifies your bonds. This shampoo formula is targeted at hair that has been damaged due to excessive chemical processes and heat styling. We highly recommend this shampoo for people who have damaged platinum blonde/bleached hair. With consistent use and a rigorous hair care routine, your hair will start feeling soft and healthy. This is also an excellent purchase for people allergic to/overwhelmed by synthetic fragrances because the formula is unscented and won’t irritate your olfactory senses. Pros
Unscented Suitable for bleached damaged hair Removes product buildup It can be used on oily scalps Reduces frizz and breakage
Cons
May trigger dandruff on dry scalps
8. Best For Oily Scalp:Theorie: Sage – Helichrysum & Plum – Nourishing Shampoo
Most people concentrate on the mid or ends of their hair strands when treating over-processed hair; but, not many focus on the scalp and hair follicles while cleansing. This shampoo ensures that your follicles are hydrated and your scalp is clean with every wash. It is specially formulated for chemically or heat-damaged hair that is now dry and brittle. The color-safe formula contains natural ingredients like common sage oils, ginkgo leaf extract, and Mediterranean strawflower extract, which keep your hue from bleeding out while moisturizing your beloved tresses. Haircare professionals from all over highly recommend this purple shampoo for bleached hair, mainly to prevent it from getting brassy or looking dull/lifeless. You can use this shampoo frequently, and it will not strip any of the natural oils or leave it in a tangled mess. Pros
Suitable for oily scalp Prevents color from fading Suitable for bleached hair Detangling Contains natural ingredients Removed product buildup Easy to rinse
Cons
May contain SLS
9. Best Drugstore Option:Neutrogena Triple Moisture Deep Recovery Hair Mask
You can use this hair mask on colored hair once a week to experience soft and shiny hair. The deep conditioning formula is designed to hydrate the driest and dullest colored hair strands and transform them into shiny, healthy locks that you won’t stop running your fingers through. It contains olive, meadowfoam, and sweet almond oil extracts that go deep within each hair strand and moisturize it to the fullest. The naturally derived ingredients also form a protective barrier around your hair, which prevents any external damage as well. We recommend that you slather on the conditioner on wet hair; after shampoo, leave it for 3 to 5 mins and wash it off to get the best results. Pros
Naturally derived ingredients Suitable for color-treated hair Hydrating and strengthening Shine enhancing Detangling
Cons
May not be suitable for type C curly hair
10. Best For Hair Elasticity:ELC Moisture Leave-In Treatment
Suppose your hairstylist has recommended a leave-in treatment that is light and protects color-treated hair. In that case, we suggest you choose this product. Not only will it infuse some much-needed moisture into your dried strands, but it will enhance the hair’s elasticity as well. The lightweight formula contains natural ingredients like organic olive oil, pomegranate oil, and other botanical oils that protect your hair against sun damage and extend the vibrancy of your hair color. You must use this product every time you use any heat styling product to maximize the color’s life. In addition, the formula is soft, has a mild scent, and is non-greasy, so you don’t have to worry about it leaving any residue after application. Pros
Lightweight Non-greasy Natural moisturizing ingredients Extends color vibrancy Heat protecting Mild scent
Cons
May not be suitable for thick hair
11. Best For Split Ends:fave4 hair Repair It Right Conditioner
Now don any style with your favorite heat tool without the fear of dry, damaged hair, thanks to this leave-in conditioner that protects your strands and strengthens them as well. The lightweight formula contains soy and rice proteins, along with lavender extract and sunflower seed oil, which protects your hair from sun damage and hydrates it from within. It is suitable for colored or chemically processed hair, and it will eliminate any frizz while taming flyaways as well. Spray all over your hair, especially at the ends, to prevent any splits before using your curling iron or blow dryer to get the desired results, which is super soft and shiny hair! Pros
Lightweight Refreshing scent Heat protecting Prevents split ends Tames frizz Easy to apply
Cons
May not be long lasting
Now that you are aware of the top products for over-processed hair available online, you have to know the essential components to look for when choosing one that meets all your needs. Keep reading our buying guide to know more!
How To Choose The Best Products For Over-Processed Hair
Protection
When looking for products that can repair damaged and over-processed hair, you have to look for stuff to protect it from future damage. This will encourage a healthy and shiny new growth that will help you start new and take better care of the new growth. Also, look for products that save your hair from sun damage and styling tools, as the heat can cause the color to fade and make the hair texture all dry and brittle.
Hydrating
Hydrating and moisturizing ingredients are crucial because they bring life to dull, lifeless strands. Look for products that have naturally derived oils because they go deep within the hair shafts and repair any damage done by heat or chemicals.
Formula
If you want to avoid any frustrating product buildup, you need to look for formulas that work with your hair type. For instance, if you have processed dry and curly hair, you will need creamy and oil-based formulas because they will keep the strands moisturized. If you have fine hair, along with an oily scalp, then look for lightweight formulas that are non-greasy but settle well on your strands.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Kirtana Divakar, is a hair care enthusiast. She knows that dull, damaged, and chemically processed hair needs extra TLC. So, she went through hundreds of online reviews to compile a list of the best products for over-processed hair. These products are specially formulated for dry, brittle, and processed hair. They help detoxify any leftover chemicals and toxins without stripping hydration hair moisture. How can you fix over-processed hair? You can follow certain steps and use hydrating products that will help reverse the damage and protect your hair in the long run as well. Here are some points you can follow:
Use a hair mask before using a shampoo. Ensure that clarifying shampoo is specially made for over processed hair Don’t use any long-hold products as they can dry your hair Avoid using any heat tools
What helps fix over-processed bleached hair? Products rich in natural botanical oils like olive, coconut, argan, sweet almond, and lavender oils help fix bleached hair as they infuse protein into the strands. You can also invest in good-quality leave-in conditioners for long-lasting hydration. What is suitable for dry, over-processed hair? As mentioned before, having a good and consistent hair care routine that contains natural moisturizing ingredients can help repair dry, over-processed hair.