The Top 3 Hydrolyzed Proteins That Will Take Your Hair From Drab To Fab

Lately I have seen posts in a couple of forums concerning the hydrolyzed proteins that are starting to pop up in many conditioners.

Now, I don’t know about you guys, but in the beginning when I really started to get into healthy hair care information, I was very confused about hydrolyzed proteins and which was best for my hair type.

Since then I have done quite a bit of research on it because I really wanted to nail down how using hydrolyzed protein could possibly improve my hair’s health. This post will list 3 hydrolyzed proteins that can transform your hair from drab to fab.

What is hydrolyzed protein and how does it help put our hair in a healthy state?

Hydrolyzed protein is a protein that has been broken down to its essential amino acids. The process of hydrolyzing proteins helps them to penetrate our hair strands. Hydrolyzing a protein is super beneficial for us because these proteins will then strengthen our strands from all comprehensively, inside and out. That means better coverage and protection for our hair! This is so because the process of hydrolyzing the protein makes it small enough to replenish and preserve our hair so much so that it’s like hair on steroids :).

So with that said, how do we identify our hydrolyzed protein superstars?

1. Hydrolyzed Keratin

What is it?

Hydrolyzed Keratin is a strengthening protein that is extracted from sheeps’ wool. Since our hair is made up of a whopping 95% keratin it is great for repairing the hair strand.

How does it work?

Due to the similarities between hydrolyzed keratin and the keratin that is naturally found in our strands, hydrolyzed keratin works as an excellent “filler” for chipped cuticles and thinned strands.

This protein helps our strands gain softness, strength, and flatten cuticles by closing gaps along the length of the hair. It has also been known to mend split ends albeit temporarily.

How can I use it?

There are many shampoos, conditioners, and leave-ins that contain hydrolyzed keratin as a repairing protein. For ladies that have coarse, but high porosity hair, it is good to use conditioners that contain a light dose of keratin protein to help lay down those cuticles.

For ladies that have fine hair or chemically damaged hair, using a heavy duty keratin treatment can help add an extra layer of strength to your strands.

Where can I find it? 

Hydrolyzed Keratin has gained major popularity among many hair care product companies , so it is super easy to find products that contains this lovely protein. Just check the ingredient list!

2. Hydrolyzed Collagen

What is it?

Do you remember the Jell- O that you used to eat as a child? Well, you were essentially eating hydrolyzed collagen.

Hydrolyzed collagen is a protein that is known as being the gelatin that is extracted from the fat of animals, particularly the pig. Hydrolyzed collagen is one of the strongest and best strengthening proteins that one can use.

How does it work?

Hydrolyzed collagen creates a protective barrier over the strand and temporarily protects it from further protein loss in the strand.

How can I use it?

Like we mentioned, hydrolyzed collagen is considered one of the strongest proteins that we can use to strengthen our strands. But unlike hydrolyzed keratin, collagen should be used every once in a while.

Conditioners with a high amounts of collagen make a great deep strengthening treatment for ladies with fine strands. However, women with coarse strands may want to take caution in using conditioners with a lot collagen in them.

Using a highly concentrated  hydrolyzed collagen based conditioner can cause protein overload, which makes your hair hard and rough.

Where can I find it?

There are two great collagen based deep treatments: Aphogee* 2 step treatment (which has collagen listed as hydrolyzed animal protein) and Knoxx Gelatin. Yes! The Knoxx Gelatin Packs.

Many women who prefer a more “natural” hair regimen tend to use Knoxx Gelatin due to its ingredient list containing just one ingredient: hydrolyzed collagen.

3. Hydrolyzed Silk Protein

What is it?

Hydrolyzed Silk Protein is a protein that is a mixture of palm oil and natural silk amino acids. Unlike other hydrolyzed proteins hydrolyzed silk is used mostly for moisture and not strength

“A protein that MOISTURIZES?” Yes! for  all those of you who are not familiar with hydrolyzed silk, it has been touted by many women not only for its moisturizing properties, but for its ability to add luster, softness, and body.

How does it work?

Hydrolyzed silk creates a light film over the strands, which gives the hair a silky feeling.

How can I use it? 

Since hydrolyzed silk is a moisturizing protein, you can use it as often as you would like. Hydrolyzed silk cannot cause protein overload or sensitivity. You can use it in everything from your pre-poo to your leave in and have soft, luxurious hair every time.

Where can I find it? 

Like the new rush of keratin protein products that have hit the market, hydrolyzed silk is starting to become a hot new ingredient found in many conditioners.

You can find some hair products, such as Elasta QP*, which contains hydrolyzed silk. But if you cannot find any conditioners that contain this protein, you can actually purchase hydrolyzed silk from online ingredient supply stores such as From Nature With Love and Ingredientstodiefor.com.

Hope that helps guys, now go read those ingredient lists to see what hydrolyzed proteins you have been using on a regular basis!