Experts On The Best Hair Masks For Sun Scorched Tresses (2025)

We’ve all been there: frazzled strands after one too many goes on the straightener. Matted bedhead hair in the morning. Tresses that have acquired a certain crunch after lots of sea and sun. If your hair is struggling to bounce back, it could be time to add a conditioning mask to your routine. “Hair masks provide an intensive treatment that helps restore essential nutrients lost through heat styling, friction, and sun exposure,” cosmetic chemist Fungai Ball tells Vogue, adding that they play a key role in repairing damaged bonds and sealing lifted cuticles. Choose the right formula, and the best hair masks can increase strength and elasticity, improve shine and manageability and reduce breakage.

Not sure what to look for? We asked experts for the ingredients they recommend, and tested several hair mask formulas to find the best.

Our top hair masks at a glance:

Meet the experts

What to look for in a effective hair mask

Though what constitutes effectiveness may differ depending on your hair type, our experts agree that the best hair masks are those that focus on hydration and repair – and by doing so, also offer protection against future wear and tear. “Beyond offering immediate nourishment, a well-formulated mask should also deliver targeted actives that strengthen various layers of the hair strand,” says cosmetic chemist Fungai Ball. These include:

  • Ceramides: Ball says these are vital to replenish the hair’s own natural ceramides, which “are lost due to heat styling, friction (such as brushing or combing), sun exposure, and both physical and chemical hair treatments.” She recommends looking for “hair-identical ceramides” as these maintain structure and strength by keeping the hair barrier balanced.
  • Oils: “I recommend anything with fatty oils, such as papaya, acai and seed oils,” Heather says, “especially to lock in moisture on maturing or damaged hair.” Kingsley adds that oils are beneficial because “when hair is coloured, bleached or past a certain length (longer hair = older hair), the hair’s natural fatty acid protective layer becomes worn away.” While you look out for oil-rich formulas, be sure to keep your hair type in mind.“If you have fine hair and your mask is rinsed off, but not shampooed away, oils should be lower down on the INCI [list].”
  • Amino acids: Ball describes amino acids as the “fundamental building blocks of hair” and recommends seeking formulas that contain them. Indicated on ingredient lists by names including peptides, arginine and hydrolysed elastin, they are crucial for rebuilding and reinforcing broken bonds, promoting stronger, healthier, and more resilient strands.

What’s not in a hair mask formula is equally as important. Since masks sit on the hair shaft for prolonged periods, it’s best to steer clear of ingredients that can penetrate and do more harm than good. “I recommend avoiding ingredients that can strip your hair of its natural oils and natural moisturising factors.” Ball says. “These include harsh surfactants and solvents like ethanol.”

What is better – hair mask or conditioner?

“Hair masks are formulated with a higher percentage of conditioning actives than normal rinse-off, post-shampoo conditioners,” trichologist Anabel Kingsley explains. Being more concentrated, they’ll work harder than your average conditioner to revive damaged hair. And because they are kept on the hair for longer periods, hair masks are also more restorative. “Left on the hair for anywhere from 10 minutes to an hour, masks have more time to penetrate and strengthen the strands.” she adds.

For damaged hair: K18 Leave-in Molecular Repair Mask

K18 Hair

Molecular Repair Hair Mask

  • Why we love it: This cult mask has earned a reputation for transforming fragile hair, and when we tried it, we were impressed. Harnessing the properties of a patented biomimetic peptide, it assimilates with keratin structures in your hair to knit together broken bonds. The result is fewer flyaways, sealed split ends and hair that feels stronger overall, even after intense heat styling and colour. You only need to use a small pump, so it lasts a long while, too.
  • Key ingredients: K18PEPTIDE™, hydrolysed wheat protein
  • Sizes: 15ml, 30ml

Read more: Everything You Need To Know About Derma Rollers For Hair Growth, According To Trichologists

Best for curls, kinks and coils: Bread Hair Mask

Bread Beauty Supply

Deep Conditioning Cream Hair Mask

  • Why we love it: With its rich, creamy consistency, this mask is ideal for curls that have lost their bounce. The formula is full of the kind of fatty acids our experts recommend for maintaining a smooth hair cuticle, and being silicone-free, a good choice for those whose hair loses moisture easily and needs regular hydration that’s not impeded by product build-up. We’re fans of the fact that there are humectants in its blend to draw water into the hair shaft – this is one that doesn’t sit heavily on hair, but moisturises from the inside out. Bonus points for the squeeze pouch packaging, which makes application a breeze.
  • Key ingredients: fatty acids, glycerin, shea butter, Kakadu plum extract
  • Sizes: 100ml, 354ml

The viral buy: Fino Hair Mask

Shiseido

Fino Premium Touch Hair Mask

  • Why we love it: One that the internet has gone wild for, this Japanese hair mask piqued our interest with reviews full of remarkable (and insanely glossy) before-and-after pics. Like slugging for the hair, it coats dry lengths in a miracle blend of moisturising factors. “Natural Moisturising Factors (NMFs) support the integrity of the hair’s moisture barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss,” says Ball, which we think explains how this hair mask made our strands feel like silk after just one use. For the best results, we recommend mixing it with water and slicking it over your ends – after rinsing, this gets you hair that’s run-your-fingers-through smooth.
  • Key ingredients: Royal jelly extract, squalane, dimethicone, hydrolysed protein
  • Size: 231g

Read more: What To Look For In The Best Shampoos For Hair Growth

For thirsty hair: Kérastase Nutritive Mask

Kérastase

Nutritive Masquintense Riche

  • Why we love it: Those with thick, dry hair that’s prone to frizz will find a saviour in this formula. It spreads like butter to fully saturate brittle strands, feeding hair a cocktail of proteins and vitamins. Thanks to amodimethicone – a thin, film-forming hybrid of amino acids and silicone – it also attaches to damaged areas and creates a protective shield. But unlike most silicones, this one is water-soluble and won’t leave heavy residue behind after subsequent washes.
  • Key ingredients: Hydrolysed plant proteins, niacinamide
  • Size: 200ml

The fine-hair friendly: Philip Kingsley Elasticizer

Philip Kingsley

Elasticizer Hair Treatment Mask

  • Why we love it: A classic for good reason, this mask works wonders on every hair type to bring back flexible strength. So if harsh colour treatments, mechanical damage or excessive heat have made your hair prone to snapping off, it’s a formula worth investing in. The main attraction here is hydrolysed elastin, which is small enough to permeate the hair cortex and restore healthy stretch. Despite its rich texture, Kingsley explains that it’s suitable for fine hair because “as a pre-shampoo mask, any heavy excess residue is washed away.” Editor’s tip: If you like a sensorial shower experience, opt for the peach-scented Honey & Nectar variant over the original, which is fragrance-free.
  • Key ingredients: Hydrolysed elastin, castor oil, glycerin
  • Sizes: 75ml, 150ml, 1000ml

Best leave-in: Fenty Hair The Comeback Kid

Fenty Hair

The Comeback Kid Instant Damage Repair Treatment

  • Why we love it: According to Ball, a good hair mask should target cellular damage within the hair shaft as well as protect and restore the hair’s surface. Fenty’s does all of the above with a balanced mix of bond-building proteins, plumping plant extracts and cocooning oils. Immediately softening on hair, we love its light fruity scent and the squeeze tube is a convenient plus. It fits in hand luggage and reliably tames holiday hair without making a mess.
  • Key ingredients: Chia seed extract, glycerin, arginine, rosemary leaf extract, Barbados gooseberry
  • Sizes: 60ml, 150ml

For fragile hair: Ouai Fine/Medium Hair Treatment Masque

Ouai

Fine - Medium Hair Treatment Masque

  • Why we love it: Too much sun exposure can contribute to damage as heat strips moisture and UV weakens keratin in your strands – especially on lighter hair colours that lack built-in protection from the sun. Enter Ouai’s hair mask, which sleekens straw-like tresses with hydrolysed keratin that acts like scaffolding for damaged lengths. A hit among blondes, the fine/medium variety is lightweight, colour-safe and great at restoring hydration to hair that’s been heavily processed. It also smells amazing, courtesy of the crushed jasmine petals in its blend. We’d expect nothing less from a brand that’s the brainchild of celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, who’s serviced many a bleached-blonde star in her time.
  • Key ingredients: Hydrolysed keratin, cocunut water, glycerin, jojoba esters, she butter
  • Sizes: 100ml, 236ml

The budget buy: Trésemme Lamellar Shine Hair Mask

Tresemmé

Lamellar Shine Hair Mask

  • Why we love it: The lamellar technology here makes this one of the best affordable hair masks you can buy. It fills in porous cuticles and encases the entire hair strand, making your tresses a lot more uniform. When rinsed out, you’re left with the kind of shine that could rival a salon-grade gloss. “I’ve used this on my extensions and always been impressed at how well it gives old hair a second life. It obliterates snags, making once-matted hair incredibly manageable and gives dull strands a reflective quality. Coming in a big tub, you get a lot for your money – which is a plus as I can’t get enough of the clean scent.” –Tracy Achonwa, contributing beauty writer
  • Key ingredients: Arginine, macadamia nut oil, amodimethicone
  • Size: 440ml

Best for ceramides: Gisou Honey Gloss Hair Mask

Gisou

Honey Gloss Ceramide Therapy Hair Mask

  • Why we love it: “Ceramides play a vital role in restoring the balance needed to maintain the hair’s structure, strength, and resilience,” says Ball. Gisou’s mask is full of biomimetic ceramides, and by helping replenish those lost during bleaching and styling, it restores both strength and shine. The brand’s homegrown Mirsalehi honey is a workhorse here – it acts as a humectant to attract moisture and reduce hair fall. And of course, we love the playful packaging that sits pretty on any bathroom shelf.
  • Key ingredients: Mirsalehi honey, ceramides, multiweight hyaluronic acid, omegas 3, 6 & 9
  • Sizes: 75ml, 230ml

The oil-rich blend: Champo Leave-in Perfecting Cream

Chāmpo

Leave-in Perfecting Hair Cream

  • Why we love it: There are not one, not two, but 10 oils in this serum-like mask, which cushions hair in lightweight nourishment. Among them is amla oil: a haircare hero which not only promotes growth, but also preserves your hair colour thanks to its antioxidant properties and high vitamin C content. Doubling as a heat protectant, this mask is light enough to keep on hair and penetrates deeply to fortify strands from within. A great, grease-free find.
  • Key ingredients: Actipower complex, olive extract, castor oil
  • Size: 75ml

For deep repair: Cécred Reconstructing Treatment Mask

Contributing writer Tracy Achonwa tries the Cécred hair mask.

CÉCRED

Reconstructing Treatment Mask

  • Why we love it: With the consistency of a runny custard, Cécred’s hair mask smooths onto hair effortlessly. Its ease is something you’ll appreciate during a long shower – you won’t need to work hard to reap the benefits, especially as it detangles hair once smothered on. On the ingredients front, squalane adds shine while keratin ferment reinforces the hair structure, and there are plenty of seed oils in the mix to lock moisture in. There’s a luxurious sandalwood scent here that lingers on washed hair, which is worth noting if fragrance is something you prefer to avoid. “I love applying this under a shower cap when my hair feels particularly weak,” says contributing writer Tracy Achonwa. “It resuscitates flagging curls and makes them springy again, even when they’ve become heat-trained and started to fall limp.”
  • Key ingredients: Bioactive keratin ferment, hydrolysed rice protein, vitamin E
  • Sizes: 74ml, 300ml
Experts On The Best Hair Masks For Sun Scorched Tresses (2025)

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