Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editorsSave this storySave this story
Dryness is one of the most common hair concerns out there, and when your strands are feeling extra parched or looking frizzy, the best hydrating hair masks are here to save the day. Whether in the form of serums, rinse-out treatments, or leave-in conditioners, these nourishing formulas can actually get into the cuticles of your hair to deliver deep conditioning, leaving it smoother, shinier, and stronger.
And even if dryness isn’t your primary predicament, these treatments are a game-changer for heat-stylers and salon regulars. Hot tools and bleaching weaken hair’s natural bonds, leading to brittleness, breakage, and, yes, dryness. So quench your hair’s thirst now and protect it from future despair with the best hydrating hair treatments the internet has to offer—as recommended by editors, hairstylists, and dermatologists alike.
Our Top Hydrating Hair Masks
- Best Overall: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask, $44
- Best for Shine: Hindsgaul Hair The Mask Conditioner, $58
- Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask, $46
- Best for Frizz Control: Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum, $58
- Best for Color-Treated Hair: Olaplex No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment, $34
Frequently Asked QuestionsLargeChevron
- What are the benefits of using a hydrating hair treatment?
- How are hydrating hair treatments different from regular conditioners?
- What is the best thing to rehydrate your hair?
- How do I deeply hydrate my hair?
- What is the best treatment for dry hair during menopause?
- Meet the experts:
- How we test and review products
- Our staff and testers
Best Overall: Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
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Amika
Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Amazon
Ulta Beauty
Sephora
Allure shopping director Shanna Shipin applying the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Shanna Shipin
Why it's worth it: Skin care meets hair care in Amika's Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask, which delivers moisturizing powerhouses straight to your strands. Niacinamide, squalane, and hyaluronic acid (sound familiar?) quench dry, depleted hair, while polyglutamic acid locks in hydration long after wash day. Ohio- and New York City-based hairstylist Mia Santiago swears by it for even the most desperate 'dos. "This one is great for heat-damaged or overly processed hair," she said. Plus, the sheer creaminess is satisfying all on its own.
Shipin before applying the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Shanna Shipin
Shipin after applying the Amika Hydro Rush Intense Moisture Mask
Shanna Shipin
Tester feedback from senior commerce director Shanna Shipin
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"The name says it all. This mask is so intensely hydrating I would've also taken Hydro Tidal Wave, Hydro Blast, Hydro Tsunami—you get the point. I've yet to try a hair product that's given me quite as juicy, bouncy, and hydrated hair as this, with a lasting effect that really keeps my hair happy for days. (I have extra dry curls with heat damage, so that's saying something!) It's a beautiful light blue color and a [small dollop of] whipped custard that goes a long way." —Shanna Shipin, senior commerce director
More to know
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- Key ingredients: squalane, hyaluronic acid, polyglutamic acid, sea buckthorn extract
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: once per week
Best for Fine Hair: Hindsgaul Hair The Mask Conditioner
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Hindsgaul Hair
The Mask Conditioner
Revolve
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor applying the Hindsgaul Hair The Mask Conditioner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Why it’s worth it: As the name might suggest, Hindsgaul Hair’s The Mask Conditioner delivers treatment-level nourishment via a lightweight formula that’s more akin to your standard hair conditioner. It’s an impressive feat, one that it achieves through a unique trio of star ingredients: antioxidant-rich Scandinavian cloudberry, Nordic cotton (an ingredient that can help strengthen hair and improve its flexibility), and pea peptides, which are chock-full of amino acids. Shea butter, moringa seed oil, and jojoba oil—all well-known for adding shine—are also on the list. Taken all together, the featherweight formula leaves the hair stronger, but with lots of movement—meaning you’ll catch the light every time you toss your strands over your shoulder.
Calaor before applying the Hindsgaul Hair The Mask Conditioner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Calaor after applying the Hindsgaul Hair The Mask Conditioner
Jesa Marie Calaor
Tester feedback from senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor
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“After shampooing, I work this mask through my extra-long strands, detangling knots along the way. It feels like softened butter, has a light floral scent, and leaves my hair feeling silky once I rinse it out. It adds just enough weight to bring down excess frizz, while restoring the hydration I've zapped from my hair with consistent heat-styling.” —Jesa Marie Calaor, senior beauty editor
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Scandinavian cloudberry, Nordic cotton, pea peptides
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: once per week for 5-15 minutes
Best for Low-Porosity Hair: Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
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Moroccanoil
Weightless Hydrating Mask
Moroccanoil
Allure contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee applying the Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
Christa Joanna Lee
Why it’s worth it: Moroccanoil's Weightless Hydrating Mask is a deep conditioner for people who normally avoid deep conditioners—namely, anyone with fine hair who knows that “deeply nourishing” can sometimes translate to a heavy formula that zaps all your volume. This one keeps things light, though, starting with its bouncy gel-cream texture. The formula pairs Moroccanoil's signature argan oil with shea butter to nourish and soften dry strands, plus behentrimonium chloride, a conditioning agent that helps reduce static, smooth the hair, and make tangles easier to work through. There’s a strengthening component, too: Hydrolyzed vegetable protein helps improve elasticity in porous or damaged hair, so strands feel stronger.
Lee before applying the Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
Christa Joanna Lee
Lee after applying the Moroccanoil Weightless Hydrating Mask
Christa Joanna Lee
Tester feedback from contributing commerce writer Christa Joanna Lee
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“My hair is loooong—practically down my back—and because I only get it cut once or twice a year, keeping my dry ends happy is an ongoing project. My strands fall somewhere between fine and medium, and since my natural scalp oils have a hard time making it all the way down there, I concentrate masks mostly from my mid-lengths to ends. I already love the Moroccanoil Treatment Mist and will sometimes practically douse my hair in it as a makeshift mask (though I have to rinse very thoroughly or things can get a little greasy). When I want something lighter, though, I reach for the Weightless Hydrating Mask. It has this bouncy, gel-like texture that reminds me of some of my favorite face moisturizers, absorbs quickly, and leaves my lengths soft and hydrated without dragging them down. My only caveat: It works best on towel-dried hair, which means getting out of the shower to apply it and hopping back in to rinse isn't exactly convenient. But when an everything shower is on the agenda, this is the mask I reach for.” —Christa Joanna Lee, contributing commerce writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: argan oil, shea butter, behentrimonium chloride
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: once or twice a week for 5-7 minutes
Best for Frizz Control: Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum
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Crown Affair
The Overnight Repair Serum
Sephora
Allure senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino applying the Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum
Elizabeth Gulino
Why it’s worth it: If you don't have the time (or patience) for an in-shower mask, consider a treatment that works while you sleep, like Crown Affair's Overnight Repair Serum. It's powered by Tsubaki Meadows—a lightweight, antioxidant-rich hydrating complex—as well as rosemary leaf extract, panthenol, and chia seed extract. The combination takes down frizz and boosts strength, softness, and shine while you sleep; since it dries down quickly, it won't transfer onto your pillow. Plus, the woody, citrusy scent adds some nice spa-day energy to your routine. Apply it to hair from your mid-lengths to ends—and if your hair is especially dry or thick, you can use it as a leave-in conditioner during the day, too.
Gulino before applying the Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Crown Affair The Overnight Repair Serum
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from senior staff writer Elizabeth Gulino
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“Crown Affair is one of my favorite hair-care brands, so when they added the Overnight Repair Serum to their lineup last summer I knew I needed to try it out. I'm a sucker for easy-to-use products, so the fact that I can put this in before I go to bed and not have to wash it out is what sold me on this. I have a lot of hair, so I use more than the one-to-two recommended pumps a couple of times a week. I've been using the serum since February and have increasingly gotten more compliments on the health of my hair, and I swear this is the reason why.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: Tsubaki oil, meadowfoam oil, panthenol, rosemary extract
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: apply it before bed, two to three times a week
Best for Curly Hair: Rizos Curls Gloss + Repair Mask
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Rizos Curls
Gloss + Repair Mask
Ulta Beauty
Allure commerce production assistant Hailey Roy applying the Rizos Curls Gloss + Repair Mask
Hailey Roy
Why it’s worth it: With curly hair, which is naturally dry, the name of the game is trapping in hydration and easing detangling—and here, Rizos Curls’ Gloss + Repair Mask is a winner. Hyaluronic acid draws in moisture, while mango butter seals it (adding shine and improving softness, too). This thick, creamy formula also provides lots of slip, making it easier to glide right through the knots and tangles that can lead to breakage and frizz. Also on the ingredient list are a hair-strengthening complex, which is designed to reduce breakage and seal split ends, and glycolic acid for shine and softness. Leave it on for at least five minutes, but if you’re in dryness SOS mode, you can wear it for up to two hours before rinsing.
Roy before applying the Rizos Curls Gloss + Repair Mask
Hailey Roy
Roy after applying the Rizos Curls Gloss + Repair Mask
Hailey Roy
Tester feedback from commerce production assistant Hailey Roy
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“My hair is already dry, but in the summer, cue chlorine and high UV rays, and my curls are parched. A moisturizing hair mask becomes a need, not a want. This mask has continued to bring my hair back to life after long days in the sun, when my curls are feeling drier than usual. Oh, and the ‘gloss’ in its name means business. The shine afterward is undeniable. I truly have no complaints.” —Hailey Roy, commerce production assistant
More to know
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- Key ingredients: hair-strengthening complex, hyaluronic acid, mango butter, glycolic acid
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: weekly or as needed for at least five minutes
Best for Color-Treated Hair: Olaplex No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
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Olaplex
No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: "Olaplex No. 3 is a game-changer for damaged hair. It's a bond builder that repairs the broken disulfide bonds in your hair that cause damage from heat styling, coloring, and chemical treatments," explains hairstylist Angelo David, founder of Angelo David Salon in New York City. A generous slather of this formula on a damp 'do penetrates the hair shaft with reparative amino acids, restoring ionic bonds. "This can be used as a weekly at-home treatment to reduce breakage and visibly strengthen hair, or if hair is more damaged, two to three times a week," says colorist Christin Brown, who specializes in curly hair (and is an Olaplex global ambassador). The formula is lightweight but indulgent, and the results are as sleek as can be.
Gulino before applying the Olaplex No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
Elizabeth Gulino
Gulino after applying the Olaplex No. 3 Plus Complete Repair Treatment
Elizabeth Gulino
Tester feedback from Gulino
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"The new formula immediately made my hair feel much softer—this could be due to the fact that I used more product the second time around, though. While I don’t think my hair necessarily felt stronger immediately, like the brand claims, I can see how using this more often can have a better effect. Consider me a new fan.” —Elizabeth Gulino, senior staff writer
More to know
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- Key ingredients: bond builder (bis-aminopropyl diglycol dimaleate), glycerin
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: weekly; damaged hair: two to three times per week
More hydrating hair treatments we love:
Best for Breakage: Davines Renewing Conditioning Treatment
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Davines
Renewing Conditioning Treatment
Amazon
Nordstrom
Sephora
Why it’s worth it: Davines’ Renewing Treatment leaves “hair incredibly soft and smooth without feeling heavy or greasy, making it a favorite for preventing breakage and split ends,” says New York City-based hair colorist Emaly B. But how, exactly? It calls on spinach extract, which is full of hair-strengthening antioxidants like vitamin E; maqui berry, which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that can support scalp health; as well as glycerin and jojoba, which can help make for smoother detangling. Thanks to how lightweight it is, you can swap it with your standard conditioner post-shampoo, says Emaly, or “leave it on as a pre-shampoo mask for an extra hit of moisture.”
More to know
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- Key ingredients: spinach extract, maqui berry, glycerin, jojoba
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: as needed, after shampooing or weekly
Best for Thinning Hair: Virtue Flourish Thickening & Hydrating Mask
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Virtue
Flourish Thickening & Hydrating Mask
Amazon
Nordstrom
Ulta Beauty
Why it's worth it: Virtue's Flourish Thickening & Hydrating Mask is a boon for thinning hair, a hard-to-come-by quality, according to New York City-based hairstylist Jerome Lordet. "In general, masks can't treat or prevent hair loss, but this one is great to address thinning hair by reducing breakage and moisturizing without weighing hair down," Lordet explains. The formula features Virtue's signature alpha keratin protein, which staves off breakage, boosts volume, and moisturizes without weighing down hair. You'll also get a hearty dose of fructooligosaccharides (say that ten times fast) and beetroot extract to help repair split ends.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: alpha keratin protein, fructooligosaccharides, peptides, beetroot extract, red clover flower extract
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: once or twice per week
Best Overnight: Aveda Nutriplenish Replenishing Overnight Serum
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Aveda
Nutriplenish Replenishing Overnight Serum
Nordstrom
Why it’s worth it: Your hair is tired, so let Aveda’s Nutriplenish Replenishing Overnight Serum take the night shift. This hydrating treatment is packed with pomegranate seed oil, mango butter, and coconut oil to replenish lipids, mend brittleness, and seal cuticles for added strength and shine. It’s "pillow-proof," meaning no greasy residue on your precious linens, and the lightweight goodness absorbs swiftly and sticks around for eight hours of hydration while you snooze. Pair it with the rest of Aveda’s Nutriplenish collection, like this matching shampoo and conditioner, for even more hydration.
More to know
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- Key ingredients: pomegranate seed oil, mango butter, coconut oil
- Fragrance-free: no
- How often to use: as often as desired
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the benefits of using a hydrating hair treatment?
Here's the deal—extra moisture leads to healthy hair and softer strands. Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut, highlights the power of humectants like hyaluronic acid (commonly found in skin care) in hair care. "It revives dry strands and restores softness in just one minute," she explains. "Just like your skin, your hair loses moisture daily—from heat styling, environmental stressors, and even washing. Without proper hydration, it becomes dry, brittle, and prone to breakage."
According to Emily Claire, a colorist and Davines educator at Rob Peetoom Salon in NYC, treatments typically fall into two categories. "The first is surface-level cosmetic treatments, like hair masks and leave-in conditioners, that offer temporary shine and softness. The second is bond-building reparative treatments, like K18 Leave-In Molecular Hair Mask and Olaplex No. 3 Hair Perfector, which work at the molecular level to repair serious damage," she explains. Still, whether the benefits are short-term or long-term, any hydrating hair treatment can be valuable.
How are hydrating hair treatments different from regular conditioners?
"A hair mask [for example] is very similar to a daily conditioner in that it restores the hydration of the hair after shampooing,” New Jersey-based hairstylist Michelle Cleveland told Allure. "However, a mask contains higher concentrations of vitamins, oils, and butters that will penetrate deeper into the hair when left on for longer periods of time than a traditional conditioner," she said. “The result is a higher level of hydration to the hair, which ultimately leads to repairing dry, damaged, and/or dehydrated hair.”
So, while you shouldn’t ditch your standard conditioner altogether—it’s an important part of regular maintenance—your hair will look and feel even more hydrated when paired with an intensive treatment buddy.
What is the best thing to rehydrate your hair?
To rehydrate your hair, Holland Hager, a colorist at Flore in Los Angeles, recommends starting with a sulfate-free, moisturizing shampoo. From there, “follow with a deep conditioning treatment, then finish by applying a lightweight hair oil or a leave-in conditioner to help lock in moisture and keep your hair soft,” she says.
How do I deeply hydrate my hair?
Say it with us: Condition, condition, condition. To get well-hydrated hair, Hager suggests applying a nourishing scalp oil before washing your hair, then using “a rich, moisturizing conditioner with every wash.” She also recommends using deep conditioning treatments twice a week “to restore moisture, improve softness, and support overall hair health.”
What is the best treatment for dry hair during menopause?
If menopause has left your hair drier, it’s likely time to make some changes in your routine—in more ways than one. Externally, it’s best to “limit heat styling to help prevent dryness and breakage,” says Hager; she also recommends sleeping with a silk or satin pillowcase or bonnet for the same purpose. Internally, “support healthy hair from within by eating adequate protein and talking with your healthcare provider about the supplements that are right for your individual needs,” she says.
Meet the experts
- Emaly B, a colorist and founder of Beauty Supply in New York City
- Christin Brown, a colorist who specializes in curly hair
- Emily Claire, a colorist and Davines educator at Rob Peetoom Salon in New York City
- Michelle Cleveland, a hairstylist based in New Jersey
- Angelo David, founder of Angelo David Salon in New York City
- Mona Gohara, MD, a board-certified dermatologist based in Connecticut
- Holland Hager, a colorist with Flore in Los Angeles
- Jerome Lordet, a hairstylist based in New York City
- Mia Santiago, a hairstylist based in New York City and Ohio
How we test and review products
We always enlist a range of testers for our makeup vertical, but hair-care products and tools are another story. While there are certainly products that can be used across different hair textures, lengths, curl patterns, thicknesses, colors (natural and unnatural), and needs, hair products are often created with specific consumers in mind. Many are created in order to address a concern (dandruff, breakage, brittleness) or to work most effectively for a specific hair type (4C curls, wavy hair, gray hair). You wouldn’t want to pick up a purple shampoo that’s only been reviewed by someone with, say, auburn hair, or a diffuser that’s never been tested by anyone with curls—right?
For our review of the best hydrating hair treatments, we enlisted the help of multiple editors, writers, contributors, and hair experts—many of whom want shinier, healthier-looking hair. Testers considered performance across four primary categories: efficacy, texture and experience, fragrance, and packaging. For more on what's involved in our reporting, check out our complete reviews process and methodology page.
Our staff and testers
A beauty product is a personal purchase. You might be searching for a face cream to address persistent dryness or a new nail product to add to your Sunday self-care routine; you may simply be browsing around for the latest launches to hit the hair market. No matter what you seek or your individual needs and concerns, Allure wants to ensure that you love anything we recommend in our stories. We believe that having a diverse team of writers and editors—in addition to the wide range of outside testers and industry experts we regularly call upon—is essential to reaching that goal.
After all, can we really say a skin-care product is the "best" for people over 50 if the only testers we've solicited opinions from folks who have yet to hit 30? Can we honestly deem a high-end diffuser worthy of your hard-earned cash if it's never been tested on curls? We're proud that our staff spans a wide range of ages, skin tones, hair textures, genders, and backgrounds, which means that we are able to fairly assess any beauty product that comes into the beauty closet..
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