Everyone dreams of smooth, frizz-free, and shiny hair—but achieving that doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Keratin hair oil serums are a game-changer, helping to strengthen hair, tame frizz, and add a glossy finish. The good news? You don’t need to splurge on luxury brands to get salon-worthy results. In this post, we’ve rounded up 5 budget-friendly keratin hair oil serums under $20 that deliver incredible results without breaking the bank. Whether you have dry, damaged, or frizzy hair, these affordable options will help you maintain healthy, gorgeous locks every day.
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Luseta Keratin Hair Oil Serum
Why We Love It:
Luseta Biotin B-Complex Hair Oil is a nourishing treatment designed to strengthen, thicken, and hydrate dry or thinning hair. Enriched with biotin and caffeine, it promotes hair growth, repairs damage, and helps reduce frizz while boosting shine and softness. Lightweight and safe for all hair types, including color-treated hair, it supports healthier, fuller-looking hair with regular use.
Key Ingredients:
Biotin, caffeine, B-complex vitamins
Best For:
Thin, dry, damaged hair; hair growth support; all hair types, men and women
Benefits:
Hair growth, strengthening, thickening, moisturizing, frizz control, shine, repair, volumizing
Keratin-Infused Hair Serum
Why We Love It:
CHI Keratin Silk Infusion is a hydrating hair serum designed to restore softness, shine, and manageability to dry, damaged hair. Infused with keratin and essential nutrients, it strengthens strands, improves elasticity, and prevents future breakage while reducing frizz. Lightweight and versatile, it can be applied to towel-dried hair before styling or used as a finishing serum for smooth, shiny hair. Sulfate- and paraben-free, it’s safe for all hair types and provides protection against heat styling.
Key Ingredients:
Keratin, essential vitamins, antioxidants
Best For:
Dry, damaged, or overworked hair; all hair types
Benefits:
Hydration, shine, frizz control, strength, breakage prevention, heat protection
MAREE Hair Oil Keratin Capsules
Why We Love It:
MAREE Hair Oil is a nourishing, anti-frizz serum designed to smooth, hydrate, and protect frizzy, dry, or damaged hair. Enriched with keratin, jojoba, argan, and macadamia oils plus vitamins A, B5, and E, it repairs split ends, reduces breakage, and restores shine. Lightweight and easy to use, it works as a leave-in treatment or heat protectant for all hair types, including curly and color-treated hair, giving salon-like smoothness and softness.
Key Ingredients:
Keratin, jojoba oil, argan oil, macadamia oil, vitamins A, B5, E
Best For:
Frizzy, dry, damaged, or color-treated hair; all hair types
Benefits:
Frizz control, split end repair, hydration, shine, heat protection, smoothness
L'ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil
Why We Love It:
L’ANZA Keratin Healing Hair Oil Treatment is a luxurious, keratin-infused oil designed to repair and strengthen damaged hair while boosting shine and vitality. Its nourishing formula adds body, bounce, and smoothness, protecting strands from environmental stressors with UV protection. Lightweight and non-greasy, it works on all hair types to restore softness, reduce frizz, and enhance manageability. Cruelty-free and paraben-free, it’s ideal for a premium hair care routine.
Key Ingredients:
Keratin, healing plant-based oils, UV protectants
Best For:
Damaged, dry, or stressed hair; all hair types
Benefits:
Repair, strengthen, shine, smoothness, frizz control, UV protection
Remilia Hair Serum
Why We Love It:
Remilia Hair Keratin Hair Capsules are a convenient leave-in treatment that transforms dry, damaged hair into smooth, shiny, and healthy-looking strands. Enriched with keratin amino acids, silk protein, and pro-vitamin B5, they reduce frizz and breakage while providing lightweight hydration. Each single-use softgel capsule contains a UV filter for protection, making it perfect for travel or on-the-go hair care. Gentle and paraben-free, it enhances manageability and leaves hair soft with a subtle floral scent.
Key Ingredients:
Keratin amino acids, silk protein, pro-vitamin B5
Best For:
Dry, damaged, frizz-prone hair; all hair types
Benefits:
Hydration, smoothness, shine, frizz control, breakage reduction, UV protection, travel-friendly
FAQ
1. What is a keratin hair oil serum?
A keratin hair oil serum is a lightweight, leave‑in treatment that delivers keratin — a protein naturally found in hair — to help smooth frizz, strengthen strands, and add shine. Serums also often contain nourishing oils (like argan, jojoba, or coconut) to hydrate and protect hair from heat and environmental damage.
2. How does a keratin serum benefit my hair?
Keratin serums can:
Smooth frizz and flyaways
Strengthen and repair weak or damaged strands
Add shine and softness
Reduce breakage
Protect hair from heat styling and humidity
They’re particularly useful for dry, frizzy, chemically treated, or heat‑styled hair.
3. Can keratin serums work on all hair types?
Yes — but results vary by texture:
Fine hair: Use a very small amount to avoid weighing down your hair.
Medium to thick hair: Works well to smooth and tame frizz.
Curly/kinky hair: Helps define curls and reduce frizz, especially with added moisturizing oils.
4. What should I look for in a budget keratin serum?
Look for a product that:
Contains keratin protein or hydrolyzed keratin
Includes natural oils (like argan, jojoba, almond)
Is silicone‑free or light on silicones so hair doesn’t get weighed down
Has good user ratings for smoothing and shine
Products under $20 often deliver excellent everyday results without breaking the bank.
5. Should I apply a keratin serum to wet or dry hair?
After washing (damp hair): Helps seal in moisture and smooth cuticles before drying.
On dry hair: Helps tame frizz and add shine between washes.
Tip: Always start with a small amount and add more only where needed.
6. How much serum should I use?
Amounts vary by hair length and thickness:
Short/fine hair: a pea‑size amount
Medium hair: 1–2 pumps
Long/thick hair: 2–3 pumps
Start small — you can always add more, but too much can make hair look oily.