Hair butter vs hair mask: What is the difference and what is better?

Your hair care routine probably consists of using shampoo and conditioner. Once a while you may even massage your scalp with coconut oil, or reach out for a hair serum. These are great ways to maintain health. But if you have dry hair, you need to pamper it a little bit more. Hair butter can moisturise your hair, which helps in reducing dryness and frizz. Another popular way to nourish your mane is by using a hair mask once a week. You can throw in multiple natural ingredients to make homemade hair mask. But one of these may be a better choice for dry hair. Is it hair butter or hair mask?

What is hair butter?

Hair butter is a moisturising and nourishing product for tresses, often made from natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter or mango butter. It helps to hydrate, soften, and strengthen hair, making it more manageable and reducing frizz, says cosmetologist and skin expert Dr Jatin Mittal.

What is a hair mask?

A hair mask is a deep conditioning treatment designed to restore moisture, repair damage, and improve hair health. Typically applied to damp hair and left on for a period before rinsing, it often contains nourishing ingredients like oils, proteins, and vitamins. A hair mask containing only natural ingredients from plant sources can treat hair problems without damaging hair, according to a study published in World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews in 2023.

What are the differences between hair butter and hair mask?

A hair mask and hair butter have a common goal of nourishing hair, but there are very basic differences between them:

1. Texture

Hair butter is thick and creamy, similar to the consistency of body butter. A hair mask can vary in texture, but generally has a smoother and sometimes lighter consistency compared to hair butter. It can range from creamy to gel-like.

2. Ingredients

Hair butter often contains natural oils and butters such as shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other nourishing oils. These are rich in fats and provide deep moisture, says Dr Mittal. A hair mask may include a wider variety of ingredients such as proteins (keratin), vitamins, oils, and butters. They can be formulated to target specific hair issues like damage, frizz, or colour protection.

3. Benefits

Hair butter provides intense moisture, helps seal in hydration, and is great for reducing frizz. A hair mask can provide deep conditioning, repair damage, improve elasticity, add shine, and address specific hair concerns. They offer a more comprehensive treatment compared to hair butter.

4. Usage

Hair butter is typically used as a leave-in treatment or styling product, so it can be applied to wet or dry hair. A hair mask is used as a deep conditioning treatment, and is applied to damp, freshly washed hair, left in for a specified amount of time, and then rinsed out.

5. When to apply

Hair butter can be used daily or as needed, depending on hair dryness and styling needs. A hair mask is usually applied once a week or as needed, depending on the hair’s condition.

Hair butter or hair mask for dry hair?

Hair masks are suitable for anyone looking to address specific hair issues like dryness, damage, colour protection, or to add general nourishment and shine. But hair butter is best for people with very dry, curly, or coarse hair that needs extra moisture and frizz control, says the expert.

How to make homemade hair butter?

Here’s an easy DIY hair butter recipe you can try:

Ingredients

• 1 cup shea butter
• 1/2 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup olive oil

Method

• Melt shea butter with coconut oil in a container.
• Remove it from heat then add olive oil.
• Let it cool until it begins to solidify.
• Whip the mixture until it turns fluffy.
• Transfer it to a jar.

Homemade hair masks and hair butter can be beneficial if they are made with natural, skin-friendly ingredients. These treatments provide deep hydration, nourishment, and repair, improving overall hair health. Hair butter is particularly good for people with dry hair.