Hair Butter vs Hair Mask: What’s the Difference and Which is Better?

Your hair care routine probably consists of shampoo and conditioner. You might also massage your scalp with coconut oil every now and then or try a hair serum. These are great ways to keep your hair healthy. But if you have dry hair, you need to pamper it a little more. Hair butter can moisturize your hair, which helps reduce dryness and frizz. Another popular way to nourish your tresses is to use a hair mask once a week. You can add more natural ingredients to create a homemade hair mask. But one of these might be a better choice for dry hair. Is it hair butter or hair mask?

What is hair butter?

Hair butter is a hydrating and nourishing product for your hair, often made with natural ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter. It helps moisturize, soften, and strengthen your 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 while before rinsing, it often contains nourishing ingredients like oils, proteins, and vitamins. A hair mask containing only natural, plant-based ingredients can treat hair problems without damaging them, according to a study published in the World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews in 2023.

What are the differences between butter and hair mask?

A hair mask and a hair butter have the common purpose of nourishing the hair, but there are some very substantial differences between them:

1. Consistency

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

2. Ingredients

Hair butters often contain natural oils and butters like shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and other nourishing oils. These are high in fats and provide deep hydration, says Dr. Mittal. A hair mask can include a wider variety of ingredients like proteins (keratin), vitamins, oils, and butters. They can be formulated to address specific hair concerns like damage, frizz, or color protection.

3. Benefits

Hair butter provides intense hydration, helps lock in moisture, 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 complete treatment than hair butter.

4. Use

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 on 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 the dryness of your hair and your styling needs. A hair mask is usually applied once a week or as needed, depending on the condition of your hair.

Hair butter or hair mask for dry hair?

Hair masks are suitable for anyone who wants to address specific hair concerns like dryness, damage, color protection, or to add general nourishment and shine. But hair butter is best for people with very dry, curly, or thick hair who need extra hydration and frizz control, says the expert.

How to make homemade hair butter?

Here is a simple DIY recipe for hair butter that you can try:

ingredients

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

Method

• Melt the shea butter with the coconut oil in a container.
• Remove from the heat and add the olive oil.
• Let it cool until it starts to solidify.
• Whip the mixture until frothy.
• Transfer it to a jar.

Homemade hair masks and hair butters can be helpful if made with natural and skin-friendly ingredients. These treatments provide deep hydration, nourishment and repair, improving the overall health of your hair. Hair butter is especially good for people with dry hair.