The 13 Best Heat Protectants to Save Your Hair
The 13 Best Heat Protectants to Save Your Hair
First question: When’s the last time you heat-styled your hair? We’re guessing pretty recently. Follow-up: Did you use a heat protectant? If not, it's okay—and you’re in the right place. “They add a protective barrier between your hair cuticle and your styling tool and work to prevent breakage, fight frizz, and smooth your cuticle making your hair look soft and shiny,” explains Amber Fillerup Clark, hairstylist turned influencer and founder of Dae. “This protective barrier allows hair to heat up slowly, rather than suddenly, which prevents hair damage.”
New to heat protectants? Here’s how to use them (your hair will thank you). “Apply on damp hair,” says Fillerup Clark. “It is best to section your hair out and comb through to make sure the heat protectant is evenly distributed and applied throughout all of your hair.” Then, use your blow dryer, straightener, or curling iron without worry.
Each heat protectant formula is a little different, but the core goal of protecting your hair against heat damage remains the same. Shop the very best for all hair types and styles, ahead.
1) Cactus Flower Leave In Conditioner
dae
sephora.com
$26.00
Fillerup Clark recommends the leave-in from her hair-care line, Dae, saying “It protects your hair up to 450 degrees and is rich in desert-derived ingredients to help hydrate your hair, prevent damage, add shine, and increase softness.”
2) Complete Instant Recovery Leave-In Serum
JVN
sephora.com
$28.00
This leave-in treatment caused a sensation when Drew Barrymore tested it out on a piece of toast—and only the area covered with Instant Recovery Serum didn't burn. Just think how those protective benefits will help your hair?
3) Natural Agave & Lavender Thermal Protectant Creme
Design Essentials
amazon.com
$7.99
Silk pressing hair requires even more heat protection, which you’ll find in this deeply nourishing cream. Made with conditioning agave nectar, mango butter, and lavender extract, it creates a lightweight yet effective barrier against hot tools. It also holds up astonishingly well against humidity, so hair stays smooth and shiny as long as possible.
4) Total Results Miracle Creator Multi-Tasking Treatment
Matrix
ulta.com
$28.00
Think of this spray-on treatment as a heat protectant with benefits. It also conditions, prevents split ends, adds shine…we could go on. Plus, it’s great for all hair types.
5) Blow Dry Primer
Authentic Beauty Concept
amazon.com
$25.00
You can crank tools up to 450 degrees when using this blow-out primer and heat protectant, which also happens to smell as good as your favorite fragrance. Plus, it’s vegan, cruelty-free, and free of silicones, parabens, and mineral oils.
6) Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray Blend
Hair Food
amazon.com
$10.73
This formula—made with nutrient-dense coconut and argan oils—works on all hair types, but is especially effective for smoothing out thicker hair types.
7) Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray
OGX
amazon.com
$6.99
PSA: This is how people are making their regular hair dryers give them salon-blowout results. It cuts back on how much time you'll be standing there, drying your hair, while also protecting against 450-degree heat and adding some hydrolyzed silk and quinoa to your strands.
8) Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream
Briogeo
sephora.com
$30.00
Look no further if you crank up the heat on your straightener. This silicone-free cream shields your precious locks against heats up to 450 degrees, while also making hair look super shiny and fighting back against frizz.
9) Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
Cantu
sallybeauty.com
$3.99
Cantu's budget-friendly spray makes it so anyone can style relaxed, permed, and color-treated hair without wondering if they're secretly hurting it. It protects against 425 degrees, and uses shea butter for some extra moisture.
10) Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray
Tresemme
target.com
$4.99
Formulated for use with flat irons, Tresemme's smoothing treatment features hydrolyzed keratin and 450-degree protection. Oh, and did we mention it's $5?
11) Perfect Defense Heat Protectant
Moroccanoil
sephora.com
$30.00
Coils, curls, waves, and straight hair types can all reap the benefits of this ultra-versatile protectant. It can be applied to damp hair pre-blow dry, or used on dry hair for next-day styling.
12) Shine Enhancing Heat Protection Spray
Flawless by Gabrielle Union
sallybeauty.com
$9.99
Shielding hair against up to 428 degrees without silicone in the equation is seriously impressive. This spray accomplishes that feat while remaining cruelty-free.
13) Caviar Professional Styling Perfect Iron Spray
Alterna
ulta.com
$30.00
No nonsense here. Alterna's Caviar line is known for results, and this spray cuts right to the chase, offering up to 450-degree protection. Layer it into your routine, and see how much better your hair feels in a few weeks.
Each heat protectant formula is a little different, but the core goal of protecting your hair against heat damage remains the same. Shop the very best for all hair types and styles, ahead.