But styling your hair doesn’t have to be a chore; you can still use your favorite blow dryer or curling iron if you take precautions ahead of time.
Here come heat protectants: Sprays and conditioners, available in both spray and cream form, help protect your hair (especially the ends) from prolonged heat exposure. Some products are so smooth, you won’t even need a straightener.
And as you can imagine, not all products are created equal. So, I tested them and picked out some of the best heat protectants worth buying.
We also consulted hair experts to find the best heat protectants for your hair (which, by the way, are super important to include in your daily routine).
“I can’t stress the importance of using heat protection enough,” celebrity hairstylist Michelle Cleveland told Post Wanted. “It’s like getting a tan without sunscreen! By applying a heat protectant to your hair before using a heat tool, you’re adding a layer of protection against damage, fading, and color fading.”
Top hairstylist Corey Aaron Scott agrees. “It’s important to understand that our hair needs proper care,” he added. “Just like high-quality leather goods require proper cleaning, leather protectants, etc., the same goes for maintaining and improving the quality of our hair.”
Additionally, Scott says that factors like sunlight, heat, pollutants, and chemicals in water can cause hair to lose elasticity and shine over time. “The heat generated from blow-drying and curling hair poses particular challenges,” he says. “That’s why it’s important to use heat protectants to help your hair maintain its healthy, natural shine and bounce.” For more information on our recommended heat protectants, check out our comprehensive FAQ.
Here’s the kicker: You want something that won’t dry out your hair (like a good hairspray) but will still leave your hair super smooth (like an effective leave-in conditioner). You might want to tame frizz, add volume, and care for color-treated hair. We understand your needs, and there’s an option below that’s just right for you.
Among the many heat protectants on the market, I highly recommend you choose Bumble and Bumble Bb. Heat Shield Heat Protectant Spray. After years of testing, this product has unique benefits – the gold standard for other products to follow.
Although the price is a bit high, it is definitely worth it. It is a multi-purpose product that I love to spray on my hair from root to tip. It provides the perfect balance of shine, smoothness, and protection that my hair needs. It is also available in a mini size for $17.
What makes this product so great is that it is easy to use over and over again. Fine, medium and thick hair can be easily styled with the spray, which can be applied and layered without weighing down the hair. It also provides luxurious texture and makes my hair look great every time I use it.
The scent of this product can be described as “salon scent,” and I found that it helped my hair dry faster and made it easier to style. It also comes in a handy spray bottle, making it perfect for taking with you (and of course, you’ll want to take it with you wherever you go).
I’ve entered the IGK era—and it’s hard to leave. The brand’s Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray is a fan favorite and a staple on my hairstylist’s desk. Its fame is largely due to its keratin properties, which smooth hair and add shine.
This heat protectant contains spirulina protein, a plant-based blend rich in amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and biotin, which nourishes my hair with every use. It contains innovative formaldehyde-free binders that are heat-activated to mimic the smoothing effect of a keratin straightening treatment. The end result is achieved through keratin and is free of any chemicals.
In addition to its nourishing and softening properties, this spray also has a number of practical benefits that make it even more appealing. It provides heat protection up to 230 degrees Celsius, preventing damage from styling tools, and provides 24-hour frizz control, effectively combating humidity-induced frizz. I also noticed that I now spend less time blow-drying my hair, making it easier to maintain.
Since the product doesn’t have a strong scent, it’s ideal to use after shampoo, conditioner, and hair mask (in addition to any other products you may be using).
TRESemmé Heat Protection Spray is the best drugstore heat protection spray. At just $7, it’s affordable, provides heat protection, and nourishes when you spray it on. So you get great value for your money, plus a quality guarantee.
The spray is heat-resistant up to 230°C and is suitable for use with a variety of styling tools, including hair dryers, straighteners, and curling irons. Considering the $7 price tag, that’s pretty impressive. It’s a pretty practical product (no frills), but it doesn’t sacrifice protection and is effective in preventing frizz.
TRESemmé Hairspray is lightweight and doesn’t weigh my hair down or leave a greasy residue. It’s so versatile that I can use it on damp or dry hair before styling, making my hair care routine more convenient without being too complicated.
Bondi Boost really knows how to add volume to your hair. I have medium to fine hair but it works great for me.
This ultra-light spray can withstand temperatures up to 450°F (230°C) without weighing hair down, making it ideal for fine or brittle hair that is easily weighed down by heavy products. Its non-greasy formula, which sprays on easily, is praised for leaving hair soft, shiny and bouncy.
In addition to its protective properties, this heat protectant spray also contains natural plant ingredients such as Australian aloe vera and rosemary extract. Not only do these ingredients protect my hair from heat damage, but they also improve the overall condition of my hair by eliminating split ends and increasing shine. The price is also quite reasonable and the scent is pleasant and will not leave a strong smell in the bathroom.
Meet one of the first heat protectants I ever used. CHI 44 Iron Guard Heat Spray has been a favorite for years thanks to its unique formula that leaves hair full, bouncy and styled to perfection.
Formulated with strengthening proteins and a ceramic formula, this lightweight spray provides protection from hot styling tools up to 450°F (232°C) without weighing down fragile strands.
After using this spray, the volume and texture of my hair has improved significantly, especially when styling it daily. I was pleasantly surprised to find that my hair was fluffy and flowing, not stiff at all. The effect lasts all day.
In addition to the volumizing effect, CHI 44 Iron Guard adds shine and reduces frizz, further increasing overall volume. The only downside is the scent is too masculine; it smells like cologne, which I don’t really like, but it doesn’t ruin the experience.
Ah, this “10-Wonderful Leave-In Hair Treatment” brings back memories for me. In fact, it may have been the first heat protectant I ever used, and yes, it still sits in my bathroom cabinet.
This smallest bottle costs less than $25 and is an all-in-one styling spray that always leaves my hair shiny, smooth, and fully protected. It’s easy to order online (it has over 7,000 positive reviews on Amazon alone), and the scent is fresh but not overpowering.
This Top 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner is a great value heat protection hair care product thanks to its multi-functional benefits and highly rated reputation. Not only does it protect hair from heat damage, it also smoothes, reduces frizz, adds shine and provides UV protection. It is flawless and lightweight.
After I shower, I love using Amika’s Blockade Heat Defense Serum. Oh, and if I had to admit to loving one particular brand, it would definitely be Amika (technically, I already did, since I’ve reviewed almost all of Amika’s products).
In short, it has the perfect texture and applies beautifully after shampoo, conditioner, other sprays, mousses and leave-in conditioners. It costs less than $30, is easy to carry and does not weigh down your hair.
Amika Blockade Heat Defence Serum provides maximum protection against heat styling tools up to 230°C. This lightweight shine serum not only protects my hair from heat damage, but also prevents moisture loss, eliminates frizz and leaves my hair looking healthy and shiny. It contains Sea Buckthorn Extract, a powerful natural ingredient rich in Omega 7 fatty acids that increases hair elasticity and provides superior hydration; making it ideal for maintaining healthy hair while styling.
As for the overall formula, I have been a fan of this product for years. I like to apply it to damp hair before styling to achieve the perfect frizz-free look.
After Bumble and Bumble B, Heat Shield is my second most used heat protection spray because it smells so good. I know, I know—I love Amika, but this all-in-one spray is lightweight and helps me achieve a luxurious, sleek blow-dry.
The Brooklyn Bombshell Blow Dry Spray from amika is a premium blow dry spray that delivers salon-quality results at home. This lightweight, flowing spray gives my hair noticeable body, volume, and shine without leaving it feeling weighed down or brittle.
Its unique formula includes Amika’s signature nourishing ingredients, such as Provitamin B5 and Sea Buckthorn Extract, which work together to moisturize and protect hair, improving its overall condition and appearance.
Brooklyn Bombshell Blowout Spray is versatile and can be used as a primer before blow-drying or as a setting spray after styling. It provides heat protection up to 230°C. It may be a little thin for a heavy build, but it still provides great protection.
When I first used the Kerastase Genesis Defense Heat Protectant Spray, I was absolutely thrilled (literally). The only reason this product wasn’t our overall winner is because it’s a bit on the higher side of the average price, but it definitely made a difference to my hair after every use, and I could tell the difference right away.
First off, I *love* the heat protectant that doubles as a blow-dry spray. It helps restore shine and gives my hair incredible smoothness. I love how lightweight it is, how nice it smells, and how well it prevents breakage. Every time I use it, I know it will take care of my hair in the long run, helping it grow and nourishing it.
What’s the secret? It’s made with ginger, coconut oil, and citric acid (the so-called hair care triumvirate). I love how it keeps my ends bouncy at all times, and I consider it my secret beauty weapon. A real one.
In my experience, Moroccanoil is the queen of smooth, luxurious hair; all of its products are legendary and every time I spray or brush any of them, my hair is noticeably thicker and more beautiful to look at. So Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant is definitely a good choice for you.
It contains nourishing argan oil, which helps soften hair and add natural shine without weighing it down. The lightweight, non-weight formula ensures that my hair always feels naturally flowing, without the stiffness or greasiness that other hair products can cause.
Moroccan Oil Perfect Protection spray glides on easily and evenly on damp or dry hair, providing full coverage without leaving any product residue. Oh, and the signature Moroccan oil scent adds a delightful tactile sensation to my look every time.
It’s obvious: Aveda Heat Relief Thermal Protectant Spray & Conditioner delivers shine like no other heat protectant can match.
This small but reliable bottle of conditioner is worth trying in every way. Its ingredients are 97% natural, including nourishing jojoba and sunflower oils. Its nourishing ingredients combined with a lightweight spray give my hair a radiant shine without weighing it down.
Even with regular use of heat styling tools, my hair always stays shiny and healthy. It works on both dry and damp hair. What’s more, it doesn’t leave any greasy residue and is completely reusable. However, it’s the shine that makes it great and worth the money.
No one wants frizzy hair, and Paul Mitchell’s Micro-Fiber Serum is sure to make you fall in love with your photogenic locks. I couldn’t help but check myself out in the mirror.
Paul Mitchell Micro-Fibering Serum contains lightweight silicones that seal the hair cuticle, effectively locking in moisture and smoothing the hair shaft. Its humidity-resistant formula keeps my baby’s hair intact, even in harsh weather conditions.
This serum is the best choice on this list for those with curly hair because it is waterproof and reduces drying time. If you want smooth and shiny hair, you should definitely check out this heat protectant.
What’s more, its formula is vegan, paraben-free, and easy to use. It also functions as a heat protectant and blow-dry spray to create silky, long-lasting styles.