12 Heat Protectants So Good, They’ll Convince Everyone Think You Only Air-Dry
Experts agree across the board: air-drying is best for your hair, but a mix of air and heat-drying can’t hurt for a balanced hair care routine. But how do you protect your strands against the harsh heat of curling irons, straightening irons, and blow dryers? Make sure you add a heat protectant to strands before turning on the power.
Heat protectants come in a variety of formulas and types. There are leave-in conditioners and glosses that coat and hydrate strands, there are sprays that protect the hair on the surface, and even ones that target other hair issues, like dullness, colored hair, and frizz. Ready to find the perfect heat protectant for your hair type? We've highlighted 12 of the best heat-protection sprays below.
1. Best Heat Protectant for Fine Hair:
IT'S A 10 HAIRCARE It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Lite
If you like to keep things simple with your hair care routine, grab this leave-in spray from IT’S A 10. It detangles, enhances volume in even the finest hair, protects from heat, restores shine, provides UV protection, and so much more (the only thing it can’t do is give you a blow-out, sorry!). Just a few sprays of this will keep your hair healthy without having to give it a second thought.
2. Best Heat Protectant for Damaged Hair:
ALTERNA HAIRCARE Caviar Anti-Aging Restructuring Bond Repair Leave-In Heat Protection Spray
ALTERNA uses caviar bonding technology to actually repair the bond of damaged hair from root to tip. It actively works to seek-out breakage and tears in the hair follicles and instantly repairs them and seals them with its vitamin-packed formula. This spray is a must-have for anyone dealing with damaged hair.
3. Best Heat Protectant for Gray Hair:
SACHAJUAN Heat Protection Hair Cream
Since gray hair can be dryer and more breakable than pigmented hair, you want to make sure you’re using a heat styling cream that pulls double duty, like this one from SACHAJUAN. It not only protects strands from heat damage due to hot tools, it’s also packed with the brand’s Ocean Silk Technology that adds moisture, shine, and elasticity to hair as it’s applied.
4. Best for Frizzy Hair:
BRIOGEO Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection and Heat Protectant Crème
This lightweight formula features a nourishing blend of natural ingredients to create the ultimate defense against both frizz and heat damage. Antioxidant-rich rosehip oil helps to fight off free radical damage, argan oil intensely hydrates and diminishes frizz, and coconut oil seals in moisture to protect your hair from breakage caused by hot tools. This is a great daily go-to for all hair types—straight, wavy, curly, or coily.
5. Best-Smelling Heat Protectant:
OUAI Leave In Conditioner
This leave-in conditioner doubles as heat protectant, which means you can protect your strands against heat damage and condition them at the same time. The best part? You’ll notice an instant, fresh scent that lasts on the hair. Use this to reduce hair breakage over time by 52% and to protect against temperatures up to 450 degrees.
6. Best Heat Protectant for All Hair Types:
DRYBAR Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist
If you’re not a fan of heavy styling creams and oils, pick up this lightweight spray that’s packed with marula oil to coat and protect the hair, and heat-activated rice protein that protects the hair against drying and breakage that can occur when styling. Whether you’re into a sleek, straight look, or just want to protect your curls, this spray does it all.
7. Best Heat Protectant for Damaged Hair:
SLEEK'E Silk'e Heat Defense Serum
Grapeseed, avocado, and jojoba oils pack this serum with natural antioxidant and hydrating properties. It’s perfect for hair that’s been through the ringer. Think: color-treated hair, hair that’s undergone keratin treatments, and daily heat styling. Just run a small amount through strands for instant heat protection for up to 450 degrees.
8. Best Heat Protectant for Straightening:
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray
If your primary reason for heat styling is to create sleek strands using a straightener, then opt for this formula, which not only offers thermal protection but also helps to create smooth, beautifully straight results. IGK uses spirulina protein to strengthen and nourish while an innovative formaldehyde-free bonding polymer mimics the smoothing properties of a keratin treatment when activated by heat. It even helps to cut down on drying time, protects your straightened hair against humidity, and shields it from UV damage. Should we go on, or…?
9. Best Blowout-Extending Heat Protectant:
LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray
Not only does this miracle multitasker shield your hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees, but it also helps to extend the life of your blowout. Less heat styling equals less heat damage overall. The silicone-free, color-safe formula is powered by the brand's patented “healthy hair molecule,” which weightlessly smooths and protects. Apply this versatile formula on wet hair before using a hair dryer, flat iron, or curling iron—or spritz a bit on dry hair before any second or third-day touch-ups.
10. Best Heat Protectant for Frizz:
MARC ANTHONY Bye Bye Frizz Heat Protectant Leave-in Conditioner
We love a leave-in heat protectant that won’t leave a buildup of silicone on the hair. This lightweight protectant is your first defense against a humid summer. Moisture is no match for its frizz-fighting capabilities, thanks to ingredients like hydrolyzed silk, keratin, and hydrolyzed keratin. Of course, it’s paraben-, sulfate-, and phthalate-free to boot.
11. Best Heat Protectant for Blonde Hair:
IT'S A 10 Miracle Leave-In Conditioner for Blondes
Here's another ultra-hydrating option from the beloved haircare brand IT'S A 10. Unlike the shine-boosting option listed above, this styling cream is specially formulated for natural or color-treated blondes. The moisture-packed leave-in conditioner protects and strengthens with ingredients like hydrolyzed silk protein and panthenol while also boosting and reviving blonde color with lemon juice. Use this alongside your go-to purple shampoo to easily eliminate brassy tones and enhance highlights.
12. Best Weightless Heat Protectant:
BUMBLE AND BUMBLE Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil
Hairstylists swear by this cult-favorite multitasking leave-in treatment that hydrates, fights frizz, detangles, and protects against heat damage in one fell swoop. If you have fine hair that tends to feel weighed down by some post-shower hair products, you'll love the weightless feel of this "invisible" oil. It's so lightweight you might even forget it's there—that is, until you catch a glimpse of your feather-soft, perfectly glossy strands in the mirror.
Want to try out all the newest self-care must-haves? Take our Beauty Quiz now to get started with your own IPSY beauty subscription. Already an IPSY member? Refer your friends to earn points, which you can use toward products. Either way, don’t forget to check us out on Instagram and TikTok @IPSY.
Like this article? Share it with your friends by clicking the icons below!
