The 16 Best Heat Protectants to Save Your Hair
Please don't style without one.
Every product on this page was chosen by a Harper's BAZAAR editor. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy.
You might think you can get away without a heat protectant. You'd be wrong! Heat protectants are essential in any hairstylists' kit, and the newest innovative formulas double as leave-in conditioners, detanglers, and stylers too. “Heat protectants 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."
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We're not here to tell you to stop using your blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons, but if you’re going to heat style your hair, make sure you know the basics of heat protection. For example, there’s no need to drench your hair in it—just be sure you use enough product to apply to the mid-shaft through the ends of your hair. Really focus on those ends, which tend to be more susceptible to damage, says Nuriel Abramov, hairstylist and owner of Numi Salon.
Each product below is a little different, but the core goal of protecting your hair against heat damage remains the same. Shop the very best heat protectant sprays and creams for all hair types and styles, ahead.
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
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.”
Customer Review:
"My conditioner replacement. Buttery & strong hair! I love love love this product. I have thin hair and I constantly battle with damaged hair and split ends from heat. This is my new conditioner replacement and leaves my hair strong & BUTTERY soft. LOVE!!!" – Snowdin
| Fragrance | Citrus scent |
|---|---|
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
JVN Complete Instant Recovery Leave-In Serum
Pros
- Best for damaged hair
- A little goes a long way
Cons
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.
Customer Review:
"One word.. LUXE!!!! I love this. The smell is very upscale and not juvenile. The packaging is GLASS and heavy. Very high quality. The product itself makes my hair so soft! PLUS heat protection? Sold!" - Madddoggg
| Key Ingredients | Niacinamide, Hemisqualane |
|---|---|
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
Hot Tools Hot Tools Pro Artist Heat Defense Instant Detangling Mist
Pros
- Easy to use
Cons
Hot Tools is known for its affordable yet powerful tools (almost every pro stylist has one in their kit), and the brand's new detangling mist is made to nourish hair even when using heat. The leave-in spray has a chia complex to protect from up to 455°F, plus hyaluronic acid to hydrate and a Brazilian oil ceramide to boost shine and smoothness.
Customer Review:
"Even though this product was received as part of the stellar product testing panel, I will be purchasing my next bottle! My daughters hair is very dry curly and thin. She gets HORRIBLE tangles but this is the only one that works!" – Danielle
| Heat Protection | 455°F |
|---|
Pros
- Makes hair soft and shiny
Cons
The key to keeping frizz under control is to hydrate and nourish strands. IGK 4-in-1 Prep Spray not only adds softness and shine with spirulina protein and coconut oil, but it gives the hair slip for an easy, tangle-free blowout.
Customer Review:
"This stuff is amazing. Makes my hair so soft and shiny!I honestly don’t know how I ever lived without it!!!Going forward this will always be in my cabinet!!!" -Linda L.
| Heat Protection | 455°F |
|---|---|
| Key Features | 24-Hour Frizz Protection, Spray Bottle |
Matrix Total Results Mega Sleek Iron Smoother Defrizzing Leave-In Spray
Pros
- Fights humidity
Cons
Fight frizz and protect hair simultaneously with this smoothing spray. It also contains shea butter for softness and manageability, so you can style with ease.
Customer Review:
"I have wavy, low porosity, bleached blondish hair. This is my product of choice when flat ironing and..I've tried them all. This tames frizz completely and my waves straighten out with no issues. Meaning no burnt or dried hair and no build up. Highly recommend for a sleek look!" – Lieber
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|
Better Not Younger Better Not Younger No Remorse Heat Protection & Taming Spray
Pros
- Moisturizing
Cons
Nourishing oils like argan and avocado–plus vitamin E–smooth hair, prevent frizz, and hydrate strands for a sleek finish.
Customer Review:
"I bought this product because I straighten my hair every other day and I'm always trying to find products to protect it from the heat. First thing I loved about No Remorse was the immediate feeling of freshness when I applied it on my damp hair.I left my hair dry during the day and every time I touched it I was amazed how soft it felt. When I finally straightened it, it was still smooth which made the straightening process easier than usual and the best is that I have ZERO frizz!!!"
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray
Pros
- Good for wet and dry hair
- Has a fine mister
Cons
Whether you're styling freshly-washed hair or day three hair, this spray protects hair from heat for up to 48 hours and can be used on both damp and dry hair.
Customer Review:
"This product is used by my hair dresser - they are all honestly great. I have tried the hair spray, volume booster, and dry shampoo. This heat spray is my favorite because it is pretty light - won't make your hair look greasy or oily unless you use a ton, so spray just a little to start! It's also a nice finishing spray after you style. Just use in moderation." -Rachel
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|
Pros
- Smooths hair
- Helps detangle
Cons
Soften and easily detangle hair with this milky formula that also strengthens hair with beta carotene-filled Roucou oil.
Customer Review:
"The smell is incredible. Helps stop frizz and protects my hair using hot tools. I credit this for keeping my hair strong enough to grow out." -Kristen
| Features | Spray bottle, milky formula |
|---|
Pros
- Holds style
- Mousse formula boosts volume
Cons
If you're a mousse fan, then this foam heat protectant is for you. It delivers weightless protection for up to 450˚F and holds styles, courtesy of copolymers, so you can skip the hairspray.
| Heat Protection | 450˚F |
|---|
Pros
- Good for all hair types
- Nice smell
Cons
Hot tools have a tendency to make hair appear lackluster. This fine mist–containing ginger root for moisture and edelweiss for softening benefits–adds shine and bounce back into hair.
Customer Review:
"I absolutely love this treatment. I can’t stand when heat protectant makes my hair feel crunchy, oily or heavy, and this one doesn’t do any of that. It smells just like the shampoo and conditioner, and makes my hair look great after blow drying" -Brennaa
| Features | 24-hour frizz protection |
|---|
Eva Nyc Eva Nyc Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer
Pros
- Strengthens hair
- Cuts down drying time
Cons
This spray cuts right to the chase, offering 10 benefits in one spritz. Formulated with argan and sunflower seed oil, it the ultimate multitasker, from cutting drying time to avoid excess heat damage, smoothing hair, detangling, fighting frizz, and protecting hair from up to 450°F.
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection Heat Protectant Cream
Pros
- Silicone-free
Cons
This silicone-free cream shields your hair against heat up to 450 degrees, while also boosting shine and calming frizz.
Customer Review:
"Smells good, A lot of product. A little goes a long way, I was using way to much in the beginning, made my hair oily fast. It has a pleasant smell, and the liquid is not too thick, more like a water cream. Would buy again, and recommend." -MarielleWelz
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|
Pros
- Lightweight
- Fruity scent
Cons
This spray takes protection to a new level: Guava Fruit Extract, blue agave, and avocado oil protect hair from both hot tools and the sun's UV rays and leave hair feeling hydrated.
Customer Review:
"I have nothing bad to say about this spray. first of all, despite what i've seen some say i actually love the subtle guava scent which in my opinion isn't strong/overwhelming. i've been using this as a daily detangler, heat protectant, and as an overall defense to keep my hair protected from the elements (UV, pool water..) honestly really love this product and hopefully trying more or Ceremonia's products soon!" -EmmaRosemarie
| Features | Spray bottle |
|---|
PATTERN by Tracee Ellis Ross Heat Protectant
Pros
- Hydrating
Cons
Protect and plump curls with this spray that boasts crambe abyssinica seed oil, sunflower oil, and jojoba oil to nourish before you begin heat styling.
Customer Review:
"I received this product complementary in exchange for my review. I have naturally thick curly hair that I like to style with a curling iron or dryer. I have been looking for a heat protector and this one is nice and light weight, and does not leave your hair feeling oily." -Connieandpia
| Hair Types | Curly, Coily, Wavy |
|---|
John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Heat Protectant Spray
Pros
- Fights frizz
- Best for flat irons
Cons
Frizz is usually solved with a flat iron, so this John Frieda spray tackles both heat damage and fuzz by instantly smoothing and creating a protective barrier with hydrolyzed keratin.
Customer Review:
"A few sprays goes. long way. I have curly, frizzy hair and it works wonders." – Meg
| Hair Types | Frizzy, Curly |
|---|
Pros
- Can be used on wet or dry hair
Cons
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.
Customer Review:
"Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Spray was given to me to try out and to leave my opinion. Well after a few weeks of trying this product out I can say that it's true to its word. It left my hair feeling, soft weightless and smelling nice and fresh. I can honestly say this is the third Moroccan oil product I have had the pleasure of trying out and its my new favorite go to hair care products. Thanks so much for making a brand that takes care of all the worst nightmares of woman's hair lol" -Angiesue89
| Heat Protection | 450°F |
|---|---|
| Hair Type | Straight, Wavy, Curly, and Coily |
How do you use a heat protectant?
One thing to note: a little goes a long way. Nuriel Abramov, hairstylist and owner of Numi Salon, says to apply a pea-sized amount of product to hair as the first step in your routine post-shower. "Focus on your ends, which tends to be drier and where damage most occurs," Abramov says. Heat protectant can be used on wash days or any time you use a hot tool. Most formulas are best applied on damp hair, but read the instructions. “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," says Clark.
What should you look for in a heat protectant?
Silicones are notorious for creating a coating on the hair to protect it from heat. For a silicone-free formula with the same effect, look for ingredients like squalane to protect the hair. For weak and damaged hair, Abramov opts for keratin-infused products to help strengthen. For dry hair, look for oils like argan and coconut to moisturize and protect strands.
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