Experts I spoke with recommend incorporating a protectant before any using any hot tool, so when making this list, we looked for products that include the following:
Below, I gathered expert-recommended, highly rated and NBC Select staff-favorite heat protectants that are made for a range of hair textures and types and align with our expert’s guidance. We categorized the heat protectants into three categories: creams, sprays and oils — every product also protects against heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Regardless of your hair type and texture, this heat protectant helps combat dryness and frizz, according to the brand. I work it into my damp, thick and wavy hair section by section and only use a little bit (quarter-sized amount at most.) That’s enough to cover my hair from mid-length to ends, taking any leftover product on my hands and placing it closer to my roots. Luckily, after blow drying, it doesn’t leave it looking greasy, and I see less frizz when I use this.
This lightweight cream, which has a 4.5-star average rating from over 400 reviews on Amazon, leaves your hair sleek, shiny and frizz-free, according to the brand. It also improves hair manageability (making it easier to style) and its key ingredients also help increase your hair’s strength and density, according to Oribe. Reviewers say a little goes a long way and to start off with a dime-size amount before adding more. Work it into wet, slightly damp hair before using any hot tool.
This is what Gutterman calls “your hair bestie” because it both moisturizes and protects your hair at the same time. She suggests using it on wet hair prior to blowing it out and to also apply it section by section. The cream is best for frizz-prone, dry hair, medium to thick hair, according to the brand. “Kerastase products, specifically the heat protectants, always make my hair look insanely shiny and healthy,” says NBC Select editor Lindsay Schneider, who received a sample from the brand. “I always get compliments on how good and healthy my hair looks whenever I use this before blowing out my very frizzy, curly hair.”
If you want your protectant to be extremely conditioning, consider this balm-to-cream option, which comes recommended by hairstylist and salon owner Tiffany Munoz. It will help quench your hair’s thirst and help tame it, says Munoz. Since it’s concentrated you won’t need much of it, all you need to do is apply a quarter-size amount of product, work it with your hands and then brush it through, says Munoz.
Right before curling or straightening my hair, I always spray this mist from my roots to my ends. After using this for over a month now, I can see a difference in how my hair looks — there’s less frizz, my hair doesn’t feel stiff or crunchy, and I love the fruity and floral scent, which lingers for a long time in my hair. Because my hair is pretty thick, I do go through this product faster than cream formulas I’ve tried, but because of the results, I don’t mind repurchasing it more frequently.
“My hairstylist specializes in cutting curly hair and uses this product in my hair right after washing it because it significantly smoothes, de-frizzes, detangles and protects my curly hair from heat damage,” says NBC Select production coordinator Kelsey Fredricks. “After using it in the salon, I now use it right before I diffuse my hair. iIt’s become a favorite addition of mine, plus the scent is like an amber musk dream.”
This oil-based heat protectant is great for day two hair when you want to add a little more moisture. It’s suitable for all hair types, including extensions and chemically treated hair, according to the brand. All you need to do is spray it five to six inches away from dry hair before styling. You can also use it again after you style your hair for added shine and smoothness or if you want to add more of the fragrance to your hair.
This spray, suitable for all hair types, including dry, frizz-prone hair, doubles as a styling treatment. “I love that it keeps my frizz under control while also protecting my fine wavy hair from heat damage, especially because I use hot tools a lot,” says NBC Select updates editor Mili Godio. It’s also available in a formulation specifically for curly hair. “My curls look so much more defined when I use it with my diffuser,” says NBC Select associate updates editor Zoe Malin.
If you have curly or coily hair, consider this lightweight spray from Mizani. You can use it on damp hair and work it in sections before blow drying, diffusing or putting your hair under a hooded dryer to help minimize frizz on curls without weighing them down, according to the brand. With a 4.5-star average rating from over 420 reviews on Amazon, reviewers say their coarse, coily, type 4 hair feels sleek without any tacky or sticky residue.
This heat protectant, which has a 4.6-star average rating from over 5,300 reviews on Amazon, uses argan oil and panthenol (vitamin B5) to hydrate the hair and give it a glossy finish, according to the brand. Reviewers say they love this spray for three key reasons: It doesn’t make their hair wet, so there is no waiting period before using a hot tool; it softens hair and doesn’t make it crunchy like hairspray typically does; it also has a long-lasting, subtle scent (a blend of spicy amber and sweet floral notes) that makes their hair smell great.
If you’re looking for a multitasking heat protectant, consider this option from Ceremonia. Not only does it protect your hair from damage caused by styling tools, but it also protects against UV damage, blue light exposure and pollution, according to Ceremonia. Reviewers say this doesn’t make their hair greasy and it doesn’t weigh down their hair, making it great for those with fine hair and thicker hair textures.
Reviewers have mixed opinions on the scent (which has notes of guava, jasmine petals and vetiver), with some saying the scent can be strong, while others find it pleasant. “I personally love the beachy, fruity smell of it,” says Schneider. “In my experience, it only smells immediately after I spray the bottle. The scent doesn’t last on my hair for very long.”
With a 4.6-star average rating from over 1,200 reviews, this oil protects hair from environmental aggressors like pollution and heat. Reviewers say it helps by combatting tangles and frizz on and between wash days. Some reviewers even say they combined it with their favorite leave-in conditioner for extra moisture.
This Bumble and Bumble formula, which has a 4.7-star average rating from over 1,600 reviews at Ulta, has six oils to hydrate and protect hair from heat and UV damage, according to the brand. Reviewers say it doesn’t leave behind residue at the roots and has helped hold styles for longer periods of time. The color-safe product is suitable for all hair types and textures, and you can apply it on wet or dry hair. Since certain areas might be more or less porous, massage the oil into your hair to help it absorb evenly, according to the brand.
Suitable for all hair types, this anti-frizz leave-in heat protectant uses three proteins (silk, soy and wheat) to strengthen the hair while also leaving it soft and shiny without any buildup, according to the brand. In addition to its protective and repairing abilities, reviewers say this helps combat overall hair dryness, with some reviewers even using it as a hair oil to soften and moisturize their dry ends. This option has a 4.7-star average rating from over 34,800 reviews on Amazon.
When you’re shopping for a heat protectant, the experts we spoke to recommend considering a few different factors and characteristics like your hair type, texture and ingredients.
There are four main hair types: straight, wavy, curly and coily, and four main textures: thin, medium, thick and coarse. Here’s what to look for based on your type and texture below:
Certain ingredients will help protect your hair, including dimethicone, which you can find in a lot of products since this primarily acts as a shield when added into the hair, says Gutterman. Other ingredients, including octylacrylamide, acrylates, and methacrylate, are other key ingredients that provide strong thermal protection, says Tang.
Grape seed oil is another option you’ll commonly see since it can protect the hair up to 420 degrees Fahrenheit while also adding shine and moisture, according to Gutterman.
There are also some key ingredients to avoid including alcohol (dries out the hair), sulfates (can be drying and can cause damage if used with heat), parabens (can create a cast over that hair that will weigh it down and need to be removed with a clarifying shampoo), according to Gutterman.
You can apply your heat protectant on wet or dry hair, though some circumstances make some better than others. For example, a cream tends to work best on slightly damp hair prior to blow drying, while a spray and oil are best on dry hair prior to using a styling tool, according to our experts. No matter which formulation you choose, let your heat protectant sit for a few minutes before applying any heat, says Tang.
For the sake of your hair's health, you should use a heat protectant anytime that you are using heat. But if you forget to use one on occasion, your hair is not going to fall off, says Walker.
Incorporating a leave-in conditioner with heat protection into your hair care routine is a great step toward safeguarding your hair from heat damage, says Tang. While these dual-purpose products provide a good level of protection, you can always enhance your defense against heat by using an additional dedicated heat protectant. This extra layer will give you comprehensive coverage and help minimize the potential damage caused by styling tools, ensuring your hair remains healthy and resilient, according to Tang.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Bianca Alvarez is an associate reporter covering skin care, hair care and gift guides, including recent stories on body washes for sensitive skin and eye creams. For this story, she interviewed four hairstylists and shared their recommendations as well as researched highly rated heat protectants that met their guidance.
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