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Avoid Frying Your Hair by Investing in These Heat Protectant Sprays
Damage-free mermaid waves are just a few spritzes away.
Some of us have to wait until the cooler months arrive to enjoy a silk press, while others battle humidity and strategically plan for rainy days to prevent frizz or reversion. Whether you prefer bombshell curls or sleek straight strands, there’s one product that can effectively and safely help us morph our locks into any style, and it’s a heat protectant.
“A heat protectant is a must-have for anyone using hot tools like blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons, as it creates a protective barrier over the hair shaft to minimize moisture loss, prevent breakage, and reduce frizz caused by high temperatures,” says Jennifer Korab a New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa. Simple yet powerful, heat protectants usually come after shampooing and conditioning (throw a hair mask in for extra strengthening), and work best on towel-dried hair. “To use it effectively, simply spray or apply it evenly to damp or dry hair, depending on the product, then comb through to ensure even distribution before proceeding with heat styling. This extra step helps maintain the health and integrity of your hair while achieving your desired look,” Korab adds.
Our picks for the best heat protectants of 2025
These days, heat protectants come in a slew of formulas, from styling oils to serums to classic sprays. Ahead, we compiled a list of the seven best heat protectants that hair experts, editors, and customers rave about.
Pros
- Lightweight formula
Cons
- Applicator pump can be faulty
Heat protectants were once relegated to spray or oil formulas, but if you’re looking for something that protects without weighing down your hair—how about this lightweight serum? Amika’s cult-favorite Blockade heat protectant dispenses a lightweight solution that arms the hair to withstand heat up to 450 degrees. Beyond protection, it also smoothes frizz and coats the hair with a finishing sheen.
Key ingredients: sea buckthorn
Size: 1.7 fl oz
Revolve rating: 4.4/5 stars
A Revolve reviewer says: “Definitely made a huge difference with heat styling. I have 3a curly hair and I’m always worried about heat damage, but this product did exactly what is was made for.”
Pros
- Can be used on dried hair
Cons
- Some dislike the strong scent
This Oribe spray can always be found backstage at runway shows, supplying protection for various hair types and styles. Behind the can is a multipurpose formula that softens hair and tames flyaways, while also doubling as a hair perfume—bergamot, jasmine and sandalwood are just a few of the scent notes.
Key ingredients: coconut water, plant collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide
Size: 5.2 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I was hesitant to buy this, as it's pretty pricey, but I went for it and I'm so glad I did. I often use heat on my hair when it’s already dry to smooth frizz and style second day hair and this works brilliantly for that. The spray doesn't make my hair at all wet and I feel like it’s protected from all the heat I'm applying. My hair is so soft and shiny after using. I’m hooked and will definitely repurchase.”
Pros
- Reduces frizz
Cons
- May not be best for super fine hair
Our hair can be unruly at times, but here’s a serum that puts it back on the right course. To ensure malleability, the serum is packed with conditioning agents along with a patented Morpho-Kératine™ Complex to reduce frizz and restore the hair’s proteins.
Key ingredient: morpho-Kératine™ Complex
Size: 5.1 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars
Our expert says: “This is a must-have for frizz control and smoothing, especially for thick or unruly hair. It protects from heat while keeping strands sleek and manageable.”—Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa
Pros
- Adds sheen
Cons
- Some users dislike the scent
A silk press can easily be ruined by the wrong heat protectant. The Doux created a complete system—from shampoo to conditioner to heat protectant—to ensure your hair has every product needed to create a bouncy, shiny, and long-lasting silk press that rivals an in-salon version.
Key ingredients: plant polymers, aloe, Doux-plex bonding technology
Size: 4 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars
An ELLE editor says: “My hair hates heat and typically puffs up at the slightest encounter with humidity or moisture, so I rarely do silk presses. However, my strands fo enjoy the O.P.P heat protectant spray, which keeps them silky straight for a few days without me needing to run a hot comb or flat iron through it again.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor
Pureology Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave-In Conditioner
Pros
- Strengthens and protects against damage
Cons
- May not be best for sensitive skin
Color-treated hair requires a lot of nourishment but even more protection to prevent breakage or damage. Pureology’s Color Fanatic is a leave-in conditioner with over 21 benefits, but let’s hone in on the most important ones: it easily detangles, strengthens weak or compromised strands, protects against heat damage, and adds shine.
Key ingredients: camellia seed oil, coconut oil, xylose
Size: 6.7 fl oz
Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars
Our expert says: “My go-to for its 450°F protection, lightweight feel, and added benefits like detangling, conditioning, and shine-enhancing properties. Perfect for color-treated hair.”—Jennifer Korab
Pros
- Tames frizz
Cons
- Applicator can be faulty
Adding a styling oil, like this one from Roz, can make all the difference in your finished look. Thanks to a blend of nourishing oils, just a few pumps of this on your ends can smooth and tame frizz.
Key ingredients: jojoba oil, argan oil, jasmine, aloe
Size: 2 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Lovely product! Imparts just the right amount of shine without weighing hair down. A little goes a long way. I bought the mini and it’s lasted me forever. The scent is amazing, different and fresh. Highly recommend.
Pros
- Stimulates the scalp
Cons
- Applicator can be faulty
If, thanks to social media, your hair collection is stocked with rosemary-infused products, another one won’t hurt. This heat protectant spray combines rosemary extract to stimulate the scalp as other ingredients support healing split ends and breakage.
Key ingredients: Rosemary extract, aloe vera, pro vitamin B5
Size: 4.23 fl oz
Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars
A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is hands down my favorite heat protectant spray ever. It smells good and feels very natural. It doesn’t feel like hair spray or make my hair feel greasy. It protects my hair so well and I love it.”
Pros
- Strengthens hair
Cons
Before you balk at the price tag, this hairstylist favorite does exactly what it touted to do—dry hair in a flash. It’s powered by keratin to calm frizz and streamline the blow-drying process to reduce heat damage.
Key ingredient: keratin
Size: 8 fl oz
Our expert says: “Because it does it all and the results have a similar effect to a full keratin treatment. It not only protects the hair from thermal damage, but it cuts the blow dry time in half, smooths the cuticle, reduces frizz and gives outstanding results!”—Michelle Cleveland, hair extension artist, celebrity hair stylist, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar
Meet the Experts
Jennifer Korab is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa.
Michelle Cleveland is a hair extension artist, celebrity hair stylist, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar.
What should you look for in a heat protectant?
When shopping for a heat protectant, it's important to consider the temperature it protects against.Look for one that offers thermal protection up to at least 400 degrees fahrenheit to effectively shield hair from high temperatures,” Korab says. Beyond protection from heat, it’s advised to look into formulas that are also nourishing and reparative. “I love an all-in-one heat protectant product that not only guards your hair from heat but also cuts blow dryers time down, helps smooth the strands and protects from environmental factors such as sun, smog, fumes, etc,” says Cleveland.
The best formulas have a blend of conditioning agents, “like argan oil, coconut oil, or glycerin to keep hair moisturized and prevent dryness,” Korab adds. “A lightweight formula is ideal, as it won’t weigh hair down or leave a greasy residue. A good heat protectant should also help control frizz and smooth the hair, creating a sleek, polished finish. For added benefits, some formulas also provide UV protection, helping to defend hair against sun damage and environmental stressors.”
What hair type can use it? Who should stay away?
Heat protectants are beneficial for all hair types, whether fine, thick, curly, or straight, but choosing the right formula is key. Those with fine hair should opt for a lightweight spray to avoid buildup, while thicker, curly, or coarse hair benefits from a cream or serum-based protectant that provides extra moisture. For color-treated or damaged hair, a formula enriched with strengthening ingredients like keratin or amino acids can help reinforce and protect the strands. No one should skip a heat protectant if they use hot tools, and even those who rarely apply heat can still benefit from its ability to guard against UV exposure and environmental damage.
Why Trust ELLE Beauty?
As a leading publisher of fashion, lifestyle, and beauty content, ELLE.com is committed to highlighting the best products in various categories by personally testing the latest and most innovative products, interviewing countless experts, and vetting customer-loved items. For this piece, beauty commerce editor Nerisha Penrose polled hair experts to determine the best heat protectants for all hair types and concerns.
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