Regular use of hairdryers, curling irons, and straighteners can damage your hair severely, often becoming irreversible. So, here’s our list of the best heat protectants for natural hair that can come in handy in such cases. These protectants can minimize the damage considerably, even if not completely. Natural oils like coconut oil, castor oil, or argan oil are essential ingredients of these protectants. These oils behave similarly to silicones at high temperatures and help protect your hair from damage from excessive heat. These protectants work by creating a protective barrier around the hair cuticle, which helps strengthen and protect the hair simultaneously. Therefore, apply these heat protectants before using a heating product like a blow dryer, curling iron, or hair straighteners.

13 Best Heat Protectants For Natural Hair

1. Best Overall: Hair Food Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protection Blend

You don’t need to worry about using blow-dryers or styling irons anymore. This product infused with coconut and argan oil helps to seal and protect your hair from heat damage caused by thermal styling, up to temperatures of 450°F. Made with healthy ingredients, this heat protection spray is free of sulfates, parabens, mineral oil, and dyes. It has a refreshing, delicious scent, and can be used on its own or with your shampoo, conditioner, or other styling products. Here’s a video to help you know more about this product’s features and benefits. Pros

Not tested on animals Alcohol-free Suitable for all hair types Makes the hair soft and shiny Lightweight formula

Cons

May turn the hair oily afterward Might be drying on some scalps

2. Best For Color-Treated Hair: Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield

Before styling your hair with flat irons, blow dryers, or curling wands, you should apply this mist that protects your hair from heat up to 450 ℉. The thermal shield hydrates your hair while protecting it from becoming dry and heat-damaged. Argan oil is known to restore, enhance, and stimulate hair growth. It also repairs dry, brittle, and damaged hair from blow drying, flat ironing, and sun exposure because it’s a natural moisturizer. Shea butter gives you beautifully sleek and silky tresses. It has the added advantage of being vegan and sulfate, and paraben and cruelty-free. The hydrating and protective properties of this product allow you to blow-dry without any worries so that you always look like you just walked out of the salon. This video takes you through this product’s unique features, making it easier for you to make a buying decision. Pros

100% natural Acts as a leave-in conditioner Speeds up drying time Adds shine to the hair Suitable for all hair types Safe for color-treated hair

Cons

Some may find the scent overpowering Might weigh down fine hair

3. Best For Hair Breakage: Arvazallia Heat Protectant Plus With Argan Oil

This is a professional-grade heat protectant that shields your hair from damage caused by heat styling tools. It offers strong two-layer protection that first penetrates your hair follicles to repair hair damage, and then prevents breakage and split ends. Argan oil moisturizes, conditions, and improves the texture of your hair leaving it with a soft and silky finish. It also contains agents that are highly effective in controlling frizz and tangling to improve the flexibility and manageability of your hair. It’s suitable for all hair types and boasts an incredible fragrance. Pros

Lightweight formula Makes the hair shiny Safe to use on wigs and color-treated hair Speeds up drying time Controls split ends

Cons

Sprayer might be difficult to use May feel oily on thin hair

 

4. Best Anti-Frizz Heat Protectant: Sun Bum Heat Protector Spray

This product not only protects your hair against heat damage but is also great for making your hair dry faster. Infused with nourishing ingredients like noni and sea kelp extract, the two-phase formula delivers a lightweight blend to eliminate frizz and resist humidity. It is also enriched with vitamins and minerals to maintain healthy locks. The cruelty-free spray is further enriched with coconut oil, banana pulp, banana peel, banana leaf, banana flower extract, sunflower seed oil, shea butter, olive fruit oil, and avocado oil, which add to the luster and health of your hair. Pros

Contains natural ingredients Vegan-friendly Free of parabens and sulfates Gluten-free Makes your hair soft and shiny Light fragrance

Cons

May feel oily on some hair types Might leave residue

5. Best Non-Greasy: Design Essentials Silk Essentials Strengthening Serum

The lightweight heat protectant and strengthening serum offers ultimate protection against permanent curl elongation, which often occurs because of thermal straightening. It seals the hair cuticles, locks moisture into the hair, and gives a radiant shine when using hot styling tools. Its formula contains 17 amino acids, which strengthen damaged hair thus improving hair manageability and reducing static. It’s also infused with professional-grade silk proteins and minerals and just a few drops of this serum go a long way. This lightweight formula is suitable for all hair types and textures. Pros

Cruelty-free Sulfate- and gluten-free Non-greasy formula Imparts a glossy finish Safe to use on color-treated hair Provides long-lasting smoothness

Cons

Some may find the smell overpowering May quickly dry out on curly hair

6. Best Alcohol-Free: Silk Elements MegaSilk Olive Heat Protection Spray

The heat protection spray helps to protect your hair from heat damage caused by various heat styling tools like flat irons, hair dryers, and curling tongs. It leaves your hair soft, silky, and reduces frizziness while smoothing your hair. Infused with the benefits of olives and silk proteins, it is just the answer for hair damaged by heat and leaves you with lustrous tresses. For a more detailed review of this product, here’s a video. Pros

Provides shine Alcohol-free formula Improves hair texture Nice fragrance Lightweight formula Adds moisture to the hair

Cons

Might not be suitable for humid climates May not last all day

7. Best For Preventing Split Ends: Keratin Research Thermal Heat Protector Hair Spray

Known to help with superior protection, the Keratin Research Thermal Heat Protector Hair Spray is made to withstand heat up to 450℉. Infused with shine-boosting ingredients, such as Moroccan argan oil, keratin amino acids, and collagen amino acids, this hair spray formula can eliminate frizz, add shine, and soften your hair. To use this, simply spritz some hair spray into towel-dried hair, followed by combing and leaving it to dry. The hair spray is gentle enough for daily use and can make the hair less prone to any sort of damage. Pros

Vegan formula Suitable for all hair types Helps in detangling wet hair Prevents split ends Helps in rebuilding the hair structure Weightless formula

Cons

Some may find it difficult to use the sprayer

8. Best For Damaged Hair: Redken Extreme Play Safe Heat Protectant Spray

The heat protectant spray for hair not only provides protection from heat up to 450℉, but also strengthens your hair at the same time. This product is ideal for anyone who uses heat styling equipment like blow dryers, flat irons, and curling irons frequently to style their hair. This versatile treatment protects your hair from heat treatment and repairs damaged hair. Infused with plant proteins and tourmaline, it prevents split ends and drastically reduces the appearance of split ends by 70%. This versatile heat protectant also fortifies the hair shaft and reduces hair breakage by 28%, leaving you with strong hair. Pros

Acts as a leave-in conditioner pH-balanced formula Promotes overall hair health Lightweight

Cons

May turn thin hair greasy Might be difficult to use the sprayer

9. Best Versatile: Matrix Total Results Length Goals Extensions Perfector

The unique product specifically prolongs the beauty of your extensions and wigs. It prepares, maintains, and revives hair. The formula moisturizes and gives your hair a new lease of life with double the reviving agents, thus reducing styling time and detangling by half. It also protects hair from heat up to 450℉, which is of paramount importance for those who sport extensions frequently and users of heating tools for their hair. So, do try this versatile styling spray that detangles, revives and eases blow drying for extensions. Pros

Safe to use on color-treated hair Paraben-free Lightweight formula Adds shine to the hair Makes the hair easy to style

Cons

Some may find the fragrance overpowering Might result in breakouts for some

10. Best For All Hair Types: Foxybae Cool AF Heat Protectant Spray

This heat protection spray contains a host of active ingredients such as biotin, keratin, glycerin, sunflower seed oil, cetearyl alcohol, and citric acid. This all-natural hair spray is specially-formulated to protect your hair from heat damage caused by any heat styling tool, and also reduces frizziness, increases shine, and keeps your hair sleek and lustrous. This leave in spray conditions your hair and provides long lasting protection. It penetrates the follicles of your hair to repair existing damage while also preventing breakage and split ends, and is effective on all hair types including natural, permed and curly hair. Formulated with a signature fragrance, it will leave your hair both beautiful and fragrant. Pros

Vegan formula Cruelty-free Free of parabens, phthalates, and sulfates Safe to use on color-treated hair Helps in hair growth Acts as a natural sunscreen

Cons

Might leave a sticky residue May weigh down fine hair

11. Best For Glossy Hair: Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray

The all-natural heat styling protectant delivers spectacular heat defense and curl protection. From blow drying to flat ironing, this formula is the ultimate solution to helping your hair handle heat treatments while eliminating frizz and adding luster. Infused with organic and natural ingredients like argan, almond, sacha inchi, and mongongo oil, it contains no chemicals or preservatives. This heat protection spray improves both the health and texture of your hair, keeping it smooth and glossy. Pros

Ideal for curly hair Paraben-free Hydrates the hair Helps in repairing damaged hair Nice fragrance

Cons

Might make the hair feel stiff May not be suitable for all hair types

12. Best For Adding Shine: Shea Moisture Jamaican Strengthen & Restore Anti-Breakage Spray

The heat protection spray contains fair-trade organic shea butter to moisturize and detangle your hair, besides serving as a heat protectant. Jamaican black castor oil protects your hair strands and follicles while adding a lustrous shine to damaged hair. It instantly strengthens hair strands from within and reduces breakage by up to 70% by providing nourishing hydration. It also contains peppermint oil, which protects your hair against the damaging effects of high heat styling, while increasing your hair’s resistance to breakage. This anti-breakage spray is the best heat protection spray for both natural curls or color-treated hair. Pros

Restores moisture in hair Smoothens the split ends Makes hair look glossy Suitable for chemically treated hair Not tested on animals Free of harmful chemicals

Cons

Spray pump may be hard to use Might feel greasy on some hair types

13. Best For Relaxed Hair: Flawless By Gabrielle Union Shine Enhancing Heat Protection Spray

The heat protection spray provides a heat shield for hair against damage from heat tools and allows you to style your hair as you please. Infused with coconut oil, Brazilian bacuri butter, rice oil complex, passion fruit seed oil, acai palm oil, and lilac leaf extract, it offers great protection against heat damage. Apart from preventing damage by heat to your hair, this product also enhances the shine, leaving your hair glossy and lustrous. Pros

Works on color-treated and relaxed hair Free of parabens, sulfates, and silicones Makes the hair soft and smooth Prevents hair breakage Prevents split ends Vegan formula

Cons

Might not be suitable for dry hair May turn fine hair greasy

Now that you have been through our review of the 13 best heat protectants for hair, it’s important to know what to look for while choosing one for yourself, so that you pick up the best product for lustrous, glossy tresses.

How To Choose The Right Heat Protectants For Natural Hair

Lightweight

It’s best to avoid a heat protectant that weighs your hair down. A water-based spray/mist or a serum are good options, especially if you have curly hair. They offer better protection to your hair and also nourish it while keeping your hair bouncy and voluminous. A greasy heat protectant tends to cause hair shrinkage and makes your hair look limp. Usually creams and serums work better when it comes to hair styling and hair care. Sprays, on the other hand, are more comfortable and lightweight to use.

Protection from high heat

Usually a good heat protectant can protect your hair from temperatures between 425 ℉ to 450℉. You need to know this detail to build a barrier between your hair and the high heat it’s exposed to by flat irons, curling irons, and blow dryers. Depending on your daily styling needs, choose the right heat protectant. If you like to use a flat iron on a regular basis, look for one that provides higher heat protection.

Anti-frizz and anti-breakage technology

The ideal heat protectant should be able to nourish your hair and add shine without causing it to become frizzy. It should not take away all the moisture from your hair and cause it to break. It is not enough for a heat protector to be lightweight and fragrant, it should also make your hair silky and strong. Look for ingredients like argan oil, silk proteins, and other agents that detangle and defrizz your hair.

Why Trust MomJunction?

Poulami Nag is a hair and beauty enthusiast who recommends choosing products that protect hair follicles from getting damaged. She has compiled this list of the best heat protectants for natural hair after researching user feedback and expert reviews on online forums. These heat protectants form a protective barrier around the hair so that straighteners and other styling tools don’t fry your strands. The list includes a buying guide with several tips and information to help you out.

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