Heat Protectant 101: The Foolproof Guide
Here’s how to keep strands safe and healthy each time you turn up the heat.
Whether you curl your hair for special occasions or flat iron your mane every morning, prepping hair with an effective heat protectant is one of the most critical steps in your hair care routine. After all, it’s not like you’d sit in the scorching sun without prepping your skin with sunscreen, so why would you expose your locks to high temperatures without some sort of buffer?
Heat protectants form a barrier between your hair and your hot tools, reducing damage, cutting down on dry time, protecting premature color fade, and more. We hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the only way to completely protect hair against heat damage is to give up heat styling altogether. However, thermal protectants are a close second to significantly lessening the impact of heat on strands.
What happens without a heat protectant, you may ask? You rough up the hair's cuticle and allow it to receive direct heat damage. This alters the bonds of the hair, manifesting as dryness, breakage, and even a shift in your natural curl pattern if you have coily or textured hair.
Not to worry, though; if you’re looking for the best heat protectants to add to your arsenal, you’ve come to the right place. Keep scrolling to discover the best thermal stylers we offer and stylist-backed tips on how to maximize their use.
Try the Trend: Our Best Heat Protectants for Color-Treated Hair
Thermal Spray 11 Low Hold
A lightweight, thermal heat protection hairspray that adds shine and reduces frizz.
Blond Absolu Cicaplasme Hair Primer for Blonde Hair
A lightweight, heat-protecting primer for a flawless blonde results.
Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Deep Treatment Mask for Color-Treated Hair
Intensely moisturizing treatment mask with 21 benefits that restores, protects, and strengthens color-treated hair.
Serie Expert Color 10 in 1 Multi-Purpose Spray
This multi-purpose primer spray for color-treated hair boasts 10 benefits
Try the Trend: Our Best Heat Protectants for Natural Hair
Style Shifter Society Heat Screen Heat Protectant Spray
Lightweight spray with a UV filter that protects against heat damage up to 450°F.
Thermasmooth Style & Style Again
A hair smoothing cream perfect for defining curls.
Thermastrength Strength Serum
A lightweight heat protectant serum for natural hair
Thermal Active Heat Protectant Spray
A heat protectant styling spray.
25 Miracle Milk Leave-In Conditioner
A lightweight leave-in conditioner with heat protection that detangles, calms frizz, and treats damage and dryness.
Try the Trend: Our Best Heat Protectants for Fine Hair
Big Blowout Heat Protecting Jelly Serum
A heat protecting gel serum that provides volume and body
Quick Blowout Heat Protecting Blowdry Spray
A lightweight spray that helps reduce blow drying time
Total Results Mega Sleek Iron Smoother Leave-In Spray
A hair smoothing spray that doubles as a heat protectant.
Try the Trend: Our Best Heat Protectants for Frizzy Hair
Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream
A heat protecting styling cream that offers hold.
Discipline Keratine Thermique Blow Dry Primer
A leave-in treatment that protects against external aggressors, revitalizes frizzy hair, and prevents further damage.
Oil for All Multi Benefit Hair Oil Heat Protectant Spray
A multi benefit hair oil for all hair types and hair textures.
Serie Expert Fluidifier Blow Dry Cream
A multi-benefit, heat protecting blow-dry cream for all hair types.
Chronologiste Thermique Régénérant
Smoothing leave-in for healthy texture & heat protection
Try the Trend: Our Best Heat Protectants for Damaged Hair
Genesis Defense Thermique Fortifying Blow-Dry Fluid for Weakened Hair
A fortifying blow-dry primer for weakened hair
Resistane Ciment Thermique Blow Dry Primer
A strengthening thermal heat protectant for over-processed, weakened, and damaged hair.
Nutritive Nectar Thermique Blow Dry Primer
A leave-in thermal protectant for dry hair that supports up to 85 percent less breakage from styling tools.
What The Pros Say Identify your hair type. Take into account your primary and secondary hair care concerns. Consider your hair goals. Think about how you style your hair most often. Make sure your routine includes staples such as shampoo, conditioner, leave-in conditioner or heat protectant, and styling products.
The Routine
Need more proof that heat protectants are a crucial addition to your routine? Watch the video below to see how two different Redken blowout products can yield two gorgeous results!
Shop The Video
Redken Volume Maximizer Thickening Spray for Fine Hair
A lightweight volumizing spray that adds flexible volume to fine hair from roots to ends.
Big Blowout Heat Protecting Jelly Serum
A heat protecting gel serum that provides volume and body
Want more heat styling tips? Check out these articles to learn more.
