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The 10 Best Heat Protectants to Save Hair From Serious Damage
Tried-and-true, tested picks that will safeguard your strands.
Byrdie
TL;DR
The Bumble and Bumble Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Hair Mist and Olaplex No.9 Bond Protector are two of our favorite heat protectants, leaving hair feeling and looking noticeably smoother, shinier, and healthier. Plus, they each work well on all hair types.
Hair dryers, curling irons, and flat irons are all key for achieving an elevated hair look. The only problem? Heat is one of the most damaging elements for your hair, contributing to everything from frizz to dullness to breakage. Happily, there’s an incredibly simple fix—applying a heat protectant. “Heat protectants act as a protective barrier between your hair and a hot tool, protecting it from burning, drying out, and becoming dull,” explains celebrity hairstylist Alex Brown Glover. “It will also help smooth the cuticle and leave hair looking shiny and healthy.”
There are numerous formulas and formats (sprays, oils, and more), so how do you determine which is right for you? Our Byrdie collective (who have a variety of hair types) tested133 products over several months, using them at least twice a week before heat styling. They weighed in on the most important criteria: ease of application and distribution, absorption, and, of course, just how well it protected hair from heat. From sprays to creams, and with options for everything from fine hair to tight curls, these are the heat protectants available today.
Top Picks
Bumble and bumble Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Hair Mist at Amazon$36$29
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Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector at Amazon$30
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Dae Agave Styling Mist at Amazon$30
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Mielle Mango & Tulsi Thermal Protectant Spray at Amazon$15
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Morrocanoil Protect & Prevent Spray at Amazon$32
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Briogeo Farewell Frizz Heat Protectant Crème at Amazon$26
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Kérastase Genesis Heat Protecting Leave-In Treatment at Amazon$50
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Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream at Amazon$46
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Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Cream at Amazon$50
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Oribe Balm D’Or Heat Styling Shield at Amazon$48
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Best Overall
Bumble and bumble Bb. Heat Shield Thermal Protection Hair Mist
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A little goes a long way, even for thick hair
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Easy to distribute evenly
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Improves shine and combats frizz
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Using too much can leave hair feeling a bit sticky
Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Honey protective complex | Size: 4.2oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
This one from iconic hair brand Bumble and Bumble checked all of our boxes—and then some. Application was a breeze; just a few spritzes were all it took to evenly coat hair. It was also easy to distribute the product and absorbed quickly without feeling greasy or heavy. Our tester’s hair looked and felt healthier and generally better, especially the longer she used it. It was smoother and shinier after styling, and, after about two weeks, she noticed her waves were more defined and less frizzy. Yes, please. Just an FYI: Over-spraying can leave hair feeling a little sticky.
Karla, tester with wavy hair: “I have noticed a difference in the health of my hair. It feels less dry, looks shinier, and feels smoother. My waves look more defined.”
Best Overall, Runner-Up
Olaplex No. 9 Bond Protector
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Fast-absorbing
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Enhances shine
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Doesn’t leave behind residue
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Some reviews say it can be drying
Hair Type: All | Highlighted Ingredients: Red algae extract | Size: 3 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
One of the best signs that a heat protectant is working? A visible difference in your hair after heat styling. Case in point: We used this before flat ironing and couldn’t get over how shiny, healthy, and soft our hair looked, a far cry from the damaged appearance it typically took on. The serum-like texture is easy to work throughout your hair and is surprisingly lightweight.
The formula offers heat protection and guards against environmental stressors, such as pollution, while also helping to strengthen hair overall. While we didn’t experience this during testing, some online reviewers noted it can be drying on drier hair.
Byrdie
Best for Fine Hair
Dae Agave Styling Mist
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Spray delivers a fine mist that doesn’t weigh down hair
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Adds shine
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Pleasant scent
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Can leave hair a bit greasy, especially if sprayed too close to roots
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Didn’t help with frizz
Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Agave, prickly pear seed oil, moringa seed oil | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
One of our favorite things about this winner was the fine and even mist it dispels. It made for a super lightweight distribution that helped ensure the product didn’t weigh down our tester’s fine, straight hair. The formula also added tons of shine and softness, and even minimized breakage. We also couldn’t get enough of the scent—a fresh, citrus-y fragrance. It didn’t help mitigate frizz, and, in our tester’s experience, it can start to feel a bit greasy when applied too close to the roots. That being said, as long as it’s sprayed more on mid-lengths and ends, that wasn’t an issue.
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Credit: Byrdie
Ashley, tester with straight, fine hair: “My hair is really soft and I’ve noticed less breakage. It has a sweet citrusy smell that I could soak up all day. The scent isn’t overpowering and doesn’t linger (but I wish it did because I love it so much).”
Best for Dry Hair
Mielle Mango & Tulsi Thermal Protectant Spray
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Keeps hair feeling hydrated
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Great for mitigating frizz
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Absorbs quickly
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Nothing
Hair Type: Wavy and coily | Key Ingredients: Mango butter, argan oil, grapeseed oil | Size: 6 oz| Cruelty-Free: Yes
With an ingredient list that’s not unlike what you’d find in a body lotion—mango butter, argan oil, grapeseed oil—it’s no surprise this one works wonders on dry hair. Our tester with tightly coiled hair raved that it left his hair feeling nourished and hydrated, especially after blow-drying. (To that point, we think this pick is best for wavy and coily hair types.) Despite how moisturizing it is, it still absorbs quickly. It’s also choice for addressing frizz, even in super-humid climates.
Saleam, tester with coily hair: “I’ve noticed that my hair isn’t as dry or brittle after blow-drying.”
Best Spray
Morrocanoil Protect & Prevent Spray
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Adds lots of shine
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Doesn’t weigh down hair
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Leaves hair softer and less frizzy
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Spray applicator doesn’t distribute the product evenly through hair
Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Glycerin, argan oil | Size: 5.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
Heat protectants don’t always add shine, but this spray 100% does. It also helped improve smoothness and reduce frizz. And you can use it from root to tip; the fine mist won’t weigh down strands or leave any unwanted greasy residue or sticky feeling behind. That being said, the spray nozzle tends to deliver a more targeted stream, making it a bit more challenging to score an even distribution throughout all the hair.
Toral, tester with straight hair: “My hair was noticeably glossier when I used this heat protectant, and after two weeks of consistent use, it started feeling healthier.”
Best for Frizz
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Heat Protectant Crème
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Very effective for tamping down frizz
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Lightweight
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Softens hair
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Can be a bit tricky to figure out how much to use
Hair Type: All | Highlighted Ingredients: Rosehip, coconut, argan oils | Size: 4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
For those craving a super smooth, flyaway-free style, this pick can’t be beat. It works beautifully on all hair types, and although it is slightly thicker, it still absorbs very quickly. It left our tester’s hair beautifully sleek after blow-drying and protected it even when they cranked up their flat iron to the highest setting. (To that point, it guards against temps up to 450 degrees.)
One helpful tip: For optimal and even distribution, your hair should be slightly damp, not towel-dried. And it does take a bit to figure out exactly how much you need for your particular texture and length; generally speaking, we found a dime-size amount was a good starting point.
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Credit: Byrdie
Best for Damaged Hair
Kérastase Genesis Heat Protecting Leave-In Treatment
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Helps smooth frizz
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Never feels greasy
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Adds volume without residue
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Some say it has a chemical scent
Hair Type: All | Key Ingredients: Edelweiss native cells, ginger root | Size: 5.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Heat protectants are a good option for warding off hair damage, but this one is also great if your strands already need a little extra TLC, as it helps strengthen hair, too. Indeed, we noticed that it improved the overall health of strands, all while being a top-notch frizz-fighter. Our tester especially liked using it before blow-drying, as it helped leave her hair smooth and sleek, yet still with plenty of volume, and no greasy residue. While we didn’t notice this, some reviewers said they thought the product had a bit of a chemical scent.
Lauren, tester with wavy, curly hair: “My blowout was light, airy, and frizz-free. It helps with heat protection, frizz, and overall hair health. It’s worth the price tag!”
Best Cream
Shu Uemura Netsu Design Blow Dry Cream
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Lightweight, silky texture
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Increases shine
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Very enjoyable scent
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Could be more effective on frizz
Hair Type: All | Highlighted Ingredients: n/a | Size: 5 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
Creams—of any kind—often come with the connotation of being heavy or greasy. But that’s not the case here; this winner is surprisingly weightless, boasting a nearly silky texture that works for a wide range of hair types. We loved how smooth it left hair and the impressive level of shine it delivered, not to mention that it sped up blow-dry time and had an addictive, floral scent to boot. FYI, it takes a good minute to fully absorb, but once it does, there’s no leftover residue at all.
Byrdie
Best for Curly Hair
Kérastase Resistance Ciment Thermique Cream
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Maintains curl patterns
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Comes in two sizes
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Absorbs quickly
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Can feel sticky on hands
Hair Type: All | Highlighted Ingredients: Pro-keratine complex, ceramides | Size: 1.7, 5.1 oz | Cruelty-Free: No
While this formula is technically suitable for all hair types, we found it particularly effective at imparting plenty of moisture while also protecting against heat damage and helping to maintain curl patterns. It left curly hair feeling silkier, and our curly-haired tester never noticed any steam or a burning smell when she used this before a hot tool. She just didn’t love that it can feel sticky on your hands.
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Credit: Byrdie -
Credit: Byrdie
Best for Natural Hair
Oribe Balm D’Or Heat Styling Shield
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Smooths and softens hair
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Adds bounce and movement
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Protects against heat and pollution
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Has a tendency to transfer onto hands
Hair Type: All | Highlighted Ingredients: Oribe signature complex, plant collagen, cassis and sandalwood oils | Size: 3.4 oz | Cruelty-Free: Yes
We love a good multitasking product, and this one from Oribe is exactly that. Regarding the heat protectant aspect, it left the hair feeling softer, smoother, and healthier, even when our tester used hot tools at their highest temperatures. However, it also delivers protective antioxidants and moisturizes; we noticed that it added movement and bounce to styles. We love the lightweight feel, although it’s worth mentioning that it can transfer onto hands a bit after application.
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Credit: Byrdie
What to Look for When Buying a Heat Protectant
- Formula and Application Method: Many heat protectants are sprays, which, when applied correctly, won’t weigh down normal or fine hair. They’re also great for anyone who prefers spritzing on a product rather than applying it with their hands. That being said, if you have thick or curly hair or prefer more moisturizing formulas, you may want to opt for a cream.
- Humectants: While they’re more often thought of as a skincare ingredient, humectants—hydrating ingredients that attract moisture—can be super beneficial in hair care and are especially good in a heat protectant, says Brown Glover. After all, more moisturized hair equals healthier hair. Glycerin and hyaluronic acid are two good ones to look for.
- Strengthening Ingredients: According to Brown Glover, it’s a good idea to have strengthening ingredients in a heat protectant—they’re an added layer of defense against heat-induced damage. Things such as amino acids, keratin, and wheat protein are all good options. If your hair is already a bit beat up, these powerhouse ingredients may help reverse the damage.
How We Tested Heat Protectants
We tested heat protectants on and off over several months on a variety of hair types, both in lab and in our everyday lives.
- Products tested: 133
- Hours Tested: 514
- Factors considered: Ease of application, distribution, absorption, and, how well it protected hair from heat
Meet Our Experts
Two professional stylists also contributed their expertise to this article.
- Alex Brown Glover is a celebrity hairstylist and Chicago-based salon owner, whose clients include Kendall Jenner, Hailey Baldwin, Bella Hadid, and Olivia Culpo.
- John Pulitano is a hairstylist and the co-owner and creative director of Headcase Hair, a salon in Sydney, Australia.
Why Trust Byrdie
Alyssa Kaplan is an editor, experienced writer in the beauty industry, and a product tester specializing in cosmetics. She has fine, breakage-prone hair which she uses hot tools on frequently, so she’s extremely experienced in using heat protectants. She received a bachelor’s degree from the Fashion Institute of Technology, where she studied marketing and product development in the cosmetics industry as well as fashion business marketing. Alyssa has been at Byrdie since 2022 and covers all things beauty.
Byrdie contributor Melanie Rud has over a decade of experience in the beauty industry, writing for some of the biggest magazines and websites out there. She has fine, color-treated hair that she blow-dries regularly—which is why she’s diligent about always using a heat protectant. She’s tried many of the ones on this list and is an especially big fan of the Bumble and bumble and Olaplex products featured.
Ally Hirschlag
Source URL: https://www.byrdie.com/best-heat-protectant-8670673