10 Best Heat Protectants of 2024, According to Hairstylists

If you’re a fan of bouncy blowouts or sleek, straight strands, then you probably know (and appreciate) the magic of heat styling. But while hot tools can take you from hiding under a hat on a bad hair day to confidently sharing selfies on your IG, they can also leave your hair looking worse for wear.

“Heat protection is extremely important if you’re looking to maintain your hair health,” Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, a board-certified dermatologist, tells SELF. Styling at high temperatures without taking proper precautions beforehand can weaken your hair’s cuticle—the protective outer layer—leading to dryness and breakage, she says.

The good news? You don’t have to swear off hot tools forever to keep your hair looking and feeling healthy—just make sure you add a good heat protectant to your routine, Dr. Nazarian says. We found the best heat protectants from brands like Olaplex, Color Wow, and more. Shop SELF-staffer- and dermatologist-approved favorites below.

Our top picks

• Best for Fighting Frizz: Color Wow Dream Coat
• Best for Fine Hair: R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist
• Best for Blowouts: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist
• Best for Detangling: Biolage Bond Therapy Smoothing Leave-In Cream
• Best for Damaged Hair: Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield
• Best for Curly Hair: Moroccan Oil Perfect Defense
• Best for Thick Hair: Mizani Heat Screen
• Best Leave-In Conditioner: Pureology Color Fanatic
• Best for Curling Your Hair: Color Wow Style on Steroids
• Best for Bleached Hair: IGK Beach Club Blowout Cream

What does heat protectant do?

“Heat protectants create a barrier between your hair and the heat [from hot tools],” New York–based hairstylist Francesca Maria tells SELF. “When we're styling our hair, we’re using direct contact with a hot plate, and our hair is made out of proteins. After a while, if it’s exposed to heat for too long, it gets dry, damaged, and brittle, then splits.”

By coating your hair, heat protectants help minimize moisture loss and keep the proteins in your strands (like keratin) intact, Maria says, reducing the need for constant treatments or trims and making your hair look shinier and healthier.

How to apply heat protectant

The way you apply your heat protectant is just as important as choosing the right one. A common mistake? “I see a lot of people only apply heat protectant to the top of the hair,” celebrity hairstylist Cynthia Alvarez tells SELF. “It should be applied section by section, and make sure you brush the product through to evenly distribute it and coat every strand of hair.”

And don’t skip the directions. “I know it seems very common sense—but if [the bottle] says to use a pea-size amount, use a pea-size amount. Maybe bump it up to a quarter-size if you have more hair, but definitely don’t overuse or underuse the product,” Maria says. Still not getting the results you want? “Watch videos—go on Instagram or YouTube,” she recommends. ”Get a little education on how to use it properly.”

FAQs

Shop the best heat protectants

Best for Fighting Frizz: Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray Anti-Frizz Treatment

Pros

• Sephora shoppers say it leaves their hair looking glossy and smooth
• Results should last for several washes
• Formula is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free

Cons

• May be too heavy for fine hair
• Reviewers say you need to apply a lot of the product for it to work

Color Wow’s Dream Coat Treatment is a must-have if you’re always battling humidity-induced frizz. It’s activated by heat—after you apply it all over, you’ll need to use a blowdryer (or a blowdryer brush, like the SELF fave Shark SmoothStyle) or another hot tool to smooth your strands. The results can last up to four shampoos later—and, while that might sound too good to be true, Sephora reviewers confirm that it really works. Plus, the ultra-lightweight formula offers flyaway control without weighing your hair down or leaving it looking greasy.

“I’ve used a bunch of heat protectants—most sprays don't do anything for the frizz, and oils make me look really greasy,” says one SELF staffer with “super-thick hair.” “The Color Wow one legit is the perfect balance. My flyaways and split ends look so much smoother, and it actually allows my coarse hair to hold curls with a salon-like finish.” She also loves that it doesn’t have much of a scent.

Best for Fine Hair: R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist

Pros

• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Adds shine and softness without weighing hair down
• Packaging is made with recycled materials
• Vegan and gluten-free formula

Cons

• Might not provide enough hold for some

This spray from R+Co offers superior heat protection for fine hair, shielding it from temperatures up to 450°F. “It’s a go-to of mine for fine-haired people who want volume and hold out of their heat protectant,” says Alvarez. The mist forms a protective barrier around the cuticle to prevent thermal damage, while jojoba oil adds shine and boosts hair growth.

Best for Blowouts: Olaplex Volumizing Blow Dry Mist

Pros

• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Helps repair broken bonds for healthier-looking hair
• Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free formula
• Humidity-resistant for frizz-free results

Cons

• May not provide enough hold for thicker hair

This blow-dry mist from Olaplex not only protects against heat, but also adds body and bounce for a soft, shiny blowout. Alvarez loves that it “protects while buffing up thin strands. A bonus is that it also helps repair broken bonds in the hair.”

It’s a huge hit with Sephora shoppers too: “I never want to be without this product,” one wrote. “It’s easy to apply without worrying whether I’ve used too much.”

Best for Detangling: Biolage Bond Therapy Smoothing Leave-In Cream

Pros

• Repairs and strengthens damaged hair
• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Can be used daily, even on color-treated hair

Cons

• Might be too heavy for fine hair

This creamy leave-in treatment is ideal for overprocessed hair. Alvarez says it “changed the game” for her: “I like to think of it as a smoothing treatment for dry, frizzy hair while rebuilding the hair's keratin bonds. It goes on silky, which makes detangling super easy, and helps control frizz throughout the day.” Made with coconut oil and citric acid, it helps repair and strengthen hair while providing heat protection up to 450°F.

Best for Damaged Hair: Bumble and Bumble Heat Shield

Pros

• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Helps prevent breakage
• Safe for color-treated hair
• Blocks the sun’s UV rays

Cons

• Strong scent, according to Ulta shoppers

Bumble and Bumble’s Heat Shield is perfect for all hair types, especially those dealing with damage. “It smooths the hair and adds a nice healthy-looking sheen,” Alvarez says. “But don’t be heavy-handed with this product—less is more,” she warns.

Ulta reviewers confirm that the formula works particularly well on hair that’s been through the wringer: “I have fine, frizzy hair that is damaged from at home hair coloring,” one wrote. “This is the only line of products that makes my hair smooth and soft.”

Best for Curly Hair: Moroccanoil Perfect Defense

Pros

• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Argan oil hydrates and nourishes curls
• Safe to use on color-treated hair

Cons

• Some people may not like the scent, according to Sephora reviewers

For curly hair, Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant is our top pick. “It’s great for thick hair, as the formula contains Argan oil to hydrate, combat frizz, and provide an overall smoothing effect,” says Alvarez. This dry, lightweight spray offers heat protection up to 450°F and is safe to use on color-treated hair, whether you’re rocking highlights or a bright hue.

“I loved how easy this was to apply—it dried quickly, so my hair was prepped and ready for a blowout fast,” one curly haired Moroccanoil reviewer wrote. “My hair damages easily when applying heat, and I didn’t see any damage after using this.”

Best for Thick Hair: Mizani Heat Screen

Pros

• Lightweight formula
• Protects hair up to 450°F
• Blocks the sun’s UV rays
• Sephora shoppers say it’s great for curls and coils

Cons

• May not be moisturizing enough for very dry or coarse hair

With hundreds of five-star reviews on Amazon and Sephora, this lightweight spray is a fan favorite for thick hair. “It’s made with rose water that softens the hair and targets frizz. The formula isn’t heavy at all, but delivers hydrated results that don’t feel greasy,” says Alvarez. It also offers UV protection, leaving you with sleek hair that shines.

Best Leave-In Conditioner: Pureology Color Fanatic

Pros

• Provides 21 benefits, including detangling and adding shine
• Protects hair from heat up to 450°F
• Formula is vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free

Cons

• Contains fragrance

This hydrating leave-in conditioner is a favorite of Maria’s, who notes, “It literally has 21 benefits that they list on the bottle, and it’s a spray that you use when your hair is still wet.” Pureology Color Fanatic not only purports to protect against heat damage up to 450°F, but it also detangles, adds shine, and smooths frizz. Ideal for all hair types, this multi-tasking formula is a hit with reviewers too: “This is a must have product for me,” one Pureology shopper wrote. “I use it after every shampoo to keep my color-treated hair soft and manageable.”

Best for Curling Your Hair: Color Wow Style on Steroids

Pros

• Adds volume and texture for lasting curls
• Won’t dull or darken color-treated hair
• Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free formula

Cons

• May not provide enough hold for very fine hair

Another pick from Color Wow, this spray is one of Maria’s favorites to use when curling a client’s hair. "It’s a heat protectant and texture spray that helps hold the curl longer," she says. This dual-purpose product is perfect for achieving lasting curls, shielding your strands from high temperatures without leaving a white residue or sticky feel behind.

Best for Bleached Hair: IGK Beach Club Blowout Cream

Pros

• Adds volume and movement without weighing hair down
• Safe to use on colored and chemically treated hair
• Helps style last longer
• Silicone-free formula

Cons

• Ulta reviewers say it can make fine hair feel sticky

Another pick from Maria, this lightweight blowout cream creates full-bodied volume while protecting damaged hair from heat and humidity. The silicone-free formula helps blowouts last longer while adding tons of texture.

It’s so good, it shocked one Ulta shopper: “I bought this on a whim and was stunned at how beautiful and voluminous my hair looked after use,” they wrote in a review. “I don't usually like volume products, as they either irritate my scalp or leave my hair feeling dry, but this gave my hair shine and bounce while still feeling soft.”

Related:

• After 20 Years of Fighting My Curly Hair, This Product Helped Me Embrace It
• The Best Shampoos and Conditioners for Every Hair Type
• TikTok-Famous Dermatologist Aamna Adel Shares Her Must-Have Skin and Hair Care Products

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