Heat styling tools make it super easy to achieve your favorite blowout or smooth, straight look, but they can leave your hair dry and brittle. The best heat protection sprays are designed to protect your hair from the potential damage of curling irons, blow dryers, and curling irons, keeping your hair healthy and strong. After rigorous research, we came up with a winner: Morrocanoil Perfect Defense Thermal Protection Spray.
It protects your hair from damage, so you can use styling tools with confidence.Illustration: Forbes / Photo: Retailer
Sprays are popular, but depending on your hair type, you may choose a heat protection cream instead. To find the best version for your hair, we consulted Jane Sung, Vetted’s in-house beauty expert and deputy editor, and staff members with hair types ranging from fine to curly. Whether you need an all-purpose spray or a frizz-fighting cream to use with your dryer brush, here are our top picks for the best heat protectants.
Best overall thermal protection spray: moroccanoil perfect defense heat protect
Best heat protection sprays for thick hair: Christine Es Style Assist Blow Dry Mist
Best heat protection sprays for thin hair: Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray
Best drugstore thermal sprays: Garnier Fructis Flat Iron Perfector Straight Mist
Best heat protection creams for dry hair: Kérastase Nutritive Heat Protect Cream
Best heat protection creams for oily roots: Virtue Create 6-In-1 Styler
Best heat protection spray for curly hair: bumble and bumble heat shield
Best heat protection sprays for colored hair: dream coat supernatural spray
Best heat protection sprays for natural hair: Beyond The Zone Raise the heat
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moroccanoil perfect defense heat protect
With a weightless formula suitable for all hair types, Moroccanoil’s Perfect Defense spray earns the top spot on our list. It combines antioxidant-rich and nutritious argan oil with panthenol, a type of vitamin B5 that acts as a moisturizer for dry hair. Use this spray on damp or dry hair to increase moisture and protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
ulta beauty
Christine Es Style Assist Blow Dry Mist
If you have thick hair, we recommend this shine-enhancing mist from Kristin Ess. It comes out of the bottle as a clear mist and uses a unique strengthening complex to instantly smooth out her split ends. At the same time, it targets weak areas of hair, improves the appearance of damaged cuticles, and provides heat protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.
Editor’s comment: “I have long, thick, wavy to curly hair, and this blow-dry mist has been my go-to heat protectant for years,” says editor-in-chief Emmy Favila. say. “It’s very pleasant, lightly scented, and lightweight enough to be used between hair washes, before ironing areas of hair that need finishing. Great for reducing frizz and improving shine. I think it’s effective. Overall, it’s very affordable and one of my favorite hair products.”
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray uses many botanical ingredients to protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Beet root extract strengthens and conditions hair, while marine algae extract provides an additional line of defense against UV rays. Its lightweight texture makes it perfect for fine hair.
Editor’s comment: “I’ve been using Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray for the past year and I love it,” says Commerce Editor Kathryn Lui. “My hair is very fine and thin, so I just need a few sprays to coat it before I blow dry it. I also love how it detangles, smooths and softens my hair. It has a light scent. It’s refreshing and the full size bottle lasts a long time.”
the goal
Garnier Fructis Flat Iron Perfector Straight Mist
Even if you’re not ready to spend money on more expensive options, you’ll still get great results with this wallet-friendly spray from Garnier Fructis. Providing thermal protection at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, the argan oil-based formula locks in shine and reduces splatter for up to 48 hours. Keep in mind that the fruity scent lasts a long time, so some people may appreciate this, while others may find it unpleasant.
What our staff says: “The fruity aroma persists even after multiple rounds of straightening and thermal manipulation,” says partnership manager Georgie Olmeda. “The fact that it’s paraben-free is also a plus for me.”
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Kérastase Nutritive Heat Protect Cream
People with dry hair will benefit from cream-based heat protectants. Kérastase’s rich formula fits the bill perfectly. Plant-based proteins protect hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while niacinamide adds a healthy amount of moisture to dry hair. A lovely floral scent featuring notes of ylang orchid, wild rose and jasmine.
sephora
Virtue Create 6-In-1 Styler
If you have oily roots, Virtue’s keratin-rich styling cream can help restore balance to your hair. Protects hair from heat and moisture and repairs damage. Key ingredients include panthenol and cypress, both of which boost hydration. The nourishing formula may be thicker than a spray, but it won’t weigh your hair down. This is especially essential for oily roots.
What our staff says: “I have fine, dry hair and my roots get oily easily, so I like that it doesn’t make my hair oily and protects it from heat damage,” says Senior e. says Jessica Wiseman, Commerce Partnerships Manager. “My hair feels smooth and shiny with a little added texture without weighing it down.”
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bumble and bumble heat shield
Formulated with a protective honey complex, this nourishing spray is perfect for curly and coily hair types. Protects hair from heat damage at temperatures up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, while taming frizz and locking in moisture. What’s more, the light mist doesn’t weigh down your hair, leaving you with bouncy, voluminous curls that last.
What our staff says: “This product gives your ends a smooth, frizz-free look and provides maximum protection from heat tools,” says Olmeda. “Curls are naturally dry, so I’m always looking for ways to protect my hair. This does the trick.”
color wow
dream coat supernatural spray
Color Wow’s product line is designed with dyed hair in mind, preserving its unique color while providing the moisture it needs. The brand’s popular Dream Coat Supernatural Spray protects color-treated hair from heat damage and moisture, leaving hair strong and smooth with every style. Using heat-activated polymer technology, each strand is coated with a lightweight moisture-repellent layer that lasts up to four washes. Additionally, chamomile flower extract enhances the vibrancy of hair color.
Amazon
Beyond The Zone Raise the heat
If you frequently iron your natural hair, we recommend this heat protection spray from Beyond The Zone. The lightweight formula seals the hair cuticle for a smooth, shiny look and prevents frizz. It also optimizes the effectiveness of heat styling tools, so you can get salon-quality results at home. The light, fruity scent has notes of pomegranate, mandarin, and milk sorbet.
What our staff say: “I’ve been using this spray ever since my go-to stylist recommended it to me years ago,” says Editorial Assistant Whitney Bruno. “I have curly, Afro-textured hair, so it’s perfect to use before ironing. Plus, it’s light and smells great.”
Why trust Forbes’ scrutiny?
At Forbes Vetted, we’ve thoroughly reviewed our product formulations and researched and written dozens of hair care articles to ensure we provide you with the best possible recommendations.
We consulted two experts to write this article. Amsterdam-based hairstylist Wout Philippo and Devin Graciano, hairstylist and co-founder of his hair care brand Goldie Locks. Filipo and Graciano both shared their insight on how to choose a heat protectant based on your hair type and concerns.
Jane Sung, associate editor who oversees Forbes Vetted’s beauty and grooming department, handpicked and approved the final list. Sung brings over 15 years of industry experience in researching and testing beauty products.
We’ve tapped into our team of in-house staff with years of product testing experience to share their personal heat protection recommendations.
This article is updated regularly to ensure all product information and prices are accurate. During our February 2024 update, beauty writer Claire Epting re-evaluated our selection and added some staff picks to the list.
What to consider with the best thermal protection spray
There are a variety of heat protectants available on the market, so we asked experts for advice on choosing the right one. Here are some things to look out for in hair care products that go beyond these:
material
When it comes to key ingredients, Amsterdam-based hairstylist Wout Philippo is a fan of argan oil. “It not only protects the outside of your hair, but also strengthens and moisturizes it,” he says. Devin Graciano, hairstylist and co-founder of hair care brand Goldilocks, recommends looking for “fatty ingredients that can protect your hair, such as natural oils like coconut or polymeric compounds like dimethicone.” . Some formulas contain additional ingredients that provide additional benefits, such as niacinamide for hydration and chamomile extract for color protection.
hair type
The type of formula that is best for you has a lot to do with your hair type. It is most important to choose products that do not weigh down the hair and do not leave it overly saturated. “Suppose you have very fine hair and need some volume,” says Graciano. “Creams may be out of reach, so opt for a mist instead.” Meanwhile, Filippo says those with curly hair or dry textures can benefit from moisturizing creams.
Are heatstroke prevention drugs really effective?
Yes, Heat Protect actually works to protect your hair from direct heat damage. “Heat protectors protect your hair by wrapping the cuticle in a protective layer, while also locking in your hair’s natural moisture to reduce evaporation,” says Philippo. This is especially important if you have treated or dry hair, as repeated exposure to heat risks damaging the cuticle.
Which thermal spray is best?
After reviewing several formulations, we named Moroccanoil Perfect Defense the best overall heat protection spray. Formulated with vitamin E-rich argan oil and moisturizing vitamin B5, the weightless spray conditions hair and protects from heat up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This pick is suitable for all hair types, but also includes options for curly hair, fine hair, and more.
How do I use heat protectants?
First, condition your hair with a moisturizing leave-in conditioner and comb it to distribute it evenly. Graciano emphasizes this step. “If you don’t comb your hair first, you may not be able to iron out the kinks and knots in your hair, which is also not the healthiest habit.” Next, the driest part of your hair (the ends) Apply heat protectant to your hair from top to bottom. As a general rule, no matter what product you use (except for root volumizing), apply it with light hands from the ends to the scalp. Next, move on to using the heat tool.
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I’m a New Yorker living in Los Angeles with my husband, three daughters, and dog. A former Condé Nast staffer, I’ve been covering style (with an emphasis on beauty and health) for over 20 years. Traveling is my biggest passion so I would love to cover it more. Many years ago, a fellow editor at Condé Nast and I owned a designer clothing store.
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I’m an update writer for Forbes Vetted, optimizing content related to fashion, beauty, and travel. Prior to joining the team, he was a commerce writer at Bustle Digital Group and a freelance entertainment journalist, contributing regularly to ScreenCrush, PopCrush, and more. I have a BA from Chapman University’s Dodge School of Film and Media Arts and currently reside in Long Beach, California.
