heat protection spray

Looking for the best heat protection spray for your hair type?

We know how important it is to take care of your hair, especially when you're using hot tools like a blow dryer, straightener, and curling iron regularly.

That's why we've put together this review of some amazing heat protectant products to combat dry hair, frizzy hair, or damaged hair types. We'll tell you what each product does and who should use it.

Look no further than our list of winning heat protection sprays to keep your locks healthy and shiny. We've reviewed them all so you don't have to!

Read on to find the best heat styling spray for your hair type and styling needs!

How We Choose our Favorite Heat Protectant Hair Spray

You want to find an awesome heat-protecting spray, but there are just too many products to choose from.

It can be tough to know which product is right for you, especially when there are so many different types of heat-protecting sprays on the market.

Not to worry – our team of experts has sorted through thousands of top-rated products to find the best options for your needs.

We've found what you’re looking for: the Best Overall for All Hair Types, the Best-Selling Status with Outstanding Reviews, the Best for Sleek Straightening, the Best Unscented, Vegan, Thick and Curly Hair, and the Best for Beards!

We’ve got you covered, and for beards, too!

*️⃣ As an affiliate and associate of Amazon and other products, we do earn from certain qualifying purchases. You can read more about us here.

Our Top FeedbackFinds

Best Overall for All Hair Types

Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield

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Why It's a Winner

Looking for a high-quality heat protection spray that does everything and won't break the bank? Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield is your perfect option!

This versatile spray not only protects your hair from heat styling damage, but also from UV rays (think summer sun) and environmental pollution. That makes it ideal for all hair types, including bleached, gray hair, and colored hair.

Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield is designed for daily use, and won't leave any unwanted build-up. Plus, it can be used on wet or dry hair before styling, and even doubles as a leave in spray conditioner!

Reviewers love the full set of Joico Defy Damage products, but this Protective Shield is a standout option that's worth trying out!

Know A Little Bit More

When it comes to best, you can't go wrong with Smartrelease technology. This product provides a consistent supply of Rosehip Oil, Arginine, and Keratin. A protective lipid reduces the harsh effects of heat styling, chemicals, and UV damage.

Moringa seed oil provides a rich source of antioxidants, Vitamins A and E, Zinc, and Silica which are all fundamental to creating healthy, strong, damage-resistant hair.

Arginine is a smart-bonding molecule that strengthens hair bonds and encourages bond renewal. This product is non-aerosol, sulfate, and cruelty-free.


Best-Selling Status with Outstanding Reviews

CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

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Why It’s A Winner

Looking for a heat spray that won’t let you down? Check out CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray – it’s a Best Seller on Amazon with over 35,000 reviews averaging 4.5 stars!

This thermal spray is part of a comprehensive system of thermal protection products from CHI, including shampoo, conditioner, and hair spray.

CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray is very affordably priced and will guard even fine hair against damage from heat styling tools like curling irons, flat irons, and blow dryers.

Know A Little Bit More

This thermal heat protection is infused with vitamins A & E, Keratin, silk proteins, panthenol, jojoba, and olive oils. It is also paraben and sulfate-free and has a superior, weightless formula with no build-up.

This protectant works from the inside out and is formulated for every hair type for both men and women. You will love how it protects your hair from heat-related damage while leaving it soft, shiny, and healthy-looking.


Best for Sleek Straightening

L'Oréal Sleek It: Iron Straight Heatspray

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Why It’s a Winner

Looking for a high-performance heat spray that will give you the sleekest, shiny, straight hair? Look no further than L'Oréal's Sleek It: Iron Straight Heatspray! This budget-friendly option helps to calm frizz and seal in shine, for long-lasting, silky styles.

The lightweight formula blocks humidity and tames flyaways while conditioning your hair for a healthy, lustrous look. So enjoy a super sleek style - grab a bottle of Sleek It: Iron Straight Heatspray and achieve the perfect look!

Know A Little Bit More

This spray for straightening can be used on wet or dry hair. It is formulated to last up to three days and can withstand temperatures up to 450°F.

It's also a customer favorite, with almost 50,000 reviews averaging 4.5 stars. Plus, it's affordable and has a pleasant scent.

So if you're looking for a spray that will give you great value for the money, this is the one to try.


Best Unscented, Vegan, Thick and Curly Hair

Straight Silk Spray with Moroccan Argan Oil

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Why It’s A Winner

Looking for a spray that is vegan, unscented, and contains minimal ingredients? Look no further than Straight Silk Spray with Moroccan Argan Oil! This product has so many rave reviews for thick hair and curly hair but is suitable for all.

Drying time is cut in half, even for a difficult hair type. When we say difficult hair type, we mean difficult hair type! This product is great for thick, wavy, straight, textured, coarse, frizzy, keratin treated, permed, 3A,3B, 3C, 4A, 4B, and 4C.

Know A Little Bit More

This spray is infused with argan oil for softness and shine. and protects against heat damage up to 450 degrees. The formulation is water-based instead of alcohol-based, making it non-flammable.

In addition, this product contains no artificial color, fragrance, or preservatives. Plus, it's made in the USA and is cruelty-free, non-GMO, filler- and additive-free.


Best for Beards

Tame the Wild Beard Armor

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Why It’s A Winner

If you're looking for a unique gift for Father's Day (which is every day!) look no further than Beard Armor! This incredible product was created by a father-son team and is perfect for the man in your life who wants to tame his wild beard.

Beard Armor protects from heat and is a multi-tasking leave-in conditioner that makes straightening easier while repairing damage, preventing future breakage and split ends. It comes complete with tutorials and additional info to get the most out of the product. Beard Armor will help you achieve the style you desire with ease.

Know A Little Bit More

This product protects hair up to 450°F. In addition, you get all the amazing benefits of argan oil, aloe, jojoba oil, and keratin. These ingredients provide vitamins B, C, and E, copper, zinc, antioxidants, structural proteins, minerals, and more.


Heat Protectant Best Practices and FAQs

Would you like more information about these products? Be sure to read through both the Best Practices and FAQs below for a more complete and thorough understanding of the benefits these products have to offer.

Heat Protecting Sprays do what they say, but that doesn’t mean you should just crank up that iron on high and go! Follow these tips to get the best results and take precautions to make heat styling as kind to your hair as possible.

Heat Protectant Best Practices

The best heat protectants can help you create healthy, attractive styles. Below are some recommendations for you to consider to get the best outcome with most products.

In addition, you must carefully follow specific product packaging instructions to achieve the best results.

Before You Start

Check out the tips below and remember to read all the specific instructions for the actual product you purchase. While protectant sprays can be very similar, there may be important differences. Please do not skip this step. We want you to have a beautiful head of hair for years to come.

Less is More

While the best heat protectants are formulated for everyday use without buildup, it is best to limit heat styling to no more than twice a week, if possible. This will provide a healthy break for any hair type, especially fine hair.

Many products are designed to maintain your style for up to three days making this more possible than ever before. Your hair will thank you!

No Heat Required?

Many heat protectants are also known for multi-tasking as leave in conditioners. If you plan to air dry your hair, these products will promote healthy, smooth, soft, and manageable hair.

Choose Quality Styling Tools

Professional-grade heat stylers have added safety features, use higher quality materials, and are longer lasting. While the price tag can be higher, it may be worth the investment if you style frequently.

During our research, we found fantastic reviews for these high-end stylers:

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Iron/Fuschia
Bio Ionic 10X Pro Styling Iron
Twin Turbo 3200 Blow Dryer

If you are interested in these products, please do additional research to ensure they will meet your needs.

Use Adjustable Heat Correctly

The best hot tools have adjustable temperature settings. For your healthiest hair, keep your heat setting under 400°F. If you have fine hair or damaged hair, opt for the lowest setting.

While thicker hair is stronger and can withstand higher heat, using the lowest effective temperature to achieve your results will keep your hair in top shape.

Prepare To Style

This is worth mentioning again. Consider the tips and FAQs below, but you must refer to the package instructions for your hair type that you receive for the product you purchase.

Blow Drying Tips

Distribute this product evenly as a blow dry primer on towel-dried hair from roots to ends. The product will not work well on sopping or very wet hair. Once your hair is completely blown dry, you may continue with heat tool styling.

You may opt to add additional spray sparingly to aid in styling, but be careful because adding too much spray can result in tacky or sticky strands. Experiment to see what works best for you!

Straightening and Curling Tips

Begin with completely dry hair. Apply heat protectants from roots to ends, and wait until the product has completely dried before styling with heat. Do not begin styling with a hot tool immediately after spraying the protectant onto your hair.

When heat styling, moisture evaporates from the interior layers of the hair shaft. If you heat wet hair by placing it on a straightener or curling iron, steam will blast through the hair structure and cause breakage and split ends as it escapes.

Get to Work

There are several ways to minimize damage from heat styling. Separate hair into sections, and move the heated tool frequently to limit contact with hair strands to a few seconds per section.

Use the lowest effective heat setting to achieve the desired result. Spend a few extra seconds at a cooler temperature instead of exposing your hair to the hottest settings. This is important for every hair type.

Full Stop!

Discontinue styling immediately if you smell burning or hear any sizzling noises because your heat setting is way too high!

Remember to use the lowest effective heat setting to achieve your desired result. Do not continue blow drying or styling at the expense of losing all moisture and causing unnecessary dryness, split ends, and damage.

Heat Protectant FAQs

People are often interested in heat styling protection, but they don't know where to start when it comes to asking questions.

They may have heard about heat protectants from friends or family, or have seen recommendations online, but they still have some questions about the product.

We have compiled a list of the most frequently asked questions about heat-protecting sprays so that you can get all the information you need to decide if a Heat Protectant is right for you.

Do I really need heat-protecting spray?

Yes, you need a heat-protecting spray. It's most important to use a protecting spray when you're using hot tools, such as a hair dryer, curling iron, or straightener.

The heat from these stylers can cause dry, brittle, and damaged hair, including split ends, frizziness, and breakage.

Protecting sprays will help to guard your hair against that damage by creating a barrier between the heat and your hair, and evening out and slowing down how your hair heats up.

What happens if you don't use a heat protection product?

What happens if you don't use a heat protection product?

When your hair strands reach the high heat damage zone, around 266°F without protection, hair may burn off when it touches a hot iron.

Color pigments may change, the protein that ensures strength and elasticity breaks down, the outer surface of the hair begins to crack and fray, and excessive moisture evaporation can cause breakage and split ends.

Does heat protectant actually work?

Yes, heat-protecting sprays work effectively to reduce hair damage from heat styling. In general, these ingredients form a thin film on the hair’s surface, providing a thermal protectant that helps to slow down heat conduction and distribute the heat more evenly.

This means that hair will heat up gradually rather than suddenly to lessen the shock, resulting in less hair damage.

Heat protecting spray also seals the hair cuticle to reduce moisture loss and add shine.

What are the benefits of a heat protectant?

The protective barrier provided shields hair from very high temperatures during styling. This keeps your hair in the healthiest shape possible.

Heat protecting products reduce water evaporation to reduce dryness, breakage, dullness, split ends, and other damage.

The spray barrier also seals the cuticle to prevent hair from absorbing too much moisture from the air which causes frizz.

Is heat protectant spray good for hair?

Yes, heat protecting products are good for every hair type. In addition to physical protection, most sprays include healthy, nourishing ingredients to keep your hair in top shape.

Ingredients such as argan and jojoba oils, as well as shea butter, provide moisture and keep hair texture smooth, hydrated, and frizz-free. Other vitamins, minerals, and proteins provide strengthening and antioxidant benefits.

Be sure to confirm the ingredients and their benefits in the product packaging provided for your hair type.

Do you put heat protectants on wet or dry hair?

There is some debate over whether heat protectants work better when applied to wet or dry hair, but the answer depends on your styling plans and the type of heat tool being used.

When planning to blow dry your hair, apply the product as a blow dry primer to damp hair. It will not work effectively if your hair is sopping or very wet.

When using heated straighteners and curling tools, it is applied to dry hair, and must fully dry before applying the heated tool.

Be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging for the best results.

Do you apply a heat protectant product before or after styling?

Generally, you apply the spray shortly before beginning to style with the heat tool you will be using. If you are planning to blow dry, apply the product before you begin.

For hot straighteners and other curling irons, apply the product to dry hair before you begin, allowing the hair protectant spray to dry completely before touching the iron to your hair.

Many heat protectants act as a leave in spray conditioner that adds shine and manageability. This means that you can apply the product after washing and air dry.

As always, be sure to follow the instructions on the product packaging for the best results.

Which spray is best for heat protection?

We’ve compiled our winning FeedbackFinds from the hundreds of products available based on the most commonly desired features and benefits.

When considering which heat protectant is right for you, look for the following features: protects hair from heat up to 450°F, lightweight product with no build-up, and products gentle enough for all hair types including colored hair, bleached, or gray, but strong enough for difficult thick and wavy hair.

In addition, look for ingredients that provide moisture and strength while avoiding ingredients that can damage hair. A UV protectant is also preferred for every hair type.

Should you let the heat protectant dry before straightening?

If you are using a hair straightener or other irons, you must wait until the product is completely dry before touching the hair strands to the hot iron.

If you heat wet hair, steam will blast through the hair structure and cause breakage and split ends as it escapes.

How do you keep your hair straight all day after straightening it?

There are a few things you can do to keep your hair looking sleek, straight, shiny, and healthy for the rest of the day after straightening it using a good heat protectant.

Use good quality shampoos, conditioners, and masques designed specifically for straightened hair. Using a finishing hair spray or perfecting spray will provide flexible hold and minimize flyaways.

After you blow dry, give your hair a good blast of cold air from your blowdryer setting to finish styling it to help set your finished style.

Don’t sweat it, seriously! Sweat is largely made of water and will ruin any straightened hairstyle. If you begin to sweat, continue to dab the sweat from your scalp, forehead, and neck to minimize frizzing and curling.

Headwraps are super trendy and shield hair from the elements when sleeping or in humid environments. Wear these for extra protection when you want to take a relaxing bath or when you will be outside in the steamy summer sun.

Satin pillowcases are also fabulous in helping you reach that 3-day style goal. You will get less frizz, knots, and breakage while maintaining moisture.

Stay away from trendy, water-based hair perfumes and scents that cause frizz almost immediately.

Use a straightening brush as needed for areas that need a super quick touch-up.

To Sum It All Up!

So, what are you waiting for? Get yourself some heat protection! It’s one of the most important things you can do for your hair care routine.

We hope this article has helped make your decision easier and that your hair will thank you for your new heat protection spray!

And don’t forget to keep coming back to our blog for more tips on taking care of your locks.

Products Featured In This Article:

Joico Defy Damage Protective Shield

CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray

L'Oréal Sleek It: Iron Straight Heatspray

Straight Silk Spray with Moroccan Argan Oil

Tame the Wild Beard Armor
Beard Armor Straightener

Dyson Supersonic Hair Dryer Iron/Fuschia

Bio Ionic 10X Pro Styling Iron

Twin Turbo 3200 Blow Dryer

Thanks for reading!

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