9 Best Heat Protectants For Flat Iron, Cosmetologist’s Top Picks Of 2024
Bid goodbye to heat damage with a few sprinkles of effective hair care products.
Lindsay LooCosmetologist 
Lindsay Loo is a cosmetologist who has spent 10 years behind the chair in a storied salon in Chelsea. She is a certified Wella Master Color Expert and also has experience backstage at New York Fashion Week. She has a private studio and love... more
shiboli chakrabortiMA (English Literature), Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 4 yearsShiboli has a master’s degree in English literature from The English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad, and is a certified skincare coach with four years of experience. As a commerce editor,... more
krati darakMBA, Certified Skin Care Coach Experience: 3 yearsKrati is an associate commerce editor, a certified skin care coach, and a beauty enthusiast. She has a master’s degree in advertising and publishing relations from DAVV University and three years of ... more
Image: StyleCraze Design Team
Whether you color your hair or style it using a strong hair dryer, the damage caused to the hair strands is inevitable. However, with the help of the best heat protectants for flat irons, you can easily protect your tresses from the harshness of styling tools. While heat styling can make your hair look damaged, dehydrated, and frizzy, a good heat protectant can tame your flyaways and moisturize your hair. Heat protectants form a barrier between your hair and the styling tool, preventing hair burns, damage, and dullness. Plus, they smooth your locks, making it appear shiny and healthy. This article will also give you an insight into the effective ways to use heat protectants, along with the various benefits of the same. Keep reading.
In This Article
9 Best Heat Protectants For Flat Iron – 2024 Update
1. Best Overall:HSI Professional Argan Oil Thermal Protector
The HSI Professional Argan Oil Thermal Protector shields the hair from heat exposure up to 450 degrees. It is a lightweight mist made with argan oil that smoothes damaged frizzy hair while enhancing shine. The multi-purpose formula works best with flat irons, blow dryers, and curling wands. This professional-grade formula can also be used as a leave-in conditioning serum to ensure soft and silky hair texture. Check out this YouTuber’s review which features a tester’s experience of using the product, to know more about it.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Pros
- Multipurpose
- Color-safe
- Lightweight
- Sulfate-free
- Paraben-free
- Phosphate-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
There are more than 7,133 Amazon reviews attesting to the quality of the product and endorsing its value.
2. Best For Long-Lasting Results:John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray
The John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray contains heat-activated ingredients such as keratin protein, and a blend of polymers that combat frizz, giving you smooth and glossy tresses. The salon-quality formula transforms curly and frizzy hair into sleek straight hairstyles that last up to 3 days or until the next shampoo. You can also check this YouTube video that details the reviewer’s experience of using the product, to learn more about its benefits.
Key Ingredients: Protein, Keratin, and Polymers
Pros
- Results last up to 3 days
- Heat activated ingredients
- Works in all weathers
- Smoothes hair
- Does not weigh down the hair
Cons
- May not work for all hair types
Why We Think It's Worth Buying
A whopping 933 reviews on Amazon make it obvious that users genuinely love this product.
3. Best Lightweight Formula:Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield
Image: Artnaturals The Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield also doubles as a leave-in conditioner. It is a weightless mist that hydrates the hair, preventing dryness and damage. In addition, it protects the hair against 450 degrees heat, making it compatible to use with all heat styling tools. It also enhances the hair shine and fastens drying time. This heat protectant is suitable for all hair types and great for straightening and curling.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Pros
- Multi-purpose
- Lightweight
- Safe for color treated hair
- 100% natural
- Ethically sourced
- Cruelty-free
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Makes the hair greasy
Pro TipWhy We Think It's Worth Buying
This product has garnered over 6,452 positive reviews on Amazon, and the number continues to grow.
HSI Professional Argan Oil Thermal Protector Best Overall | John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Flat Iron Spray Best For Long-Lasting Results | Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield Best Lightweight Formula | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hair Type | All | Frizzy | All |
| Dimensions | 9 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches | 1.5 x 2.19 x 7.5 inches | 2 x 1 x 1 inches |
| Weight | 8 Ounces | 4.8 ounces | 8 Ounces |
| Rating | |||
| Reviews | 7,133 | 933 | 6,452 |
| Price | $14.95 | $10.88 | $14.95 |
4. Best For Achieving Healthy-Looking Hair:Ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray
The Ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray works great for damp and dry hair. It protects the hair by creating an invisible barrier to shield it against everyday heat damage. Made with the ghd Heat Protect System, it protects hair against all heat styling tools. The lightweight formula is invisible to the hair, making the hair look and feel ultra-healthy and smooth.
Key Ingredients: Gluconolactone, Glycerin, and Panthenol
Pros
- Lightweight
- Works on damp and dry hair
- Doesn’t weigh hair down
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Overpowering fragrance
Pro Tip5. Best For Maintaining Moisture Balance:Fantasia Heat Protector Straightening Spray
The Fantasia Heat Protector Straightening Spray protects the hair from heat damage caused by hot tools such as blow dryers and flat irons. It maintains the hair’s moisture balance while using heat on hair. Perfect for all weathers, it leaves the hair all smooth, shiny, and frizz-free, even in humid conditions. It is free from alcohol and hence, doesn’t dry the hair. It polishes the tresses and makes them look gorgeous!
Key Ingredients: Aloe and Vitamin E
Pros
- Works in humid weather
- Combats frizz
- Polishes the hair
- Pleasant smell
- Alcohol-free
Cons
- Leaves hair feeling greasy
6. Best Natural Ingredients:Premium Nature Argan Oil Thermal Shield
The Premium Nature Argan Oil Thermal Shield protects your hair from the heat of the sun, blow-drying, flat iron, and other humidity factors. It is made with natural ingredients that moisturize the hair, prevent dryness, and leave hair smooth and shiny. Apart from moisturizing and protecting the hair, this protective spray works great as a leave-in conditioner and hair detangler.
Key Ingredients: Argan oil
Pros
- Multi-purpose formula
- Humidity-resistant
- Made with natural ingredients
- Moisturizes the hair
- Offers thermal protection
- Makes hair manageable
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Thick lotion consistency
7. Best Vegan Formula:Head Kandy Third Wheel Heat Protectant Spray
The Head Kandy Third Wheel Heat Protectant Spray is a professional formula enriched with amino keratin that feeds the hair with vitamins and minerals. The lightweight formula protects the hair against heat damage while fighting frizz, split ends, and hair breakage. Suitable for straight, curly, and color-treated hair types, it protects hair color and maintains its natural health. Reviewers absolutely love this product as it can smooth out the hair and impart maximum protection against heat damage.
Key Ingredients: Aminokeratin
Pros
- Suitable for color-treated hair
- Multi-purpose formula
- Vegan
- Cruelty-free
- Anti-breakage formula
- Gluten-free
Cons
- None
8. Best Hydrating Formula:Giovanni 2Chic Ultra Sleek Flat Iron Styling Mist
The Giovanni 2Chic Ultra Sleek Flat Iron Styling Mist is a moisturizing mist that deeply hydrates the hair, combats frizz, and smoothens tresses and protect them against heat. The formula is a blend of nourishing ingredients like Brazilian phyto-keratin, Moroccan argan oil, and vitamins that make your locks manageable and silky.
Key Ingredients: Brazilian Phyto-Keratin, Moroccan Argan oil, and Botanical oils
Pros
- Vegan
- Color safe
- Good heat defense
- Makes hair manageable
- Cruelty-free
- Smooth and sleek
- Paraben-free
- Sulfate-free
Cons
- Very thin texture for thick hair
9. Best For Achieving Strong Hair:Recamier Professional Salon In +Pro Keratin Ultra Force Serum
The Recamier Professional Salon In +Pro Keratin Ultra Force Serum protects your damaged hair and soothes it while adding thickness and shine. The formula is enriched with keratin, argan oil, macadamia, and pracaxi that works great on wet and dry hair equally. The intense nourishment provided by this serum seals split ends of the hair and tames frizz, giving you smoother and healthier hair with every use.
Key Ingredients: Keratin, Argan oil, Macadamia, and Pracaxi
Pros
- Lightweight
- Keratin-infused ingredients
- Pleasant smell
- Non-greasy
- Shine-enhancing formula
- Works on wet and dry hair
Cons
- None
The heat protectant sprays can help you keep your hair damage and frizz-free. Here’s how you use them for maximum benefits.
How To Use Heat Protectants For Flat Iron?
- Shampoo and condition wet hair properly. Rinse your hair with cold water to ensure the closing of hair follicles and thus, preventing hair loss.
- Dry your hair naturally or use a hairdryer. If you are opting to dry your hair using a hairdryer, apply your hair with heat protectant spray to protect it from excessive hot air damage.
- After the hair is dry, separate and make different sections of the hair. Spritz the strands with heat protectant spray. Let it absorb for 5 minutes.
- Clip different sections of the hair and heat your flat iron.
- Start from a little away from your scalp and slide down the flat iron gently from the top to the ends of your wavy hair.
- Use the cool setting of the iron/dryer or spray some hairspray to finally set your hair.
Heat-protectant formulas have multiple benefits without any damaging effects. The following section will give you a detailed insight into all the pros of using these products.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Heat Protectant For Flat Iron?
- Prevents Moisture Loss: Heat protectant spray acts as a protective barrier between your hair and the flat iron. It is important for your styling routine. It prevents the loss of moisture while applying heat during styling. It keeps your hair healthy, smooth, and nourished.
- Retains Moisture: Today, most heat protectant sprays contain nourishing ingredients that add necessary nutrients to delicate hair, restoring the lost moisture.
- Controls Frizz: A heat protectant spray prevents the loss of protein, therefore, hair cuticles stay integrated. As a result, if you incorporate it into your hair care routine, hair damage and frizziness will stay under control. It also tames and minimizes your hair flyaways. Hence, the smoothness of the hair remains intact.
- Effective Hair Styling: Heat protectant sprays contain active ingredients that get activated when they come in contact with heat during styling. These ingredients help style your hair easily at low temperatures and also maintain your hairstyle for a longer period of time while promoting healthy hair.
The market is flooded with numerous heat protectant sprays that tame flyaways retain moisture. But to choose the best heat protectant spray, you must look for the following things.
How To Choose The Best Heat Protectant For Flat Iron?
- Know Your Heat Styling Tool: Every heat styling tool heats up to different degrees, and it also strictly depends on how easy or difficult it is to style your hair. For example, if you have curly hair, you might need more heat to straighten the hair. So, if your flat iron heats up to 400 degrees and you use a heat protectant spray that protects your hair up to 350 degrees, then it is of no use. Hence, understanding your hair type, the required heat styling tool’s features will help you get the basics of choosing your heat protectant spray right.
- Pick Multipurpose Heat Protectant Sprays: Always notice what else does your hair protectant spray offer apart from preventing hair damage against heat. Check for silicones such as dimethicone and Cyclomethicone in the formula as these cover the hair strands with a moisturizing film, and keep hair smooth without causing moisture loss.
- Tames Frizz: Pick a heat protectant spray that seals your hair cuticles, locks moisture, and combats frizz for smoother, healthier-looking hair.
- Keratin And Moisture: Our hair is made up of keratin that strengthens the hair, retains moisture, reduces breakage, and promotes hair luster. Moisture prevents dryness and conditions the hair. Pick sprays that contain hydrolyzed keratin and moisturizing ingredients.
- Choose The Applicator: Choosing a heat protectant spray with a spray nozzle will help you dispense the product evenly and coat the hair evenly.
Infographic: Ingredients To Look For & Avoid In A Heat Protectant
Heat protectants are meant to protect your hair from the damage caused by the extreme heat from the styling tools. But using one that doesn’t contain the right ingredients can end up adding to the damage, leaving your hair dry and rough. Check out the infographic below to learn about the ingredients that you should have and those you should avoid in your heat protectant spray.
Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team
The Bottom Line
Heat protectant sprays must be taken into consideration if you want to keep your hair damage-free! It is also important to purchase dermatologist-tested heat protectant sprays that help retain your hair’s natural health and shine even when you are using flat irons regularly. They also do not trigger allergic reactions. The HSI Professional Argan Oil Thermal Protector can be a great choice, as it adds nourishing argan oil that enhances shine and adds repairs damaged frizzy hair, while the John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-Day Straight Spray has heat-activated ingredients that transform curly, frizzy hair into long-lasting, sleek, and straight hair. If you are looking for a multi-purpose, lightweight mist that hydrates hair and prevents dryness, then try Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield. Some of these heat protectant sprays come with color-safe formulas that do not hinder your styling and hairdos. However, you may want to avoid heat protectant sprays that are thick and greasy and weigh your tresses down after every use. Therefore, read product reviews and side with highly-rated professional-grade sprays to get good results. Lindsay Loo, a cosmetologist says, “Always use a heat protectant! When you shop around and find your favorite, make sure you check the instructions for what kind of heat it protects against. If you flat iron and it only protects you from the blow dryer, your hair is going to overtime become dry and possibly damaged.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you put the heat protectant in your hair before or after flat ironing?
Always apply the heat protectant to your hair before styling it to ensure that it forms a barrier between the hair and the styling tool in order to prevent damage.
How do you use a heat protectant before using a flat iron?
Before styling your hair, start by applying the heat protectant to slightly damp hair and use a comb to thoroughly and evenly spread the product to the entire hair avoiding the scalp. Blow-dry your hair and then straighten it with a flat iron.
Does heat protectant prevent heat damage?
Although protectants do not completely prevent hair damage, it, however, slows the process. It works as a shield between the hair and the direct heat from the equipment and slows down the heating of the hair. It helps the hair to retain moisture and stops it from completely drying out also while preventing color-fading and breakage.
Do you let the heat protectant dry before straightening?
Yes, let your heat protectant dry completely before straightening. If you apply the heat protectant on wet or damp hair, you can blow-dry it completely before styling it.
Can I use Vaseline as a heat protectant on my hair?
No. You can use a small amount of Vaseline in your hair to lock in the moisture. However, it won’t be as effective as a hair protectant and will also make your hair sticky.
Can I use aloe vera as a heat protectant?
Aloe vera can be a good substitute if you are looking for a more natural hair protectant. It not only barriers your hair from the direct heat of the styling tool but also helps to improve the health and quality of your hair.
Why Trust StyleCraze?
The author, Shiboli Chakraborti, is a hair care enthusiast. She has curated this list of heat protectant sprays for flat irons after carefully browsing through online reviews and checking user feedbacks on several e-commerce websites. This well-researched article ensures high-quality heat protectants that can create a protective layer between your tresses and the excess heat from flat irons. These sprays are lightweight, non-greasy and work on strengthening your hair’s natural texture.
