Best natural heat protectant for hair

Before you even think about touching that hot tool, you need to read this first: Make close friends with heat protectants if you style regularly.

This is because they coat the strands with a buffering layer of nutrients that helps absorb the damage that comes with heat manipulation.

If you are looking for a new favorite, we've done the work for you. Here are the best of the best. 

1. Kevin Murphy Heated Defense
2. InnerSense Beauty Hair Love Prep Spray
3. Mielle OrganicsMongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray 
4. Davines Melu Hair Shield
5. Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme
6. Hairstory Dressed Up
7. Oway Thermal Stress Protector
8. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
9. Seen Blowout Creme
10. JVN Complete Instant Recovery Heat Protectant Leave-In Serum
11. adwoa beauty Blue Tansy Leave in Conditioning Styler
12. dae Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream
13. Living proof. Perfect hair Day™ 5-in-1 Styling Treatment
14. BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY Elastic Bounce Leave-in Conditioning Styler Hair Cream

Best heat protectants

Best overall

There are several reasons this makes the list (the top of the list, no less!). First up is the ingredient list: Hydrolyzed quinoa provides hair proteins, organic jojoba oil conditions and supplies antioxidants, and polyquaternium acts as the shield. But we also adore it for the light-as-air foam texture that's effortless to rake through your strands evenly—no matter your hair texture, density, porosity, you name it—and absorbs almost instantly. No greasy, thick film here: All you are left with is beautiful, protected, nurtured hair.  

Heated Defense, Kevin Murphy ($29)

Kevin Murphy

Best for damaged hair

Not only does this help protect the hair from damage being done currently, but it also helps mend the appearance of previous damage. It does so with an inspired blend of baobab oil, angelica root, rice protein, and biotin. These all work together to strengthen and fortify the strands and mask split ends. It's also topped with amethyst crystal—for protection and inspiration of another kind. 

Hair Love Prep Spray, InnerSense Beauty ($28)

InnerSense

Best for curly hair

Listen up: It's particularly vital for those with curls and coils to protect their strands for styling, as the hair types are more prone to dryness and breakage in the first place. This also means you need to find an option that delivers with both hydration and strength. Look no further than this blend of certified organic ingredients like almond, argan, sacha inchi, and mongongo oils.

Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray, Mielle Organics ($9.99)

Mielle

Best for straight hair

For those with straight strands, you'll want to err on the side of thinner, fast-absorbing textures and formulas. This is because straight hair gets oily faster—and doesn't as easily hide product and buildup. This light spray infuses lentil seed extract, which contains amino acids that can fortify the strands.

Melu Hair Shield, Davines ($37) 

davines

Best for frizz control

This beauty-editor favorite hair brand never misses the mark. This frizz-control cream helps seal down the cuticle—which is what causes frizz in the first place—so your blowout is smooth and stays that way. Our favorite part: In a clinical study done by the brand, it reduced breakage by 84%. No frizz and less breakage? Sign us up. 

Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme, Briogeo ($24)

Briogeo

Best for hold

If you want your final style to stay in place without looking stiff, here's a dreamy thermal protectant that doubles as a styling product. We love the cocktail of hair-hydrating strengtheners (hydrolyzed soy protein and coconut extracts), plant-derived controlling agents, and natural woodsy floral fragrance.

Dressed Up, Hairstory ($36)

Hairstory

Best for shine

Looking for a glossy finish—but one that doesn't look greasy only a few hours later? This organic spray is made from botanical extracts (that are grown and harvested biodynamically!) like sunflower seed oil, orange oil, and macadamia seed oil. Your blowout will have a silky, satin finish. 

Thermal Stress Protector, Oway ($42)

Oway

Best for color-treated hair

If you color your hair (especially if you lighten it with bleach), you need to be extra careful with heat. Since your cuticle is already vulnerable, adding heat to the mix can lead to breakage, breakage, and more breakage. But here's your solution: Olaplex is a beloved brand for its incredible bonding ingredients—your hair will look and feel like new after.

No. 7 Bonding Oil, Olaplex ($28)

Olaplex

Best for sensitive scalps

If you have sensitive skin, you are likely precious with what you put on your face. But what you put on your hair is just as important: Hair comes into contact with your scalp and face, no? We love this derm-founded brand that offers effective products—sans fragrance so you don't irritate your easily inflamed skin. 

Blowout Creme, Seen ($24) 

Seen

Best for strengthening

This product works wonders on heat-damaged hair, but also helps to strengthen your strands in the long run. It's formulated with niacinamide which works to increase body and sheen while simultaneously supporting keratin repair. Because the product won't build up in your hair, it's safe for daily use!

Complete Instant Recovery Heat Protectant Leave-In Serum, JVN ($28)

JVN

Best for tangles

If you're trying to cut down on your hair products, this is a great option. It's a leave-in conditioner and heat protectant in one. Blue Tansy oil fights against premature aging in the scalp (yes, our scalp ages too). You can say goodbye to tangles as well, thanks to Slippery Elm extract.

Blue Tansy Leave in Conditioning Styler, adwoa beauty ($24)

adwoa beauty

Best for blowouts

Whether you're looking to keep your natural curls hydrated or prep the hair for a blowout, this product combines a trio of natural, hydrating ingredients including prickly pear extract, meadowfoam seed oil, and dragonfruit. These work together to tame frizz, define curls, and smooth texture.

Cactus Fruit 3-in-1 Styling Cream, dae ($26)

dae

Best for volume

This science-backed formula works to keep hair looking full, hydrated, and silky smooth. Packed with fatty acids, healthy hair molecules, and hydrating polymers this product pretty much does it all. Not to mention there's loads of 5-star reviews to prove it.

Perfect hair Day™ 5-in-1 Styling Treatment, Living proof. ($29)

Living proof.

Best for coils

BREAD BEAUTY SUPPLY

Why you need a heat protectant.

Never put a hot tool to your hair without protecting it first. Heat manipulation works by breaking down your hair's bonds so they are easier to change and reshape. Well, this process is a lot for the strand to deal with—and it often leaves the cuticle frayed and injured. 

"Most hair is made of three layers: the inner fiber called the medulla, the middle layer called the cortex, and an outer layer called the cuticle," writes hairstylist Josh Rosebrook about damaged hair. "When hair becomes damaged, the cuticle raises, chips, becomes fragile, easily tangled, and loses moisture, luster, and the shine that's created when the cuticle is flat and smooth."

Now—you don't need to avoid heat styling altogether. But you do need to be smart about it (enter the heat protectants above). 

As hair expert and board-certified dermatologist Raechele Cochran Gathers, M.D., says, "I get lots of questions about heat styling, as it can cause a lot of damage. For my patients that are experiencing breakage and hair loss, I tell them to try to limit it to once weekly if possible," she says. "For fragile hair types, daily heat styling is likely to be damaging. It's not that these are off-limits: Just be smart about your use of your flat irons, hairdryers, or curling wands. Ultimately learning how to use these is more important than not using them altogether."

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mbg's review process. 

At mbg, high standards are earned—and there are no shortcuts. Our beauty editors stay up to date on the latest ingredient research and innovation. It's a dynamic, continuously evolving space, and it's important we look into the science so we can make informed choices about which formulas earn our stamp of approval (figuratively speaking).

Our high standards also come from testing products—many, many products. Our editors and writers rigorously test and research the products featured in our roundups to offer you the best, most informed recommendations. When we write reviews, you can trust we spend quality time with the formulas: We don't simply rave about products we've slathered on the back of our hands. We endorse products we've tried and loved. 

Learn more about our testing process and clean beauty standards here.

The takeaway. 

Heat styling does a number on your strands—that doesn't mean you can't do it, but it does mean you need to protect your hair when you do.

So if you are one to use flat irons, blow dryers, or curling wands, be sure to grab one of the recs above. If you want to level-up your hair care game, consider adding in a protein treatment as well for ultimate hydration and damage control.

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