Heat Protectants That Actually Work For Your Hair Texture

Since we know how dangerous frequent heat styling can be (hint: dullness, dehydration, and damage) we keep our heat protectants super close at all times. New to the world of heat protectants? Their shielding ingredients form a protective barrier to safeguard your strands from scorching temperatures, breakage and split ends. In short, they’re super important as they prevent your hair from long-term heat damage. That’s why we’ve put together a list of top-rated heat protectants for every hair type to ensure you’ve got yours covered – be sure to apply before you pop the ‘on’ switch!

1. For All Textures: TPH by TARAJI HENSON Hot Commodity Heat Protecting Spray, $14

Texture: Lightweight cream
Benefits: Shields and softens
The deets: 118 ml

Source: TPH by TARAJI HENSON

Before you reach for your blowdryer, mist this powerful blend of their Polymer + Protein Complex, Kukui nut, and argan oil onto damp hair to prevent any breakage caused by heat-styling. The formula forms a protective barrier as shea butter locks in moisture to soften, smooth, and nourish your scalp.

2. For Curls: SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray, $12

Texture: Liquid
Benefits: Strengthens strands and enhances curls
The deets: 237 ml

Source: SheaMoisture

The SheaMoisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Spray, $12, understood the assignment. The revitalizing blend of nutrient-rich Jamaican black castor oil and certified organic shea butter revitalizes your curls, smooths split ends, and shields from thermal styling, making it the ultimate heat-redeeming (and anti-breakage) spray.

3. For S-Shaped Waves: Rucker Roots Leave-In Heat Protectant, $13

Texture: Serum
Benefits: Protects from heat and UV rays
The deets: 118 ml

Source: Rucker Roots

Healthy hair begins at the roots… Which is why the Rucker Roots Leave-In Heat Protectant, $13, uses its Rucker Roots Complex, a blend of growth-enhancing carrot, soothing ginger, and shine-inducing turnip root oils, along with avocado oil, shea butter, and coconut oil to protect tresses from curling wands and flat-irons alike.

4. For Coils: EDEN BodyWorks Hibiscus Honey Blow Dry Cream, $10

Texture: Cream
Benefits: Smooths hair
The deets: 236 ml

Source: EDEN BodyWorks

One to two pumps of this silky thermal protectant is all you need to hydrate and safeguard your coils from heat and humidity – if you’re looking to boost shine and smoothness, then trust this cream to keep coils defined.

5. For Kinks: Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray, $13​

Texture: Gel-like
Benefits: Enhances shine
The deets: 118 ml

Source: Mielle Organics

Formulated with the ultimate blend of almond, argan, sacha inchi, and mongongo oils, this spray protects hair from curling irons that go up to 400°F while enhancing shine. Packed with certified organic ingredients, it’s the hero scalp-strand treatment your kit’s missing.

6. For Chemical Or Color-Treated Hair: Briogeo Farewell Frizz blow dry perfection & heat protectant crème, $24

Texture: Cream
Benefits: Tackles dryness
The deets: 118 ml

Source: Briogeo

Smear this lightweight cream over your strands to seal your cuticles with fatty-acid rich rosehip, vitamin-E packed argan and moisturizing coconut oils. The result? Your hair will be protected from dryness and heat damage up to 450°F.

7. For Dry Strands: adwoa beauty blue tansy treatment serum, $36

Texture: Serum
Benefits: Humidity resistant
The deets: 60 ml

Source: adwoa beauty

It smells divine, looks super-cute, and houses a premium blend of oils – what’s not to love? The adwoa beauty blue tansy treatment serum, $36, uses blue-tansy flower, grapeseed, and argan oils to nourish follicles, restore moisture, and protect from thermal damage up to 375ºF. Plus, it can’t ever hurt to smell like its tuberose and jasmines notes all day long.

8. For Fine Hair: Kérastase Resistance Heat Protecting Leave In Treatment, $39

Texture: Cream
Benefits: Nourishes, smooths, and enhances shine
The deets: 150 ml

Source: Kérastase

The secret sauce in Kérastase’s leave-in is a blend of protein and amino acids that strengthens and protects your locks from temperatures up to 450°F. In addition, the formula’s packed with ceramides and resurrection plant sap to enhance shine, elasticity, and moisture.

Fun fact: you could be brushing your hair wrong – DW, we’ve got the 101 here.

Disclaimer: Every product we review has been independently selected and tested without bias by our editorial team. Although some brands allow affiliate links, we never take payment to review products, so we may earn a commission if you purchase a product by clicking on one of our links.