15 Best Heat Protectants for Natural Hair That'll Help Prevent Damage, Tested & Reviewed

“I love using this spray. It’s a lightweight heat protectant that forms a shield against heat, increases shine, and is great for frizz reduction,” says Korab. “The proteins nourish the curls and help retain moisture in the hair.”

• Pros: Increases shine and provides heat protection up to 450 °F to reduce breakage

• Cons: Some Sephora shoppers note that the fragrance is too strong

• Ingredients: Plant-based proteins + Niacinamide

• Hair Type: Fine and Medium + Works on all hair textures

• Size: 5.1 oz

• Cruelty-Free: No

• Best for: Dry hair

Another favorite of Korab, this heat protectant, also works to shield hair up to 450 degrees, but what she especially loves is that it “strengthens and nourishes your curls.” Plus, what’s unique about this mist is that it has not only UV protection but also has a honey protective complex that repairs breakage, notes Korab.

• Pros: Provides heat and UV protection

• Cons: Some Sephora users note that too much product may weigh down the hair and leave it feeling greasy

• Ingredients: Honey protective complex

• Hair Type: All Hair Types

• Size: 4.2 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Color-treated hair

For an extra shiny silk press or blowout, Korab recommends using this multitasking spray. It provides long-wear care and is great for color-treated hair,” says Korab. The formula will also leave your strands feeling silky and looking super glossy.

• Pros: Has a humidity-blocking technology that prevents moisture from ruining your hairstyle

• Cons: Not formulated for coily hair textures

• Ingredients: Chamomilla Extract + Glycerin

• Hair Type: Straight, Wavy, and Curly

• Size: 6.7 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Frizz-prone or color-treated hair

“I've tried a bunch of pricier heat protectants over the years, but I picked up this cheaper option for a last-minute style, and it delivered better results than plenty of its expensive competitors. I got a super shiny blow dry/press out of it, and the sweet fragrance was a bonus.” — Charlotte Collins, Associate Digital Features Editor, AD.com

• Pros: Protects against thermal damage and hydrates the hair

• Cons: Some users note that to much product will leave your hair feeling greasy

• Ingredients: Vitamins and proteins add essential moisture

• Hair Type: All hair types

• Size: 2 oz, 8 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Dry, Curly, or Thick Hair

“I first got hooked on Pattern Beauty's heat protectant because of its great smell. I continue to rebuy it because it is incredibly lightweight, doesn't make my hair greasy (like some can!), and I truly feel like I don't have heat damage after I revert back to my curls.” — Chandler Harris, Conde Nast, Global Director, Creative Strategy, Home/Travel, Condé Nast Commercial Creative

• Pros: Has a lightweight formula and adds healthy-looking luster

• Cons: Some Sephora customers wish the pump on the bottle worked better

• Ingredients: Crambe Abyssinica Seed Oil + Sunflower Oil + Jojoba Oil

• Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, and Coily

• Size: 4 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Fine, Medium, and Thick hair

“This visibly repairs, strengthens, and nourishes the hair without weighing it down,” says Redway. Inspired by skin care, the formula is packed with moisturizing ingredients like vitamin C and amino serum, which both work to nourish the hair from the inside out.

• Pros: Works to detangle the hair and controls frizz

• Cons: Some Dove users note that the nozzle dispenses chunks of product, instead of an even spray

• Ingredients: Vitamin C + Amino serum

• Hair Type: All hair types

• Size: 7.5 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Damaged Hair + Tangled Hair

“I swear by this cream! Many heat protectants leave my hair dry and brittle after hot tool use. This mask makes my hair silky, shiny, and voluminous, especially after using a blow drying tool!”— Chavi Sharma, Conde Nast, Senior Finance Analyst

• Pros: Reduces hair breakage and smoothes out frizz

• Cons: Some Sephora customers wish the pump on the bottle worked better

• Ingredients: Pro-Keratin Complex + Ceramides + Resurrection Plant Sap

• Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, and Coily

• Size: 1.7 oz

• Cruelty-Free: No

• Best for: Damaged Hair

“I love using this spray because it not only provides heat protection, but I use it as a leave-in, and it works as a curl enhancer. It also adds shine and moisture and helps with frizz. The best part?! It smells divine. A little goes a long way with this product, and I love using it on my wash days.” — Melissa Augustin, Conde Nast, Manager, Diversity & Inclusion

• Pros: Increases shine and has UV protection

• Cons: Some users note that it leaves the hair feeling a bit sticky

• Ingredients: Rose Water + Hydrolyzed Rice Protein

• Hair Type: Wavy, Curly, and Coily

• Size: 8.5 oz

• Cruelty-Free: No

• Best for: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair

“Ceremonia's heat protectant spray stands out as my top choice. Originating from a Latina-owned brand, it caters to those who value quality ingredients and to individuals seeking a product that enhances their hair's radiance post-blowout. The delightful fragrance, coupled with the impressive results, consistently leaves my hair feeling joyful and in excellent health.” — Elizah Morales, Account Strategy Executive, Fashion

• Pros: Has UV protection and works to detangle hair

• Cons: Some users note it left their hair feeling sticky

• Ingredients: Guava Fruit Extract + Blue Agave + Avocado Oil

• Hair Type: All hair types

• Size: 6.7 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair

“I’ve been using this heat protectant for years and I fully believe it’s why my curls revert back nicely after every silk press. It has a lightweight nongreasy formula that doesn’t weigh down my curls (a major plus), and I’m obsessed with the yummy fragrance.” — Shauna Beni-Haynes, Commerce Editor Teen Vogue

• Pros: Prevents color from fading and has UV protection

• Cons: Some users don’t like the heavy fragrance

• Ingredients: ArganID + Varisoft + Heliogenol

• Hair Type: All Hair types

• Size: 5.4 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair

Amika is a cult favorite, so it's no surprise that many of their hair products have won beauty awards. Among the top-rated is this hair primer, a bouncy, lightweight spray made from squalene and sea buckthorn. This is one of my favorite heat protectants because it helps reduce frizz and speeds up the blow-drying time by making my hair easier to comb through and dry.

• Pros: Protects against up to 450 degrees and reduces blow dry time

• Cons: Users note only to use a little bit of product to prevent hair from getting greasy

• Ingredients: Squalene + Sea Buckthorn

• Hair Type: All Hair Types

• Size: 5 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Fine, Medium, and Thick Hair

Walk into any drugstore or beauty supply store and I guarantee you’ll come across this iconic hair spray. It’s formulated to target and treat 10 hair concerns and offers UV protection, restores shine, and detangles. The spray is also super lightweight, so you won’t have to worry about it weighing down your curls/coils.

• Pros: Helps eliminate frizz and adds body to the hair

• Cons: Expensive

• Ingredients: Sunflower Seed Extract + Green Tea Leaf Extract + Silk Amino Acids + Aloe Vera + Panthenol

• Hair Type: All hair types

• Size: 4 oz, 10 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Color-treated hair + Wigs

“This heat protectant comes in the form of a cream and works wonders on my curls. Whenever I’m done styling my hair with hot tools, I get a sleek and shiny look, without any greasy feel. The formula also works to keep your hair frizz-free for up to 72 hours! That’s pretty awesome if you ask me.” — Shauna Beni-Haynes

• Pros: Reduces frizz caused by humidity for 72 hours and 96% naturally derived ingredients

• Cons: Expensive

• Ingredients: Vegan Protein + Olive Ester + Avocado Oil

• Hair Type: All hair types

• Size: 4 oz, 10 oz

• Cruelty-Free: Yes

• Best for: Color-treated hair + Wigs