Experts and Editors Love These Impressive Heat Protectant Sprays (2025)

Some of us have to wait until the cooler months arrive to enjoy a silk press, while others battle humidity and strategically plan for rainy days to prevent frizz or reversion. Whether you prefer bombshell curls or sleek straight strands, there’s one product that can effectively and safely help us morph our locks into any style, and it’s a heat protectant.

“A heat protectant is a must-have for anyone using hot tools like blow dryers, curling irons, or flat irons, as it creates a protective barrier over the hair shaft to minimize moisture loss, prevent breakage, and reduce frizz caused by high temperatures,” says Jennifer Korab a New Jersey-based celebrity hairstylist and the owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa. Simple yet powerful, heat protectants usually come after shampooing and conditioning (throw a hair mask in for extra strengthening), and work best on towel-dried hair. “To use it effectively, simply spray or apply it evenly to damp or dry hair, depending on the product, then comb through to ensure even distribution before proceeding with heat styling. This extra step helps maintain the health and integrity of your hair while achieving your desired look,” Korab adds.

Heat protectants were once relegated to spray or oil formulas, but if you’re looking for something that protects without weighing down your hair—how about this lightweight serum? Amika’s cult-favorite Blockade heat protectant dispenses a lightweight solution that arms the hair to withstand heat up to 450 degrees. Beyond protection, it also smoothes frizz and coats the hair with a finishing sheen.

Key ingredients: sea buckthorn

Size: 1.7 fl oz

Revolve rating: 4.4/5 stars

A Revolve reviewer says: “Definitely made a huge difference with heat styling. I have 3a curly hair and I’m always worried about heat damage, but this product did exactly what is was made for.”

This Oribe spray can always be found backstage at runway shows, supplying protection for various hair types and styles. Behind the can is a multipurpose formula that softens hair and tames flyaways, while also doubling as a hair perfume—bergamot, jasmine and sandalwood are just a few of the scent notes.

Key ingredients: coconut water, plant collagen, caffeine, biotin and niacinamide

Size: 5.2 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “I was hesitant to buy this, as it's pretty pricey, but I went for it and I'm so glad I did. I often use heat on my hair when it’s already dry to smooth frizz and style second day hair and this works brilliantly for that. The spray doesn't make my hair at all wet and I feel like it’s protected from all the heat I'm applying. My hair is so soft and shiny after using. I’m hooked and will definitely repurchase.”

Our hair can be unruly at times, but here’s a serum that puts it back on the right course. To ensure malleability, the serum is packed with conditioning agents along with a patented Morpho-Kératine™ Complex to reduce frizz and restore the hair’s proteins.

Key ingredient: morpho-Kératine™ Complex

Size: 5.1 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.7/5 stars

Our expert says: “This is a must-have for frizz control and smoothing, especially for thick or unruly hair. It protects from heat while keeping strands sleek and manageable.”—Jennifer Korab, celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa

A silk press can easily be ruined by the wrong heat protectant. The Doux created a complete system—from shampoo to conditioner to heat protectant—to ensure your hair has every product needed to create a bouncy, shiny, and long-lasting silk press that rivals an in-salon version.

Key ingredients: plant polymers, aloe, Doux-plex bonding technology

Size: 4 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.5/5 stars

An ELLE editor says: “My hair hates heat and typically puffs up at the slightest encounter with humidity or moisture, so I rarely do silk presses. However, my strands fo enjoy the O.P.P heat protectant spray, which keeps them silky straight for a few days without me needing to run a hot comb or flat iron through it again.”—Nerisha Penrose, beauty commerce editor

Color-treated hair requires a lot of nourishment but even more protection to prevent breakage or damage. Pureology’s Color Fanatic is a leave-in conditioner with over 21 benefits, but let’s hone in on the most important ones: it easily detangles, strengthens weak or compromised strands, protects against heat damage, and adds shine.

Key ingredients: camellia seed oil, coconut oil, xylose

Size: 6.7 fl oz

Amazon rating: 4.6/5 stars

Our expert says: “My go-to for its 450°F protection, lightweight feel, and added benefits like detangling, conditioning, and shine-enhancing properties. Perfect for color-treated hair.”—Jennifer Korab

Adding a styling oil, like this one from Roz, can make all the difference in your finished look. Thanks to a blend of nourishing oils, just a few pumps of this on your ends can smooth and tame frizz.

Key ingredients: jojoba oil, argan oil, jasmine, aloe

Size: 2 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “Lovely product! Imparts just the right amount of shine without weighing hair down. A little goes a long way. I bought the mini and it’s lasted me forever. The scent is amazing, different and fresh. Highly recommend.

If, thanks to social media, your hair collection is stocked with rosemary-infused products, another one won’t hurt. This heat protectant spray combines rosemary extract to stimulate the scalp as other ingredients support healing split ends and breakage.

Key ingredients: Rosemary extract, aloe vera, pro vitamin B5

Size: 4.23 fl oz

Nordstrom rating: 4.7/5 stars

A Nordstrom reviewer says: “This is hands down my favorite heat protectant spray ever. It smells good and feels very natural. It doesn’t feel like hair spray or make my hair feel greasy. It protects my hair so well and I love it.”

Before you balk at the price tag, this hairstylist favorite does exactly what it touted to do—dry hair in a flash. It’s powered by keratin to calm frizz and streamline the blow-drying process to reduce heat damage.

Key ingredient: keratin

Size: 8 fl oz

Our expert says: “Because it does it all and the results have a similar effect to a full keratin treatment. It not only protects the hair from thermal damage, but it cuts the blow dry time in half, smooths the cuticle, reduces frizz and gives outstanding results!”—Michelle Cleveland, hair extension artist, celebrity hair stylist, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar

Jennifer Korab is a celebrity hairstylist and owner of Renaissance Salon & Spa.

Michelle Cleveland is a hair extension artist, celebrity hair stylist, and owner of Hair Addict Salon & Extension Bar.

When shopping for a heat protectant, it's important to consider the temperature it protects against.Look for one that offers thermal protection up to at least 400 degrees fahrenheit to effectively shield hair from high temperatures,” Korab says. Beyond protection from heat, it’s advised to look into formulas that are also nourishing and reparative. “I love an all-in-one heat protectant product that not only guards your hair from heat but also cuts blow dryers time down, helps smooth the strands and protects from environmental factors such as sun, smog, fumes, etc,” says Cleveland.

The best formulas have a blend of conditioning agents, “like argan oil, coconut oil, or glycerin to keep hair moisturized and prevent dryness,” Korab adds. “A lightweight formula is ideal, as it won’t weigh hair down or leave a greasy residue. A good heat protectant should also help control frizz and smooth the hair, creating a sleek, polished finish. For added benefits, some formulas also provide UV protection, helping to defend hair against sun damage and environmental stressors.”

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