9 Best Heat Protectants For Flat Iron – 2022 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 smoothens frizzy, damaged hair and enhances shine. The multi-purpose formula works best with flat irons, blow dryers, and curling wands. It can also be used as leave-in conditioning serum to ensure soft and silky hair. Check out this YouTuber’s review of the product if you require more details. Key Ingredients: Argan oil Pros
Multipurpose Color-safe Lightweight Sulfate-free Paraben-free Phosphate-free
Cons
Overpowering fragrance
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 polymer 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 for a complete idea about the product. 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
3. Best Lightweight Formula:Artnaturals Argan Oil Thermal Shield
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
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
5. 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 formula works great as a leave-in conditioner and hair detangler. Key Ingredients: Argan oil Pros
Multi-purpose formula Made with natural ingredients Moisturizes the hair 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. Key Ingredients: Aminokeratin Pros
Suitable for color-treated hair Multi-purpose formula Vegan Cruelty-free 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 Brazilian phyto-keratin, Moroccan argan oil, botanical oils, and vitamins that make your locks manageable and silky. Key Ingredients: Brazilian Phyto-Keratin, Moroccan Argan oil, and Botanical oils Pros
Vegan Color safe Makes hair manageable Cruelty-free 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 work 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 Pleasant smell Non-greasy 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 your 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 top to the ends.
Use the cool setting of the iron/dryer or spray some hairspray to finally set your hair.
Heat protectant formulas have multiple benefits. 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. Hence, 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 healthy and conditioning ingredients that add nutrition and nourishment to the hair, restoring the lost moisture.
Controls Frizz: Heat protectant sprays prevent the loss of protein, therefore, hair cuticles stay integrated. As a result, hair damage and frizziness 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.
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.
Heat protectant sprays must be taken into consideration if you want to keep your hair damage-free! It is also important to purchase heat protectant sprays that help in retaining your hair’s natural health and shine even when you are using flat irons regularly. 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, greasy, and weigh your tresses down after every use.
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. 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.
