We don’t know who needs to hear this, but please — for the love of the hair gods — apply a heat protectant before going in with a blowdryer, straightener, curling iron, or anything in between. As the name suggests, heat protectants protect hair from heat damage. Put simply, these products act as a buffer between your hot tool of choice and your hair to reduce damage. They’re also chock-full of nourishing ingredients — such as vitamins, antioxidants, and fatty acids —to condition, hydrate, smooth, moisturize, and more.
Ahead, our favorite heat protectant sprays on the market for every budget and hair type. Healthy, hydrated, and smooth strands await…
Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray
Not only does the Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray protect strands from the harmful effects of heat styling, but it also helps eliminate frizz. Ingredient highlights include smoothing keratin, moisture-retaining glycerin, and vitamin-rich marula oil. The result? Smooth, shiny, and salon-worthy hair. Oh, and did we mention it’s under $10 a bottle?
Shop: Tresemme Keratin Smooth Heat Protection Shine Spray, $8.99
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer
This lightweight leave-in formula truly does it all — from detangling to conditioning to providing heat protection. Suitable for straight, wavy, and curly hair types, this multipurpose haircare staple is formulated with noteworthy ingredients like fatty acid-rich coconut, argan, and macadamia oils to leave hair healthy and shiny. It’s especially great for dry, damaged, and color-treated hair, too.
Shop: Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Heat & UV Protective Primer, $32.00
L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In
For a solid drugstore heat protectant that won’t break the bank, look no further than this one from L’Oreal Paris, which clocks in at under $6 a bottle! Its sulfate-free formula protects against heat damage up to 450°F while simultaneously eliminating frizz, adding shine, and boosting hydration. The sweet, floral scent is a bonus. Simply spritz it on before straightening for the perfect at-home blowout.
Shop: L’Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Heat Slayer Pre-Iron Spray Leave-In, $5.41
Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil
The Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil was specially formulated for curly hair. In addition to detangling and adding definition to waves and curls, the mist even offers 450°F heat protection. Its sulfate- and silicone-free formula — which is also suitable for chemically treated hair — is spiked with moisturizing jojoba oil. Best of all, you can snag two 32-ounce bottles for about $10: Talk about incredible value!
Shop: Pantene Heat Protectant Spray with Jojoba Oil, $9.99
Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave In Spray
Prime, protect, and detangle your color-treated hair with a few spritzes of Pureology’s Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave In Spray. Suitable for all hair types and textures, this product features a slew of powerful ingredients such as olive, coconut, and camelina oils to moisturize and nourish the hair.
Shop: Pureology Color Fanatic Multi-Tasking Leave In Spray, $32.00
R+Co Centerpiece All-in-One Elixir
The R+Co Centerpiece All-in-One Elixir is a heat protectant spray that’s especially ideal for folks with wavy, tight, or coily hair. Hyaluronic acid helps lock in moisture, while buckthorn seed oil and sunflower seed extracts are both loaded with fatty acids. You’ll also find a handful of vitamin-rich ingredients, such as lemon peel extract and sugarcane extract, which is known for its free-radical-fighting properties.
Shop: R+Co Centerpiece All-in-One Elixir, $36.00
Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection
You’ve likely heard of the glass skin trend that’s all over TikTok, but how about glass hair? For uber-shiny strands, look no further than Verb’s Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection, which boasts a beautiful glossy finish. Additionally, its versatile formula is suitable for all hair types and is enriched with vitamin-packed rosehip and peach oils, as well as moisturizing staples like squalane and glycerin.
Shop: Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection, $20.00
Color Wow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray
Save time on your next at-home blowdry by adding Color Wow’s Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray into your haircare routine. According to the brand, this one-of-a-kind spray — which is safe for all hair types and textures, including damaged and color-treated hair — can help cut drying time by up to 30 percent. It’s infused with keratin plus moisturizing castor oil and strengthening panthenol (also known as vitamin B5).
Shop: Color Wow Speed Dry Blow Dry Spray, $24.00
