The Best Heat Protectant Sprays
If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
Best Overall
Best on Dry Hair
Best on Dry Hair Runner-Up
Best on Damp Hair
As someone who tests flat irons for a living, my hair has seen its fair share of damage. Even though I've been using heat protectant spray for most of my adult life to combat everything from split ends and breakage to lack of shine and dried-out cuticles, I'd never really given much thought as to whether the formula I was using was actually right for my desired purposes.
Is it protective enough to stand up to even the hottest flat iron, or just a blow dryer? Could it be used on dry hair for touch-ups, or can it only be applied to damp hair? Does it fight frizz? I set out to investigate, trying heat protectant sprays, balms, and serums from some of the most popular brands on the market. Since reduced damage can often be hard to quantify, especially since it may take until new hair grows in, I focused primarily on ease of use, fulfillment of marketing claims, texture, and fragrance, as well as whether it left a residue or added weight. I tried to recommend formulas that work for all hair types, but if a product seemed best suited for a specific texture, I made sure to note it.
For WIRED recommendations on heat tools, check out our other hair-care guides, like the Best Hair Dryers, Best Diffusers for Curly Hair, Best Hair Straighteners, and Best Curling Irons.
Power up with unlimited access to WIRED. Get best-in-class reporting that's too important to ignore for just $2.50 $1 per month for 1 year. Includes unlimited digital access and exclusive subscriber-only content. Subscribe Today.
How Do Heat Protectants Work?
Ingredients vary, but most heat protectants work much the same way: by deploying ingredients like copolymers or silicone that coat the hair shaft to slow (though not totally stop) heat conduction. Many heat protectants also include moisturizers to help seal and smooth the cuticle to reduce frizz. Because heat protectants can only slow, not completely stop, heat damage, it's still important to use the lowest heat settings you can for your hair for the least amount of time.
How We Tested
I wash my 3a curly hair twice a week, then blow-dry and follow up with a straightening iron. I touch up my hair with a straightening iron daily in between. I tested the heat protectants in this guide in the course of my normal day-to-day life over a period of four months. I used each product on either damp hair before blow-drying or on dry hair before the straightening iron—whichever was indicated by the instructions. If a product could be used on damp and dry hair, I tried it both ways.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best Overall
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective PrimerThis is the heat protectant spray I've been using for years before blow-drying and straightening my hair, and it's still my favorite out of the dozens of formulas I tested for this guide. This milky-white leave-in conditioner with a proprietary six-oil blend smooths hair, hydrates, and adds shine without going on too heavy or too light, making it a great pick for all hair types and styles.
The formula works for wet or dry hair, and I love the simple pump bottle—no messy serums or toxic-smelling aerosol clouds to mess up your bathroom. The scent is light and inoffensive. As a bonus, it's also got UV filters to protect from sun damage.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Both Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Sizes 2 oz., 4.2 oz., 8.5 oz. - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best on Dry Hair
Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protectant SprayThis sleek black-and-gold bottle is a bit of a splurge, but it’s worth it—it smoothed and added visible shine without weighing my hair down, and kept it that way. Even on day two, the section where I used the Gold Lust needed less touching up. Fortified with plant collagen, caffeine, biotin, and niacinamide, this spray was effective at fighting frizz yet lightweight enough to be a great choice for most hair types and textures. However, be forewarned that the aerosol emits a voluminous cloud that's difficult to escape, plus the scent is strong and may not be to everyone's taste. Floral and orange seem to be the dominant notes. This read as sunscreen-ish to me, but many online reviews rave about it.
For maximum frizz reduction, pair this with Oribe's Royal Blowout Heat Styling Spray ($72) before blow-drying. This bottle doesn't list a heat protection feature, but it does add an additional layer of smoothing power and shine.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Dry only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? N/A Size 5.2 oz.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best on Dry Hair Runner-Up
Hot Tools Pro Artist Heat Lacquer Seal Thermal Activated Hi-Shine SprayAn affordable alternative to Oribe's Gold Lust, this heat-activated aerosol spray with a five-oil blend actually did a comparable job of adding lasting shine and reducing frizz. The shine effect (enhanced with diamond powder) didn't last as long as the Gold Lust, though, and the strong fragrance, which put me in mind of laundry detergent, may not be to everyone's taste.
The formula is also quite heavy, almost like a hairspray, but I found this to be a plus as someone with naturally frizzy hair who lives in the Pacific Northwest. I also appreciated that this had the highest-temperature heat protection of any brand I tried. If you have fine hair, though, be forewarned it may add too much weight for your liking. For use on damp hair, I also liked Hot Tools' Pro Artist Heat Defense Instant Detangling Mist ($25). It didn't take a top slot due to being a bit too residue-heavy, but it's still very effective for coarse and curly hair.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 455 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Dry only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? N/A Size 3.4 oz. - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best on Damp Hair
Drybar Prep Rally Prime & Prep DetanglerIf I'm going to trust anyone to know a thing or two about heat protectants, it's going to be the chain of salons that's spent the past 14 years specializing in blowouts. And sure enough, Drybar didn't disappoint with this lightweight phthalate-, paraben-, and sulfate-free spray. Fortified with biotin, vitamins, seaberry oil, and UV blockers, this heat-protective detangler felt hydrating yet not overly heavy, and I loved how soft my hair felt after blow-drying.
The pump bottle I tested came in “Noir” scent. To me it smelled slightly minty, though Drybar claims there are supposed to be hints of ginger and sandalwood as well. For those more into mocktails than mint, there's a Coconut Colada scent that seems to be just as widely available.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Damp only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? N/A Sizes 2 oz., 5 oz.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best on Damp Hair Runner-Up
IGK Good Behavior 4-in-1 Prep SprayThis all-in-one detangler and frizz treatment stood out in my tests for adding visible hydration and shine. Its effective pump-bottle spray formula is fortified with spirulina protein and coconut oil, and it's lightweight enough to work for all hair types. IGK says it's also safe for chemically treated hair.
The only detractors that knocked it out of the top slot are the fact that the frizz-fighting properties are not as impressive as claimed—my hair did eventually poof back up after blow-drying—and the very strong fragrance. IGK identifies top notes of black pepper and blackberries, but I get feline flea and tick treatment.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Damp only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Size 7 oz. (also comes in travel size) - Photograph: Kat Merck
If You’d Rather Try a Balm
R+Co Hot Spell Thermotech Blow Out BalmIf you have especially thick or curly hair, a spray just might not cut it. A balm is thicker and messier to apply, but it ensures sufficient product application. R+Co's paraben-free formula pairs moisturizers (mustard seed oil, kiwi oil) with polymers and copolymers to smooth and protect hair. I also like the petite, user-friendly pump bottle.
The resulting product looks and smells like a slightly thickened shampoo. It feels hydrating yet not overly heavy or sticky, and my hair felt super soft after blow-drying and touching up with a straightening iron.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or wet hair? Damp only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? N/A Size 4.2 oz.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
If You’d Rather Try a Serum
Amika Blockade Heat Defense SerumBack before I began straightening my hair (like, way back, in the ’90s), I wore it curly. My holy grail hair product then was drugstore staple Frizz Ease by John Frieda—it had the consistency of glue but sealed my cuticles so well that even a foggy day at the beach resulted in minimal frizz. Frizz Ease has since changed its formula, and it's not quite the same, but Amika's Blockade serum is the closest I've come to that old-school Frizz Ease serum reliability—but with the contemporary benefit of being lightweight and not greasy.
I tested this serum both ways—on wet hair before blow-drying with Shark's FlexFusion Fusion Brush attachment and on dry hair before straightening with a flat iron—and both applications left my hair soft and silky but not overly weighed down. I also like the groovy hot-pink glass pump bottle. Be forewarned, however, the serum is highly scented with Amika's signature fragrance (described as “warm vanilla, fresh citrus, and spicy sweet clover”), which online commenters find divisive. I don't love it, but I don't mind it either.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees Fahrenheit For use on dry or damp hair? Both Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Size 1.7 oz. - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best for Blow-Dry Only
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural SprayI love this sulfate- and paraben-free pump spray, which is heat-activated by a blow-dryer and supposedly lasts through three or four shampoos (though I couldn’t really tell, to be honest). Although it doesn't state so on the bottle, the company's website confirms it does provide heat protection. It also smooths my hair better and for longer than brands three times its price.
However, the heat protective properties top out at 380 degrees Fahrenheit, so it can only be used with a blow dryer; you'll need another protectant if you plan on finishing with a heat tool. Also bear in mind that it is on the heavier side in terms of residue, so a little goes a long way, and it may be a better choice for thick or curly locks.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 380 degrees For use on dry or wet hair? Wet only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Sizes 1.7 oz., 6.7 oz., 16.9 oz.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
Best for Preventing Breakage
L’Oreal Professionnel Metal Detox Strengthening Hair OilWhile not a spray, this serum is from L’Oreal Professionnel's Metal Detox, a unique chelating regimen that also includes a shampoo and hair mask (both of which I tried and also liked). Using a proprietary molecule called glicoamine, the formula aims to reduce breakage and preserve hair color (including highlight treatments like balayage) by removing metals that can accumulate on hair fibers through hard water and diet.
I'm fairly certain I did see less breakage during my test period with this serum, though results are hard to quantify. I also like the light and citrusy scent. Be forewarned, though, that this small glass pump bottle is one of the heaviest hair products I’ve used in terms of residue—a little goes a very long way.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or wet hair? Wet only Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Size 1.6 oz. - Photograph: Kat Merck
Best for Touch-Ups
Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling SprayThis lightweight aerosol functions as a combination heat protectant and styling/finishing spray. A blend of polymers and emollients work to smooth the hair cuticle, so it could be used for frizz control even without a heat tool. It wasn't quite strong enough for “first line” use on my thick, curly hair, but it did a great job smoothing frizz during daily flat-iron touch-ups. It's safe for chemically treated styles, and I like that it can be used on damp or dry hair.
It does have a strong fragrance that may be off-putting to some. Amazon identified it as “vanilla,” but to me it's reminiscent of concentrated diaper cream.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or wet hair? Both Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes Sizes 5.5 oz.
- Photograph: Kat Merck
A Heat Protectant That Actually Cuts Drying Time
Kristin Ess Style Assist Blow-Dry MistI admit I had my doubts about this lightweight, low-priced pump spray that claims to cut drying time while providing heat protection. I didn't notice any effects from the “shine enhancing” properties, but I certainly did notice the reduction in drying time. At one point in my testing period I was testing two heat protectants on different sections of my hair, and I could immediately tell on which area I'd sprayed the Kristin Ess. Keep in mind, however, that this product does have a hearty dose of Kristin Ess' signature scent, which features strong notes of amber and musky ambrette seed.
Though technically not a spray, I also really liked Milk_Shake's Lifestyling Blow-Dry Primer ($26). It wasn't quite as effective as Kristin Ess' formula and left a slightly sticky residue, but I loved how the light-orange liquid emerged from the pump as a foam in order to ensure even application. Those put off by the Kristin Ess fragrance may want to try this one instead, which has a light, pineapple-like scent.
Max heat protection (Fahrenheit) 450 degrees For use on dry or damp hair? Damp Cruelty-free? Yes Safe for color-treated hair? Yes
Other Heat Protectants We Tried
-Reviewer-Photo-SOURCE-Kat-Merck.jpg)
R+Co Bleu Hypersonic Heat Styling Mist for $36: This high-tech-looking aerosol in a recycled aluminum bottle was a favorite during the early weeks of testing—I liked its protection up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and its frizz-fighting properties. However, it does use a polymer and resin complex to smooth hair, and over time I noticed it was leaving a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blowdry Perfection & Heat Protectant Creme for $12: I have thick, unruly hair, and this cream protectant felt like it actually made my hair unmanageable and harder to style. It may speak to its effectiveness, but I felt like I had to take too many passes with a titanium flat iron turned up to max temperature.
IGK Good Behavior Spirulina Protein Smoothing Spray for $34: This aerosol felt like it dried my hair out a bit, and it has the same unpleasant scent as the 4-in-1 (above). I didn't care for it in a liquid spray, but it was overwhelming in aerosol cloud form.
Reverie Milk Anti-Frizz Leave-in Nourishing Treatment for $44: I loved this lightweight cream's spicy botanical scent, stylish glass bottle, and the fact that it protects up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (according to Reverie; it does not say so on the bottle). Unfortunately, it did absolutely nothing for my frizz.
Sutra Heat Guard Heat Protector for $18: Imperceptibly scented and light, this pump spray seemed promising for use on dry hair, but it had the same issue as Briogeo's Farewell Frizz—even after multiple passes at high temperatures, my hair was unmanageable and would not cooperate with the flat iron.
Chi 44 Iron Guard for $19: This drugstore stalwart works well to protect from heat while also tamping down frizz, and the new Botanical Bliss scent is an improvement over the original formula's. However, it left a sticky residue on my hands and heat tools.
Sutra Heat Guard Blowout Cream for $24: I love Sutra’s IR2 hair straightener, so I had high hopes for this thick and almost fragrance-free cream that's meant to protect up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and reduce drying time, but my hair felt dried out after use.
Milk_Shake Lifestyling Thermo-Protector for $18: I usually love Milk_Shake products, but this aerosol spray felt like it dried out my hair and amplified my already hard-to-handle frizz after blow-drying. It also did not add a discernible amount of shine as promised.
FoxyBae Cool AF Heat Protectant + Biotin for $13: I like the cheery design of this pump spray bottle, as well as the fact it can be used on wet or dry hair. However, it didn’t seem as effective as other brands and was greasy when used on dry hair.
Drybar Hot Toddy Heat Protectant Mist for $28: This keratin- and paraben-free aerosol spray was quite pleasant to use for touch-ups, but it was just a little too lightweight to have any real effect on frizz.
R+Co Chainmail Thermal Protection Styling Spray for $36: I appreciated this spray for its ability to add lots of visible shine, but the aerosol nozzle was not as targeted as I’d have liked, creating such a wide-ranging, fine-mist fog that it was nearly impossible not to breathe it in. I also found the cologne-like scent overwhelming.
Wired Coupons
10% Off Wayfair Promo Code with sign-up
20% off Dyson Promo Code
$50 Off In-Person Tax Prep When You Switch From Your Tax Current Provider
Up to $500 off cameras at Canon
Save extra 10% Off TurboTax
Exclusive: Up To 50% Off 6 Boxes With Factor Promo Code