Hair Frying from Hot Tools? These 10 Best Heat Protectants Can Help (2024)

We updated this article in January 2023 to add two new products, eva NYC and Curlsmith, in place of discontinued and sold out products.

Heat tools for hair — like straighteners, curling irons and hair dryers — are one of the biggest culprits of hair damage. Although there is no way to totally reverse the damage, you can minimize some negative effects by applying a thermal protecting leave-in styling product. In fact, two studies published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science (1998 and 2011) have shown that several ingredients (which include copolymers, hydrolyzed protein and cationic surfactants) can minimize hair breakage when applied before thermal exposure.

The Good Housekeeping Institute Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab tests hundreds of haircare and styling products each year, from shampoos and conditioners to dry shampoos and smoothing serums. In the Lab, products are evaluated on real human hair swatches using technical instruments and they are also distributed to consumers for at-home use feedback, including ease of application, effects on hair and overall satisfaction. While the GH Beauty Lab hasn't tested the heat protection efficacy of these products, our Beauty Lab experts say that heat protectants really do work "by coating hair, masking the degraded surface of damaged hair, and improving hair manageability, which in turn results in reduced hair breakage," says GH Beauty Lab Executive Director Birnur Aral, Ph.D.

Our top picks:

We rounded up the best heat protectant products you can buy from a combination of Beauty Lab top-tested formulas, editors' picks and stylers that contain the key ingredients mentioned above. No matter your strand type or texture (curly, fine, dry or colored) read on for healthier, protected hair.

For both heat protection and smoothing benefits, look no further than this powerhouse spray formula from Matrix. A study has shown this lightweight mist can guard strands against heat from flat irons up to 450°F as compared to hair treated with heat alone. For best results, spritz it all over dry hair before straightening.

Not only is the formula great at protecting hair strands but our pros like the packaging is also made from 100% recycled aluminum. The brand claims to strengthen and protect locks from heat and UV, while botanical oils help leave hair feeling soft and looking shiny. Note that those with fine and/or oily hair might find the oily texture too heavy.

A versatile, lightweight styler with heat protectant properties, Shu Uemura is a GH editor favorite. "This is really great for anyone hoping for a blowout with more volume, or if you want to use a curling iron, since it helps define curls and provides a bit of hold sans feeling crunchy or stiff," says former GH beauty assistant Katie Berohn. However, it is a more expensive price point.

A winner of the GH Beauty Lab's anti-frizz styler test, this multi-tasking Kérastase mist tames frizz, which is key for curly hair, plus adds shine and leaves hair feeling soft. Containing several ingredients like xylose, protein and silicones, it also protects strands from the heat of styling tools. But, it is on the pricer side and its oily texture might feel too heavy for some users.

A top performer in the GH Beauty Lab's volumizing styling products test, this blowdry mist not only protects hair against heat but also helps make fine strands look voluminous and full all day long without any heaviness or that crunchy, tacky feeling. "I like this product better than the volumizing spray I get at my salon," a tester said. It should be noted that a few testers wanted more shine from this product.

Our pros appreciate that this blowdrying cream from Briogeo contains hydrolyzed proteins for heat protection and a combination of conditioning ingredients including botanical oils to smooth strands without any heaviness. However, hair can become a bit stiff to the touch with this cream, and it contains the least amount of product in this roundup at 4.8 fluid ounces.

Created for natural hair textures and a range of curl types up to 4C, this heat protective mist from Pantene contains polymers that form a protective barrier on hair, which reduces moisture loss from the heat of styling tools. We like that it also has conditioning ingredients to smooth strands to silky, shiny perfection. The spray can be used on wet or dry hair for blowdrying or straightening.

Hydrating, frizz taming and blow dry accelerating, Redken's Frizz Dismiss is an all-in-one formula especially great for straightening hair. "It helps makes my super thick hair feel manageable, seals in smoothness and cuts my blow dry time," Berohn says.

Cutting the time you blow dry your hair is one way to minimize hair damage. In the GH Beauty Lab's blow dry accelerator test, this Paul Mitchell serum decreased drying time by 8%. Bonus: It smells amazing! The formula does have an oily texture, which might feel too greasy for those with fine or oily hair.

Curlsmith's Miracle Shield protects from multiple hair aggressors without any weigh down, thanks to its lightweight milky texture. Data evaluations confirmed that it not only reduced hair breakage from repeated heat styling and UV exposure but also protected against environmental pollutants like chlorinated water and urban pollution. Some might find the fruity, floral scent too strong.

When evaluating haircare products, Good Housekeeping Beauty Lab scientists first distribute label-masked products, including various brands and price points, to a panel of women across the nation. These at-home testers rate aspects of the product such as the scent, ease of application and performance.In the Lab, scientists use equipment such as the Instron, to gauge conditioning abilities, and a humidity chamber to measure anti-frizz properties. Although we haven't evaluated heat protectants, we gathered this list of products based on any available studies to verify thermal protection of strands as well as brands that have tested well in the past.

Danusia Wnek, a chemist in the Beauty, Health & Sustainability Lab, has spent over eight years researching and developing testing protocols for various haircare categories such as moisturizing shampoos, anti-frizz serums and thickening products. She has a B.S. in chemistry from St. John’s University and a M.S. in pharmaceutical sciences with a concentration in cosmetic science from the University of Cincinnati. Based on expertise in the industry and personal use, she curated the list of products above.