I have the very best natural heat protectants rounded up for you! As a hair stylist I know how important it is to protect your hair when using heat or you could do some real damage. And of course you want to do this without any added toxins.
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Flourish Honeyblossom + Marshmallow Root UV + Heat Protectant
There are definitely a lot more options for natural heat protectants than there used to be. And with that comes more products that perform even better! Flourish’s Heat Protectant really does it ALL plus it is a UV protectant as well. My hair feels so smooth and soft after using it. A total winner in my opinion!
Use code gurlgonegreen to save 15% off your Flourish order!
Why Is A Heat Protectant Needed?
Simply put, heat can cause damage to your hair, especially when used on a regular basis or incorrectly.
A little anatomy lesson will help you to understand this better. The hair shaft is made up of the medulla, cortex and cuticle. I am going to dive in on these layers because when it comes to damaged hair from heat, it’s important to know the structure of the hair.
The cuticle is the outermost layer and is made up of a layer of dead skin cells. This layer is what we actually see and is a protective layer for the rest of the hair.
The cortex is the middle layer, and the largest layer. It is made up of keratin proteins and structural lipids.
The innermost layer is the medulla, which is loosely packed and more disordered. (source)
And, it is the cuticle and the cortex that, when not protected from heat, can be damaged. Different thermal hair devices can
“potentially cause damage in the cuticle and cortex of the hair fibers. Particularly, the heat causes denaturation of the α-keratin and the degradation of the components of the hair cortex.” (source)
And that’s where using a natural heat protectant becomes needed. Heat allows us to do so much with our hair – from drying it to styling it – but you don’t want to be doing that at the expense of the health of your hair.
What Does A Heat Protectant Do?
Heat protectants are going to protect your hair by forming a protective barrier over the cuticle that will be shield against the heat from hot tools – anything from flat irons to blow dryers. Ingredients in your heat protectant will also nourish the hair and add moisture.
Beyond a heat protectant you can also do a few other things to protect your hair from heat damage:
- Use the lowest temperature setting necessary to achieve the results you are looking for – no need to blast the hair with excessive heat.
- When blow drying, make sure to keep the hair dryer at a reasonable distance and keep moving it versus holding it in one spot. Also, don’t use the highest heat setting.
- Use additional moisturizers and hair conditioners as necessary.
- When outside, protect your hair from the sun’s UV rays with the use of a hat or limited time in the sun when it is at its peak.
If you aren’t using a heat protectant and some of these other protective measures, you may notice the following damage to your hair:
- Dull and/or dry
- Split-ends
- Brittle Hair
- Frizzy Hair
- Rough texture
If you are suffering from any of these, you will want to get a heat protection ASAP!
Related Content: Best Products For Styling Fine Hair
Tips and Tricks For Using a Heat Protectant
- It’s best to use it on damp hair that has been towel-dried before blow drying. Towel dry is ideal so that it’s not soaking wet hair. When hair is too wet, the product can just glide off and not soak into the hair cuticle. I like to spritz about 10-12 inches from my hair so that an even mist is able to get to all the hair. I also will lift up sections of hair as I do it to ensure even application.
- You want to use a heat protectant before applying any kind of heat to the hair, whether you are going to blow dry or use a flatiron or curling iron. Any type of heat exposure to the hair poses a risk of damage.
- It’s important to consider your hair type when choosing a heat protectant product. If you have fine/thin hair you don’t want to use an oil typically because it can weigh down your hair too much and cause it to be greasy. If you have curly/dry hair you’ll want to consider using a heat protectant that offers more moisture. In this instance an oil may be a good option.
Best Natural Heat Protectant Products
Rahua Heat Protectant Shield
This is a plant based leave-on spray heat protectant product. It also has ingredients that will nourish and improve the hair’s elasticity- which will prevent breakage. Protects hair up to 425 degrees F.
Active Ingredients- It has a combination of avocado, castor and almond oils that helps to shield strands from heat styling.
Cost: $38
Review- Wow, so impressed with this product. As a former stylist I’m always looking for a product that delivers heat protection without the added weight. This one really nourishes and protects my hair but doesn’t weigh it down. My hair felt soft and still light. My colored ends were smoother and not frizzy. A total winner!
Related Content: Rahau Review
Josh Rosebrook Serum Spray
The serum helps to shield the hair from heat. It helps to nourish the hair follicle, smoothing hair and adding some weightless softness to it. It comes in a spray bottle. It’s not sticky at all, but gives hair more of a smooth, soft look.
Active Ingredients- It has pumpkin seed oil, palm kernel oil, and black cumin seed oil in it. It also has tapioca root starch which helps to give volume in the scalp.
Cost– $30
Review-This is great for my fine/thin hair. I spray it in towel dried hair for some heat protection and for a boost of volume on my hair. Then I blow dry. It doesn’t feel heavy or weighed down at all! I love the lightness of the product. My hair doesn’t feel sticky or full of product after using. It doesn’t add a ton of softness to my hair or moisture but with my fine/thin hair I love that. The scent is very light. With notes of orange, lavender and grapefruit.
EVOLVh Smart Volume Leave-In Conditioner
I was excited to find this product. It is different from other heat protectant sprays because it adds volume. Often heat protectant sprays can weigh down the hair, not this one. It’s an all over volumizer, while also helping to protect hair from heat damage. A great option for those that have fine/thin hair.
Active Ingredients- It has pumpkin seed oil, palm kernel oil, and black cumin seed oil in it. It also has tapioca root starch which helps to give volume in the scalp.
Cost– $29
Review- This is a true leave in conditioner. It helps to detangle my hair, add moisture to ends, while also delivering heat protection and UV protection. It also adds some volume too so hair doesn’t feel greasy. I really can’t do leave in conditioners in my hair typically because it’s fine and thin and it will just weigh my hair down, so this is perfect. I used this more in the summer months when I’m outside and my hair is exposed to the sun and water. However, it could work anytime of year. Overall, my hair didn’t feel weighed down. Highly recommend for those with fine or thin hair that’s colored treated. It helps to nourish and add volume.
Use code gurlgonegreen15 to save 15% off your order at EVOLVh!
Related Content: EVOLVh Review (Top 5 Products)
True Botanicals Shine & Protect Hair Cream Oil
This is a hair oil full of ceramides and antioxidants. It not only helps to smooth your hair, but also helps to protect it from heat damage. It’s a 3-in-1 product meant to condition, protect and finish. Although it’s an oil, it feels more like a serum in its texture and appearance. It comes in a glass dropper bottle
Active Ingredients– This oil includes passion fruit seed oil and wild crafted pracaxi seed oil. These oils provide nourishment without weighing the hair down. It also has avocado oil and olive oils which help the hair to withstand high temperatures.
Cost- $52
Review-This comes in a glass dropper bottle. You only need one or two drops. It has a more serum consistency than an oil which I love. I thought it might weigh down my hair, but it actually didn’t feel as heavy as I thought it would. I found applying a drop or two in my hands first, then rubbing all over my hands and then applying to my hair strands gave me the best results. My hair felt soft after using and smooth. It did feel a little more weighed down than others. But I could see this being great for those who have thicker hair, coarse hair, curly hair and dry hair.
Related Content: True Botanicals Review (Top 10 Products)
Nuele Hair Serum
This is an ultra simple, clean blend of 5 oils. These oils work together to help detangle, restore, nourish and protect the hair. It’s a deep moisturizer and the scent is really light since it’s just from the oils themselves. The largest note I smell is rosemary, but overall not much of a scent. It comes in a small glass bottle- similar to an essential oil glass bottle.
Active Ingredients– The five active ingredients in the oil are jojoba seed oil, moringa seed oil, argan oil, rosemary flower oil, and clary sage flower and leaf oil.
Cost- $34
Review- I was excited to find this on Amazon. I love the simplicity of the oils and how clean the product is. It was too heavy for my fine/thin hair. My hair felt weighed down and a little greasy on the ends. I found I really had to use very little product but then I wondered how much it was really protecting my hair. I also didn’t love the application of the product. Having to pour the product into my hands. It got them greasy and I felt like it was too easy to pour too much out. This would be better for someone with dry hair, curly and thicker hair.
Flourish Honeyblossom + Marshmallow Root UV + Heat Protectant
This not only helps to moisturize the hair but also protects it. It helps to defrizz and add smoothness and softness to the hair shaft. Minimal clean ingredients that target frizz and help to nourish the hair. I also love that it protects from UV damage too. Making it great for spritzing on before going out in the sun. It has a light scent of orange and vanilla, nothing overpowering. Comes in a glass spray bottle.
Active Ingredients– Marshmallow root and honey help to detangle hair and strengthen it, while quinoa protein and sunflower extract as well as rosehip helps to prepare hair for heat styling, protect it and add smoothness to hair.
Cost- $32
Review- This is a simple and effective heat protectant. I love that it comes in a spray bottle, making it easy for application. My hair felt noticeably softer and smoother on the ends after using. It doesn’t feel super heavy either for my fine/thin hair which I loved. The product really is a 2-in-1 in my opinion with its UV protection as well. Making it great for spraying on before going out in the sun. Especially great for blondes or gray haired women who want to protect their hair from turning brassy. This heat protectant really hits all the marks!
Use code gurlgonegreen to save 15% off your Flourish order!
Yarok Feed Your Ends Leave- In Conditioner and Heat Protectant
This is a leave-in conditioner that also acts as a detangler and heat protectant. It also adds nourishment to the hair and a smoothness. It includes vitamins, minerals and essential oils. The scent is very light with notes of rosemary and may change- which smells lemony. Comes in a plastic pump bottle.
Active Ingredients– The formula has grapeseed, primrose and jojoba as active ingredients.
Cost- $32
Review-I have used this for several years. I love that it’s lightweight and doesn’t weigh down my hair. It does add some nourishment to my hair and moisture but it’s not heavy. The Flourish Honeyblossom + Marshmallow Root UV + Heat Protectant is a lot more nourishing in terms of overall moisture for the hair. This does a great job of helping add a layer of protection and having my hair still feel bouncy. I still recommend this one a lot for the price and effectiveness.
Which Natural Heat Protectant Is Best?
My top picks and recommendations for a heat protectant is the Rahua Heat Protectant Shield and Flourish Honeyblossom + Marshmallow Root UV + Heat Protectant. The Rahua Heat Protectant Shield does it all and without my hair feeling weighed down. My hair feels protected and nourished. The Flourish Honeyblossom + Marshmallow Root UV + Heat Protectant hits all the marks of a natural heat protectant but then also includes the UV protection- taking it even further. It also adds smoothness and softness to the hair. A total winner when it comes to heat protectant that delivers! If you’re wanting a more budget friendly option I would recommend Yarok Feed Your Ends.
What do you think is the best heat protectant? Share below!
If you liked this post, check out these past posts:
- Top 7 Natural Hair Spray Products
- Best Natural and Organic Hair Dye Options
- Best Natural Shampoo & Conditioners
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