Hair Fried from Hot Tools? These Top-Tested Heat Protectant Sprays Can Help (2025)

Heat tools for hair — like straighteners, curling irons and hair dryers — are some of the biggest culprits of hair damage. However, we would be naive to think that just because hot tools can cause damage means that people would stop using them entirely. Applying a thermal protecting leave-in styling product can minimize some negative effects of heat damage, though there is no way to totally reverse the damage.

Two studies published in the Journal of Cosmetic Science (in 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.

Our Beauty Lab experts say that heat protectants really do work, since they can coat hair, masking the degraded surface of damaged hair and improving hair manageability, which in turn results in reduced hair breakage. We compiled a list of top heat protectants from brands like Color Wow, Matrix and ColorProof. With so many products on the market, it can be difficult to find which one is best for your specific hair.

Don’t confuse the price for quality. GH Beauty Lab Reviews Analyst Chiara Butler has been buying this product since she was a teenager. “It’s a lightweight spray that does exactly what it needs to do without adding any weight or oiliness.” It’s an easy-to-use spray bottle, and the fine mist makes it easy to apply. It’s recommended to spray on damp or dry hair liberally, about six to eight inches away from your head. If you’re sensitive to scents, some reviewers found it to be quite fruity and floral.

Our Beauty Award winner is a favorite among staffers. This well-balanced formula enriched with silk amino acids and sunflower seed extract has seen its share of satisfied consumers over two decades. Our staffers have used this product and can vouch for its lightweight texture and effectiveness in keeping hair smooth. “I love that this eliminates the need to use so many products and even provides heat protection for styling,” one tester said. If you’re sensitive to scents, this product might not be for you, as testers report that it has a distinct overly processed fragrance.

Loved by multiple GH Beauty Lab staffers, the Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray is worth trying. According to the brand, the best way to get results is to towel dry after the shower, divide hair into sections, spray liberally on evenly damp hair and wait to use other products until after blow-drying. The formula requires blow-drying and tension to activate. Catharine Malzahn, GH Beauty Assistant, shared, “My blowout looked great even after 24 hours, including walking through the humid New York City weather and traveling on a plane.” Another reviewer said, “it helped make my hair not look as damaged, since I dye it and put heat on it quite often.”

If you enjoy experimenting with different hair colors and find yourself dyeing your hair frequently, the Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray can help lock in your hair color. “This spray provides high heat protection in a non-oily formula, locking in moisture while preventing color fading from UV rays,” says Amy Abramite, Creative Director & Stylist at Maxine Salon in Chicago. This product is on the pricier side, but it may be worth the investment to help extend your hair color’s longevity.

We recruited three hair style experts to evaluate 12 products on their clients. They concluded that Fekkai Root Lift was best for adding volume, lifting the hair and not weighing hair down. “Usually root lifters are sticky and thick, but this one was like a light mist which was great and very user-friendly,” Mutchler says. Another tester found it needs to be shaken before application to perform well; if it’s not shaken, the product didn’t work.

Hydrating, frizz taming and blow dry accelerating, Redken's Frizz Dismiss is an all-in-one formula especially great for straightening hair. "It helps make my super thick hair feel manageable, seals in smoothness and cuts my blow dry time," said former GH beauty assistant Katie Berohn. Because this is a cream it may be too heavy for fine hair, which could make it look greasy.

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

Frizzy hair can be hard to maintain, especially in hot, humid weather. If you find yourself struggling to maintain frizz, Abramite loves this product. “Hask Keratin Smooth 5-in-1 Leave-In Spray is a keratin-enriched conditioning spray that protects hair from heat for a smooth shiny look,” Abramite says. Some reviewers were disappointed when it didn’t make their hair feel smooth after usage.

A versatile, lightweight styler with heat protectant properties, this spray from 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 Berohn. However, it is a more expensive price point.

Applying a thermal protecting leave-in styling product can minimize some negative effects of heat damage, though there is no way to totally reverse the damage. Abramite says hair protectants should "preserve the health of hair by forming a protective shield around the cuticle, locking in moisture for a softer smoother texture."