What can be used as a heat protectant?

Author: Golda Marquardt MD  |  Last update: Thursday, October 2, 2025

Try to incorporate a honey-infused haircare product into your styling routine, such as our Propolis Infused Heat Protect Spray or Honey Infused Hair Oil.
  • Castor Oil. Castor oil is a natural heat protectant. ...
  • Coconut Oil. ...
  • Grapeseed Oil. ...
  • Argan Oil. ...
  • Almond Oil. ...
  • Sunflower Oil.

What things can be used as heat protectants?

Argan oil, avocado oil, and refined coconut oil, all seem to be popular choices with good feedback from people who have used them as heat protectants.

What should I do if I have no heat protectant?

Coconut Oil and Aloe Vera Gel: Mix melted coconut oil with aloe vera gel for a lightweight yet protective heat protectant. Aloe vera soothes and forms a protective barrier, while coconut oil moisturises. Shea Butter, Argan Oil, and Honey: Blend shea butter with argan oil and a small amount of honey.

How do I make my own heat protectant?

Instructions. To properly use as a heat protectant, melt one teaspoon of coconut oil and then dilute it by adding 3/4 cup of water. Pour the mixture into a spray bottle and shake well before each use. It's always best to apply this formula to wet hair and to keep it all on the mid-shaft to ends, away from the scalp.

What counts as a heat protectant?

First, What ARE Heat Protectants? Heat protectants add a protective barrier between your styling tool and your hair, sealing in moisture and fending off frizz. They often contain key moisturizing ingredients, like natural oils and fatty acids, but it's the usually the silicones and polymers that provide the barrier.

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What can I use if I don't have heat protectant spray?

Try to incorporate a honey-infused haircare product into your styling routine, such as our Propolis Infused Heat Protect Spray or Honey Infused Hair Oil.
  1. Castor Oil. Castor oil is a natural heat protectant. ...
  2. Coconut Oil. ...
  3. Grapeseed Oil. ...
  4. Argan Oil. ...
  5. Almond Oil. ...
  6. Sunflower Oil.

Is it OK if I don't use heat protectant?

Hair styling using high heat can cause irreversible damage, but it doesn't have to. Heat protectants are an essential product for natural hair styling to protect, moisturize, & smooth whether you have thick hair or fine hair.

Can I straighten my hair without heat protectant?

Straightening unprotected hair daily is one of the quickest routes to serious damage. Each time you apply direct heat without protection, you're essentially cooking your hair, stripping away its natural moisture and weakening its internal bonds.

Can I use conditioner as heat protectant?

While a leave-in conditioner can provide some protection, it may not offer the same level of protection as a dedicated heat protectant. Leave-in conditioner isn't formulated to withstand high temperatures, which means it may be unable to protect the hair against the full extent of heat damage caused by styling tools.

What is a natural heat protectant for hair?

Argan oil has been the go-to natural heat protectant for years. This lightweight oil can protect hair against high heat. Plus, it leaves you with a smooth style and shiny finish.

Can I use serum as heat protectant?

Always remember that the main purpose of a serum is to protect your hair from heat, dust, pollution, and other environmental aggressors. Thoroughly clean your scalp with your shampoo and dry the hair with a towel.

Can I dry my hair without heat protectant?

No matter your hair type, it's essential to use a heat protectant to prep the hair and a finishing cream, oil or hairspray to lock the look in.

Can I use olive oil as a heat protectant?

Some people also claim olive oil can act as a heat protectant, but Zito does not recommend this. Extra virgin olive oil has a smoking point of 320 °F, Zito says, and many flatirons, wands, and curling irons reach temperatures much higher than that between 400 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

What can I use as a heat shield?

Coated fabrics are often used as heat shields and for protective purposes. Coatings can be made from neoprene, silicon, ceramic or others and are also UV, chemical and abrasion resistant.

What are the best materials for heat protection?

What are the 5 Most Common Thermal Insulation Materials in Industry?
  1. Coated Fabrics. Coated fabrics stand at the forefront of thermal insulation technology. ...
  2. Fiberglass Textiles. ...
  3. Silica Textiles. ...
  4. Coated Textiles with Silicone, Graphite, and Carbon. ...
  5. Ceramic-Coated Textiles.

How to protect hair from heat while straightening?

Follow these simple tips to help protect your hair.
  1. Ensure your hair is fully dry before using hot tools. ...
  2. Use only high-quality styling tools. ...
  3. Decrease how often you straighten your hair. ...
  4. Re-nourish your hair with a mask. ...
  5. Use a heat protectant spray or cream.

What hair products can be used as heat protectant?

We think you'll like
  • 2 sizes. ...
  • OLAPLEX No.7 Bonding Hair Oil. ...
  • Redken Quick Blowout Heat Protectant Spray. ...
  • Redken Acidic Color Gloss Heat Protection Treatment. ...
  • Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave In Conditioner Primer. ...
  • Kenra Professional Travel Size Platinum Blow-Dry Spray.

Can you put leave-in conditioner in hair before straightening?

But, if your hair runs dry, it can be extremely helpful to use a leave-in conditioner after you wash and before you flat iron. It will help keep your ends from getting that dry, burnt, straw-like look.

What is the best product for your hair after a shower?

One of the best ways to care for your hair after a shower is to use a leave-in conditioner. This type of conditioner is designed to be left in your hair and can help to restore moisture and prevent breakage. Another option is to use a hair oil or serum, which can help to add shine and protect against heat damage.

How to make DIY heat protectant?

Steps:
  1. Mix equal parts of aloe vera gel and distilled water in a spray bottle.
  2. Shake well before each use.
  3. Apply to damp hair before heat styling.

What to put on hair before straightening?

So, if you are wondering exactly what to apply before ironing hair, these are the 4 must-use products: a hair primer, a thermal heat protectant, a hair serum, and a split end sealer.

Can I use hair oil as a heat protectant?

While it may sound counterintuitive, oils can help protect from heat damage + lipid loss in many ways. To start, they help regulate your hair's moisture content.

What makes a good heat protectant?

Quality heat protectants contain ingredients like humectants (like panthenol and propylene glycol), which preserves moisture and blocks frizz; amino acids (like keratin), to strengthen hair and provide antioxidants; and natural oils and extracts (like aloe), which protect and seal the hair's cuticle.

Can I use leave-in conditioner as a heat protectant?

Silicones work by forming a barrier between your hair and the heat source, effectively protecting your hair from heat damage. If your leave-in conditioner contains ingredients that protect against heat, it could protect your hair from damage resulting from heat application.

Can I use aloe vera as a heat protectant?

Aloe vera is known for its hydrating and moisturizing properties, which makes it a perfect ingredient for a heat protectant spray. It helps to form a protective layer on your hair strands that shields it from the heat of styling tools.

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