What is the most natural heat protectant for hair?

Author: Wilfredo Leuschke  |  Last update: Thursday, November 6, 2025

Argan Oil Argan oil has been the go-to natural heat protectant for years.

What is the best natural heat protectant for hair?

With that out of the way, keep reading for the oils Friese recommends using at home as a DIY heat protectant.
  • 01 of 07. Argan Oil. ...
  • 02 of 07. Shea Butter. ...
  • 03 of 07. Coconut Oil. ...
  • 04 of 07. Avocado Oil. ...
  • 05 of 07. Grapeseed Oil. ...
  • 06 of 07. Sunflower Oil. ...
  • 07 of 07. Almond Oil.

What can be used instead of heat protectant?

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.

Does olive oil work as a heat protectant?

Oil shouldn't be used as a heat protectant because it could potentially fry/burn your hair. Argan oil and marula are typically cold pressed oils which have a low smoke point and will burn easily. However after your hair is already heat styled, these oils are a lovely finishing product to add shine.

Can I straighten my hair without heat protectant?

Yes! Heat protectant protects your hair. Without it, your hair will be fried. Straighteners can get so hot, they burn off entire chunks of hair if you're not careful.

Putting Heat Protectants to the Test: Do They Really Protect Your Hair? 🤔 | Natural Hair

How to make homemade heat protectant?

Pour half of water into spray bottle. Add Fractionated Coconut Oil, sweet almond oil, conditioner, and essential oils into bottle. Add remaining water and shake well. To use, apply one spritz to hair and work it through until hair is lightly coated.

What to put on hair before straightening?

Use a heat protectant spray or cream

Using a heat protectant product every time you style your hair is an incredibly important way to prevent heat damage to hair. These sprays and creams have the ability to protect the hair fibre during heat exposure, as well as intensely hydrating each strand.

What can be used as a hair heat protectant?

Castor oil is great for protecting the hair against high heat appliances, but it also keeps the frizz away by smoothing the cuticle and reducing split ends. Castor oil also contains ricinoleic acid, which helps to balance the pH of the scalp and restore damage caused by heat, sun, and harsh chemicals.

What is the best hair oil for heat protection?

Best for Heat Protection: Gisou Honey Infused Hair Oil

This hair oil does more than just leave your strands looking nourished and smooth. It also serves as a heat protectant for up to 450°, so it can be applied before you use your curling iron or hair straightener.

Is almond oil good as a heat protectant?

Almond Oil

Besides providing great heat protection, this oil is very high in Vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6 and A - which are all helpful nutrients that allow you to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful hair.

Can I put coconut oil in my hair before straightening?

It can also be applied to your hair before straightening or curling to protect it from heat and give it that extra shine. If you are prone to dry or damaged hair this could be the perfect treatment for you as it is deeply nourishing and helps to improve scalp circulation.

What ingredient makes heat protectant work?

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.

What's the best drugstore heat protectant?

Our top picks for the best drugstore heat protectants:
  • Best Drugstore Heat Protectant Overall. Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer. Read more.
  • Best Drugstore Heat Protectant for Coarse Hair. TRESemmé Protecting Heat Spray. Read more.
  • Best Drugstore Heat Protectant for Breakage. CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray.

What should I use if I don't have heat protectant?

Coconut Oil

This oil is one of the most popular natural heat protectant options out there. There are so many ways you can use coconut oil to protect your hair against the effects of heat-styling tools. Since coconut oil can make your hair a bit oily, we recommend applying just a few drops to your strands.

What is a natural alternative for heat protectant spray?

Castor Oil

Castor oil is a natural heat protectant. It's one of the key ingredients of our natural heat protectant spray because it is extremely nourishing, hydrating, and reparative for the hair. It protects damaged hair from breakage by alleviating dryness.

Does aloe vera work 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.

How do you make homemade heat protectant?

Coconut Oil Heat Protectant: Mix melted coconut oil with aloe vera gel or water in a spray bottle. Shake well and apply to damp hair before heat styling. Shea Butter and Essential Oils Blend: Melt shea butter and mix it with a few drops of essential oils (like argan, lavender, or rosemary).

Is it okay to use hair oil as 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.

Does putting coconut oil on your hair help?

Coconut oil can have many benefits for your hair and scalp. It is used to relieve dandruff, restore luster to dry and damaged hair, tame frizz, and protect hair against styling damage. It is safe to use on all hair types.

How to straighten hair without heat?

How To Straighten Hair Without Heat
  1. Wrap your hair at night. One of the easiest ways to straighten hair without heat is to wrap your hair at night. ...
  2. Wet-wrap your hair. ...
  3. Blow-dry with cool air. ...
  4. Opt for large rollers. ...
  5. Try the banding method. ...
  6. Style hair in a twist hair bun. ...
  7. Use smoothing hair care products.

Can olive oil be used as a heat protectant?

One of the greatest benefits of olive oil for the hair is that it protects your locks from heat damage. It also provides nourishment, leaving your hair looking lustrous even when styled with heat tools. However, you should remember the smoking point of the type of olive oil you're using to avoid damaging your hair.

Is it okay to use conditioner as heat protectant?

Things to Consider Based On Your Hair Type

For those with thick, coarse hair, using a leave-in conditioner can provide extra moisture and make the hair more manageable. However, these hair types will also want a protectant in conjunction with a leave-in conditioner when heat styling to prevent damage.

What is the best heat protection spray?

The Best Heat Protectant Sprays
  • Best Overall. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer. ...
  • Best on Dry Hair. Oribe Gold Lust Dry Heat Protectant Spray. ...
  • Best on Dry Hair Runner-Up. Hot Tools Pro Artist Heat Lacquer Seal Thermal Activated Hi-Shine Spray. ...
  • Best on Damp Hair.

Is serum or spray better for heat protectant?

Here's the general rule of thumb, according to our experts: Serum: the best choice if you plan to style your hair from wet. It protects against the heat from hairdryers and from ceramic brushes that might cause your locks to overheat.

How to avoid heat damage when straightening hair?

5 TIPS TO AVOID HEAT DAMAGE WHEN STRAIGHTENING
  1. Make sure your hair is completely dry before straightening. ...
  2. Use a heat protectant. ...
  3. Adjust your straighteners to the right temperature. ...
  4. Turn on Revive Mode™ ...
  5. Moisturise and take care of your hair between styling sessions. ...
  6. Do all straighteners damage your hair?

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