Heat styling tools such as hairdryers, straighteners, and curling irons have become essential aids in achieving the perfect hairstyle. However, frequent exposure to high temperatures can lead to significant damage, leaving your hair dry, brittle, and prone to breakage. The solution? Incorporating heat protectant oils into your hair care routine.
These oils not only shield your strands from the damaging effects of heat but also provide nourishment and hydration, leaving your locks looking glossy and healthy. Here, we’ve compiled a list of the best heat protectant oils that will help you achieve salon-worthy results at home.
11 Best hair oils for heat protection
1. Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer
Bumble and Bumble Hairdresser’s Invisible Oil Primer is my go-to. Infused with a blend of six feather-light oils, including coconut, argan, and sweet almond oils, this primer offers unparalleled protection against heat damage up to 450°F while taming frizz and enhancing shine.
2. Olaplex No. 7 Bonding Oil
Olaplex is synonymous with hair repair and protection, and their 7 BONDING OIL is no exception. Formulated with sunflower, moringa, and grape seed oils, this oil not only shields your hair from heat (up to 450°F) but also strengthens and repairs damaged strands from within, leaving you with silky-smooth and resilient locks.
3. RUSK Designer Collection Thermal Serum
For those seeking salon-quality results, the RUSK Designer Collection Thermal Serum with Argan Oil is a game-changer. Enriched with pure argan oil, this lightweight serum forms a protective barrier around each hair strand, shielding it from the damaging effects of heat styling while adding shine and manageability.
4. OUAI Hair Oil
Created by celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin, OUAI Hair Oil is a cult favorite. Infused with a luxurious blend of African galanga, ama, and borage oils, this multitasking oil not only protects your hair from heat damage (up to 450°F) but also smoothens frizz, detangles knots, and imparts a heavenly scent.
5. Verb Glossy Shine Spray with Heat Protection
This lightweight spray contains a unique blend of peach oil, rosehip oil and squalane to shield your hair from heat damage (up to 428°F) while imparting a glossy shine that lasts all day!
6. Amika Blockade Heat Defense Serum
Say goodbye to heat damage with amika blockade heat defense serum. Infused with superfruit sea buckthorn berry oil, this serum provides maximum heat protection (up to 450°F) while nourishing and strengthening your hair, leaving it soft, smooth, and full of vitality.
7. Hair Food Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray Blend
This lightweight spray combines the nourishing properties of coconut and argan oils to protect your hair from heat damage up to 450°F, leaving it smelling divine and looking effortlessly sleek.
8. John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum
Combat frizz and protect your hair from heat damage with John Frieda Frizz Ease Extra Strength Hair Serum. Infused with argan, coconut, and moringa oils, this serum forms a protective barrier around your strands, keeping them smooth, shiny, and frizz-free even in humid conditions. I recommend this one for thick, coarse hair.
9. Mielle Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray
Formulated with nutrient-rich mongongo oil, Mielle Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray is a must-have for heat styling enthusiasts. This lightweight spray provides superior heat protection while nourishing and hydrating your hair, leaving it soft, manageable, and full of bounce.
10. Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Cream Heat Protectant
Achieve salon-worthy blowouts with Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Cream Heat Protectant. Infused with a blend of rosehip, argan, and coconut oils, this cream protects your hair from heat damage up to 450°F, while smoothing frizz and enhancing shine.
11. Eva NYC Mane Magic 10-in-1 Primer
This primer is powered by argan oil and sunflower seed oil, which are among the oils with the highest smoke points, making this an effective heat protectant! The formula also strengthens, reduces frizz, and nourishes hair.
How to use oils for heat protection
Follow these steps to incorporate heat protectant oils into your hair care routine:
- Prep your hair: Start with clean, towel-dried hair. You can apply heat protection oil to damp or dry hair, depending on the product’s instructions. If your hair is prone to tangling, gently detangle it with a wide-tooth comb or your fingers.
- Dispense the product: Shake the heat protection oil bottle well before use to ensure that the ingredients are properly mixed. Then, dispense a small amount of oil into the palm of your hand. The amount you use will depend on your hair length and thickness, but start with a dime-sized amount and adjust as needed.
- Spread evenly: Rub your palms together to distribute the oil evenly. Then, gently work the oil through your hair, focusing on the mid-lengths and ends where the hair is most vulnerable to heat damage.
- Comb through: Use a wide-tooth comb or your fingers to evenly distribute the oil from root to tip. This ensures that every strand of hair is coated with the protective oil.
- Style as desired: Once the heat protection oil is evenly distributed, you can proceed with your desired heat styling routine. Blow dry, straighten, or curl your hair as usual, knowing that it’s protected from the damaging effects of heat.
FAQs
Argan oil is often considered one of the best oils for heat protection due to its high levels of antioxidants and fatty acids, which help to shield hair from the damaging effects of heat styling tools like flat irons and blow dryers. Additionally, oils such as coconut oil and grapeseed oil can also provide some level of heat protection by forming a protective barrier around the hair shaft. Ultimately, the best oil for heat protection may vary depending on individual hair type and preferences.
The most effective heat protectant for hair is one that contains silicones, such as dimethicone, cyclomethicone, or phenyl trimethicone, as they form a barrier over the hair shaft, reducing heat damage. Additionally, look for products with ingredients like argan oil or coconut oil to provide further nourishment and protection against heat styling tools. Opt for heat protectants that offer thermal protection up to at least 450°F (232°C) to ensure maximum effectiveness.
Look for heat protectants that are lightweight and formulated with oils that are easily absorbed by the hair, such as argan oil or grapeseed oil. These options provide heat protection without leaving a greasy residue on your hair.
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