best heat protectants for curly hair

11 Best Heat Protectants for Curly Hair

If you’ve worked long and hard at creating the best natural curls for your hair, you don’t want to ruin this work when you temporarily straighten your hair.

You can avoid doing this with the correct products. Finding the right hair product will protect your hair from heat and also protect it from causing permanent damage to your curls.  

Best Heat Protectants For Curly Hair

These heat protectants will ensure your hair stays sleek and soft after straightening and allow your curls to bounce straight back after washing. 

Design Essentials Natural Agave and Lavender Thermal Protectant Crème

Design Essentials Natural Agave & Lavender Thermal Protectant Creme

This product protects your hair from flat iron heat up to 420 degrees.

It will create a gorgeous shine and keep your hair smooth and sleek until your next wash. It’s been specially formulated to work well on dry, coarse, and medium hair, making it perfect if your hair is naturally curly or wavy. 

Key ingredients in this heat protectant include algave extract which softens, conditions, and strengthens the hair. Lavender extract nourishes and strengthens the hair and mango butter is an intense moisturiser used to hydrate and soften your locks. 

You’ll want to use the product on dry hair and before you apply the flat iron. Work a pea-sized amount through your hair and then straighten. 

Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant

Cantu Shea Butter Thermal Shield Heat Protectant

Infused with pure shea butter, this will help to replace any vital moisture that has escaped your hair. It will create stronger and healthier hair while also protecting it from heated styling tools such as a flat iron or curling tongs. 

The lightweight formula will minimize heat damage while also protecting from humidity. It’ll tame any unwanted frizz or flyaways. 

It works well on texturized, thick, or permed hair. Just lightly spray onto the hair either while damp, if you’re going to blow dry, or on dry hair if you plan to flat iron. 

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protection Crème

Briogeo Farewell Frizz Blow Dry Perfection & Heat Protectant Crème | Heat Protectant for Hair with Coconut Oil & Argan Oil | Vegan, Phalate & Paraben-Free

Not only does this product provide intense shine, but it also protects against any heat that comes from blow driers or heated styling tools such as the flat iron. This product has even been clinically proven to protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees. 

It’s been infused with plenty of natural ingredients to help fight frizz.

Rosehip oil will protect the hair from free-radical damage and also balance your hair’s hydration.

Argan oil will inject your hair with a dose of vitamin E and essential fatty acids to help with any dryness and damage which will also fight away any frizz.

The coconut oil in this product will also protect the hair from any breakage, excess heat, and environmental factors. 

It’s been created to use on all hair types and is also vegan and cruelty-free. 

Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Thermal Heat Protection Spray

Pantene Pro-V Gold Series Thermal Heat Protection Spray

This spray will protect your hair from the intense heat of styling tools while also taming any frizz that can come with naturally curly hair.

It will help to condition the hair to make it strong, and healthy and protect against breakage. 

Infused with argan oil, this product will provide your hair with a strong shine, leaving it looking luscious, healthy, and nourished.

It will also increase hydration to leave it feeling soft and moisturised. 

Hair Food Coconut and Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray

Hair Food Coconut & Argan Oil Heat Protectant Spray Blend, Paraben & Dye Free,

This spray will protect your hair from heat up to 450 degrees. Designed for all hair types, not only can it be used on thick and curly hair but also naturally straight hair.

Coming in the delicious scent of coconut, it’ll also leave your hair smelling gorgeous all day long. 

The coconut and argan oil will also work seamlessly together to nourish your hair and leave it feeling smooth and also frizz-free.

The oil products will be able to tame any flyaways so that your hair looks nothing but its best. 

To use the product, you’ll want to shake it well and then apply it liberally all over your hair. Comb through to make sure all strands are covered.

If your hair is thick, then apply it section by section. Make sure your hair is coated before applying any heat. 

Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray

Mielle Organics Mongongo Oil Thermal & Heat Protectant Spray

This protectant spray will protect your hair from any intense heat while also providing protection to your natural curl pattern and will eliminate any frizz. 

The mongongo oil in this product will hydrate and repair any damaged hair. The spray will promote the health and maintenance of types 3A to 4C natural curls, however, the product can also be used on all hair types. 

The intense hydration from this heat protectant spray will help to give your hair a curly shine and smooth out any frizz that can come with naturally curly hair. 

OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray

OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray

Infused with hydrolysed silk and quinoa, these two key ingredients will help to cut down on blow-drying time and protect your hair up to 450 degrees. 

Designed for all hair types, you can use it on your curly hair to help smoothen and keep frizz-free during any blow drying. 

It’ll leave your hair looking shiny and full of life from the roots all the way down to the tips. 

John Freida Frizz Ease 3-Day Flat Iron Heat Protectant Spray

John Frieda Frizz Ease 3-day Flat Iron Heat Protectant Spray for Hair, Anti Frizz Keratin Infused Straightening Hair Spray, Lightweight Smoothing Spray for Frizz Control

This anti-frizz straightener will leave your hair looking smooth and silky for up to three days, or until your next shampoo.

The lightweight spray features a variety of healthy ingredients such as keratin and polymers that ensure your hair will be left soft and without a single strand of frizz in sight. 

You can use this spray on all hair types, just spray the product onto damp hair, blow dry, and then use your flat iron to create a smooth style. 

Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Heat Protection Spray

Silk Elements Megasilk Olive Heat Protection Spray

Protect your hair from any intensely heated styling tools with this spray.

It works at leaving your hair looking soft and silky while also creating a barrier between your hair and your flat iron. 

Infused with olive oil, this ingredient is known for creating strong and healthy hair. The oil will also keep it moisturised and smooth to reduce the appearance of frizz, leaving you with the silkiest of hair. 

Ghd Bodyguard Heat Protect Spray

ghd Bodyguard - Heat Protect Spray

This spray creates an invisible barrier between your hair and your flat iron to defend your locks against the damage that a flat iron can cause.

Creating a ‘no product’ feel, you can even layer it with other styling products to create the perfect hairstyle. 

Use this product on wet or dry hair, depending on if you’re planning to blow dry first.

Spritz the product from the root to the tips and then comb through it to ensure the spray is evenly distributed. Then style your hair with your heated tool. 

It’s A 10 Blow Dry Miracle H2O Shield

It's a 10 Blow Dry Miracle H2O Shield - Leave In Weather Protectant Treatment, Frizz Free, Moisture Locking

This heat protectant spray is an excellent choice if you prefer to blow dry your hair rather than flat iron.

It will defend your hair from heat while also protecting it from any unwanted frizz, flyaways, or humidity that are more likely to crop up if you have curlier hair

Spray on the hair 8 to 10 cm away from your head and apply a light mist. The product will activate when you start to blow dry your hair. 


When searching for the perfect heat protectant spray for your curly hair there are a few things you’re going to want to bear in mind.

Firstly, if you’re planning to flat iron your hair, to keep it looking smooth and sleek, you’ll want a product that will protect against frizz and humidity, as curly hair is more prone to this. 

If you want your curls to still be intact once you’ve washed your hair from blow drying, then you’ll need a product that won’t damage the natural shape of your curls. These will most likely be designed just for curly hair and will tell you which type of curl it is suited for. 

You can also invest in products that have key natural ingredients such as argan oil or vitamin E to help keep your hair soft and shiny all day long.