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.
1
Best Overall
Kérastase Discipline Anti-Frizz Smoothing Spray
Pros
- Helps frizz
- Increases shine
- Makes hair soft
Cons
- Expensive
- Might be heavy on some hair
A winner of the GH Beauty Lab’s anti-frizz styler test, this multi-tasking Kérastase mist tames frizz, adds shine and leaves hair feeling soft. Our Lab concluded that the mist stopped frizz on testers’ hair for a full day as well as on hair swatches in the Lab’s humidity chamber, and it didn’t feel tacky. Containing several ingredients like xylose, protein and silicones, it also protects strands from the heat of styling tools.
But, it is on the pricier side and its oily texture might feel too heavy for some users. Reviews range from people with hair that’s thick, curly, straight, fine and everything in between. The one thing they all have in common is how much they love this product.
| Hair Type | Fine, medium and thick |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Morpho-Kératine and Xylose |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 5.1 oz |
2
Best Value
TRESemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Spray
Pros
- Lightweight
- Easy application
Cons
- Strong scent
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.
| Hair type | All hair types |
|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | Glycerin and Keratin |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 8 oz |
3
Best Serum
Matrix Food For Soft Hair Serum
Pros
- Easy application
- Softer, shinier hair
- Lightweight
- Good for damaged hair
Cons
- Oily
- Can weigh down hair
The need for hydration is universal for all hair types and textures. This Good Housekeeping Beauty Award winner was evaluated by a panel that included stylists Michelle Hong, founder of NYC The Team, and Becca Mutchler. The results: perfect scores in easy application and near perfect scores for styling and creating softer, shinier hair. Ingredients include avocado oil and hyaluronic acid, which help to lock in hydration.
“It was very lightweight and easy to apply,” Mutchler says. “It spread very smoothly in my hand, and didn’t feel super thick like normal oils do.” The oil serum hybrid also offers heat protection up to 450° F. Hong doesn’t recommend it for fine hair as it will weigh it down, but “damaged hair will benefit as the cuticle will absorb the oil, nourishing the hair.”
| Hair type | Normal |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Avocado Oil and Hyaluronic Acid |
| Type | Oil |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
4
Best Leave-In
It’s a 10 Haircare Miracle Leave-In product
- Light texture
- Keeps hair smooth
- Restores moisture
Cons
- Perfume smell
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.
| Hair type | All hair types |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Sunflower Seed Extract, Green Tea Leaf Extract, Silk Amino Acids, Aloe Vera, Panthenol |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 10 oz |
5
Best for Wavy Hair
Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray
Pros
- Tames frizz
- Long-lasting results
- Helps restore damage
- Good for color-treated hair
Cons
- Must be used on wet hair
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.”
| Hair Type | All hair types |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Chamomile extract and glycerin |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 6.7 oz |
6
Best for Colored Hair
Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Hair Spray
Pros
- Prevents color fading
- UV protection
- Non-oily formula
- Locks in moisture
Cons
- Expensive
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.
| Hair type | Colored hair |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Multifunction UV Absorber, Plant-Based Collagen, Oribe Signature Complex |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 5.9 oz |
7
Best for Damaged Hair
Living Proof Restore Perfecting Spray
Pros
- Leave-in detangler
- Hydrates hair
Cons
- Polarizing performance
This is living proof that you can protect yourself from hair damage. The conditioning detangler is meant to soften, smooth and strengthen dry hair — with an added bonus of heat protection (up to 450°). This spray is formulated with nourishing ingredients. While there’s no way to completely reverse heat damage, this product acts as a heat protectant, UV protectant and leave-in detangler, making it a multipurpose spray.
GH staffer swears by this product, using it weekly. One said, “I used to never put any heat protection on my hair until my hair stylist recommended this one. I have thick, curly dry hair and this not only protects my hair, it truly makes it feel hydrated.” The product got mixed reviews from people who didn’t see results.
| Hair type | Damaged hair |
|---|---|
| Key ingredients | Plant Extracts, Beet Root Extract, Amino Acids |
| Type | Spray |
| Size | 8 oz |
