Collage: Paula Balondo; Source images: Courtesy of brands and editors Save Story Save this story Save Story Save this story Just like your favorite sunscreen, the best heat-protectant sprays are essential for preventing damage. You wouldn't sit under the hot sun without wearing UV protection, right? Similarly, you should also avoid putting a hot tool (think blow-dryers , flatirons , curling irons ) on your hair without first using a heat protectant. These essential hair-care products rely on ingredients like silicones, nourishing oils, and humectants, such as glycerin or hyaluronic acid, to create a moisturizing barrier between your hair and the heat, which can help prevent breakage , frizz , and split ends .
However you’re styling your hair, the extreme temperatures–often reaching up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit–can literally cook your hair's protein structure, leaving it weakened and prone to snapping. What makes this particularly frustrating is that heat damage is cumulative, meaning each styling session without proper protection adds up over time, gradually compromising your hair's health and appearance. The good news is that incorporating a quality heat protectant into your routine is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maintain strong, shiny hair, while still achieving your desired styles.
Does heat-protectant spray actually work? Should I apply heat protectant to wet or dry hair? Do you let heat protectant dry before styling? Is it bad to put too much heat protectant on hair? Meet the experts How we test and review products Our staff and testers To help narrow down the best heat-protectant sprays out there, we asked editors, along with two hairstylists with over a decade of experience, to share their go-to products. Each stylist had not one, but multiple favorites, which work across a range of hair textures and styling needs.
Save to wishlist Save to wishlist Cécred
Why we love it: Between constant heat-styling and back-to-back looks, it’s no surprise Beyoncé made Cécred’s Thermal Heat Protectant a non-negotiable in her line. It runs on the brand's proprietary StemShield Complex, a three-part blend of shape-memory polymers that flex and bounce back under heat, plant stem cell lipids that reinforce and nourish the strand, and black honey fermentation that helps retain moisture—so your style holds even when the conditions don't cooperate. Underneath sits the brand's Thermal Gloss Blend, a trio of oils (kalahari melon seed, mongongo, and wild plum) chosen specifically because they are extremely resilient to heat and dryness in their native climates. The mist itself is weightless, with no build-up or stiffness, and it works across every hair type and texture, including wigs and extensions.
Allure senior beauty editor Jesa Marie Calaor before applying the Cecred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
Calaor after applying the Cecred Thermal Heat Protectant Spray
Tester feedback from senior editor Jesa Marie Calaor
Before hitting my strands with a thermal round brush (specifically, the Hey Mane It's Giving Body Medium Hot Thermal Round Brush ), I spritz on the Thermal Shield Mist. The pump dispenses an extra-fine mist that makes it easy to distribute along my long strands. I apply it all over my hair, spraying a bit more onto my ends to keep them from getting crispy. Then I get to curling. When combined with the brand's Flexible Hold Hairspray, my hair looks shiny and smells oh-so-good. —J…