Protect before you perfect: Best heat protectant sprays for every hair type

A selection of the best heat protectant sprays (UK) in bottles on a background of shiny, grey hair.

by Arabella Horspool |
Updated on

If you regularly use heat tools on your hair, like hair dryers, straighteners, or curling irons, then a good heat protectant spray is more than just a nice-to-have. It’s a must. High temperatures can wreak havoc on the hair cuticle, leading to split ends, dryness, and long-term breakage. A quality heat protectant forms a barrier between your strands and your styling tools, helping to keep your hair healthy, shiny, and resilient.

"Think of it as SPF for your hair," says our expert, Jason Collier, a celebrity hairstylist and founder of Studio23. "It won’t stop all damage, but it significantly reduces the risk and helps keep your hair looking healthy and glossy."

The best heat protectant sprays at a glance:

I didn’t always use a heat protectant because I thought I didn’t need one - I rarely used styling tools and usually let my hair air dry. But when I did use a dryer or hair straightener, I’d go in without any spray, just a hair oil, and my hair would often turn frizzy. It wasn’t until my stylist explained the long-term impact of even occasional heat exposure that I started paying attention. And trust me, the difference after adding a good heat protectant spray to my routine was dramatic.

Heat protectant sprays do more than guard against heat. Many are packed with nourishing ingredients like argan oil, keratin, and vitamins that protect, smooth, and hydrate the hair. Some even double as leave-in conditioners or frizz tamers, making them multitasking heroes in your styling line-up.

How we tested the best heat protectant sprays

Our testers tried a selection of the best heat protectant sprays every time they washed their hair for a few weeks before giving their honest verdict. They applied the product to wet hair before drying and/or styling (unless stated otherwise). When reviewing, they've noted how the product felt in their hair, if it had any noticeable or long-lasting scent and most importantly, if their hair appeared to be less damaged over time.

In this article, I’ve rounded up some of the best heat protectant sprays available in 2025, tested on a variety of hair types and textures. Whether your hair is fine and prone to frizz or thick and colour-treated, there’s a formula here that can help shield your strands without weighing them down. Let’s dive in.

The best heat protectant sprays UK

Best overall heat protectant spray

Expert rating:
4.5
Arabella Horspool/Yours.co.uk

Spend less time under the hair dryer with the CLOUD NINE Magical Quick Dry Potion. Formulated with ingredients that help push water out of the hair shaft, it speeds up drying time without compromising on hair health. The lightweight oil and conditioning blend also helps lock in moisture, smooth frizz, and leave your hair looking glossy, soft and healthy.

I was sceptical when I first tried the CLOUD NINE Magical Quick Dry Potion, especially because my hair had a slightly musty smell right after I sprayed it. But once I used the dryer, I was seriously impressed. Just a little of the product left my hair smelling amazing for days after washing! The trigger on the bottle is a bit tricky - I wasn't sure if it was my bottle, but it has a lock on it, and I had to manually reset it after each spray - but on the upside, it stops me from going overboard and applying excess product.

Pros

  • Removes water from hair shafts, speeding up drying time
  • Long-lasting fragrance

Cons

  • Trigger on bottle is hard to use
  • Performance:
    4.5
  • Texture:
    5.0
  • Scent:
    5.0
Suitable for:All hair types
Liquid volume:200ml

Best heat protectant spray for frizzy hair

Expert rating:
3.0
L'Oreal Paris Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer SerumArabella Horspool/Yours.co.uk

Tired of battling frizz every morning? You need to try Elvive Dream Lengths Frizz Killer Serum by L'Oréal Paris. This powerful leave-in serum tames frizz, smooths long hair and provides heat protection (up to 230°C), which is perfect for thick hair types.

I have very long, thick hair that only needs a couple of pumps before drying. It made a noticeable difference in how smooth my hair looked all day. Yes, it is a bit sticky, but once it dries, the texture is less noticeable - just don't add too much! I typically only use it on hair wash days to lock in some moisture, as it can weigh your hair down, which is something to keep in mind if you have finer hair.

Pros

  • Smooths thick hair
  • Protects hair up for up to 230°C heat

Cons

  • Sticky texture before it dries
  • Performance:
    3.5
  • Teture:
    3.0
  • Scent:
    4.0
Suitable for:Long, frizzy hair
Liquid volume:100ml
Scent:Floral, fruity
Protects:Up to 230°C

Heat protectant sprays we're currently testing

Best hair protection spray from heat

Looking to achieve "salon-worthy swishes at home"? You need to get your hands on the Drybar High-Gloss Smoothing Blowout Cream which promises to tame flyaways and add a glass-like shine to your hair.

We like the cream formula as it's nice and soft, but feel that you would need to use the product multiple times before noticing a huge difference on severely damaged hair.

Pros

  • Adds a shine and glossiness to hair
  • Prevents flyways by smoothing strands

Cons

  • May take multiple uses to notice results on severly damaged hair
Suitable for:All hair types
Liquid volume:100ml
Protects:Up to 232°C

Best heat protectant and styling spray​

Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer Heat Protection SprayPhilip Kingsley

Whether you're drying your hair or styling it, you can rely on Philip Kingsley's Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray to add natural hold and shine to any look. It's packed with quaternized Lipids, which condition and protect the hair by replenishing the lipid layer, which breaks down over time, often due to heat styling.

You can use it before blow drying, air drying or using heat tools. Customers with all different types of natural hair and texture have raved about this product, saying that their hair feels "better protected" from heat damage, with one adding that it "does not break out" (create spots) on their scalp.

Pros

  • Conditions and protects all hair types and textures from heat damage
  • Suitable for blow drying, styling or air-drying

Cons

  • Pricey but the versatility is worth it
Suitable for:All hair types
Liquid volume:125ml
Scent:Cherry blossom
Protects:Against heat and styling damage

Best heat protection spray for curly hair

Only Curls Heat Protect SprayOnly Curls

Enriched with rice and pea protein, this silicone-free Only Curls Heat Protect Spray will add definition and bounce to your curls without weighing them down. Customers appreciate that it "doesn’t leave hair crunchy or dry", after diffusing, which is an issue with some heat protectants specifically designed for curly hair.

We're impressed by the vegan formula, which contains several natural ingredients, including sunflower sprout and pro-vitamin B5. Some users said that their hair felt frizzy after using this heat protectant, but the majority of reviews are positive, with some people even using it between washes.

Pros

  • Fully vegan formula that leaves hair soft and crisp-free
  • Natural pea and rice proteins add definition to curls

Cons

  • A minority of users said that their hair looked frizzy
Suitable for:Curly hair
Liquid volume:250ml
Scent:Citrus and coconut
Protects:From heat, UV rays and pollution

Best heat protection spray for fine hair​

HASK Thickening Biotin 5-in-1 Leave In Conditioner SprayHASK
Price: $9.95
Alternative retailers
Walmart$6.97View offer

Save time on your haircare routine with the HASK Thickening Biotin 5-in-1 Leave In Conditioner Spray, which does five jobs in one: detangling, tackling frizz, softening and adding shine, sealing in moisture and protecting your hair from heat.

It's recommended for thin or fine hair, as once all of those five points are hit, it will look much fuller. A couple of users who had thick hair said that their hair wasn't as smooth after, but many with finer hair found it much easier to smooth and detangle their hair with it. This could be because they were using much more product.

Pros

  • Makes thin and fine hair look fuller
  • Great at detangling hair strands

Cons

  • May change texture of thick hair (due to applying lots of product)
Suitable for:All hair types, especially thin, fine hair
Liquid volume:175ml
Scent:Herbaceous eucalyptus, grapefruit blossom
Protects:Up to 205°C

Best heat protectant spray for humidity

Goldwell StyleSign Everyday Blow-Dry SprayGoldwell
Price: $25.50

Get full control over your mane with the Goldwell StyleSign Everyday Blow-Dry Spray. It can defend your hair against humidity, so it's perfect for taking on holiday with you. Plus, it's easy to apply with the spray bottle.

One user said that they didn't think their hair was shinier after using the product, but others have had different results, which may be because they have a different hair type.

Pros

  • Prevents damage that can be caused by humidity
  • Easy to apply

Cons

  • Doesn't add loads of shine (according to one user)
Suitable for:All hair types, especially fine to medium hair
Liquid volume:200ml
Scent:Floral
Protects: Up to 230°C

Best heat protectant spray for moisture

OSMO Wonder 10 Leave-In TreatmentOSMO
Price: $24.95

Specifically designed for damaged hair, the OSMO Wonder 10 Leave-In Treatment nourishes hair to restore "body and movement." According to customers, it's excellent value for money, as it has ten positive effects on your hair, including adding softness to dry strands.

One or two users said that the "smell was very strong," so you may want to consider this if you are sensitive to fragrances or scents.

Pros

  • Adds moisture back to dry hair
  • Creates body and movement

Cons

  • Strong scent which may be off-putting for some
Suitable for:Damaged hair
Liquid volume:250ml

Best budget heat protectant spray

Bristows Heat Protection Sol Fiesta SprayBristows

Infused with the irresistible scent of salted caramel and pistachio, the Bristows Heat Protection Sol Fiesta Spray will leave your locks feeling nourished and smelling sweet for a reasonable price. "Wow, I was expecting a tiny little bottle for the price", one customer said, while the general consensus is that it "smells amazing".

We love that it contains ingredients such as Pro-Vitamin B5 and a keratin-like complex that protects while heat styling (up to 200°C) and promotes strength and shine.

Pros

  • Vitamins and keratin which add shine
  • Large bottle, so eat value for money

Cons

  • Sickly smell may not be preffered by all
Suitable for:All hair types
Liquid volume:200ml
Scent:Salted caramel and pistachio
Protects:Up to 200°C

How to use heat protectant spray

Celebrity hairstylist Jason Collier shares his top tips for using heat protectant spray:

1. Spray it evenly onto damp or dry hair, focusing on mid-lengths and ends.

2. Comb through to distribute it.

3. Let it absorb for a few seconds before applying heat.

"Don't oversaturate, just a light mist is all you need. And always check the label as some formulas are designed for use on dry hair, others on damp."

Heat protectant spray FAQS

Do I need a heat protectant if I don’t use heat tools every day?

Yes! Even occasional use of blow dryers, straighteners, or curling irons can damage your hair over time. A heat protectant acts as a shield, helping to minimise breakage and dryness, even with infrequent use.

Some of the best heat protectant sprays guard your hair from UV rays and pollution, while offering up to 72 hours of protection, which is ideal for those of use who wash our hair every few days.

Can I use heat protectant spray on dry hair?

"Yes, but make sure the product is specifically designed for use on dry hair", says Jason. "Many modern heat protectants are versatile and can be used both ways. It’s essential for touch-ups or second-day styling - just spray lightly, let it dry, and then use your heat tools. Never apply heat to wet or overly damp hair unless you’re using a wet-to-dry straightener."

Can I use a heat protectant spray with other styling products?

Yes, heat protectants can usually be layered with other products like leave-in conditioners, serums, or mousses. Just be sure not to overload your hair - too many products can lead to build-up or limp texture.

Meet the experts

This article contains expert commentary from Jason Collier, a celebrity hairstylist who has worked with Victoria and Brooklyn Beckham, Sienna Miller and Eva Longoria. Jason is also the founder of Studio23, a gender-neutral hair salon "dedicated to providing a safe and inclusive space for all".

Arabella Horspool is a Commercial Content Writer for Yours at Bauer Media. She's a bookworm who is passionate about TV, film and theatre. She enjoys cooking, cinema trips, playing board games and walking her three dogs.

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