6 Drugstore Heat Protectants That Keep Hair Soft, Silky, and Smooth on a Budget

High heat doesn't stand a chance against this weightless spray. Housed inside the psychedelic bottle (side note, isn't it so pretty!?) is a supercharged spray that can protect your hair from temperatures up to 450 degrees. This goes much further than simply safeguarding hair, though. A nourishing mix of argan oil, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E also repair hair from the inside out, reducing breakage, amplifying shine, diminishing frizz, and just completely reviving hair. Oh, and it works for literally every single hair type. Now that's what I call ✨magic✨.

• Type: Spray
• Key ingredients: Argan oil, sunflower seed oil, vitamin E
• Heat protection: Up to 450°F

Glowing customer review: "The older I get the more frizzy and dull I noticed my hair tends to be, and I remedy that with Mane Magic. Just a little spritz makes my hair shiny and smooth. It's literally the best stuff ever."

Coarse hair needs much more than just simple heat protection. It also requires an extra boost of moisture to smooth frizz and keep strands well hydrated, which means you should always use a heat protecting cream, right? Wrong. Pro hairstylist Temur Hamilton swears by this weightless spray for his clients with coarse and curly hair, and ensures it's one of the best options available. "I like that it leaves hair super soft and helps prevent frizz while protecting against high heat damage," he says.

• Type: Spray
• Key ingredients: Keratin, glycerin, hydrolyzed silk
• Heat protection: Up to 450°F

Glowing customer review: "Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer spray is all I could wish for with thick, coarse hair that is prone to dry ends. Spray it on before using a flat iron and hair comes out shiny and glossy. This product also helps tame the frizzies and banishes static. I say this is good quality for a reasonable price!"

While vitamins and proteins are an important part of your diet, Hamilton explains that your hair also needs them via topical products to be healthy and strong. "These ingredients help hair retain moisture and protect against heat." Spritzing this affordable spray safeguards hair with a mix of bond-repairing proteins and vitamins to make strands more resilient against drying and damaging heat.

One Cosmo expert says: “This spray contains vitamins and proteins to both protect and nourish the hair. It also seals the cuticle so that hair is shinier and more resistant to breakage.”—HAMILTON

I don't know about anyone else, but I absolutely despise layering on a slew of styling products. I want sky-high hair (like, pageant-girl level volume) but my dry, fine hair falls limp when I use a leave-in conditioner, mousse, and a heat protectant. I almost always skip the heat protectant—I know that's bad—but now I don't have to with this multitasker. It also smells like dessert, which makes me want to use it even more!

One Cosmo expert says: "This provides 450-degree heat protection and double the volume while allowing the hair to be easily shaped as you blow dry.”—KIMBERLEE BLAKELY, PROFESSIONAL HAIRSTYLIST

Don't be afraid of heat protecting creams—like this editor-fave—especially if your hair leans dry. While it provides impressive heat protection (up to 450 degrees!) this extra hydrating formula also restores strands with a mix of hydrating argan oil, squalane, and sunflower seed extracts. This mix makes hair softer and shinier, and helps seal split ends. You can use it pretty much any time, too, not just before heat styling. If you want to take a break from the heat (which we all should, tbh) smooth this through your hair and let air-dry to fall in love with your natural hair again.

One Cosmo editor says: "I almost always shied away from cream products because they’d often make my fine hair look greasy. This formula completely changed my view on creams. My dehydrated strands lap this up, and overall, my hair looks more moisturized and healthy when I use this.”—MH

Ask any expert, and they'll say the most effective heat protectant is the one you'll actually use. However, some formulas will work better on certain hair types.

"Sprays, creams, and serums are all effective," says Rogerio Cavalcante, founder of the Second Floor Salon in New York City. "Sprays work well for fine hair, while creams and serums are better for thicker, coarser textures. It is also a matter of preference—some people prefer spray because they think it is more practical, won’t weigh the hair down as much, and is easier to disperse."

Hamilton reiterates that neither sprays nor creams are inherently better, but one might be better suited for your hair type over the other. "Sprays are lightweight, making them suitable for fine and slightly wavy hair. Creams provide moisture and are ideal for curly or coarse hair types," he explains.

Because fine hair has a tendency to fall flat, you're better off selecting a lightweight heat protectant that won't weigh your hair down. Both Cavalcante and Hamilton recommend sticking with sprays over creams or serums if you have fine hair.

Think about your hair type.

I may sound like captain obvious saying this, but products that work for fine hair types might not be the best choice for those with thick, curly hair. Those with the former will want to opt for more lightweight formulas, like sprays, that will protect your hair without weighing it down. As for the latter, thicker and curlier hair types need all the nourishment they can get, so our experts recommend opting for more substantial heat protectants, like serums and creams, that will infuse hair with hydration on top of safeguarding strands from high temps.

Look at the formula.

Beyond the texture (i.e. spray, cream, serum etc.), Blakely urges you to look at the ingredients on the label. "Some ingredients are known to have natural heat-protecting abilities," she explains.

If your heat protectant of choice contains any of the following, Blakely says your hair is in good hands.

• Silicones: These form a heat-resistant barrier, which helps protect hair from damage while improving smoothness and shine.
• Hydrolyzed proteins: These strengthen the hair and provide a protective film to reduce heat damage.
• Aloe vera: It helps boost hydration and creates a layer that locks in moisture while also providing mild heat protection.
• Grape seed oil: Known for its high smoke point, this acts as a natural heat shield.
• Argan oil: This natural oil enhances moisture, reduces frizz, and helps protect hair from heat.

Think about when you'll use it.

Do you regularly blow dry your hair or typically apply heat once your hair is dry? Some heat protectants only work on damp hair, while others can be spritzed on dry hair. Look at the directions before purchasing your protectant of choice to ensure it will mesh with your preferred styling method. (FYI, almost every spray can be used on both wet and dry hair!)

• Temur Hamilton is a professional hairstylist and owner of TEMUR Salon in New York, NY.
• Kimberlee Blakely​ is a licensed hairstylist and trichologist in New York, NY.
• Rogerio Cavalcante​ is a professional hairstylist and owner of The Second Floor Salon in New York, NY.

Mary Honkus is a contributor for Cosmopolitan with six years of experience researching, writing, and editing beauty stories, including a deep dive on why your hair gets so oily and making a case for coconut oil for hair. She's an authority in all beauty categories and her hair is her prized possession. For this story, she tested dozens of drugstore heat protectants and consulted with three professional hairstylists to learn how heat protectants work and discover their favorite formulas.