10 Best Heat Protectant Alternatives

Heat styling, which includes blow dryers, curling irons, and flat irons, are all popular tools for creating specific looks and making your hair more manageable.

Though the use of these heating tools does make you look great, excessive heating can also harm your hair by drying them out, causing split ends and breakage, and making them look dull.

But getting away from your heat styling equipment doesn’t sound impressive, right? Well, that is where heat protectants come in.

Heat protectants give your hair an extra line of security from the heat generated by styling equipment. Using a heat protectant can also control frizz, enhance shine, and block out humidity.

Do you want to know more about heat protectors and heat protectant alternatives?

In this article, you’ll find out:

• Why is there a need to use heat protectants for hair?
• What can you use instead of heat protectants?
• 10 best heat protectant alternatives
• And more…

Why There Is A Need To Use Heat Protectant For Hair? 

As stated earlier, heat protectants are meant to help you protect your hair from the extreme heat damage produced by styling tools like the blow dryer, flat iron, and hot curler.

You can give a protective finish to your stands by using a hair heat protector. And there will be a protective layer between your hair and the heat.

However, to avoid burning your hair, you must be aware of the temperature range of each tool and the limits that each of your heated styling equipment must not exceed.

1. Hairdryers: The temperature of a hairdryer normally ranges from 80 to 140 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Curling irons: The temperature range of a typical iron is 200 to 360 degrees Fahrenheit. 

3. Flat Irons: Straighteners usually reach a temperature ranging from 250 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
   
   For thicker hair, a temperature range of 300 to 340 degrees Fahrenheit is considered safe.
   
   For thinner hair, keeping the temperature below 290 degrees Fahrenheit is optimal.

According to some stylists, your hair begins to melt once the temperature reaches 451 degrees. 

A good heat protectant can protect your hair up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, which is greater than the maximum temperature of most flat irons.

10 Best Heat Protectant Alternatives

If you’re looking for natural heat protectant substitutes, you’ll be pleased to know that several oils have heat-protective characteristics.

While these oils can help preserve your hair from heat, we must be aware of their smoke point.

If you don’t know what a smoke point is, don’t worry. We’re here to tell you. 

This is the point at which oil starts to smoke and decompose. You’re safe as long as the oils aren’t heated to or above these temperatures!

Hence, when using oil as a substitute for heat protectant, be sure to know your oil’s smoking point and keep your heating tools below that temperature.

Below, we have arranged the products based on their smoke point, from highest to lowest. We’ve also discussed the advantages of using these oils and the kind of tools that they can be used with.

1. Avocado Oil – 520°F

Smoke Point: 520°F (271°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and almost all flat irons

Avocado oil, which is high in healthy fats, makes hair feel soft and shiny. The best thing about avocado oil is that it protects not only from flat iron heat but also from sun damage.

Avocado has a 520-degree smoke point. Hence, avocado oil can be used and benefited by all hair types.

It is an excellent hair protectant for color-treated or graying hair and is ideal for all hair types and textures.

2. Shea butter – 450°F

Smoke Point: 450°F (233°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and most flat irons

With a smoke point of 450°F (233°C), Shea Butter can be used to seal moisture and protect the hair shaft from heat damage.

Shea Butter is regarded as an excellent heat protector due to its thermal conductivity. It’s a natural alternative to silicones, which are commonly found in heat protectors. 

Shea butter forms a protective layer over hair, preventing heat from penetrating and harming it. Hence, it helps you protect your hair from heat damage.

Shea butter absorbs quickly, which is especially beneficial if you have an oily scalp or hair.

3. Sunflower Oil – 450°F

Smoke Point: 450°F (233°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and most flat irons

Sunflower oil is an excellent choice for thicker, rougher textures with a high smoke point. This oil has a smoke point of 450 degrees, which means it can survive the extreme temperatures of most hot tools without burning.

Sunflower oil is packed in vitamin E, antioxidants, and vital fatty acids, all of which can help your hair stay healthy and strong if you use it regularly.

4. Almond Oil – 430°F

Smoke Point: 430°F (221°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and most flat irons

Almond oil is a widely used hair-care product that is readily available. However, many of you may not be aware that almond oil may also be used as a natural heat protector.

In addition to having a high smoke point of 430°F, it offers a variety of moisturizing properties and helps protect and heal our hair’s health.

With its high content of vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6, and A, almond oil nourishes hair in a unique way. These nutrients work together to make hair stronger, healthier, more attractive, and more resilient.

However, if you have a nut allergy, you should proceed with caution when using almond oil as a heat protector.

5. Argan oil – 420°F

Smoke Point: 420°F (216°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and most flat irons

When using a straightening iron or curling wand, you won’t damage your hair if you use Argan oil.

Argan oil is high in antioxidants, vital fatty acids, and vitamin E, which nourish and protect your hair strands from heat damage.

Because argan oil can tolerate greater temperatures with a smoke point of 420 degrees Fahrenheit, it is totally safe to use as a heat protector. 

Apart from that, argan oil improves styling, prevents split ends and hair breakage, and replenishes moisture in the hair strands, making hair more manageable.

6. Olive Oil – 410°F 

Smoke Point: 410°F (210°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and most flat irons

Anyone looking for a natural and economical alternative to heat protectants should also consider olive oil. Olive oil has a smoke point of 374–410 degrees Fahrenheit.

Olive oil is safe to use on all hair types, especially if you have curly or thick hair. It performs a fantastic job of moisturizing and protecting hair from heat damage.

Olive oil may not be the ideal choice for you if you have a naturally oily scalp because it can make a significant contribution to the oiliness.

7. Caster Oil – 392°F 

Smoke Point: 392°F (201°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and some flat irons at lower heat settings

When applied to your strands, castor oil acts as a heat protectant, which is especially useful if you’re doing heat styling.

It helps to reduce frizzy results by protecting against high heat appliances. Using castor oil in summer or at high-temperature places is more recommended. 

8. Grapeseed Oil – 390°F

Smoke Point: 390°F (199°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and some flat irons at lower heat settings

Grapeseed oil, well-known for its high smoking point and amazing benefits in hair care, is a natural heat protector that beats most store-bought ones. 

Grapeseed oil is considered to be beneficial to all hair types. However, it’s ideal for thick and coarse hair.

The oil has special characteristics that help with dandruff and dermatitis. It also has a lot of Vitamin E and antioxidants, so it’s good for your scalp too.

9. Jojoba Oil – 383°F

Smoke Point: 383°F (195°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and some flat irons at lower heat settings

Jojoba oil has a smoke point of 383°F (195°C), hence if you use it as a heat protectant, choose a lower temperature setting on your curling iron, wand, or straightener.

Jojoba oil hydrates hair, protects against breakage, split ends, and dryness fights dandruff, reduces hair loss while keeping your hair moisturized throughout the day. 

If you have rough hair and an itchy scalp, using jojoba oil can moisturize your scalp.

Furthermore, jojoba oil can be used to treat dandruff.

All the qualities make jojoba oil an excellent heat protectant while using equipment for straightening, curling, or any other type of hair treatment.

10. Coconut oil – 350°F

Smoke Point: 350°F (177°C)

Suitable for: Blow drying, curling tools and some flat irons at lower heat settings

Coconut oil is one of the greatest options for those with finer hair because of its low smoke point of 350 degrees F.

This nutrient-rich oil tackles all of your hair problems effortlessly, without weighing them down, from nourishing your scalp to hydrating your hair strands and making them grow quicker than ever.

This oil can tolerate a large amount of heat before breaking down and badly damaging your hair.

You can always rely on this hair oil for protection because it styles your tresses safely and effectively without causing them any undue harm. 

It’s a fantastic alternative to heat-protecting items made from synthetic materials.

These oils are readily available, and they won’t break the bank. With these heat protectants to your rescue, you can say goodbye to the guilt of using hot tools!

How To Use Oil DIY Heat Protectants? 6 Easy Steps 

Once you’ve found the right oil to protect your hair from the harmful effects of a heat styling tool, you’ll need to figure out how you’ll use it to get the best results.

1. Wash your hair and let it air dry until it is only slightly damp.

2. Depending on your hair density, pour out only 3-5 drops as needed. 

3. Applying too much heat protectant to your hair may weigh it down and make it appear limp and lifeless. You simply need to lightly coat the hair.

4. Comb this oil through moist hair, concentrating on the mid-shaft and ends.

5. Allow for a few minutes for the heat protectant to do its work to penetrate your hair. 

6. After that you can use your hot tool safely and style as desired.

Tip: Keep your heat at a safe maximum of 420 degrees Fahrenheit.

Can Serum Be Used As Heat Protectant?

Hair serums are beneficial to your hair in a variety of ways. Some hair serums can also be used as a heat protectant, while some can’t.

However, almost all hair serums provide some level of hair protection. After applying the serum, you can use straighteners to protect your hair from heat damage, and the serum also makes hair more heat resistant by boosting the health of the hair.

Look for a hair serum made specifically for your hair type. Apply a tiny amount to clean, damp hair and avoid applying to your roots for the best results.

You May Find These Useful Too: