9 Natural Heat Protectants for Hair

Using heat on your hair will always result in damage. It doesn’t matter if it’s a curling iron, straightener, or hot shower water. Heat is heat to hair, and heat degrades its amino acids.

Using a heat protectant on your hair will help minimize the damage (the degradation of tryptophan, an amino acid).

But how? The heat protectant will help prevent full heat transfer to the cortex of the hair, thereby reducing the heat-induced degradation of the protein. That’s science, folks!

so what are we looking for in a natural heat protectant?

• no icky, toxic chemicals. we already know this
• help minimize heat damage to hair. you don’t want any breakage/splitting/drying out/etc.
• nourishes/moisturizes hair
• has a high smoke point. you don’t want your hair to “fry”… that sizzle/pop sound is NOT okay!

Here they are – 7 oils you can use alone or mix to create a natural hair product that offers protection against heat and UV rays:

① GRAPESEED OIL

Widely known for its high smoking point and fantastic results in hair care, grapeseed oil is natural heat protectant better than most store-bought ones!

Ladies brave enough to give it a go all claim applying grapeseed oil before flat-ironing gave their naturally very curly tresses added shine and silky soft feel, pointing out the absence of common side-effect such as sizzling sounds and burned smell.

This fantastic Moroccan treat is, without any doubt, one of the best organic hair care products ever yet not a lot of people actually knows protection against heat is one of its many benefits.

Often referred to as “liquid gold” this amazing natural product is rich in omega 3 and 6 fatty acids as well as vitamin E and is something you definitely ought to add to your hair-care routine even if you aren’t a big fan of heat and even more so if you are!

As beneficial and much-loved as the first two, my third suggestion, coconut oil, deserves its place on the list of natural heat protectants as well.

Famous for its anti-microbial, moisturizing and anti-dandruff properties, this oil is a definite a hair-care must and will help repair hair damage and allowing you to grow your hair strong, healthy, luscious and long. But wait, that’s not all!

Due to its thick consistency and ability to increase your hair’s moisture retaining capacity, this oil also happens to be one of those products you don’t want to be without in summer when blazing sun often makes turns our lush hair dry and brittle!

But wait, don’t stop reading just yet because there’s another 100% natural sunscreen your hair might love waaay more than all those synthetic products.

It’s name? Avocado oil! Famous for being the best herbal sunscreen there is with high UV absorption properties that extend to both UVA and UVB rays.

This totally natural hair product is something you can mix with other oils (such as Argan or Grapeseed oil) to create your very own natural heat protectant or use alone to make sure your hair receives optimal hydration, nurture, and protection in summer.

Want to know even more about natural heat protectants and all the ways there are to ditch silicones, hopefully for good?

Well, I’m glad you asked because I found a very interesting piece of info on Shea butter that I want to share and yes, it has everything to do with it being a natural heat protectant you can use for your blowouts.

As it turns out, this baby’s thermal conductivity is almost as good as one of the popular silicones used in most heat protectants such as Dimethicone and Cyclomethicone. Sweet!

Well, surprise, surprise! Sunflower oil might not be the healthiest choice for cooking, yet many folks out there claim it is a good one regarding hair care.

This very common ingredient in many organic hair care products has a very high smoking point as well which means you can throw it into the equation in case you’re interested in concocting your heat protectant.

Another natural product I’ve been talking about quite a lot in terms of hair care yet had no idea of this alternative way to use it.

Now, I don’t know about you but it never occurred to me olive oil would be an excellent protection against heat yet, as it turns out, many people out there are using it this way with great results.

I know a type of butter doesn’t exactly sound like an appealing heat protectant, but I think you’ll change your mind once you try it.

Cupuacu butter soothes, protects and moisturizes both the skin and hair. It has natural UVA and UVB protectants and helps seal in moisture in your hair, so you’re well protected from heat damage.

Macadamia Nut Oil is nutritious, moisturizing and makes a fab natural heat protectant! This oil not only provides natural UV protection, but it also helps cut drying time, so you spend less time drying your hair and using a heat tool.

Macadamia Nut Oil has many uses for your hair, skin, and nails, so it’s a great oil to add to your natural beauty routine!

what else can you do to help minimize heat damage?

• only use heat on hair when it’s dry. if your hair is wet, you’re essentially boiling your hair.
• use a low heat setting. you’d be surprised what’ll get the job done.
• only use in heat for those special, rare occasions.
• condition your hair after. it’ll need the extra lovin’