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Why You Need Heat Protectant (Even When Air-Drying Your Hair)

When we talk about heat damage, most of us picture straighteners, curling wands or blow dryers blasting our strands.

But here’s the kicker: your hair can suffer heat damage even when you're not using hot tools.

So if you’ve been skipping the heat protectant because you let your hair air-dry, this one’s for you – and trust us, your hair will thank you.

Let’s start with the basics!

What Is a Heat Protectant?

Think of heat protectant as skincare for your hair.

Just like sunscreen helps protect your skin from UV damage, heat protectants form a barrier between your hair and whatever's trying to mess with it – whether that's your blow dryer, a hot iron, or even the sun.

Heat protectants usually come in the form of sprays, creams, or serums. They're formulated with ingredients that:

Reduce moisture loss during styling
Smooth the hair cuticle
Prevent breakage and split ends
Minimise thermal damage from heat tools

Some heat protectants even go the extra mile, offering UV protection, hydration, frizz control, and colour fade defence.

In other words, they’re an all-round essential – even if you’re not styling with heat every day!

Woman with dark red hair using a hot air brush

Why You Absolutely Need It for Heat Styling

Let’s start with the obvious: hot tools can be harsh on your hair.

Blow dryers, straighteners, curling tongs – they all reach temps high enough to alter your hair’s natural structure.

And when there’s no protection in place, that kind of heat can:

Break down keratin (your hair’s natural protein)
Cause moisture to rapidly evaporate from the hair shaft
Weaken bonds and lead to breakage
Open up the cuticle, making hair rough, frizzy and more prone to damage
Fade hair colour faster

Even using your tools on a “low heat” setting doesn’t make your hair immune.

Once you pass 150°C, you’re in the damage zone. And considering most straighteners and curlers reach upwards of 200°C, that daily styling habit can add up fast.

A heat protectant helps buffer that heat, minimising the impact on your strands. It works by coating the hair shaft, sealing in moisture and creating a barrier so heat distributes more evenly. This reduces the risk of hot spots and protects the internal structure of your hair.

If you’re using hot tools without heat protectant, your hair is basically going into battle with zero armour on. So yeah, we’d call it a non-negotiable!

Young woman with red hair using a straightening iron

Why You Still Need Heat Protectant (Even If You Air-Dry)

Let’s bust a common myth: air-drying doesn’t automatically mean your hair is safe from damage.

While skipping the heat tools can definitely reduce stress on your strands, it doesn’t make your hair completely invincible – far from it.

Here’s what’s really going on:

1. UV exposure is a major (and invisible) threat.

Even on overcast days, UV rays can penetrate your hair cuticle and degrade its structure. The result? Dryness, brittleness, fading colour, and in some cases, increased porosity.

It’s especially noticeable on lighter, coloured or chemically treated hair. A good heat protectant with built-in UV defence can act like sunscreen for your strands, keeping them safe while you’re out and about.

2. Air-drying = prolonged vulnerability.

When your hair is wet, it’s at its weakest.

The inner cortex swells, and the cuticle (that protective outer layer) is lifted. If you leave your hair damp for hours while it slowly dries, that cuticle remains open and exposed to friction, pollution, and temperature fluctuations.

That can lead to frizz, dullness and breakage – even without heat styling.

Young woman at the beach with wet hair tied up

3. Friction is still a form of damage.

Leaning on the couch with wet hair, sleeping on it damp, towel-drying a bit too vigorously... all of that creates mechanical stress.

And if your hair hasn’t been protected or prepped with a smoothing or sealing formula, it’s way more likely to snap or tangle.

4. Many heat protectants do more than just block heat.

Most modern formulas multitask - especially if you opt for higher-grade, salon brands (instead of supermarket options - looking at you, Woolies!). They seal moisture into the hair shaft, smooth the cuticle, reduce frizz, detangle, and add shine.

That makes them brilliant as everyday leave-ins – especially if your hair tends to puff up, dry out, or tangle easily. Even without heat, you still get major benefits.

5. You’re probably using some heat without realising it.

Quick touch-ups with the blow dryer? Standing in front of a heater or fireplace? Even hot water from your shower opens the cuticle. So while you may not be doing a full blowout, your hair is still being exposed to heat in everyday ways.

So while heat protectants are designed to defend against thermal damage, they also protect against dryness, friction and environmental stress – all things that can affect your hair while it dries naturally.

If you’ve invested in your colour, health, or overall hair routine, adding this simple step is a no-brainer.

Young woman at the beach with sun damaged hair

What to Look for in a Good Heat Protectant

Not all heat protectants are created equal – and depending on your hair type, styling habits, and overall goals, some formulas will work better than others.

Here are a few things to keep in mind:

1. Heat protection up to 200°C (or more)

Check the label! A proper heat protectant should specify how much thermal protection it offers. Look for one that guards up to at least 200°C if you're using hot tools regularly.

2. Lightweight, even coverage

You want something that won’t weigh your hair down or leave it feeling sticky. Sprays tend to work well for fine or straight hair, while creams and serums are ideal for thick, coarse or curly textures.

3. Nourishing, multitasking ingredients

Look out for:

Silicones like dimethicone to coat and protect strands (lightweight ones are totally fine for most hair types)
Hydrolysed proteins to strengthen and reinforce the hair fibre
Botanical extracts or oils for added hydration and frizz control (we LOVE argan oil!)
UV filters for outdoor protection (especially if you air-dry!)

4. Alcohol- and sulphate-free

These can dry your hair out even more, which defeats the purpose. A good heat protectant should add moisture, not strip it away!

5. Colour-safe and cruelty-free

If you’ve coloured or lightened your hair, make sure your heat protectant won’t fade or dull your tone. And of course, it always feels good to support brands that align with your values.

Now that you know what to look for, let’s talk about some of our favourite go-to products – whether you're heat styling daily or just air-drying in peace!

Our Top Heat Protectants (for Every Routine)

Looking for the best protection for your hair? These are our tried-and-true favourites, hand-picked to suit different routines, hair types, and lifestyles:

✨ Best for daily use + multitasking:

Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment – A true all-rounder! This cult-fave leave-in offers 11 benefits, including heat protection, frizz control, hydration, and detangling. Perfect for air-drying or heat styling.

10% OFF

Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment [125ml]

~~$40.00~~ $36.00

10% OFF

Eleven Miracle Hair Treatment [125ml]

~~$40.00~~ $36.00

💨 Best for air-drying + smoothing:

Pureology Beach Waves Sugar Spray – Ideal for coloured or lightened hair, this lightweight mist protects against heat and UV while delivering hydration, softness, and shine.

25% OFF

Pureology Beach Waves Sugar Spray [170ml]

~~$52.50~~ $39.38

🛡 Best for high-heat styling:

Matrix Mega Sleek Iron Smoother – Designed to stand up to straighteners and curlers, this spray offers serious thermal protection while smoothing frizz and boosting shine.

25% OFF

Matrix Mega Sleek Iron Smooth [250ml]

~~$31.40~~ $23.55

🧴 Best cream formula for thick or coarse hair:

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother – A bond-building styling cream that shields from heat, strengthens from within, and smooths without heaviness.

25% OFF

Olaplex No.6 Bond Smoother [100ml]

~~$60.00~~ $45.00

🌞 Best for UV protection + dry hair:

Moroccanoil All-in-One Leave-In Conditioner – Ultra-light and deeply nourishing, this spray detangles, hydrates and protects from environmental stress – perfect for your post-wash air-dry days.

25% OFF