Natural Heat Protectants to use with Flat Irons for Hair

A heat protectant is essential for maintaining hair’s health, vitality, and beauty. For shine that will not quit and hair that is soft to the touch and easy to manage, these natural heat protectants are everything the beauty routine has been missing. These natural heat protectants might replace the usual trip to the beauty store with a trip to the grocery store.

Choosing an oil

It can be tempting to just pick up and use whatever oil is lying around the house, but for full heat protection from flat irons only certain natural oils will do. Always check to make sure that the smoke point, which is the point at which the oil will begin to burn, is at least 350 degrees or higher.

Most flat irons start out at 360 degrees and max out at 420. Most quality oils are rich in vitamins and minerals that promote healthy hair that is strong and beautiful. Refined oils will have a high smoke point than their unrefined counterparts, but a refined oil may have less nutrients. Just a few things to keep in mind.

Argan Oil

Originally found in Morroco, argan oil infused hair products have become a staple in women’s beauty bags. Argan oil is great for protecting hair from high heat and with many flat irons reaching temperatures of 360 degrees and over, argan oil is a no brainer. Rich in Omega-3 fatty acids, Omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E, argan oil not only protects hair; argan oil nourishes hair inside and out. We love the HSI professional argan oil heat protectant for hair. This lightweight mist protects hair from heat damage up to 450 degrees!

Coconut Oil

For years we have heard just how amazing coconut oil is both in and out of the kitchen. Praised for its high smoke point and moisturizing benefits, coconut oil is a great natural heat protectant for flat iron and hot tool lovers every where. A smoke point of 350 degrees is ideal for women with thin or fine hair, as we recommend never using any heat higher than this on fine or thin hair.

Coconut oil is also known for its anti-dandruff and anti-microbial properties. If a daily flat iron habit has left hair feeling dry and looking damaged, coconut oil will heal and protect the health of hair. Continued use will make hair grow long and luscious and the envy and admiration of all.

Shea Butter

Not just for face and body, shea butter makes for an amazing heat protectant from the repeated use of a flat iron. Since shea butter naturally has thermal conductivity it is a natural replacement for the use of silicones found and used in most heat protectants. Dimethicone and cyclomethicone are the most common silicones used in heat protectants. Silicone coats strands with a protective layer that is difficult for heat from a flat iron or hair straightener to penetrate and damage hair. Shea butter’s natural properties act in a similar fashion.

Grape seed Oil

Unlike the other oils that can be used as a natural heat protectant, grape seed oil is not a product we had to go out of our way to get. Just open up the pantry or check around the kitchen and a bottle of this nourishing oil is likely resting in wait. Of course if there is none on hand, a quick trip to any health food store or grocery store will fix that issue in a flash. Grape seed oil is great because like the other oils, it has a high smoke point.

This means that hair will be protected from smoking caused from the high temperatures of a hair straightener. We recommend using grape seed oil for women with thick or coarse hair because they are usually the women who are using flat irons that can reach up to 420 degrees, which is grape seed oil’s, smoke point.

Almond Oil

What is even better for thick or coarse haired women than grape seed oil? Almond oil! With a smoke point of 430 degrees, almond oil is sure to keep hair safe from hot flat irons. Safe does not have to be boring, though. Almond oil is rich in vitamins like, Vitamins E, D, B1, B2, B6 and A to be exact.

These nutrients allow hair to grow strong, healthy, and beautiful. We always suggest buying organic and cold pressed almond oil. This can be found at any health food center. Just 2-3 drops is more than enough to reap in the benefits of almond oil.

Avocado Oil

When we want a heat protectant that nourishes and repairs hair, we love avocado oil. Loaded with healthy fats, avocado oil leaves hair feeling soft to the touch and beaming with visible shine. The best thing about avocado oil is that it not only protects from heat from a flat iron, it also protects from damage from the sun. With natural properties similar to sunscreen, avocado oil protects hair from damaging UVA and UVB rays from sunlight.

Even on days when you skip the flat iron, hair is still left vulnerable to the damaging elements. Used alone, avocado has a smoke point of 520 degrees! This means all hair types can use and benefit from avocado oil. Mix with another oil like argan oil or grape seed oil for hair so soft everyone will want to touch.