Can you use oil as a heat protectant? (2023)

Can I use regular oil as a heat protectant?

Using oils as heat protectants

You can experiment with oils if you want DIY heat protection but be careful: oils alone can create drag which could slow down the flat iron as it passes through your hair, so it could end up doing more damage. Good heat protectants should also help offset the drying effects of heat.

DO Use on dry hair before curling or straightening. Even if you're working with dry hair, you should always protect your strands from the heat of your styling tools. Prepping your hair for curling or straightening with a hair oil or elixir will prevent damage and make styling even easier.

When we want to protect our hair from being damaged by the heat from a flat iron, we usually apply some coconut oil right before the procedure. However, there is another way to make use of coconut oil as heat protectant, and for that, we need to make a homemade mask.

And — you guessed it — using a hair oil is a great way to get your strands ready for styling. Simply apply a small amount of product onto dry hair, mainly on the lengths and ends, in addition to a heat protectant. Then, use your flat iron or curling iron as usual.

The vitamin E in olive oil fights the damage caused by sunlight and pollution. Add to that that the smoking point of extra virgin olive oil is 320°F (160°C) which makes it a fair heat protectant as well.

By using Argan oil on your hair before you flat iron, you can protect your strands from the heat, add moisture and shine to your hair and reduce frizz all at the same time!

It depends on the result you are seeking. Applying oil on wet hair means less shine, but there are other benefits, such as detangling and heat protection before blowdrying. On dry hair, the shine factor is higher and you will get better frizz, UV and pollution protection.

You should never use a flat iron without a heat protectant. Flat ironing your hair without a heat protectant is a recipe for disaster. Even if you skip it once, you're putting the health of your hair at risk.

How can I protect my hair before straightening?

Are styling products that claim to protect your hair from heat really necessary or worth the trouble? The resounding answer is yes, and yes, especially if your blow-dryer is one of your prized possessions. If you use irons to curl or straighten, then there's no doubt about your need for heat protectant spray.

Some really important essential oils that can help to straighten your hair include argan oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and macadamia oil. These oils help the hair in so many ways: they penetrate hair follicles to repair cells inside and also help to improve shine.

It has long been praised for its high smoke point and its nourishing benefits as a conditioning hair treatment. Hot tool lovers will be happy to hear that those same properties also make coconut oil an excellent natural heat protectant to use before styling.

In conjunction with other oils, argan oil is important in a heat protectant for hair because it penetrates the hair strands to moisturize, as well as help seal moisture, and prevent dryness and cuticle damage due to heat styling.

Some really important essential oils that can help to straighten your hair include argan oil, almond oil, coconut oil, and macadamia oil. These oils help the hair in so many ways: they penetrate hair follicles to repair cells inside and also help to improve shine.

Regular hot-oil treatment not only nourishes the hair but is also effective as a straightening technique. Massage the scalp and hair with a mixture of coconut and olive oil and cover the hair with a hot towel. Wash it off after 45 minutes with a shampoo.

Leave-in conditioner has detangling properties, too, and protects hair from heat damage—making it the perfect product to use before styling.

While your shampoo and conditioner can help nourish your hair, balance your scalp and restore the hair's cuticle, applying a heat protectant is key to preventing further damage or dryness. “They're designed to be the first line of defense against any heat before your natural oils and moisture,” says Buck.