Silicones are the only tested ingredient for heat styling your hair but can you find silicone-free heat protectants that actually work?
If you’ve made the switch to sulfate-free shampoo then you also need to think about the other products you’re using in your hair.
Some ingredients, such as certain silicones, are hard to remove from your hair without a regular shampoo. This can cause a build-up on your hair, making your hair seem dull or dry.
I received this great question from Jody, who wrote to me asking about silicone-free heat protectants:
I recently found your blog and I’m lovin’ it! About 6 months ago I started using the Curly Girl Method and trying to embrace my newfound post-pregnancy curls (my hair was stick straight throughout most of my life).
I find myself still occasionally longing for a straight style, and I was just wondering if you have found any straightening products that are heat protectants but that are free of non-water soluble silicones? Every product I pick up seems to have silicones in it. I’m currently co-washing, so using a water soluble straightening product is important to me.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks so much for the wealth of information on your blog!
Thanks so much Jody!
I’m glad to hear you’re embracing your curls and I also think it’s ok to switch up your style for a different look when you feel like it.
The heat protectants I use contain silicones. I counteract this by using a clarifying shampoo afterwards when washing my hair. I like the O&M Detox and Pure Hair Food Clarifying Shampoo. Both of these shampoos are still sulfate-free and clean your hair without stripping it back too much.
It is really hard to find a silicone free heat protectant because silicones do all the work to coat hair and create a barrier from the heat. They’re the only tested ingredients to work as a heat protectant because they don’t conduct heat, thus creating a barrier on your hair. It’s not foolproof, because heat stylers are often over 200 degrees Celcius (over 450 degree Fahrenheit) but they do make a difference.
There are some new formulations on the market getting good reviews and the following are silicone-free heat protectants.
Silicone-free heat protectants
- Living Proof Restore Instant Protection – Available at Ulta and Sephora
- Kevin Murphy Damage Manager – Available online at Adorebeauty or in salons.
- Aveda Brilliant Damage Control – Available at Aveda, Look Fantastic, Nordstrom and salons.
- Sedu Volumizing Heat Protecting Boost – Available at Bellelure
Tips for using heat protectants
- Apply your heat protectant to damp or air-dried hair before using any heat styling tool (hairdryer, straightener or curler).
- When spraying dry hair, give your hair a few seconds for the product to absorb into your hair. Your hair must be completely dry before before straightening or curling.
Have you stopped using silicones? What’s your fave heat protectant? And confess, how often do you use heat stylers on your hair?
Is there a silicone free heat protectant I can use on dry hair (i.e., Day Two and Day Three)?
Hello Christina. I’ve taken lots of tips from your site. It’s fab.
I have naturally white silvers now and silicones cause yellowing. I am using Everescents Organic Orange & Sandalwood Heat Protector Finishing Cream and I absolutely love it. Plus it’s great to use after I’ve straightened my hair.
The third ingredient in the mixed chicks one is amodimethicone, so, not silicone free
oh good spot! Thank you, I will update my post x
Nope, not sure where you got that ingredient from! I’ve looked on several different seller sites at this product ingredient list and this was not on there. I’ve also run it through a couple of my CG ingredients analysers and they are not pinging warnings.
AQUA (WATER)GUAR HYDROXYPROPYLTRIMONIUM CHLORIDESODIUM LANETH-40 MALEATE/STYRENE SULFONATE COPOLYMERPARFUM (FRAGRANCE)POLYSORBATE-20DEHYDROXANTHAN GUMPOLYSORBATE 80CAORYLHYDROXAMIC ACIDCAPRYLYL GLYCOLGLYCERINHYDROLYZED KERATINSILK AMINO ACIDSPHENOXYETHANOLHYDRASTIS CANADENSIS (GOLDEN SEAL) EXTRACTHUMULUS LUPULUS (HOPS) EXTRACTCHAMOMILLA RECUTITA (MATRICARIA) EXTRACTROSMARINUS OFFICINALIS (ROSEMARY) EXTRACTHAMAMELIS VIRGINIANA (WITCH HAZEL) EXTRACTPOTASSIUM SORBATEDEHYDROACETIC ACIDBENZOIC ACID
Thanks so much for this! I’ve removed silicones from my hair products and am noticing a difference (my hair grows longer, has more volume) but i missed blow drying my hair. There’s some days i just have to wash and style it. These will make my life so much easier!
thanks Tracey! xx
Hi,
I have wavy hair, but I cut it into a bob and currently I like to do blow it out for some change. I usually use the medium heat setting, do you think I should use a heat protectant as my hair i a bit dry, and could I use an oil like argan oil for example?
Hi Tatyana, yes I think heat protectants are always a good idea. Argan oil is great for treating and styling your hair after but a heat protectant is an extra product you should use before you dry your hair xx
I have been using the karmin Spray Heat Protector and works really well for my hair. 🙂
I’d recommend the Karmin Spray Heat Protector 😀
Definitely the Karmin Spray Heat Protector 🙂
Appologizes for the spelling errors. My dictonary on my samsung a3 isn’t oké 🙂
Without silicones my curls are happy:-) . i’ve tested a lot of products and ebpven try co-only. That’t didn’t worm for me..,hairloss :(.
There is a curly girl in the netherlands with a wonderfull website. She’s made a list Sith silicones free shampoo, conditioneren and Hair productie…www.krullenwijzer.nl
Thanks Carla!
This was so interesting. I will definitely look for one of your picks.
http://a-woman-of-a-certain-age.com/
Thanks Susan 🙂
I’ve stopped using silicones for almost a year now and my curly hair is so much better. Is not dry or frizzy. I use a leave in product and gel to style my curls.
I use a hairdryer to dry my hair. Then I scrunch the gel out of my hair … Voila beautiful curls !
It can make such a difference, doesn’t it? I still use them as I’m testing so many products and styles, but would love to switch them out in the future too x
Which heat protectants do you currently use? I haven’t switched to sulfate-free yet, but I really need a good new protectant. Thanks!
Hi Rachel, I like Kerastase Ciment Thermique and I also use ghd heat protect spray. A good double use product is Atonic thickening spray by Original & Mineral which is a volumiser and heat protectant in one x
Thanks so much! I’ll check those out.
Kerastase Ciment Thermique is full og silicones. Read the labels.
yes you’re right – sorry I should have mentioned that in my comments. The only silicone free ones I know are all in the post above x
Great advice, Carla