Best Heat Protectants for Beach Hair

Beach hair gets hit from three directions: heat from styling tools, UV from the sun and humidity from the air. Most heat protectants only address the first. For hair that lives near the ocean, the most useful ones address two.

Below are six, with each brand's stated heat limit where it gives one, and a note on whether it also claims UV or humidity protection.

How we chose

• Currently sold, checked against the brand's own page or a major retailer.
• Heat protection stated by the brand, with a temperature where one is given.
• At least a few picks that also claim UV protection or humidity resistance, because that is what coastal hair needs.

At a glance

1. Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat Protectant Leave-In Conditioner Primer

Recently renamed from Heat/UV Protective Primer, this leave-in lists heat protection to 450°F and contains UV filters. It is color-safe and doubles as a conditioning primer before blow-drying.

Good for: heat and UV in one step before a blowout. Ulta

2. Malibu C Leave-In Conditioner Mist

Malibu C says this mist protects to 450°F and offers UV protection, with panthenol and antioxidant vitamins. It is vegan and made without sulfates, parabens or added salt.

Good for: a light, everyday leave-in that covers heat and sun. Brand page

3. Moroccanoil Protect & Prevent Spray

Primarily a color-protection spray, this lists sunscreens to help absorb UV rays, an antioxidant blend and thermal protection against heat. Moroccanoil does not give a temperature for it.

Good for: colored hair that spends a lot of time in the sun, with light heat styling. Brand page

4. Color Wow Dream Coat Supernatural Spray

Dream Coat's claim is humidity. Color Wow says a heat-activated polymer forms a water-repelling coating around each strand when you blow-dry with tension, keeping hair smooth even in extreme humidity, and that it lasts through several shampoos. It describes two levels of heat protection but gives no temperature.

Good for: blowouts that have to survive sea air. Use a dedicated heat protectant too if you follow with a flat iron. Brand page

5. OLAPLEX Nº.9 Bond Protector Nourishing Hair Serum

A leave-in serum with heat protection to 450°F. OLAPLEX makes a pollution-protection claim rather than a UV one, and says it helps protect color and style retention.

Good for: lightened hair already on an OLAPLEX routine. Brand page

6. Moroccanoil Perfect Defense Heat Protectant

A weightless dry aerosol with heat protection to 450°F, made with argan oil and vitamins. It makes no UV or humidity claim; it is simply a light heat protectant that will not weigh down fine hair.

Good for: fine hair, and refreshing a blowout with hot tools. Brand page

How to use a heat protectant properly

• Apply it every time heat touches your hair, including second-day touch-ups.
• Work it through evenly with a comb, not just the top layer.
• Match the tool to the product's stated limit. A protectant rated to 450°F is not an argument for styling at 450°F; lower heat is always kinder to lightened hair.
• Let a leave-in spray absorb for a moment before you start the dryer.

Heat protectants do not replace a UV plan in summer. For that, see the best hair products for salt water and sun, and for tools, the best beach wave styling tools. To make a salon blowout last, see the best ways to make a blowout last.