Meanwhile the silicones found in serums and sprays , like cyclomethicone , are volatile , so they evaporate quickly and easily . Most products use a combination of silicones to achieve a product that is effective without leaving unmanageable amounts of buildup .
A Natural Option
If you ’ re still not into the idea of silicones , you ’ re in luck ! Natural oils do have the ability to work in a similar way to silicone . While silicone is considered one of the holy grails for heat protection , most oils will still function in a similar way . Erica Douglas demonstrates this best in a short video comparing cooking an egg yolk with heat protection vs without . While it may seem silly the comparison is fairly straightforward — both have a thin outer wall protecting a moisture-heavy interior . If you ’ ve cooked an egg in olive or coconut oil , you ’ ve seen first hand that these oils work to create a protective layer that prevents heat from entering too quickly . The trick is that not all oils can withstand intense heat , and they tend to wind up being heavier than their synthetic counterparts . Douglas notes that , “ this is why formulating chemists will combine synthetic ingredients like silicones with the natural goodness of oils to provide an improved customer experience when using the product .”
Whether you pick a silicone-based serum or a natural oil , using a heat protectant before any heat styling is the most important step in your beauty routine . That said , it ’ s important to remember that even with the best protection , heat styling will still affect hair over time . Make sure to give your hair ( real or not ) plenty of breaks from the heat and extra doses of moisture this winter .
We ’ ve pulled together a list of our top favorite heat protectants .
• Tahitian Noni & Monoi Blow Out Cream
• Cantu Thermal Shield Heat Protectant
• Amika Blow Up Natural Heat Protectant
• Curl Girl Unwind Thermal Protector + Detangling Mist
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