If your hair is dry, make sure you’re not missing this super-important step

Though there are a lot of different hair types and textures out there, I think we can all agree on one thing right now: Our hair is dry. Thanks to the dry AF weather and even more drying indoor heat, our strands are currently feeling frazzled, parched, and begging for moisture. And hair pros say that the first way to help prevent hair dryness is by using a heat protectant.

As a refresher, your hair contains keratin proteins and hydrogen bonds, which are broken down every time you use heat on them says Andrew Fitzsimons, celebrity hairstylist. “While we love heat tools for their ability to manipulate the hair into different styles, they do strip your hair of its natural oils and proteins,” he says. “To put it simply: Heat tools compromise the quality of your hair, so repeated use of them will completely dehydrate your strands and lead to breakage.”

That said, we are smack in the middle of winter, so we’re not exactly trying to run out of the house with damp hair—our blow dryers are key. So Fitzimons says it’s really, really important to protect your hair and keep it healthy by spritzing on a heat protectant. “I never use a heat tool without heat protection,” he says. “Heat protection will keep your hair shinier, healthier, and less prone to breakage.” This way, you can use the hot tools you love without having to completely dry out your hair (which will then lead to breakage, frizz, and hair woes like that).

For a trusty heat protectant, Fitzimons says to look for silicones (like dimethicone and cyclomethicone) in your product. “The most important thing to look for on a label is a guarantee that the product provides heat protection up to 450 degrees,” he says. “And moisturizing ingredients like oils and reparative proteins can help nourish your hair to a healthier state.” Keep scrolling to shop one for your hair styling routine.

Davines Melu Hair Shield, $37

This spray fully coats your strands with protective ingredients like lentil extract (which has amino acids in it) that also help to repair your hair, without feeling like there’s anything in your hair at all. It goes on super light but gets the job done.

Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Heat Styling Spray, $28

Protect your hair with this strong but lightweight spray that uses emollients for heat protection and a glossy shine, and holds up for 48 hours.

OGX Protecting + Silk Blowout Quick Drying Thermal Spray, $7

A quick spritz of this thermal spray—which you can grab at your local drugstore—coats and smooths your hair with quinoa and hydrolyzed silk so that it doesn’t get dehydrated and frizzy post-blow dry.

Form Protect Heat Serum, $29

If you’re more of a serum kinda person rather than a spray, this non-greasy option works on all hair types to protect from heat, minimize frizz, and reduce breakage.

Tresemmé Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-in Spray, $5

Another drugstore find, this Tresemmé spray coats and protects your strands from heat, leaving it nice and soft once you’re done styling (all for the cost of a latte).

FYI: These are the best drugstore shampoos you can score for cheap (I’m talking less than $10). And this is your guide on dealing with winter frizzy hair woes.