Abstract: A cream is disclosed for protection of the scalp during hair straightening, composed of 10-80% by weight Vaseline.RTM., and/or polyethylene dissolved in paraffin oil, 10-85% by weight of at least one oxethylated saturated or unsaturated C.sub.8 -C.sub.18 -fatty alcohol and/or oxethylated C.sub.6 -C.sub.14 -alkylphenol each with 2 up to 30 ethylene oxide units in the molecule, 0.5 up to 5.0% by weight of a physiologically compatible organic acid and/or a physiologically compatible, easily saponifiable ester of an organic acid, 0.001 up to 1.0% by weight of at least one pH-indicator and, if necessary, up to 1.0% by weight water as well as, if necessary, customary cosmetic additives. According to the likewise claimed method of straightening hair, the mentioned protective cream is applied to the scalp before the use of an alkaline hair straightening agent. If the alkaline hair straightening agent, subsequently applied to the hair, comes into contact with the protective cream, it is neutralized.