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This way for a protected scalp and your expensive dye job. Molding 3d
Alarming fact: Your scalp is just as susceptible to developing skin cancer as the rest of your body, especially if you don't protect it. Another fact you may not be aware of? Sun exposure can strip the dye from your hair and break down the proteins in your cuticle, leaving your hair dry, brittle, and dull. That's where hair sunscreens come in—i.e., products packed with antioxidants, moisturizers, and/or SPF that help to protect against UV rays.
Like sunscreens for your body, hair and scalp sunscreens come in many different varieties (see: powders, mists, sprays) and are lightweight, so they won't leave your hair looking or feeling greasy. And because I have fresh highlights that I want to preserve and am always a victim of scalp sunburn, I personally tested and reviewed nine of the best hair sunscreens that offer maximum UV protection and consulted trichologist Dominic Burg and board-certified dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, for all the deets on them, below.
Now keep reading for the full breakdown of the best hair sunscreens, according to product reviewers and experts, along with tips from a dermatologist and trichologist on how to choose the best hair sunscreens and what to look for before you buy.
Looking for a product that protects both your scalp and hair from UV damage? Check out this lightweight SPF mist spiked with monoi oil, gotu kola extract, and pro-vitamin B5, all of which work together to protect, hydrate, and soothe your hair and scalp.
I recently got a few highlights in my hair and was heading on a tropical vacay, so I needed something to protect the color and keep my scalp from burning. A lottt of product comes out in one spritz, so you really only need a couple sprays to cover your head. It does leave your hair feeling a little wet (but definitely not sticky) for the 5 to 10 minutes it takes to dry fully, but that honestly worked great with the slicked-back bun I wore that day. I absolutely loved the fine mist and how silky it made my hair feel when I sprayed it on. Plus, I didn't have a scalp burn—win-win in my book.
THE REVIEW: "This is GREAT," one tester notes. "It didn’t make my hair oily, protected my scalp and my color, and smelled absolutely phenomenal! The spray is a super fine mist which I love too."
This superfine powder (with SPF 35!) is technically a scalp sunscreen, but feels more like a dry shampoo, making it better for greasy scalps. Know that this formula is powdery, and it looks pure white when you dump it on your head, but once you gently massage it in with your fingertips, it’s totally unnoticeable (unless you make the mistake of wearing a black T-shirt while you’re applying it as I did). I wore this formula for an entire day outside—adding a bit more every couple of hours or so—and it was so comfortably nonexistent that I forgot it was on. And thanks to the oil-absorbing silica in the formula, my hair felt genuinely cleaner, not greasier.
THE REVIEW: "I had skin cancer on my scalp a couple of years ago and have since been looking for a sunscreen for my scalp," one reviewer writes. "All that was available was greasy in my hair, and this is the perfect solution! It works and blends into my hair great."
This leave-in detangling spray is an extension of one of my favorite lines from Rahua, the hydration collection. Made with all clean ingredients—including buriti oil, a natural UV protectant—this spray smooths and softens frizz while preventing breakage and conditioning the hair. Basically, it's an all-in-one product, andddd it's made for all hair types.
THE REVIEW: "Not only is this great for detangling, but it’s a UV protector as well!" one reviewer notes. "I spray this on my dry hair when I’m at the lake or the beach to protect it from the sun, and my hair is always super soft afterward."
This milky leave-in conditioning spray is a great product for curly hair due to being filled with a slew of oils (see: rosehip, argan, and coconut) that help to seal the cuticle to maintain your hair's hydration and shine against the harsh UV rays. It's also free of all the eh stuff (sulfates, silicones, and parabens), and is lightweight enough not to feel greasy, which is a game-changer if you'll be out in the sun all day sweatin'. If you have pretty dry or damaged curly hair, opt for something heavier like the Matrix Curl Leave-In Cream.
THE REVIEW: "I have struggled to find a leave-in product that doesn't make my hair feel greasy afterward, actually hydrates my hair, and is using effective ingredients—and this one does," one reviewer writes. "Plus, it smells amazing."
Dermatologist Karan Lal, MD, recommends a mineral sunscreen for your scalp, and this one is one of his favorites. The best thing about this powder SPF is the fact that—similarly to a setting powder—you can toss it in your bag and reapply it to scalp throughout the day. The formula is also water- and sweat-resistant, meaning it'll stay in place no matter how sweaty you get. The product comes in four shades, ranging from fair to deep, and is formulated for those with sensitive skin in mind.
THE REVIEW: "Love this Colorscience total protection sunscreen," one tester notes. "It has total coverage, and it’s a powder, not a lotion which I like. Most [other] sunscreens make my skin itchy because I have sensitive skin."
This easy-to-use spray-on scalp sunscreen with SPF 30 has gotchu covered: Not only is it super lightweight—aka it won't weigh your hair down or leave a residue—it's formulated with moisturizing and soothing ingredients like vitamin E-rich sunflower seed oil. It's also got hydrating glycerin added to the mix, which helps to keep your hair from drying out under the hot sun.
THE REVIEW: "I have very curly and thick hair, and I put this on during the summer to protect my hair from the heat since the sun's UV rays can damage your hair," reads one tester's review. "It doesn't feel weird in my hair and it is pretty lightweight."
Blended with hydrating aloe vera and cucumber, antioxidant-rich safflower oil, and sunflower oil, this broad-spectrum scalp mist with SPF 35 is one of my favorite products to apply on my part. I love that it's small enough to throw in my bag for on-the-go use and that it's a shine-free formula, meaning I don't end up looking greasy throughout the day. The product is also a reef-safe sunscreen, as well as a vegan formula.
THE REVIEW: "I have been waiting for a product like this, and it did not disappoint!" one reviewer notes. "I am so tired of smearing gloppy lotion on my face to protect it from the sun. This is such a better way to get the protection I need without all the mess and hassle!"
The reality is you should be protecting your hair and scalp whenever you're in the sun—not just at the beach. That's why it's best to incorporate products in your daily routine that take the guesswork out. Enter: This UV protectant setting hairspray. It's formulated with a slew of antioxidant-rich vitamins to protect against environmental aggressors and lock in your color and style.
THE REVIEW: "The only product that has kept my brunette-colored hair from turning into looking like a penny," one reviewer writes. "I would highly recommend this! The smell is not my favorite but at least it protects my hair from the sun especially since I live in Florida."
Let's be real: The worst part about applying sunscreen is the greasy feel that never seems to dry down. That's why this UV face and scalp mist with SPF 50 is so great—it's a lightweight, non-greasy, and quick-drying formula that makes applying your SPF as simple as possible. It's formulated with a mix of antioxidants and has a clear finish, meaning there will be no white cast.
THE REVIEW: "Amazing and so useful—can barely feel it going on, I love it," writes one tester. "Super easy to apply," writes another.
Yes, you can use sunscreen on your hair and your scalp. If your scalp is exposed to direct sunlight, you’re opening the door for sun damage (read: severe burning and even melanoma). “The scariest thing about getting sunburned on your scalp is that it’s not an area you can see easily, so it might be difficult to catch developing moles or potential melanoma,” says trichologist Dominic Burg, chief scientist at Evolis Professional, adding that scalp burns are so common, he often sees them on patients in the middle of winter.
Obviously, your hair strands have zero risk of developing cancer since they’re already dead, but they’re still not BFFs with the sun. “Sun exposure can actually strip your hair color and destroy your hair-pigment molecules, purely through the radiation damage caused by UV rays,” says Burg. And if that didn’t suck enough, those UV rays can make even the most moisturized of strands dry, brittle, and dull.
Although every formula is different, most reputable hair sunscreens are considered an effective, safe way to shield your scalp and hair from UV rays. Hair sunscreens come in spray and powder formulas that absorb into your hair and scalp super easily. Typically, in the case of a scalp sunscreen, you'll have more options when it comes to formula. However, if you're in the market for a hair UV protectant, most formulas will be a leave-in cream, spray, or milk.
If you don't think a sunscreen or UV protectant spray is something you'll incorporate into your daily routine, Dr. Lal recommends a hat. "Hats are the best if you are going to be outside for long periods of time." Remember: Whichever form of sun protection you choose to use is the best form of sun protection.
Hair sunscreens contain specific molecules that either reflect UV light or absorb it, preventing it from reaching your hair and skin and damaging it," says Burg. There are two types of sunscreen, mineral vs chemical—let's break it down: Mineral sunscreen is like a shield and sits on top of your skin, and deflects UV rays, whereas chemical sunscreen absorbs UV rays, converts them into heat, and releases them from your skin.
Mineral sunscreen works for all skin types and is especially great for sensitive skin, yet it may come with a white cast. Chemical sunscreen tends to be sheerer and clearer but can pose a risk of irritation for those with reactive or sensitive skin. Ultimately, the choice is up to you, but all in all, the best sunscreen is the one you'll wear and one that is at least SPF 30—which is the minimum to keep your skin protected from the sun.
“Generally, SPF hair protectors contain similar ingredients to what you’d use on your skin,” says Burg. Remember: Your scalp is the extension of the skin on your face, so when choosing a scalp sunscreen, if you're particularly oily, your best bet would be to stick with a powder. If you're on the dryer side, choose a spray. If you have sensitive or acne-prone skin, use a mineral sunscreen.
When it comes to UV protectant sprays for your hair, if you tend to have oilier hair, choose a lightweight formula that's designed to not weigh your hair down. If you have coarse or dry and damaged hair, a super moisturizing leave-in cream should be your go-to.
Siena Gagliano is a beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, and has three years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and lifestyle news. She’s an expert at researching and writing beauty stories, like the best shampoo for a dry scalp, the difference between chemical and mineral sunscreen, and the best hair-growth oils. She regularly tests and analyzes hair sunscreens on her own hair and scalp for efficacy, while working with the industry’s top dermatologists, hairstylists, and trichologists to assess new formulas and brands.
Ruby Buddemeyer was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan for nearly three years and has five years of experience writing about beauty, fashion, and celebrity news across print and digital, including travel hair dryers and round brushes. Her hair sunscreen picks were based on product reviews, ratings, and personal testing, along with information from industry experts.
Siena Gagliano is the associate editor at Cosmopolitan, where she primarily covers beauty in the makeup, skin, and hair spaces, as well as some fashion and lifestyle. Wanna know how to get the best brows of your life? Gotchu. What about how to achieve ridiculously glowing skin, a super bouncy blowout, or exactly how to use that viral face mask? Check, check, and check. Before joining Cosmopolitan, Siena was a writer at Bustle and several other media outlets. As NYC's newest resident, she has vowed to find the best (extra) dirty martini this city has to offer—and yes, that means ~attempting~ to try every cute cocktail spot in the city (hit her up with some recs, pls). Follow Siena on Instagram where you'll see that her account is mostly dedicated to pics of her cute dog and that magazine life.
Ruby was the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covered beauty across print and digital. Her work has appeared on The Zoe Report, Fashionista, and StyleCaster. Follow her on Instagram.
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