Searching for scalp protection that won’t leave your hair greasy? These are our favourite hair and scalp sunscreens.
When we think about sunscreen, it’s often all about slathering it on our faces, arms, and legs – but don’t forget that your hair and scalp need protection too. Sunburned scalps can be seriously painful, no one wants a peeling hairline, and, most significantly of all, any burn can increase your risk of skin cancer. Plus, your actual hair can feel the sun’s effect as well, with constant UV exposure fading your colour and making each strand more brittle, causing breakage and less shine.
In good news, you don’t have to put up with the greasy, stickiness that can come from using your body sunscreen on your hairline any more. There’s now a whole category of hair and scalp sunscreens that are lightweight, non-greasy and effective. Look to sunscreens with high SPFs to protect your scalp. Plus, protective styling sprays for your strands. These are six of our favourites.
The best scalp sunscreens
Say no to scalp and hairline sunburn – as well as unstylish, greasy and heavy-looking strands, with these microfine mists with broad spectrum UV protection. They are exactly what your travel bag needs for easy-to-use protection.
Offering the high UVA and UVB protection your scalp needs without leaving your hair a white, greasy mess, this broad-spectrum mist is easy to apply quickly across your hair line. It also doesn't just protect your skin from sunburn. It nourishes your scalp and strands, courtesy of ingredients such as hydrating hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, so you won't even notice that you've used it – lack of a red scalp aside.
With its precision applicator, Coola's scalp SPF makes application (and reapplication easy) even when on-the-go from beach to restaurant and back again. The spray is lightweight to avoid greasy strands, and as well as providing UVA/UVB protection to avoid redness and peeling, it protects your hair colour too, with deeply nourishing ingredients and anti-fade technology included.
Designed as both a scalp and face spray, Ultrasun's formula has the benefit of being super quick drying, as it is made to be invisible both over makeup and when applied close to individual hair strands. That means you can be confident you won't struggle with a greasy finish. Plus, as an additional benefit, it doesn't contain alcohol which could dry out your hair in the sunshine.
The Hair Heroes
While styling products won’t protect your scalp from burning (so keep an eye on the ones above for that), the right spray will guard against colour fade and dryness, leading to healthier strands as well as the style of your dreams.
On the quest for effortless-looking beachy waves? This is the spray to use. Not only does the vegan texturiser help you increase volume and movement (without a crispy texture), it also helps protect your tresses from the sun with UV protective ingredients such as Hibiscus flower extract and pro vitamin B5. That’s not common considering a lot of texturisers actually dry out your strands leaving them more vulnerable to the sun.
Next time you are sat in the sun, take a second to touch the top of your head – it gets pretty hot doesn't it! That was the realisation that powered the creation of Evy's clever protective mousse, which uses UV filters combined with vitamins and oils to remoisturise heat-frazzled hair. You'll notice that your hair feels instantly softer, shinier and less tangled, even when out in the sun all day.
As well as smelling a little like a holiday in a bottle with its gorgeous citrusy aroma, Aveda's spray provides a lightweight, protective UVA and UVB veil over your scalp and hair. Not only is it invisible once applied, it also works to stop your tresses – whatever their curl pattern and length – looking and feeling dry and crispy.
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