If your sunscreen routine this doesn’t extended beyond your forehead, you’re overlooking an important detail. While using an SPF on your scalp and hair may seem unnecessary, it’s far from a frivolous step. Skin experts agree that, just like choosing the right sunscreen for your face, safeguarding your scalp is essential.
Featured in this article
Sun Bum Scalp and Hair Mist SPF 30 Sunscreen
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Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Moist Sun Serum SPF50+
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Coola Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist with SPF 30
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Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
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Hershesons Air Dry Spray with UV Protection
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Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
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Oars + Alps Face and Scalp Mist Sunscreen SPF 35
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“Your scalp is an extension of the skin on your face,” says general practitioner Anita Sturnham, MD. “In the same way that UV rays can damage your skin cells and accelerate facial skin aging, we also know that it can harm your scalp and hair follicles.” Most notably causing sunburn (which can increase the risk of developing skin cancer), but there are also other consequences of sun lounging without adequate scalp protection; they include brittle or damaged hair, premature aging (leading to unhealthy hair), itchiness and flaking.
This is where a great scalp sunscreen comes into play. The ideal option needs to be non-greasy, lightweight, and easy to apply. To suss out the best scalp sunscreen options, we chatted with dermatologists and gathered their tried-and-true favorites—everything you need to know, below.
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Best Overall: Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Scalp and Hair Mist
- Why We Love It: Specifically formulated for the scalp, Sun Bum’s SPF hair mist can be a great addition to your sun-protection routine. Lauren Moy, MD, a board certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist says this scalp sunscreen is one of her favorites. She loves that it features a nozzle that makes application a breeze, plus it’s water-resistant.
- Key Ingredients: Sunflower Seed oil
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical
- SPF Level: 30
- Type: Spray
- Size: 2 fl oz
Best Non-Greasy: Beauty of Joseon Ginseng Sun Serum SPF50+
- Why We Love It: With a texture typical of the best K-beauty finds, this fast-absorbing serum is well-suited to the scalp. For starters, it has advanced PA++++ filters–the kind you can only find in Korean and Japanese sunscreens–for additional sun protection, and a non-sticky formula with no white cast. Second, it helps a long list of scalp issues, thanks to a formula rich in niacinamide and anti-inflammatory ginseng.
- Key Ingredients: Ginseng extract, adenosine
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical
- SPF Level: 50+
- Type: Serum
- Size: 50ml
Best Styler: Hershesons Air Dry Spray with UV Protection
- Why We Love It: While this formula is not designed to protect your scalp entirely, it is a great styling formula that contains added sun protection to fend off UV rays on the hair’s surface–preventing color fade, breakage and so on. Creating a tousled texture (no heat needed), all you need to do is mist into the hair, then twist and scrunch for your beachy-est hair yet. A multitasking wonder!
- Key Ingredients: Gum Arabic, aloe vera
- Chemical or Mineral: N/A
- SPF Level: N/A
- Type: Spray
- Size: 100ml
Best Powder: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Shield SPF 50
- Why We Love It: Mineral sunscreens act like a physical guard against UV rays, but subsequently often leave a chalky finish that can result in a white cast. Enter Colorscience’s zinc-based brush-on sunscreen, which offers people of several skin tones a way to protect partings on the scalp without adding grease. Also in the mix are free radical-neutralizing antioxidants to ward off UV-induced damage, and a powdered form of hyaluronic acid to keep your scalp comfortably hydrated.
- Key Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide 22.5%; Zinc Oxide 22.5%, hyaluronic acid, EnviroScreen Technology
- Chemical or Mineral: Mineral
- SPF Level: 50
- Type: Powder
- Size: 6g
Best Applicator: Coola SPF30 Organic Scalp & Hair Mist
- Why We love it: For quick and easy application right at the roots, look to Coola’s SPF 30 mist. “The nozzle on this easily gets through my thick afro-textured hair to dispense sunscreen precisely where it’s needed–it’s neither greasy, nor drying,” says former beauty shopping writer Tracy Achonwa. “On those very hot days where the sun beats down, it is super soothing to apply, with centella asiatica and panthenol on hand to alleviate burning sensations.”
- Key Ingredients: Gotu kola extract, panthenol, monoi oil
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical
- SPF Level: 30
- Type: Spray
- Size: 2 fl oz
Best Scent: Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
- Why We Love It: Not only does this condition and perfume your hair with an incredible neroli aroma, but it is also infused with antioxidants to defend against pollution and UV damage. Aveda’s mist is composed of potent plant extracts and utilises natural UV filters that form a light shield around the strands to block out harmful rays.
- Key Ingredients: Glycerin, sunflower seed oil, coconut oil, shea butter
- Chemical or Mineral: N/A
- SPF Level: N/A
- Type: Spray
- Size: 3.4 fl oz/100 ml
Best Mist: Oars + Alps Face and Scalp Mist SPF 35
- Why We Love It: This easy-to-apply mist is ideal for protecting your face, scalp, ears, and the back of your neck. Its non-greasy, lightweight, and features ingredients that can help nourish your scalp (think: antioxidant rich safflower and sunflower seed oils.
- Key Ingredients: Aloe vera, safflower seed oil, sunflower seed oil
- Chemical or Mineral: Chemical
- SPF Level: 35
- Type: Spray
- Size: 1.5 fl oz
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