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10 hair and scalp sunscreens to protect your head and locks this summer
FYI: SPF isn't just for your skin
You might laugh at the idea of a hair and scalp SPF. It's OK, we get it, it sounds extra AF. But we're here to tell you that if you think it's not needed, then you're wrong. So, so wrong.
Just like your skin, the sun can wreck havoc on your head. I mean, anyone with fine hair can vouch for the pain that is caused when the sun catches (and burns!) your scalp. Think about it: your scalp is skin, too! And in regards to your hair, although the damage caused can't lead to more serious things like skin cancer, the UV rays can fry your locks until they become a frazzled mess, no less. Not cute.
But don't just take our word for it. "UV rays, in fact, have a similar effect on your hair as bleach – they oxidise and degrade its protein structure and damage the disulphide bonds that hold it together," explains Anabel Kingsley, consultant trichologist and president of haircare brand Philip Kingsley. Ouch.
She continues: "UV ray exposure therefore reduces your hair’s elasticity, lessens its ability to hold a style, and increases its porosity (i.e. how readily it absorbs water). And as a result, your locks become dry, brittle and much less manageable, dropping and/or frizzing faster than they would if they were in good condition."
Though, fear not for hair/scalp sunscreens work in a similar way to the trusty bottle of suncream that you slather on your bod'. When you spritz them on your head and strands, they'll coat it with clever molecules that either absorb the sun's UV rays or reflect them, so they bounce off before they get the chance to do any frazzling.
Plus, if your hair has been coloured, they're imperative. I mean, as many of us know the sun will bleach TF out of your strands which may result in a lift of the colour and turning any ashy tones warm and brassy (boo).
Sold? You've gotta be. Shop the winners we've hand-picked here. No need to thank us.
Wella Professionals Care Invigo Sun UV Hair Color Protection Spray
This savvy spray keeps your strands soft and healthy, despite the sun's damaging UV rays. Pro-vitamin B5 helps to restore and repair straw-like locks, like it's no biggie. Apply vigorously before and during sun exposure for maximum protection, and again after getting your hair wet.
NUXE NUXE Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil for Hair 100ml
This lightweight mist protects against UVA/UVB salt water and chlorine, while also nourishing your hair with a blend of oils. And it smells divine with notes of sweet orange and vanilla.
Supergoop! (Re)Setting Mineral Powder SPF 30
There's nothing better than a multi-use product. And whilst this mineral powder may seem like it was created just for the face, you can also use it in your hair and on your scalp. The zinc oxide in the genius formula not only acts as sunscreen but it also helps prevent dandruff, too. Win win if you ask us.
Bumble and bumble Hairdresser's Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer 60ml
This Bumble and bumble Hairdressers Invisible Oil Heat/UV Protective Primer is not only a great heat protection spray that nourishes from root to tip, but it will also strengthen your hair. Powered by a multitude of conditioning ingredients (aka a blend of six featherlight oils), the primer forms a defensive barrier against the damage caused by hair straighteners, curlers, blowdrys and of course, the sun. Anti-UV is the way to go!
AVEDA Sun Care Protective Hair Veil 100ml
Judging by the 5-star reviews, this little bottle brings protection by the bucketload. An incredibly lightweight formula, this one's for you, if your hair is fine. It fights dryness like a pro, thanks to the inclusion of softening natural oils, and offers ongoing defence. Just remember to reapply.
Sam McKnight Sundaze Sea Spray
Love how your hair looks after a day on the beach? You might not also love how it feels... This clever sea spray uses natural sea salt to give you the toussled texture you love, but combined with conditioning ingredients and with Heliogenol, a Sunflower Seed Extract which protects the hair from UVA/UVB damage.
Bumble and bumble Prét-à-powder Très Invisible Dry Shampoo 150ml
If hot weather leaves your hair a sweaty greasy mess, and you're less inclined toward super nourishing formulas, this clever little dry shampoo has UV protection.
Philip Kingsley Swimcap Water Resistant Mask 75ml
Created for the US Olympic synchronised swim team (so you know it's good), Swimcap is a water-resistant moisturising cream that contains UV filter and will give your hair a helping hand against the havoc caused by chlorine, salt water, sweat and sun. It works like a charm on coloured hair, too, stopping unassuming strands from turning a ghastly green tone. That's everything we'd want from a hair protector, then.
Michael Van Clarke LifeSaver UV Leave-in Styling Treatment
Hair shrinks and wastes away under the sun’s rays and not only that, but long hair would take three to four years to fully replace the damage at the ends. Plus, in that time, you might have had this punishment repeated a dozen times on successive holidays. That's where LifeSaver UV Leave-in Styling Treatment comes into play as the sun protection for hair. Pump this into the hair twice daily and you need not worry.
Free from mineral oil, SLES, paraffin wax, silicones and synthetic dyes, this Korres formula uses sunflower extract, aloe vera and pro-vitamin B5 to nourish and protect.
Gaby is the Senior Beauty Writer here at Cosmopolitan.com/UK. Her favourite hobbies include sleeping, eating cake till she can't move and uncontrollably hoarding beauty products.
Lia Mappoura (she/her) is the Beauty Assistant at Cosmopolitan UK. Covering everything from viral celebrity hair and makeup news to the latest trend predictions, she’s an expert in recognising the season’s next big beauty look (before it ends up all over your social media feeds). You’ll usually find her putting TikTok’s recent beauty hacks to the Hype Test, challenging the gender-makeup binary and social stereotypes, or fangirling over the time Kourtney Kardashian viewed her Instagram Story (yes, it’s true). Find her also on LinkedIn.
Elena Chabo is Cosmopolitan UK's beauty writer, working on everything from buzzy celeb news and trending beauty, to sincere first-person reviews and engaging video content for social media. She also creates meatier features and expert-led how-to guides, for print and online. Her passion for Black beauty, textured hair, and the ways beauty interacts with culture, society, identity and relationships, quickly took over her writing career and led her into beauty journalism.
Following an MA in Magazine Journalism in 2017, she cut her teeth across various roles at Stylist Magazine, before taking on a Digital Writer role at Good Housekeeping. It was here that beauty took centre stage and she launched and ran the site's first stand-alone beauty section. Remaining at Hearst, she joined the Cosmo beauty team in 2022. Find her on LinkedIn.
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