Top 11 Best Sunscreens For Scalp And Hair – Reviews Of 2022

1. Best Color-Safe Formula:Sun Bum Heat Protector Spray

Want a lightweight sunscreen for your hair and scalp? Get this spray that will protect your beautiful locks against the sun and other heat styling tools. Also, it will decrease blow-drying time and safeguard your scalp and hair from any thermal damage or breakage. Suitable for all hair types, this aromatic sunscreen spray is infused with several natural ingredients like giant sea kelp extract that softens and strengthens your strands with shine and moisture, and vitamin c-rich noni fruit extract that removes impurities from your scalp. It is great for use in a humid climate as it will keep your hair frizz-free, hydrated, and healthy while keeping your scalp nourished. Pros

Vegan Gluten-free Hair color-safe Not tested on animals Free of sulfate, paraben, and phthalate

Cons

Hair might feel slightly greasy

2. Best Fast-Drying Formula:Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Sunscreen Spray

Get this SPF 30 spray for your hair and scalp to provide ultra-lightweight yet intense protection against harmful UV rays. Now, you do not have to worry about stepping out during sunny days as this sunscreen spray will keep your tresses safe with its effective broad spectrum protection feature. It won’t weigh your hair down or leave it feeling slick. Also, this spray can be applied to dry or wet hair and is free of chemicals like octinoxate or oxybenzone. This easy-to-apply sunscreen should be used 15 minutes before you go out, and remember to reapply every two hours for long-lasting results. Pros

Fast-drying Reef-safe Won’t dry out hair Non-greasy sunscreen spray Water-resistant for up to 80 minutes

Cons

May leave some residue

3. Best Water-Resistant Formula:COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Sunscreen Mist

Looking for a water-resistant sunscreen for your hair? Try this scalp and hair mist that will provide protection against sun exposure with its 70%+ certified organic ingredients. It comes with broad-spectrum SPF 30 protection to prevent your scalp from sunburns and your hair from being damaged. With natural ocean-salted sage fragrance, this sunscreen spray does not leave any oily residue on your hair after application. This vegan hair product is formulated with panthenol, gotu kola extract, and monoi oil, and does not contain gluten, paraben, and GMO. Pros

Color-safe Cruelty-free Lightweight Reef-friendly Rich in antioxidants

Cons

May not be travel-friendly

4. Best Reef-Safe Formula:Healium aiHr Hairspray With Sunscreen

Opt for this buildable spray that is perfect for fine and thin hair types. Leaving no residue behind, this sunscreen for thinning hair will protect your scalp and hair against destructive UV rays without making your tresses sticky or greasy. This water-soluble formula works great in humid conditions as well. It is formulated with hydrolyzed silk that provides luminous shine to your hair from roots to tips and aloe vera that helps reduce your hair’s ability to pull in moisture from the air, leaving you with silky, smooth, and healthy strands. This lightweight sunscreen spray comes with a non-drying feature that provides nourishment to frizzy hair and makes brushing your hair effortless. Pros

Reef-safe Soothing fragrance Color and keratin-safe Not tested on animals Free of sulfate and paraben

Cons

May not be suitable for sensitive scalp

5. Best Lightweight Formula:AVEDA Sun Care Protective Hair Veil

Want an invisible sun protective product for hair? Then, this UV defense mist for scalp and hair will impress you! This sunscreen spray for hair and scalp protects dry and damaged hair from sun exposure and makes it healthy without leaving any residue. With a three-part defense and recovery system, this sunscreen mist is hugely effective when you have to spend hours under the sun, exposing your scalp and hair to the possibility of burns and damage. Its UVA/UVB filters are created from cinnamon bark oils and wintergreen extract that prevent your tresses from drying due to harmful UV rays. Start off by spraying a small amount of this product and then layer it as needed without saturating your hair. Pros

Lightweight Cruelty-free Water-resistant Safe sunscreen for color-treated hair Suitable for all hair types

Cons

Hair might feel greasy

6. Best For Everyday Use:Cremo Clear Sunscreen For Scalp And Hair

On the hunt for a sunscreen for your oily scalp? Try this dry sunscreen formula that stays dry making even the oiliest scalp clean and non-greasy. You can apply it directly onto your hair without ruining your hairstyle, as no residue will be left behind. With UVA/UVB broad-spectrum, this serum’s SPF 30 feature protects your tresses and scalp from damage, leaving you with strong, silky, and voluminous hair. This shine-free formula helps remove impurities and dirt from your scalp while moisturizing and protecting your strands. Pros

Odorless Affordable For everyday use Ultra-lightweight Water-resistant for up to 40 minutes

Cons

May not be ideal for sensitive scalp

7. Best Formula With SPF:Calypso Scalp Protection

If you are looking for a scalp protector to easily fit into your pocket then The Calypso Scalp Protection is your ideal pick. It is specially formulated to offer instant protection to the scalp and hair. You can directly spray this on your hair and scalp with ease. It comes with SPF 30 and is fortified with quality ingredients to offer protection from UVA and UVB rays. Sun damage can lead to brittle, frizzy, and discolored hair. So, use this lightweight spray to keep your locks healthy and lustrous. Pros

Vegan Quick dry Easy to use Water-resistant Dermatologist-tested

Cons

May feel greasy

8. Best Sweat-Resistant Formula:Clarins SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray

Protect your scalp and hair from the drying effects of the sun with this SPF 30 dry oil spray that is made using natural and organic ingredients. This formula contains Indonesian Nyamplung oil, senna, plane tree, aloe vera, gold cob, and sycamore extracts that keep your hair healthy and strong, fight free radicals, soften and soothe strands along with providing nourishment to your scalp. Though this spray is formulated with various oils, it will not make your tresses oily. Your hair will be oil-free and non-greasy, with no residue left behind. Pros

Lightweight Long-lasting Water-resistant Sweat-resistant Dermatologist-tested

Cons

Expensive

9. Best Non-Sticky Formula:Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray

Go out on a sunny day without worrying about sunburn with this sunscreen spray that protects your scalp and hair from UV rays. This broad-spectrum SPF 50+ sunscreen is a multi-environment defense system that provides active protection from hair damage. So, even if the climate is humid, this spray will work efficiently, leaving you with healthier and softer tresses. Also, this spray nourishes your scalp and helps get rid of impurities and dirt. This sunscreen can also be used for the face and body, covering and protecting you wholly from sun damage. Pros

Non-sticky Easy to use Non-comedogenic Water-resistant (80 minutes) Dermatologist and ophthalmologist-tested

Cons

Might have an unpleasant smell

10. Best Scent:Suntique I’m Hair Sun & Treatment

Try this sunscreen for your hair and scalp to experience 3-in-1 benefits, including UV protection, nutrition and gloss, and prevention of hair loss. This product protects your scalp and hair from harmful sun rays so that you enjoy your outdoor activities worry-free. It also treats damaged hair and provides it shine and nutrition, adding life to dull hair. And it prevents hair loss without causing any further damage. Formulated with 90% natural ingredients, this sunscreen spray is a blend of argan oil, sunflower seed oil, and keratin complex that helps lock in moisture and prevents your tresses from drying because of UV rays. Pros

Color-safe Non-sticky Value for money Light, refreshing floral fragrance Prevents colored hair from fading

Cons

May not be long-lasting

11. Best Anti-Frizzy Formula:Soleil Shield Protection Finishing Spray

Protect your damaged and color-treated hair from the UV rays with the Soleil Shield Protection Finishing Spray. It is infused with botanical extracts that add shine to your hair, strengthen your dry and sun-damaged hair, and make them manageable. This protection spray is packed with the goodness of natural plant-based ingredients like green tea, jojoba protein, and rosemary extract that coats each strand with a protective layer for overall hair health. Pros

Reduces frizz Safe for color treated hair Cruelty-free Vegan

Cons None Before you make a decision, take a look at a few points that will help you choose the right sunscreen.

Buying Guide 

How To Choose Sunscreen For Scalp And Hair

The right sunscreen for scalp and hair should have a high SPF number. It should be more than 15. Try to go for all-natural or organic sunscreens. It will minimize the possibility of an allergic reaction. Your hair product should not contain sulfate and paraben as avoiding these ingredients prevent hair damage and breakage. Choose a long-lasting sunscreen that can provide extra protection from sun, dirt, or any environmental changes for a longer period. Pick a sunscreen that is water and sweat-resistant. This ensures the product stays on your scalp and hair even in humidity.

How To Use Sunscreen For Scalp And Hair

Step 1: Blow-dry your hair after hair wash. Step 2: Apply or spray a sufficient amount of the product onto your hair and scalp 15 minutes before sun exposure. Step 3: If it is a spray, apply it evenly from roots to tips by keeping it at a distance. Also, it is best to apply the sunscreen to your hairline and any thinning or balding spots. Step 4: Reapply the sunscreen every 2 hours for better results.

Why Trust Stylecraze?

Kirtana Divakar is passionate about finding the best hair care products for her readers. She carried the same enthusiasm to collate this list of best sunscreens for scalp and hair. She put this list together after carefully considering the product’s UV protection capacity, ingredient list, and non-greasy formulations. She has also studied many customer reviews to list the pros and cons of each product. A buying guide is also included to help you choose the best product. Can hair grow on burnt scalp? Generally, a sunburnt scalp does not cause hair loss. However, you might lose some hair when the skin peels off, but rest assured hair will regrow. Can we use regular sunscreen on our scalp? No. Only if it is mentioned on the sunscreen bottle that it can be used for hair and scalp, you should use it on your scalp. How can I protect my scalp from the sun? Use scalp sunscreens, wear caps and scarves, and apply nourishing oils to protect your scalp from the sun. Is there such a thing as hair sunscreen? Yes, like facial sunscreen, hair sunscreens are designed specially to protect your scalp from harmful sun rays. Is scalp sunscreen necessary? Scalp sunscreen is necessary because the scalp is still exposed to UV radiation, which can cause sunburn or skin cancer. Can the scalp get sunburned through hair? Yes. Although your hair shields most of your scalp from damaging UV rays, the hairline and break line is exposed. Why does my scalp sunburn so easily? Your scalp gets sunburned easily due to overexposure to the sun and lack of scalp protection. Does coconut oil protect the hair from the sun? Yes, coconut oil protects the hair from the sun and helps keep it healthy and vibrant when exposed to the sun for an extended period.

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