If you're preparing for a long-awaited holiday (or simply spending the warmer months at home), it's time to consider finding the best sun protection for hair. You’ve got your go-to suncream and invested in a great facial SPF, (no, that token dose in your foundation is never enough), but your tresses and scalp need to be protected too.
According to research, excessive sun exposure is the most damaging factor to the structure of our hair, with UVA rays fading colour and UVB leading to breakage – yet a study by Philip Kingsley found that only 18 per cent of us consciously protect our lengths in the summer months.
Best UV protectors for hair
Best overall
Clarins Sun Care Oil Mist for Body and Hair SPF30
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Best for sensitive scalps
Ultrasun UV Face & Scalp Mist SPF 50
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Best for damaged hair
Oribe Invisible Defense Universal Protection Spray
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Best for shine
Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil for Hair
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Best for chlorine protection
Philip Kingsley Swimcap
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Meet the experts
- Anabel Kingsley, trichologist at Philip Kingsley.
- Sam McKnight, renowned hairstylist and founder of Hair by Sam McKnight
- Kimberly Medd, clinic lead at online skincare retailer Face The Future
"In the same way that heat protection is essential to protect hair against hot tools, our scalp and strands needs shielding from sun exposure," explains Kimberly Medd. "Just like your skin, your hair has melanin pigment cells that react to the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Whilst the hair cannot burn from UV rays, high exposure can cause it to become faded, dry and brittle and break more easily."
And of course, it's not just our hair that should be protected from the heat, but our scalps too. "In high UV exposure, our scalp is often forgotten about. It does need protection against the sun, even with hair that's acting as a partial shield to block and protect the scalp," adds Medd.
Why do you need sun protection for hair?
“UV rays can seriously dry out and weaken your strands, especially if your hair is already in bad condition” explains Anabel Kingsley. “Prolonged sun exposure degrades the protein structure of hair, often resulting in low elasticity, breakage, split ends and lack of shine.”
"The sun’s rays act on hair much like bleach. UVB oxidises the pigment cells, which is why it becomes lighter in the sun.” And the damage doesn’t stop there – as Kingsley explains, UVA can have a long-term effect on hair integrity. “The sun’s rays can also degrade the actual protein structure of your hair and weaken its disulphide bonds (the ‘glue’ that hold your strands together). This can make hair brittle, dry and overly porous.
So, it seems the only way to enjoy the sun without any after-effects is to protect yourself from head to toe. Thankfully, it’s not all about slathering a sticky suncream into your lengths – now, a host of advanced new SPFs for hair are hitting the shelves, promising to protect your lengths from the sun, sea and chlorine at the same time.
How we test
On varying hair types and needs, we put each formula to the test and observe its nourishing effects, how the texture feels on the hair and how the hair feels after a day out in the sun, pool, and the beach.
The best hair sunscreens for year-round protection
This lightweight SPF30 mist can we spritzed across skin and hair alike, creating a shield against UV rays that never feels greasy or heavy. Apply evenly, generously and frequently for long-lasting protection and a healthy post-holiday glow.
- Texture: Mist
- Key ingredients: Argan oil, aloe vera
- Best for: Dry hair, sunny days out
Aveda's sun protection spray is a good choice for anyone who prefers a light product. UVA and UVB filters are combined with antioxidants and lightly moisturising oils to keep fine, flyaway hair protected in all climes.
- Texture: Mist
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, vitamin E, shea butter
- Best for: Dry hair, coloured hair
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A brilliant product to stash in your bag on holiday, Ultrasun's trusted SPF can be misted over your face and scalp as often as needed (every hour or so if you're under the midday sun). The gentle formula is fragrance and alcohol free, and is completely reef-safe.
- Texture: Mist
- Key ingredients: Coconut derivatives, emollient undecane
- Best for: Sensitive or dry scalps, beach holidays
This mist-in protective spray keeps your strands safe from the damaging effects of the sun as well as your straighteners. Deeply conditioning, it'll make parched ends feel instantly softer, and imparts reflective shine too. A good choice for finer hair that tends to feel overloaded.
- Texture: Mist
- Key ingredients: Chia seed extract, caffeine, rice bran extract
- Best for: Frizzy, weak or coloured hair
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Sachajuan's hydrating cream contains filters that'll keep strands protected against chlorine, saltwater and UV rays, yet doesn't look oily or feel sticky, even on fine hair. It offers gentle styling hold, perfect for low-key hair that still looks defined and fresh. Apply on damp or dry hair and comb through for even coverage.
- Texture: Cream
- Key ingredients: Red algae extract, panthenol
- Best for: Swimming, styling, coloured hair
Nuxe's hair-specific sunscreen oil is perfect for hair that tends to feel straw-like after a day under the rays. It's rich and decadent, with a base of jojoba and coconut oils, yet washes out with a single shampoo – and of course, the smell is divine too. Use it to slick your strands back while by the sea.
- Texture: Oil-mist
- Key ingredients: Coconut oil, jojoba oil, panthenol
- Best for: Hydration, scent
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Sam McKnight's triumphant summer formula is really a styling product first and a protective tonic second. Misted lightly over lengths, it'll encourage textured waves and curls without the crunchy feeling that most salt sprays produce: it's "sea-kissed texture like the ultimate Ibizan cool girl," as the man himself puts it. The UV protection is a (very welcome) bonus.
- Texture: Mist
- Key ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, hibiscus extract
- Best for: Volume, beachy hair
Before getting in the pool, protect your hair with this nourishing, protective mask that prevents dryness and damage caused by chlorine. Instead, it uses hydrolysed elastin to strengthen strands and plant oils to maintain moisture. It was originally developed for the US Olympic Synchronised Swimming Team, so you know it's reliable.
- Texture: Cream
- Key ingredients: Pro-vitamin B5, hibiscus extract
- Best for: Swimming, coloured hair, dry hair
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How does chlorine affect hair?
As legendary hairstylist Sam McKnight adds, it's not only the sun that poses a threat to your lengths on exotic shores. "Chlorine can dehydrate hair and weaken strands, making them more prone to breakage and split ends," he explains. Some hair types will be more susceptible to this damage than others, with McKnight mentioning "hair that has been colour treated, bleached, chemically straightened or permed" as needing special consideration, as well as "thin, dry and fragile hair with existing damage."
Chlorine-related damage typically leads to hair that "feels dry and looks dull, possibly with more split ends and frizz than usual," says McKnight. And that's not all: your colour can be affected by that morning dip in the pool too.
"Chlorine bonds with other metals in water, such as copper and iron. It can make hair take on an ashy, green tone, which is more noticeable on lighter shades – especially blondes. Chlorine will also strip colour-treated hair, so always protect yours when swimming to sleep your colour true and vibrant."
