The 9 Finest Scalp Sunscreens of 2023
Because of aesthetic packaging and luxe components, we really look ahead to incorporating sunscreen into our each day skincare routine, however one space we regularly overlook is our scalps. Try to be slathering on SPF day-after-day from head to toe, in line with Dr. Wolinsky, who provides that pores and skin most cancers, notably nonmelanoma pores and skin cancers, can happen on the scalp as a consequence of repeated UV rays over years of solar publicity.
“The surgical remedy of those pores and skin cancers is tougher than in different areas of the physique and can be larger threat than in different places,” explains Dr. Wolinsky. Sadly, whereas your hair offers some safety, it received’t save your scalp from dangerous UV rays, and the solar could be simply as damaging to your strands as it’s to your pores and skin.
And, look, as a lot as we love the trucker hat pattern, they’re not at all times acceptable to put on 24/7, which implies it’s important to discover a scalp sunscreen with a system that works finest in your way of life, pores and skin sensitivities, and hair kind. We carried out hours of analysis on the perfect scalp sunscreens, evaluating formulation on kind, lively SPF components, and SPF degree. We additionally took into consideration how every product advantages scalp and hair well being, as a result of these merchandise is usually a two-for-one, offering UV safety in addition to hair and scalp well being.
Finest General
Solar Bum Scalp and Hair Mist
As one of many few merchandise particularly focused to guard your scalp and hair, Dr. Wolinsky recommends this decide from Solar Bum for its light-weight system and straightforward utility. The 30 SPF broad spectrum sunscreen is tremendous efficient at defending burns alongside your half line, however don’t be shocked for those who additionally discover your hair appears more healthy, too, after spritzing on the vegan system.
Antioxidant-rich components, like sunflower seed oil, are an additional advantage to this scalp sunscreen, because it incorporates Vitamin E which might help strengthen your hair and enhance shine. Nevertheless, we’re simply as happy about what the system leaves out, like hair-drying sulfates and octinoxate and oxybenzone—two probably dangerous chemical compounds in your well being and the atmosphere.1
Whereas some reviewers say the product leaves their strands just a little greasy, we’ll take a slicked-back model over a sunburn any day.
Value at time of publish: $17
Kind: Spray | Measurement: 2 oz | SPF: 30 | Lively Components: Avobenzone 3%, Homosalate 10%, Octisalate 5%, Octocrylene 4% | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest Funds
Neutrogena Seaside Protection Sunscreen Spray
Selecting up sunscreen on the drugstore isn’t an unfamiliar exercise, however choosing the proper one can imply the distinction between a burned, greasy scalp and whole safety. By means of our analysis, we discovered that the Neutrogena sunscreen is without doubt one of the finest sprays for avoiding cheesy residue and oily strands.
Don’t take our phrase for it—the no-frills product racked up over 5,000 5-star Amazon opinions singing the praises of its dependable and non-comedogenic system that will get the job performed by saving pores and skin from painful sunburns.
We’re glad it’s one of many extra reasonably priced picks on this record as a result of prospects additionally say it’s not essentially the most proof against sweat and water, inflicting them to reapply incessantly.
Value at time of publish: $9
Kind: Spray | Measurement: 6.5oz | SPF: 70 | Lively Components: Homosalate 15% | Cruelty Free: No
Finest Splurge
Colorscience Sunforgettable Whole Safety Brush-On Protect SPF 50
Nordstrom
Look, we love a Gomez or a Garner-recommended magnificence product, however concerning sunscreen, we belief nobody’s judgment greater than the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis. The group manufacturers its seal of approval on this sunscreen, and so can we, because of its barely detectable end, water resistant system, and 4 shades starting from honest to deep.
Most significantly, the sunscreen offers 50 broad spectrum protection from UVB and UVA injury. The previous is accountable for the sunburn you see on prime of your pores and skin, the place UVA rays penetrate deeper to trigger free radical injury that results in darkish spots and hyperpigmentation.2
To reap these advantages and get the product to dispense appropriately (some reviewers be aware it may be difficult), we propose giving it a number of very exhausting faucets in opposition to a stable floor and rubbing your finger over the comb to verify for proof of powder earlier than making use of it to your scalp.
Value at time of publish: $69
Kind: Powder | Measurement: 0.21 oz | SPF: 50 | Lively Components: Titanium Dioxide 22.5%; Zinc Oxide 22.5% | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest Powder
Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Half Powder SPF 35
Should you ask the web (and our editors), Supergoop!’s merchandise are so good they deserve a particular spot in your shelf, and this decide deserves one in your hair. It doesn’t harm that it additionally comes extremely advisable by Dr. Wolinksy, who tells us along with having a non-greasy system, it additionally incorporates a excessive proportion of zinc— an incredible bodily UV ray blocker.
As a bonus, this multi-purpose product feels weightless as it really works to cease solar injury and doubles as a dry shampoo to sop up further oil. However, needless to say it doesn’t do it on the sly— some reviewers with darker hair colours seen it left behind a slight residue.
Value at time of publish: $34
Kind: Powder | Measurement: 0.71 oz | Lively Components: Zinc Oxide 24.7% | SPF: 35 | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest Stick
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+
Like along with your lip balm or deodorant, a sunscreen stick is a neater solution to instantly apply safety the place you want it most, equivalent to bald spots or half strains. Moreover, they’re often much less messy than sprays or powders—notably the Shiseido sunscreen stick, which glides on simply. Critically— the one cause you’ll keep in mind it’s there’s if you return inside with no sunburn in sight.
It’s exhausting to argue with over 1,000 5-star opinions on Sephora raving about its resistance to solar, sweat, and water. Additionally, the sunscreen disengages from the standard scent paying homage to summer season camp and as a substitute has a extra grown-up and lightweight citrusy aroma, just like a luxe spa.
That mentioned, fragrances can generally trigger irritation, so possibly skip this decide when you’ve got extraordinarily delicate pores and skin.
Value at time of publish: $30
Kind: Stick | Measurement: 0.7 oz | Lively Components: Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 10.0 | SPF: 50 | Cruelty Free: No
Finest for the Hair
COOLA Scalp & Hair Mist Natural Sunscreen SPF 30
Dr. Orit Markowitz, a board-certified dermatologist, beforehand advisable this spray sunscreen as a substitute for the generally messy formulation and white casts powder choices can depart behind.
This one, nevertheless, permits you to shortly hop into the body of a seashore selfie, as a result of the hassle-free utility dries down quick with out feeling sticky. And, whereas we are able to’t assure it’ll provide the shiny strands of a Hadid sister, its system incorporates key vitamin-rich humectants like monoi oil and panthenol to get you one step nearer.
Phrase to the smart, although, superb or skinny hair customers ought to spritz some dry shampoo earlier than making use of it: The product can depart some scalps oily.
Value at time of publish: $28
Kind: Spray | Measurement: 2 oz | Lively Components: Avobenzone 2.5%, Homosalate 6.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 7.0% | SPF: 30 | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest Mineral
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Translucent Sunscreen Powder Brush SPF 30
The place chemical sunscreens soak up the solar’s rays, mineral formulation use titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to dissolve UV rays earlier than they ever contact your pores and skin.3 Each are efficient at defending in opposition to solar injury, however since bodily sunscreen components could be much less inflammatory than these present in chemical formulation, you might go for this selection when you’ve got delicate pores and skin.
Offering UVA and UVB protection, we’re keen on Hawaiian Tropic’s light-weight really feel, and people with acne-prone pores and skin will profit from its non-comedogenic system. Plus, the place many mineral formulation depart behind a white forged, this one’s translucent end is sort of undetectable.
When you perceive the knack for dishing out the system from its container (faucet it in opposition to a tough floor a number of instances), the pocket-sized device can be nice for reapplying on the go.
Value at time of publish: $19
Kind: Powder | Measurement: 0.15oz | Lively Components: Zinc oxide 24.5% | SPF: 30 | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest for Delicate Pores and skin
Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF 30 Dry Sunscreen
Board-certified dermatologist Dr. Lian Mack beforehand keyed us into this product as an possibility that’s not solely an incredible addition to your #selfie but additionally feels higher in your hair than a sticky cream or spray. The beautiful packaging drew our eyes, but it surely’s the broad spectrum protection that caught the Pores and skin Most cancers Basis’s consideration, incomes it their seal of approval.
Whereas everybody can reap the benefits of the vegan system’s moisturizing components equivalent to pomegranate fruit and jap pine bark extract, those that have delicate pores and skin will recognize the potential irritants it leaves out, like fragrances and sulfates.
Select from 4 shades, together with the barely-there translucent one which disguises itself in your strands. It could, nevertheless, be extra noticeable in your clothes because the product has some fallout when making use of it.
Value at time of publish: $55
Kind: Powder | Measurement: 0.18oz | Lively Components: Titanium Dioxide 17% | SPF: 30 | Cruelty Free: Sure
Finest Aftercare
Rahua Aloe Vera Hair Gel
Macy’s
Whether or not you stayed at an outside live performance one music too lengthy or simply forgot to reapply, generally sunburns are inevitable, however additional irritation is avoidable. This gel from one among our favourite clear magnificence manufacturers offers our hair with a tall glass of water and rejuvenates parched strands with out inflicting our scalp additional irritation.
Whereas it doesn’t include any SPF—because the product’s supposed goal isn’t to guard you from the solar—the gel makes use of plant-based components to assuage the scalp and assist in therapeutic hair injury. Aloe vera, omega-rich rahua oil, cucumber, and inexperienced chlorophyll work synergistically to model and revitalize hair for easy, non-aggravating outcomes.
Value at time of publish: $32
Kind: Gel | Measurement: 4oz | Key Components: Aloe vera, sugar cane, rahua oil | SPF: 0 | Cruelty Free: Sure
Remaining Verdict
Our greatest general decide is the Solar Bum Scalp and Hair Mist, which incorporates a 30 SPF and is free from octinoxate and oxybenzone. We additionally love how this mist doubles as a styling product, giving your tresses a pure wanting sheen. For a extra reasonably priced decide, think about the Neutrogena Seaside Protection Spray Sunscreen, a top-rated decide that boasts a 70 SPF and absorbs into scalp and hair simply.
What to Search for in a Scalp Sunscreen
Components
Identical to with our pores and skin, King tells us sunscreen incorporates the identical set of solar filters which are both bodily (aka mineral), chemical, or a mix of each. “The one two FDA-approved bodily sunscreens are titanium dioxide and zinc oxide,” explains King. She provides that each one different sunscreen merchandise use chemical ones, “which incorporates avobenzone, oxybenzone, octocrylene, homosalate, octanoate,” she says.
You can too go for a hybrid sunscreen, suggests King, that incorporates a mix of bodily and chemical solar filters. However, no matter one you select, we at all times suggest doing a patch take a look at earlier than making use of any new product.
Kind
You’ve typically received three selections for sunscreen utility: Spray, powder, and stick. King recommends utilizing a stick, we just like the Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick which works on colorless and easily to focus on a bald spot or for a extra actual utility.
Though spray sunscreens are rather less exact, utilizing one with a focused nozzle, such because the Solar Bum Scalp and Hair Mist, helps make sure you’ve lined each space.
Powders could be messier than the opposite two choices, says King, and so they, “could not get the safety you need as sunscreens work finest on a uniform floor.” Nevertheless, you’re much less more likely to expertise an oily or sticky scalp, and a few, just like the Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Half Powder even works as a dry shampoo. Simply search for one with over 30 SPF, just like the Jane Iredale Powder-Me SPF Dry Sunscreen, and take heed to reapplication.
SPF
The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that sunscreen include no less than 30 SPF. Though, we should always be aware that irrespective of how excessive the quantity, you must at all times be conscious of reapplying—the AAD advises layering sunscreen on each two hours.
