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.
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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.
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
Everything You Need to Know
What are the risks of not using sun protection on your hair and scalp?
Sun-Damaged Hair
If you’ve ever noticed your hair looking lighter after prolonged sun exposure, it’s likely a sign of scalp sunburn. “Acute sunburn can weaken the hair, making it dry, brittle and prone to colour changes,” says Dr. Sturnham, who notes that these effects are especially pronounced on chemically treated or dyed hair.
Hair Loss
UV rays don’t just damage the hair surface—they can also affect the follicles beneath. Prolonged exposure can cause inflammation at a follicular level, disrupting healthy hair growth. “Research shows that UV radiation slows cellular repair and accelerates cell death in parts of the follicle,” explains Dr. Sturnham. Additionally, UVA rays trigger inflammatory responses that push hair into the catagen (shedding) phase, contributing to increased hair fall and thinning.
Higher Risk of Skin Cancer
These concerns are just the start. Dr. Sturnham warns that even one episode of scalp sunburn can raise your risk of skin cancer. “Chronic UV exposure significantly increases your lifetime risk of developing skin cancers,” she says, including melanoma, which often develops on the scalp—and may go unnoticed beneath a full head of hair.
Do you need sunscreen for your hair and scalp?
“Sunscreen is absolutely necessary for the scalp,” says Shaw, a skincare educator at Australian SPF brand Mecca. Those with bald spots or lighter hair should take note: in her expert opinion, it is especially important on “areas that are not naturally protected by dense or highly pigmented hair,” like the hairline and partings. “I recommend applying a lightweight sunscreen to both the face and hairline and, of course, wearing a hat.”
What to Look for in a Scalp Sunscreen
While you can certainly rub any standard sunscreen onto your part and any exposed area of your scalp, there are certain sunscreens that are better suited for this area. “Scalp sunscreens are formulated to be light weight and be less greasy,” explains Dr. Castilla. “You can still use body or face sunscreen on your scalp, but it may not be the most cosmetically elegant option. For targeted protection, like along the hair part, a stick sunscreen is often the easiest to apply as it gives you more control over the application.” She also recommends opting for sprays, creams or sticks, as you may not get as much targeted UV protection from a powder.
That said, “mineral powder SPF for the scalp as it’s easier to use when traveling, and it also doesn’t make the hair greasy,” says Kobets. And, any sun protection is better than none at all—so if you’re more likely to use a powdered formula, then that’s an ideal option. “You can also use a zinc stick since those are easier to carry on the go and reapply throughout the day,” she says.
Dr. Castilla advises using sunscreen labeled “broad spectrum” with SPF 30 or greater.
How else can you protect your scalp from sunburns?
As with any kind of time in the sun, Dr. Kobets recommends staying in the shade whenever you can. What’s more, hats are your best friend—especially a wide-brimmed hat that can protect your scalp, tops of ears, face, and neck.
That said, even when you wear a hat, she still recommends wearing scalp sunscreen, since you don’t always keep the hat on. Also worth noting: “Straw hats still let the light in, so if you have no hair on your scalp and also have a history of skin cancer and pre-cancer is on the scalp then wearing a thick material cap is prudent,” says Dr. Kobets.
How We Tested
When we test and review a product, we take a holistic approach to deliver well-rounded product recommendations. First, we lean on Vogue’s vast network of experts—from board-certified dermatologists to celebrity estheticians—to gain professional acumen on the industry’s standout products, ones these specialists would actually use on their clients. We pair their expertise with our editorial best practices to curate the thoughtful edits you read on our site.
As it relates to sunscreens for hair and scalp, we selected the best based on the following characteristics: ingredients, texture, application, finish, SPF level, SPF type, and the skin-care concerns they address. To do this, we paired our own personal tests of each formula with expert guidance and reviewer insights to determine which we would recommend to you.
Meet The Experts
- Carmen Castilla, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist based in New York City.
- Kseniya Kobets, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the director of Cosmetic Dermatology at Montefiore-Einstein Advanced Care in New York City.
- Lauren Moy, MD, a board certified, fellowship-trained dermatologist practicing in Beverly Hills, CA.
- Lucy Shaw is a skincare expert and head of skin education at Mecca Cosmetica.
- Anita Sturnham, MD is a GP specializing in dermatology and anti-aging medicine at Solice Health.
