With the increase in air pollution and depletion of the ozone layer, the amount of UV radiation entering our atmosphere has also increased. One of the primary effects of this is damage to our hair as. According to research, the amount of UV radiation entering our atmosphere has drastically increased by 6% over a span of 30 years. In these circumstances, there is a dire need for sun protection for your hair.
One of the main reasons for faster hair fall and loss of hair strength is prolonged exposure to sun and UV radiation which is inevitable in today’s fast-paced world. The radiation also causes the hair to become frizzy and dry, making it quite hard to manage. Hair moisturizers and sunscreens do a good job of protecting our hair from these adverse effects. Not just the hair, long exposures can also cause skin diseases, especially on the scalp that take weeks or months to heal.
There are a lot of different products available in the market that can protect your hair against the Sun, but we have shortlisted some of the best of them. Our readers will find this information quite useful and will help them keep their hair safe in the Sun.
Table of Contents
Understanding the different types of sun protection for hair
UV filters in hair products
UV filters are the main ingredients found in hair sun protectant creams, gels, or sunscreens. These materials act as barriers to protect your hair from the oncoming radiation and also help in preserving the texture, elasticity, and color of your hair. In the absence of these products, your hair may start losing color or may fall off at a faster rate. The scalp might also be affected in the absence of UV filters. In fact, according to research, the market for hair protection products is projected to reach multimillion dollars by the end of 2028.
Physical barriers to hair protection
Physical barriers for your hair include products like umbrellas or headbands that prevent sunlight from affecting your hair too much. Although they are not as effective as sunscreens, they do a decent job of keeping the sun out of your hair. The primary physical barriers for hair are umbrellas and headbands that cover wide areas of your hair and are pretty good at keeping out UV light. With the increase in UV radiation, the market for umbrellas and similar products has also increased with an increase of 24.9% in the usage of umbrellas from 2020 to 2021.
Top 7 sun protection products for your hair
Kerastase Soleil Huile Sirene
The first product on our list is a hair protection sun spray and it is part of the Kerastase Solei lineup which has been proven to be effective against outdoor factors that harm our hair. this spray is very lightweight and once applied won’t leave any greasy stains on your hair, unlike other contemporary sprays. It is essentially an oil that has coconut and vitamin E which absorbs the incoming UV radiation keeping your hair healthy. It comes at an affordable price of £24.
Benefits and features
- Sprayable oil
- Lightweight and stain-free
- Cheap
- No synthetic ingredients
How to use the product
- Shake the bottle well
- Mildly moisturize or wash your hair
- Apply the spray in a mist on your hair and hair ends
- dry your hair with air
Rating: 3.6/5
Sun Bum Scalp and Hair Mist SPF 30
Our next product is hair sunscreen which has some of the most hair-friendly chemicals found on the market. It is SPF 30 rated and uses homosalate, octisalate, and avobenzone to protect your hair from radiation. Not just chemicals, it also has some natural ingredients like sunflower seed oil that store the moisture in your hair and stops it from getting frizzy. The liquid comes in a sprayable bottle that helps you get it on your hair easily. It is one of the cheapest sun protection products at just £12.
Benefits and Features
- Hair-friendly chemicals
- SPF 30 rated
- Natural ingredients included
- Comes in a sprayable bottle
How to use the product
- Hold the bottle away from your hair
- Spray and once done massage the hair with your fingertips
- Reapply after every 2 hours in direct sunlight
- Avoid spraying on the face or other parts of the skin
Rating: 4.3/5
Ultra Beauty Mineral Hair and Scalp Powder
This powder has done wonders for some people and continues to do so on a daily basis. Its SPF 45 rating is a clear indication of its usefulness and being in a powder form, it is very easy to apply and works from the root up to keep your hair protected against the sun. It prevents excess sweat from forming on your scalp and stops it from getting greasy. It is also another affordable pick on our list since it comes at just £11.
Benefits and features
- Powder form
- Works on both hair and the scalp
- SPF 45 rating
- Prevents greasy sensation
How to use the product
- Partition your hair so that the scalp is visible
- Apply the powder in small patches and spread with your fingers along the roots
- Apply some on the hair ends too
- Avoid getting it in your eyes or other openings.
Rating: 4.5/5
DP Hue x Kristin Cavallari Sun & City Mist
if you are worried about your hair color getting affected due to excessive exposure to sunlight, then this product is the perfect fit for you. It uses all-natural materials like raspberry extracts to ensure that the moisture doesn’t leave your hair and also forms a protective barrier on your hair against the sunlight. This comes at an affordable price of £22 and is easily available at online stores.
Benefits and Features
- Comes in a spray form
- All natural ingredients
- Preserves the color of hair
- Affordable
How to use the product
- Keep the spray a few inches away from your hair
- Spray a mist and wave your hair around it
- Gently spread with your fingers to cover the maximum area
Rating: 4.1/5
Nuxe Sun Moisturising Protective Milky Oil for Hair
Our next product comes in an oil form and is an excellent protector when it comes to harsh rays of sunlight. It has jojoba and coconut oils at its base and is so simple that it can be easily washed off with one shower. Being all-natural, you can apply this sunscreen quite liberally and it prevents your hair from becoming frizzy and dry when under UV radiation. It comes at a low cost of £18 and can be bought easily.
Benefits and Features
- All-natural base
- Can be washed off easily
- Locks in moisture preventing dryness
- Cheap
How to use the product
- Keep the bottle 3 or 4 inches from your hair
- Spray a gentle amount on wet or dry hair
- Wait for 5 min before going out
- Avoid spraying on the face
Rating: 4.5/6
Moroccan Oil Protect and Prevent Spray
This product on our list works wonders for people with blonde hair. This hair spray completely prevents any loss of hair color and also stops it from turning brassy. It not only works against sunlight but also works on hair that has been in the chlorine-laced waters of a swimming pool. This hair spray is a great choice if you are planning a summer holiday at a swimming pool. It comes at a generous price of £24
Benefits and Features
- Wide area of effect due to spray form
- Can be easily washed off
- Locks in the color and moisture of the hair
- Easily available
How to use the product
- Wash your hair and dry it
- Apply the spray gently and let it set for a few minutes
- Comb your hair
- Style your hair in any way you want
Rating: 4.4/5
Sachajuan Hair in the Sun
This product, although a bit pricey is one of the lightest hair sunscreens out there. For people who want just a thin layer of moisturizer on their hair, this is the product they need to try. It has different UV filters that block the oncoming radiation and helps preserve the texture and moisture of the hair. It comes at a rather high price of £31.
Benefits and Features
- Very lightweight
- Has UV filters
- Preserves texture of hair
How to use the product
- Dry your hair completely or till its damp
- Apply the sunscreen and spread it with your fingers thoroughly
- Wait for it to set
- Continue with your styling
Rating: 4.3/5
Tips for additional sun protection for hair
Wearing protective hairstyles
The type of hairstyle a person has makes a huge effect on the amount of UV radiation affecting their hair. if your hair is styled in a way that covers a large area, then the chances of UV radiation damage increase. The best hairstyles for summer are the ones that make your hair tie up in a knot. For example, the high ponytail and the top knot are some of the best protective hairstyles for preventing UV radiation.
Avoiding excessive heat styling
While it becomes imperative that you dry your hair before going out, it is best to avoid heat styling drying your hair all the time. Hair driers and heat stylers often set the temperature quite high, making it harsh for your hair and eventually causing it to break or become frizzy. it is best to dry your hair with a towel and let it dry more under normal circumstances.
Regular deep conditioning treatments
The first step in preserving your hair’s texture and strength is to treat your scalp properly. There are several deep conditioning treatments that have an overall effect on your scalp and hair. These treatments must be adopted by everyone in order to preserve their hair and scalp. The healthier your scalp, the lesser dandruff, and the better the texture, and more strength of your hair.
Conclusion
These were our takes on the best products for keeping your hair moisturized and safe from the oncoming radiation of the Sun. These products will not only lock in moisture but will also prevent any frizz or dryness. However, we advise gentle usage of these products since overuse can lead to other side effects.
It is greatly advised that our readers adopt the practice of taking extra care of their hair when going out in the sun. Long exposure to sunlight is the norm for a lot of people who travel to work, and they need protection against it. Also, during holidays at the beach or in a swimming pool, your hair needs to be protected against oncoming pollution and radiation. After all the better you manage your hair, the better your lifestyle.
