You rub sunscreen all over your body, being careful not to miss a single inch. You even apply it to often-forgotten areas, like the tops of your feet, ears, and hands. But if we had to put money on it, we’d bet that you’re not applying SPF on your scalp. But you should. Sun protection for your head is crucial and experts recommend using the best scalp sunscreen to prevent sunburn or damage from harmful UV rays.
It’s very important to wear sunscreen on our scalp as the scalp is often exposed to the sun regularly without us even realizing it,
My top picks
Best Overall Scalp and Hair Sunscreen: Coola Organic Scalp & Hair Sunscreen Mist SPF 30
The Good Housekeeping Institute ranked this as the best overall scalp sunscreen. Thanks to the blend of nourishing ingredients like monoi oil (to smooth) and gotu gola extract (to nourish), this mist not only works to protect the scalp but also promotes healthy hair growth. It won’t leave your roots gunky or your strands crunchy, and since it contains smoothing fruit oils, it can double as a frizzy hair serum. What could be more perfect for those sticky summer days?
Best Value Scalp Sunscreen: Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Reef Friendly Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
If your scalp is prone to irritation, look no further than this GHI and Skin Cancer Foundation-approved pick. Crafted to work on dry or wet hair (and the scalp), this sunscreen has a powerful SPF 30 formula that will work to protect your hair and scalp. Its water-resistant ingredients can last for up to 80 minutes and it dries down fast without leaving the strands feeling greasy or oily. We also love how easy the spray nozzle allows the product to be evenly applied all over the head.
The scalp is a known area to develop skin cancers as a result of cumulative sun exposure, so while the scalp may not be your priority when it comes to using sunscreen for anti-aging purposes, it should certainly be to reduce the risk of UV damage and skin cancer.