10 Best Scalp Sunscreens With Reviews and Buying Guidance

Face sunscreen has become an essential skin care product especially in recent times. Once you apply sun protection cream on your face, you feel reckless about staying outdoors. We appreciate you for this skin care but what’s still left to do is applying scalp sunscreens.

We must realize that the head is more exposed to harmful sun rays than other parts of the body. It is an irony that we skip or even have no idea about scalp sunscreen. Never mind! You can include scalp sunscreen as part of your hair care regime. We are sharing here a list of best scalp sunscreens with reviews and the tips to choose the beiffiting one for yourself.

The importance of scalp sunscreen is to realize before sun harming your hair and scalp. I recommend you to give your scalp and hair extra protection even after applying sunscreen. Use a hat, do your hair into a ponytail or a bun to help protect your scalp from direct sun exposure and the harmful effects of it.

We are keeping the review short and descriptive with the brief details. Click the link to buy the product post reading the review. But be mindful about certain things while opting a scalp SPF. You can make the right choice of scalp sunscreens with the buying guidance from the article.

Which Is The Best Scalp Sunscreen?

The best scalp sunscreens products are not made to protect scalp or hair. Mostly, body sunscreens are also recommended to use for sun protection of scalp and hair. A list of body sunscreens products are doing a great job for scalp as well and recommended by dermatologists. You can purchase the best sunscreen product for both skin and scalp tpo shield from sun damage.

1. Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Reef Friendly Sunscreen Spray, Broad Spectrum SPF 30

What are you expecting from this product? Fine, let me tell you what it does for your hair- it is formulated to be lightweight when applied on your scalp and hair. Banana boat sunscreen spray keeps your hair moderately moisturized without greasiness. It won’t dry out your scalp and hair even after hours of application.

This scalp sunscreens is effective in protecting your hair from UVA/UVB rays. The formula of the product excludes oxybenzone and octinoxate. You can use the sunscreen which is water resistant for 80 minutes. It comes with SPF 30 to shield your hair and scalp from harmful sun rays when you are outdoors.

Of course, SPF differs with your hair and skin sensitivity to sun and the hours you need the protection from sun. It is available up to SPF 100 for personalized choice for your hair health. The sunscreen is free from oils and fragrances which is another reason to pick it.

2. Clarins SPF 30 Sunscreen Care Oil Spray

Are you looking for SPF 30 for your hair? Then this is the perfect product that you can find in the store. It is an oil spray that plays the dual role of sunscreen for skin and hair. This product nourishes your hair as you apply it and makes it healthy looking. If you have frizzy or pale tresses in that case you can opt for Clarins SPF 30. Your tresses look shiny, smooth for a longer time.

Something I found more pleasing with this sunscreen is the natural formula. The oil spray includes Indonesian Nyamplung oil that shields your hair from harmful effects of sun. It is formulated along with salt water and chlorine. Use the SPF to safeguard your hair and scalp from UV damage with the help of powerful senna extracts.

Your hair completely defends the free radicals as you apply the sunscreen that is made with plane tree extracts. Another organic herb is aloe vera to soften your tresses and leave them satin silky.

Scalp sunscreen doesn’t give you an oily or greasy feeling after use. It is a water resistant product for your happy use any day. It is a dermatologist tested sunscreen for skin and hair as well.

3. Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray SPF 100+

If you ought to be outdoors for longer hours then you must choose the sunscreen with high SPF. Neutrogena sunscreen spray is for long term sun protection for the body and scalp. It absolutely works for hair protection from UVA/UVB.

The product is oil free so doesn’t clog the pores. You need not worry about triggering acne or dandruff after using the sunscreen. It is specially made for sensitive skin for gentle and safe use. You can even use sunscreen on rainy days as it is 80 minutes water resistant.

The sunscreen becomes the staple skin and hair care product as the formula is light. It is an easy to use product as you can spray it from any direction to cover your hair and scalp with the product. It covers the hard to reach areas of your scalp with super flexible spray.

4. Colorscience Sunforgettable Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 30

Colorescience sunscreen is a powder based product. You need to add the required amount of powder on to your hair and spread it with the brush that comes with the sunscreen. Your hair can completely be free from greasiness while providing sun protection.

The sunscreen recommended by dermatologists for hair and skin is Colorescience. It is a lightweight sunblock that doesn’t cause any build up on your scalp. The formula of the product contains the ingredients which are safe for acne prone skin type.

The product is available in shades and has a shimmery effect on hair. It contains the ingredients including titanium dioxide and zinc oxide to defend your hair from sun damage.

You need to reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to protect your scalp from UV rays. It is for on the go application with proper coverage of your scalp. It is available with SPF 30 and 50 from which you can choose one based on the hours you stay outdoors.

5. Supergoop! Super Power SPF 50 Sunscreen Mousse, 3.4 oz – Broad Spectrum Whipped Sunscreen

Do you prefer using mousse for your hair rather than others? If so, you must give it a try for Supergoop sunscreen mousse that absorbs UVA/UVB harmful rays to stop affecting your scalp.

The sunscreen doesn’t feel sticky on your scalp or skin. And you don’t have to become conscious about white cast post applying the mousse on hair. This SPF is great for scalp as it contains the natural ingredients like blue sea kale, olive fruit extract. Another key component of the sunscreen is coconut oil to keep your hair nourished from within.

You will have to apply this scalp sunscreen 15 minutes prior to sun exposure. It is sweat and water resistant for more than an hour. The texture of the product is consistent that makes it easy for you to apply and spread over.

6. Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray SPF 50+

Are you specifically looking for spray sunscreen? Then this is the best to play that role for you. It comes in the form of spray which is to apply even hard to reach areas of your scalp. This scalp sunscreen is to defend your hair from sunburn that is caused by UV rays.

The scalp sunscreen from Shiseido is formulated to be lightweight and the texture is comfortable. There will be no stickiness or discomfort after using it on your scalp. You must apply it 15 minutes prior to sun exposure and it lasts with water proof effect for 80 minutes. It is water resistant and sweat resistant at the same time.

The product is with SPF 50 for long hours of sun exposure or for summer days when you need extra protection from sun damage on hair. It is a non comedogenic body sunscreen which also works for the scalp without clogging the pores.

7. La Roche-Posay Anthelios AOX Daily Antioxidant Serum with Sunscreen

If yours is sensitive skin then you can pick this for your scalp. The formula of this sunscreen is combined with UVA/UVB filters to deliver broad spectrum SPF 50 along with the potent antioxidants to defend skin from free radicals.

LA Roche sunscreen is made with essential vitamin Cg and E to provide the benefits to skin so the hair. The oil free formula becomes the best scalp sunscreen throughout the day. It is suitable for all skin and hair types.

This is a safe product for your scalp health as it is paraben free, fragrance free. It is a dermatologist tested product which is tested for allergies. You can use it without the fear of clogged pores and build up as it is developed with non comedogenic formula.

8. EltaMD UV Aero Full-Body Spray Sunscreen Broad-Spectrum SPF 45

For someone who prefers to use spray sunscreen for scalp, here is the product you can consider. It delivers the coverage to all the areas of your scalp with a few sprays. This SPF is made with zinc oxide that gives a broad spectrum protection against sun.

The product gives protection to your hair from UVA and UVB rays. You can use it when you are about to sweat or drench as it is water resistant for 80 minutes.

Is your scalp oily? Then you would hate applying oils and greasy serums. So finding this sunscreen with oil free formula is a boon for you. However, the sunscreen scalp is good to apply for all skin types. The continuous spray delivers the product in hard to reach areas of your scalp.

9. COOLA Organic Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist

How cool is it to have a scalp sunscreen mist? This product is to convince you with multiple benefits for scalp and hair. You just have to spritz the sunscreen on exposed areas of the scalp.

This product is a powerful combination of plant extract antioxidants and sunscreen to protect your hair from discoloration, damage. You can use it on your hair and it wont fade away for 2 hours with water proof formula. It is completely safe to use for color treated hair.

The sunscreen avoids weighing down your hair while it defends from sun rays. Your hair can be nourished with this SPF 30. When coming to hair safety, you need not worry as the sunscreen is 70% organic, paraben free. It has the ingredients including gotu kola extract for overall scalp health, panthenol to strengthen hair and monoi oil for UV protection.

10. Sun Bum Original SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray

If you are going for a sun bath then this spray is a must have. It shields your hair and scalp while you are enjoying the sun baths, accomplishing your tasks outdoors. It is a non comedogenic sunscreen that gives UVA/UVB protection for your hair. The spray is enriched with the goodness of vitamin E to deliver the good results.

It is the best sunscreen for scalp of all types. This scalp sunscreen provides you with 80 minutes of water resistance which you need to apply 15 minutes before sun exposure. It even resists sweat on summer days.

The SPF is from parabens,hypoallergenic ingredients making it a safe use. You can consider it for everyday use as it matches all the safety standards. The sunflower oil in the spray nourishes your hair and softens it.

How to choose Best Scalp Sunscreen?

1. Check whether it is natural or not?

Preferring natural sunscreen may not be an easy task as there are few options. But at least see that the formula includes organic and gentle ingredients which do good to your hair naturally. In the above list of best scalp sunscreens, you have the ingredients which are favorable for your hair health while protecting from harmful sun damage.

2. Do any parabens affect your hair?

You give it a check of the parabens before choosing a product for skin or hair. A paraben free formula is safe to use for your hair. It is even more of a crucial check for people with sensitive scalp and skin.

3. Slippery on your hair?

An important feature that you must check before choosing the scalp sunscreen is the consistency. You may only like to spray your hair with sunblock or happy with powder, gel, serums. The type of sunscreen with good consistency can make it a comfortable use for you during annoying sunny or monsoon days.

4. Is it non comedogenic?

There is a need to check if the scalp sunscreens would clog pores. It is more a crucial factor for acne prone scalp. Sunblock with a gentle and oil free formula does not cause clogged pores. So, it is clear that you must consider the skin type when you are picking sunscreen. It is applicable for your scalp as well.

5. The range of SPF?

You must always consider the range of SPF you are using for hair or skin. If you are using a sunscreen with low SPF whereas you expose your hair for longer hours then it is not the right choice. Pick SPF range depending on the season and number of hours you need sun protection for your hair.

Choosing scalp sunscreen based on hair type?

1. Does sunscreen cause any allergies on hair?

Certainly, no product labels the possible allergies as it differs with type of skin. So, you must check if you are allergic to any of the ingredients in the product. If you have noticed that a particular ingredient is not good for you then you can refrain from buying the product and check the other products or ask your dermatologist to suggest a suitable product.

2. Are you comfortable with sunscreen on your scalp?

Do you feel sunscreens are too heavy or weigh down your hair? In that case, you must look for a lightweight sunscreen mist rather than serums, creams. Check the type of sunscreen for a comfortable use if you have any such conditions.

3. Which sunscreen is good for color treated hair?

A sunscreen that isn’t harsh on your scalp or hair is good for color treated hair. A product that is filled with harsh chemicals can damage your hair color while protecting your hair from sun which is of no use. If you are looking for the best scalp sunscreen for your color treated hair in the list then check out COOLA Organic Scalp Spray & Hair Sunscreen Mist which claims to be the best for color treated hair.

Wrap up

If you have realized that the sun is burning your scalp and hair all these years without SPF then it’s time to run for it. The effects of sun rays on scalp are discoloration, damaged hair and thinning, split ends. Also blame sun heat for the endless frizzness of your hair. And a blessing for your hair at this point is sunscreen to stop burning it from the sun. You have the scalp sunscreens with lightweight formula, for all skin types and at various price ranges. Pick an SPF from the above list which are safe and effective for defending your scalp from UVA and UVB damage.