Yes, You Need A Scalp Sunscreen — Here Are The 12 Best Options To Try

A mist option feels incredibly cooling on a hot summer day, don’t you think? This one contains over 70% organic ingredients, including monoi oil to keep those strands shiny and nourished, never greasy (research has shown it effectively penetrates the hair shaft more than other oils). Feel free to spray all over your scalp and hair in sections, rubbing it in for a lovely little massage. 

What our tester says

The “ocean salted sage” scent reminds me of a glorious beach day. That being said, the aroma doesn’t trick my senses completely; it does smell like you’re wearing sunscreen. It’s a small price to pay for optimal scalp protection, however, and the cooling mist feels heavenly. 

Powders in general are super user-friendly—just dust them on like you would a setting powder. 

And this mineral number happens to be one of King’s favorite formulas: “I love that it's all mineral and easy to apply and reapply—portable and it goes on translucent so it won't affect your normal skin tone,” she notes. “It's a great solution for people who don't want to reapply sunscreen because they don't want to mess up their makeup or hair. It absorbs excess oil so it can serve a dual purpose as a finishing powder, actually extending the life of your makeup and providing sun protection.” 

What our tester says 

I was already a fan of Brush On Block’s SPF 30 powder, and this SPF 50 version is just as easy to use. The brush head is soft and fluffy, and the translucent powder seamlessly flows through the bristles. Just a few gentle taps against my palm, and it’s ready to use. 

mbg assistant beauty editor Hannah Frye also considers herself a superfan: “While I know reapplying sunscreen is a must, doing so with makeup on was a major headache—until I found this SPF powder,” she says. “I truly swear by this product and take it with me everywhere in the spring and summer. Chamomile extract and safflower seed oil help soothe my skin during those long days in the sun, which is another huge plus.”

Think of a no-rinse shampoo, but make it SPF. Zinc oxide is the mineral workhorse in this formula, and its powder form feels airy and weightless, never gooey. Use it as you would a dry shampoo: Spray it onto your scalp and hairline, blending in with your fingertips or hairbrush. 

What our tester says

This really does absorb excess oil! It left my greasy, three-day roots with just the right amount of shine, and the powder blended in with ease. It comes out a light tan color (not stark white), which I suspect makes it remain undetectable on the strands. I do have light brown hair, though, so I wonder how it would show up on darker roots.

Another mineral formula King deems a terrific powder option. “It offers oil absorption that allows it to double as a dry shampoo!” she says. “It's all-mineral, hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, and the bristles of the brush are antimicrobial. Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, oil and fragrance. Protects from UVA, UVB, infrared, blue light and pollution with non-nano zinc oxide, iron oxides and antioxidants.” 

What our tester says

I’ve tested this powder before, and I can also attest to its lightweight, airy consistency. It does cost a pretty penny, but trust, it’s just as high-quality as your favorite pillowy setting powder. Once you test it out on the scalp, you’ll want to apply it all over. 

It’s also a favorite of mbg beauty director Alexandra Engler: "Just about every derm I know has recommended this brush-on SPF to me at some point or another, and I'm pleased to confirm they're all correct. It's good!” she says. “This sheer one is nice because you can tap it over your makeup or use it on your scalp. Not only does it protect the skin, but it kind of acts like a dry shampoo and soaks up oil at the roots. And there's nothing I love more than a multi-tasker."

Jane Iredale is known for soothing, gentle formulations, and this dry sunscreen powder certainly fits the bill. It’s so gentle, in fact, that you can even use it on existing sunburns to calm and soothe the skin. It also contains montmorillonite, a type of clay that helps absorb excess oil without stripping the skin. Plus, the brush head is magnetic, so you can pop it off for easy cleaning (because yes, you should be cleaning your makeup brushes regularly, including powder brushes!)

What our tester says

The brush is bigger and fluffier than other powder options I’ve tried, so it can cover a greater amount of surface area with each sweep. The brush head itself is super soft, and while this option is pricier than other options on this list, it does come with an extra refill—so you get more bang for your buck. 

"I have sensitive skin, and unfortunately so does my scalp,” notes Engler. “I really like that Jane Iredale uses soothing, skin-loving ingredients throughout their collection. This brush on powder is infused with pomegranate and pine park extract for antioxidant protection, and never leaves my scalp itchy or irritated."

I love this mini stick for quick touch-ups—simply tap it onto your cheekbones for a dewy glow that simultaneously adds sun protection. (This hack doesn’t serve as my sole UV protection, so don’t come for me. I’ll use it on top of my regular liquid SPF.) I hadn’t used it as a scalp sunscreen until writing this story, but it actually makes a wonderful option for the hairline. It’s also adorably compact, the perfect sized bottle to toss into any tote you own. 

What our tester says

I’ll be honest: Sticks aren’t usually my favorite sunscreen applicators. Most formulas I’ve tried feel way too tacky and tug against my skin. I thought I was going to be pulling out baby hairs when sliding this through my part, but I was pleasantly surprised by the easy glide. 

Tennis champion Venus Williams knows the value of a great sunscreen, especially ones that hold up on the court. Enter her own incredibly lightweight sun serum, formulated with coconut fruit extract and shea butter to hydrate and soothe the skin, as well as zinc oxide for some mineral protection. It dries transparently and absorbs quickly, meaning no sticky, white residue on the scalp. 

What our tester says

I love this serum for my face: It’s hydrating, spreadable, and seriously doesn’t leave a white cast (the serum has a yellow-ish tint, actually, that instantly disappears into the skin). I was a little worried it would make my hair greasy, but was pleasantly surprised to find it absorbed rather quickly. My hair is prone to dryness, so I bet it eagerly soaked up that extra moisture. 

This sunscreen spray feels genuinely enjoyable to reapply. With aloe vera and cucumber, it honestly feels like a hydrating face mist that also just so happens to have sun protection. Not to mention, the safflower oil and Alpine caribou moss are chock-full of antioxidants to further help fend off free radicals. It does contain fragrance, which is something to note if you’re sensitive—but if you can tolerate some scent, this one feels oh-so refreshing. 

What our tester says

My favorite part about this mist is actually the scent—I even received compliments on how good my hair smells! While I wouldn’t use it on my face (I’m much more sensitive to fragrance when using facial products), this is definitely a formula I’ll keep using for my scalp. 

Some people prefer to rub a standard liquid option into their scalp. Especially if you’re balding or bald, you’ll want to really make sure you cover all the exposed surface area, and a liquid number is your best bet. Sprays may trump in terms of ease, but to really ensure you catch every nook and cranny, there’s nothing more effective than massaging in your SPF. 

This unscented mineral formula is dermatologist-tested, sheer, and suitable for sensitive skin—what more could you ask for? 

What our tester says

This is my personal favorite facial sunscreen for summer beach days. It doesn’t leave a white cast on my skin tone (although I’m quite fair, so those with darker complexions may want to do a patch test), and the smaller pump makes it easy to deposit product in precise areas, like the part and hairline. 

Can you just spray a regular sunscreen over your hair and scalp? You sure can, especially if it’s this hydrating mineral option from Beautycounter. Along with zinc oxide, the formula contains nourishing oils that feed the skin barrier and absorb quickly into the dermis, so you won’t be left with greasy roots. But the best part about this sunscreen is that it doesn’t smell like a sunscreen—the peppermint and orange peel oils give it more of a fruit, fresh scent. No, it won’t make your hair smell like coconut. 

What our tester says 

I try to use mineral formulas whenever I can, and I love the ease of a spray sunscreen. It can be difficult to find a quality mineral formula in spray form, but this Beautycounter number is my favorite buy. I will say the formula is quite thick and leaves a bit of white residue on my hair; but if I only want to pack one sunscreen for my face, body, and scalp, I’ll definitely toss it in my bag—especially if I know I’ll be wetting my hair later on. 

As much as you may protect your scalp, you still may wind up with a gnarly sunburn. It happens to the best of us! To dial down the inflammation, you may gravitate towards a pure aloe vera gel—but that can make things messy, no? Opt for this aloe vera-infused hair mist, which also contains soothing butters to moisturize and calm the scalp. Plus, it contains rosemary extract, an ingredient lauded for hair growth. 

What our tester says 

An “oil mist” is a fabulous name for this hydrator—it has the consistency of a lightweight mist yet makes my hair shine as if I had applied a glossy oil. It makes my lengths smell so fresh and clean post-rinse, and I’ve even used it on dry hair to rehydrate my ends. There’s nothing better than that post-beach shower (IMO), and this spray enhances the experience tenfold: On my scalp, it feels oh-so cool. 

Before you ask: Yes, you need a hair sunscreen. While they are not regulated by the FDA (and thus do not contain an SPF level), they do work to buffer your strands from UV damage and functional damage, like color changes, dryness, etc. Think antioxidants to disarm free radicals and serve as a UV barrier, as well as moisturizing butters and oils to nourish parched strands. 

This formula from Aveda contains UVA/UVB filters derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils to protect hair from sun exposure, as well as moisturizing players (shea butter, sunflower seed oil, and the like) to mitigate dryness. Simply spritz on your lengths after applying a proper scalp sunscreen, and your whole head will remain protected. 

What our tester says 

I’ll definitely bring this baby to the pool. The fine mist feels refreshing on my scalp, and my lengths can never get enough moisture—so I need to hold onto hydration as much as I can. The scent is a bit woody, which I personally enjoy; but if you aren’t into musky fragrances, you might gravitate towards something fruitier or more floral.