11 Best Scalp Sunscreens to Protect Your Skin and Hair This Summer, According to Dermatologists

Alisa Hrustic, Dana Leigh Smith
·9 min read
Photo credit: Amazon
Photo credit: Amazon


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We updated this article in April 2022 to add more information about each featured product, based on extensive research done by our team (and that of our sister team at the Good Housekeeping Institute).

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 sunburns or damage from harmful UV rays.

Does your scalp need sunscreen?

“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,” says Marisa Garshick, M.D., board-certified dermatologist at MDCS Dermatology in NYC. “It’s 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. ”

The scalp is at the highest point of the body, allowing it to burn more easily than other spots. But burns are not the only thing you have to worry about. “Researchers have found that one of the most fatal melanoma skin cancers occurs on the scalp,” says Debra Jaliman, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and assistant professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in NYC. “The scalp is richly vascularized, and there are theories that because of this, melanoma can easily spread to the brain. Skin cancers on the scalp also tend to be diagnosed later because they’re covered with hair, making treatment more challenging,” says Dr. Jaliman.

Now that you know why scalp sunscreens are so crucial for your health, it’s time to find the right one for you. Check out the effective and affordable options below to give your scalp the protection it deserves.

How we chose the best scalp sunscreens

We consulted Dr. Garshick, Dr. Jaliman, Joshua Zeichner, M.D., director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City, the Good Housekeeping Institute (GHI) who tests countless products to ensure a fair and accurate representation of each item, and countless customer reviews to find the best scalp sunscreens available.

Our top picks

COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30

BEST OVERALL SCALP AND HAIR SUNSCREEN

The Good Housekeeping Institute ranked this as the best overall scalp sunscreen and as a derm select, we can see why. 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?

Banana Boat Hair & Scalp Defense Reef Friendly Sunscreen Spray SPF 30

BEST VALUE SCALP SUNSCREEN

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.

Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part and Scalp Powder SPF 45

BEST SCALP SUNSCREEN POWDER

Great for all hair types—from fine to wavy to thick and curly—this chemical-free powder contains silica to absorb excess oil, vitamin C for antioxidant protection, and SPF 45 to keep your scalp sunburn-free. The texture also feels very similar to dry shampoo. Bonus: It’s vegan, non-greasy, and translucent.

“I really like this one. It’s slightly tinted so doesn’t leave a white powder on my scalp, and also acts as a nice dry shampoo with SPF as an added bonus!” wrote one satisfied reviewer.

Shiseido Ultimate Sun Protection Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 50+

BEST SCALP SUNSCREEN SPRAY

Shiseido’s water-, sweat-, and oil-resistant protective spray works well on your scalp, hair, face, and body. It’s not sticky or greasy, so you don’t have to worry about this one weighing down your strands. In addition to sun-protective ingredients, it also packs antioxidants to shield skin from damaging free radicals. Other winning attributes: It's has a unique spray design that's convenient for quick application over large areas of skin (all around the scalp) and hard-to-reach areas, even while spraying upside down. It also contains a special SuperVeil-UV 360 technology that works to reduce harmful effects from the sun.

Supergoop! Super Power Sunscreen Mousse SPF 50

BEST SCALP SUNSCREEN MOUSSE

Dr. Jailman likes this broad-spectrum mousse because it doesn’t leave behind greasy oils. It's also crafted with a blend of moisturizing ingredients like blue sale kale (to protect the skin from free radicals), coconut oil (to nourish), and olive fruit extract (to strengthen). Other winning attributes: It doubles as a beach hair texturizer, is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, and contains moisturizing shea butter.

Mele No Shade Sunscreen Oil

BEST SCALP SUNSCREEN OIL

“This is a great option for those who prefer an oil formula. This sunscreen oil is lightweight, fast-absorbing, and won’t leave the skin feeling greasy or with a residue,” says Dr. Garshick. “It offers SPF 30 broad-spectrum coverage, providing protection against UVA and UVB rays. It can be massaged into the scalp and also applied to the face and body and is especially good for those with darker skin types.”

Aveeno Baby Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

BEST SCALP SUNSCREEN STICK

If a sunscreen stick is more your style, this one is a great option for your scalp, says Dr. Zeichner. The chemical-free formula is ideal if you have sensitive skin, since it contains soothing oat kernel flour. It’s oil- and fragrance-free, water-resistant for 80 minutes, and has a stamp of approval from the National Skin Cancer Foundation and National Eczema Association.

Brush on Block Mineral Sunscreen Powder SPF 30

BEST REEF-SAFE SCALP SUNSCREEN

A great option if you have oily hair, this powder sunscreen works just as well for your scalp as it does for your face. The mineral formula is reef-safe, paraben-free, and vegan-friendly and comes in a convenient, self-dispensing brush. “I love this stuff! I brought it to Mexico and used it religiously since I suffer from melasma. It worked great as an extra layer of sun protection,” wrote one Amazon shopper.

ISDIN Mineral Brush Powder

BEST TRAVEL SCALP SUNSCREEN

“This scalp sunscreen contains titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and iron oxides to provide protection against UVA and UVB, as well as blue light and infrared radiation, while still leaving a natural finish so it can be used on the scalp and face,” says Dr. Garshick. The key ingredients include zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which help to deflect blue light and infrared radiation (IR), according to the brand.


EleVen by Venus Zinc Oxide Scalp Sunscreen

BEST ZINC OXIDE SCALP SUNSCREEN

This unique serum sunscreen was created by tennis Champ Venus Williams, so you can bet it’s going to do what it promises. The lightweight serum contains a blend of sun protection and hydration thanks to its naturally-derived ingredients. It also absorbs quickly into the skin and leaves a smooth-feeling finish. The best part? It goes on clear and leaves no residue in the hair or white cast.

Glo Skin Beauty SPF 40+ Lightweight Sunscreen

BEST NON-GREASY SCALP SUNSCREEN

The lightweight SPF of dreams and a favorite of the Good Housekeep Institue, this sunscreen pick is a game-changer for oily skin types. It’s hydrating yet undetectable and has a weightless clean formula that won’t clog pores. It works to protect the scalp and skin, while also providing hydration thanks to its hyaluronic acid ingredient. We also love that the bottle features an easy-to-use pump design, so you can get the right amount of product every time!

How to choose and use the best scalp sunscreen

Photo credit: Hearst Owned
Photo credit: Hearst Owned

✔️ Don’t skimp on SPF. “Sunscreen for the scalp should be held to the same standard as sunscreens for other parts of the body. Look for a product that contains broad-spectrum protection with an SPF of at least 30,” says Dr. Zeichner.

✔️ Keep your hair type in mind. “A bald scalp is the easiest to protect because there’s no hair to fight with,” says Dr. Zeichner. “If you have extremely thick hair, then you should at least apply sunscreen in your part and along the hairline. Thin hair is perhaps the most challenging because the hair is not thick enough to offer protection itself, but is too thick to make application of sunscreen easy.”

✔️ Go for convenience. “Look for products that you can easily apply to the scalp and through your hair,” says Dr. Zeichner. “Sprays, oils, and sticks are commonly used in this area, although you certainly can use any natural sunscreens on your scalp as well.” Powders are also common, but if you go this route, choose one that is close to your hair color, recommends Dr. Jailman. As a bonus, these products can also protect your hair from sun damage.

✔️ Add extra protection: Whenever you can, brush your hair back and put it in a bun or a ponytail. “This will help prevent your part from getting sunburned,” says Dr. Jailman. A hat can also help.

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