That UV exposure can even affect your hair growth over time. Josh Rosebrook, former hairstylist and founder of Josh Rosebrook Skin and Hair Care, previously wrote for mbg, “Overexposure to the sun affects the protective barrier of natural oils we all have on our scalp by causing blood vessels to dilate and become inflamed. Sometimes this damage causes the synthesis of superoxide, a compound that may cause hair follicles to switch off growth and enter the shedding phase, which leads to hair loss.” That’s not to say you should go coating your strands in sunblock. If you have a head of thick, dark hair, that serves as some protection in itself, Ciraldo notes. But “if you wear your hair with a part in the middle, if your hair is thinning, or you are bald—scalp sunblock is necessary,” notes board-certified dermatologist Jeanine Downie, M.D. Even those with gray roots or very blond hair might fare well with some extra protection. And sure, a hat will keep you covered just fine, but for those uninterested in a chic sun hat, a scalp sunscreen is your best bet. You’re probably thinking: Uh, won’t using regular sunscreen on my scalp make my hair greasy? Good news is, there are tons of products marketed specifically toward hair and scalp, many with powder or spray applications that dry in no time at all. Of course, using a regular lotion on your scalp works just as well; it might be a bit gooey, but hey, it’s all in the name of proper sun protection, right? Ahead, check out our eight favorite options—sprays, powders, and lotions—to keep your hair and scalp protected. Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen, Brush On Block ($32) Scalp & Hair Mist Organic Sunscreen SPF 30, COOLA ($26) Poof Part Powder, Supergoop! ($34) Sunforgettable Brush-on Sunscreen SPF 50, Colorescience ($65) Lock + Block Protective Spray, Rita Hazan ($26) Unrivaled Sun Serum SPF 35, EleVen by Venus Williams ($50) Pure & Simple SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion, Coppertone ($11.65) Sheer Mineral Sun Spray SPF 50, Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare ($42)
