4 Amazing Hair Sunscreen Recipes to Try for Effective Protection

You’re definitely familiar with sunscreen for skin care. But hair sunscreen? Probably not. 

Well, just as our skin needs protection from the effects of long exposure to the sun, our hair and scalp do too. However, store-bought hair sunscreens, though effective, are not easy to find in local beauty shops and can be relatively pricey.

So, DIYs come in handy. But do you really need to get hair sunscreen? And how can you make it? We go over those in this article. But first, why do you need hair sunscreen?

Why You Need Hair Sunscreen

Essentially, you need hair sunscreen for the same reason you need sunscreen for your skin. For protection.

Hair sunscreens protect your delicate hair and scalp from the damaging effects of UV (UVA and UVB) rays. These effects include dryness, dullness, protein loss, weakened hair shafts, and even an unwanted change in your hair colour.

How to Make Hair Sunscreen

Most sunscreens available for purchase contain unsafe ingredients found in hair products, such as retinyl palmitate, oxybenzone, and parabens. These are ingredients you definitely want to keep out of your routine. So, DIYs are a great way to get the protection your hair needs while ensuring you only use organic, safe ingredients. Here are some DIY hair sunscreen recipes to try –

1. Aloe & Honey

Aloe and honey combine to provide effective sun protection in this recipe. While the aloe acts as a protective barrier, the honey draws moisture from the air into your hair.

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup of pure Aloe Vera gel
• 1 tablespoon of raw honey
• 1/2 cup of distilled water

Procedure

• Pour the distilled water and Aloe Vera gel into a clean, continuous spray bottle.
• Add the raw honey, close the bottle, and shake vigorously until the ingredients are completely dissolved.
• Mist this lightly over your hair before stepping outside.

2. Grapeseed & Rosewater

This incredible-smelling hair sunscreen features Grapeseed oil, which is naturally high in antioxidants and provides light UV protection.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of Grapeseed oil
• 1/2 cup of pure Rosewater

Procedure

• Combine the grapeseed oil and rosewater in a spray bottle.
• Shake this mixture very well right before every use because oil and water naturally do not mix.
• Spritz it over your coils to create a lightweight, protective shield against the sun.

3. Shea & Argan

Shea butter, which is the major ingredient of this hair sunscreen recipe, contains natural cinnamic acid that provides a low SPF.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of raw Shea Butter
• 1 tablespoon of Argan oil

Procedure

• Melt the raw Shea Butter down using the double-boiler method.
• Once it is liquid, stir in the Argan oil.
• Let the mixture cool and solidify slightly, then whip it with a spoon or mixer until creamy.
• Use this as your daily sealant to lock in moisture and physically block the sun’s rays.

4. Jojoba & Aloe

This scalp-protecting serum contains Jojoba, which mimics the scalp’s natural sebum. The mixture is absolutely perfect for protecting exposed skin if you are wearing protective styles with parts (like knotless braids or cornrows).

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of Jojoba oil
• 2 tablespoons of Aloe Vera juice

Procedure

How Often Should You Apply Hair Sunscreen?

Like body sunscreen, you should apply your hair sunscreen daily, especially if you’re outdoors. The best time to apply sunscreen is at least 15 minutes before you head out. To ensure maximum protection during long beach days or outdoor events, you should reapply it every three hours.

Other Ways to Protect Your Hair from the Sun

In addition to using your DIY hair sunscreen, you can shield your hair from direct exposure to the sun in the following ways –

• wearing a hat (wide-brimmed)
• using a scarf (beffer if silk or satin-lined)
• carrying an umbrella
• combining methods (for example, wearing sunscreen and a hat or wearing a scarf and using an umbrella)

Final Thoughts

Hair sunscreens are an essential in hair care. If you can’t afford one, aren’t comfortable with some ingredients in branded products, or simply love DIYs, then the homemade hair sunscreen recipes in this article are sure to help.

Using your sunscreen may seem inconsequential, but in the long run, it adds up to everything else in your hair routine that’ll help you maintain healthy and thriving hair.