10 Simple Homemade Sunscreens To Protect Your Hair

We are all aware of the need for sunscreen for our skin, but what about our scalp and hair? Continuous sun exposure can cause your scalp to burn and your hair to become weak and damaged. This is where homemade sunscreens for hair come into the picture. Hair care products containing SPF protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays. However, most commercially available products are costly and may contain harmful chemicals that cause long-term harm. DIY homemade sunscreens for hair are an excellent alternative.

Compounds containing natural SPF and antioxidants can protect your hair from harmful sun exposure. In addition, these sunscreens are inexpensive, and you may customize them to meet your specific needs.

The list of top 10 hair sunscreens that you can prepare at home is mentioned below. Check it out!

Is A Hair Sunscreen Really Necessary?

Prolonged sun exposure can make your hair dull, lifeless, and prone to breakage. Sun rays can dry your hair and leave it discolored, brittle, and rough at the ends. Hair sunscreens can protect your hair against damaging UV rays. They also can strengthen your hair by adding hydration and nourishment. Their antioxidants fight free radicals too, making them an absolute necessity to maintain silky and bouncy hair in the summer. In the following section, we have listed the 10 best DIY hair sunscreens.

Quick Tip

Reapplying sunscreen is as important as applying it. It is recommended to reapply sunscreen after every 2 hours.

DIY Sunscreen Recipes To Protect Your Hair

Explore some simple DIY homemade sunscreens for hair that you can make yourself at home. Check them out below.

1. Grapeseed And Rosewater Hair Sunscreen 

You will need

• 10-20 drops of pure grapeseed essential oil
• 200 ml of rose water

Process

2. Mix the ingredients thoroughly.
3. Spritz the hair sunscreen mixture 20 minutes before you go outside.
4. Store the hairspray in the refrigerator for a longer life.

2. White Tea And Lavender Hair Sunscreen

You will need

• 2 white tea bags
• 5 drops of lavender oil

Process

1. Use 2 white tea bags to brew tea.
2. Let this concoction cool down. Add the 5 drops of lavender oil to it and store the mixture in a hair spray bottle.
3. Shake before use. Apply to hair every day.

3. Zinc Hair Sunscreen Recipe 

You will need

• 1 teaspoon of non-nano zinc oxide
• 1 teaspoon of argan oil
• 177 ml of water

Process

1. Mix the ingredients and apply directly to your hair.

4. Aloe Vera And Honey Hair Sunscreen

You will need

• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera
• 1 teaspoon of sea salt
• 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 236 ml of water

Process

1. Mix the aloe vera, sea salt, coconut oil, and honey.
2. Add water to this mixture to achieve the consistency of a hair spray. Shake before use.
3. Spray on your hair before heading out.

5. Raspberry Seed Oil And Avocado Oil Sunscreen

You will need

• 2 tablespoons of raspberry seed oil
• 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
• 1 rosemary tea bag

Process

6. Brew the rosemary tea and let it cool.
7. Add the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.
8. Store this hair oil blend in a spray bottle and spray regularly. Shake the bottle before use.

6. Coconut Oil, Avocado, And Aloe Vera

You will need

• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of avocado oil
• 1 tablespoon of almond oil
• 3 teaspoons of aloe vera gel
• 40 ml of water

Process

1. Add coconut oil, almond oil, avocado oil, and aloe vera gel into the water and mix well.
2. Store in a hair spray bottle.
3. Shake this protective hair spray sunscreen and apply it to the hair before heading out.

7. Sunscreen With Jojoba Oil, Egg Yolk, Honey, And Cognac

You will need

• 1 tablespoon of wheat germ oil
• 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil
• 1 egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon of honey
• 1 teaspoon of cognac

Process

8. Mix the ingredients to form a thick paste.
9. Apply the mask to your hair and leave it on for 20 minutes. Shampoo as usual.

8. Sunscreen With Yogurt, Honey, And Apple Cider Vinegar

You will need

• 6 tablespoons of whole white yogurt
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar
• 40 ml of lukewarm water
• 20 drops of lavender essential oil
• 10 drops of peppermint essential oil

Process

1. Make a smooth mask with the ingredients. Add the lukewarm water to get the ideal consistency.
2. Apply this mixture to your hair and leave it on for 30 minutes.
3. Wash your hair as usual with shampoo and conditioner.

9. Sunscreen With Rice Oil, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, And Jojoba Oil

You will need

• 2 tablespoons of rice bran oil
• 1 teaspoon of castor oil
• 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon of sesame oil
• 1 capsule of Vitamin E
• 10 drops of the essential oil of sweet orange

Process

10. Mix the ingredients and apply this mixture to damp hair.
11. Leave it on for 30 minutes.
12. Shampoo as usual.

10. Sunscreen With Coconut Oil, Jojoba Oil, And Aloe Vera

You will need

• 40 ml of water
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 1 tablespoon of jojoba oil
• 1 tablespoon of aloe vera gel

Process

1. Add coconut oil, jojoba oil, and aloe vera into the water.
2. Mix well and store in a hair spray bottle.
3. Apply this mixture to your hair before going out in the sun.
4. You can refrigerate the sunscreen for up to 3 days.

Sushmita, a YouTuber, talks about her DIY homemade sunscreen for hair that helped her protect hair. She used a mixture of coconut milk, argan oil, and rosemary essential oil. Talking about rosemary essential oil, she stated, “It works wonders for hair and makes it grow. I keep using it in all my hair oils hair masks and hair tonics all the time (i).”

Note: Ensure to conduct a patch test before topical application to prevent possible allergic reactions or irritation.

These are the simple hair sunscreens you can make at your home. They are made of beneficial ingredients. But what does the research say about them? 

How Do The Ingredients In These Homemade Sunscreens Work? 

Here is how the ingredients in the sunscreen recipes above help protect hair from the summer sun.

• Grapeseed oil: Grapeseed oil has anti-dandruff, antimicrobial, and antioxidant properties. It also is used as a sunscreen (1). It is rich in flavonoidsⁱ  Phytonutrients with variable phenolic structures having anti-inflammatory properties that protect the cells from oxidative damage. and antioxidants, including proanthocyanidinⁱ  A polyphenol commonly found in berries that acts as an antioxidant and protects against cardiovascular disease. and alpha-tocopherolⁱ  A form of vitamin E that strengthens the immune system, prevents blood clot formation, and protects cells from free radical damage. , which protect your hair from sun damage and ultraviolet radiation (1).
• White tea: White tea is an established photoprotective agent (2). It is rich in polyphenolsⁱ  Naturally occurring compounds found in fruits, cereals, and vegetables that act as antioxidants and neutralize free radicals. with antioxidant-rich properties that protect the scalp (skin) against sun damage (2).
• Non-nano zinc oxide: Non-nano zinc oxide is among the safest forms of zinc oxides. It does not enter the bloodstream (3). It offers a natural and non-toxic way to protect your hair from UVA and UVB rays.
• Raspberry seed oil: It is antioxidants-enriched and can help block the UV rays and fight free radicals (4).
• Rice bran oil: Rice bran oil’s antioxidant and photoprotective properties offer protection against the harmful sun rays (4).
• Argan oil: Argan oil is rich in natural phenols such as caffeic acid, oleuropeinⁱ  A type of phenolic compound found in green olives popular for its blood-pressure-lowering abilities. , vanillic acid, tyrosolⁱ  A colorless organic compound found in olive oil that is known as one of the best sources of antioxidants. , and catechol (5). These act as UV filters and help with sun protection.
• Aloe vera: Aloe vera is a natural hair conditioner. It has strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that fight free radicals and protect against UV damage (5).
• Vegetable- and fruit-based oils are rich in tocopherols, carotenoids, and essential fatty acids. They are popularly used in sunscreen lotions. They absorb UV rays and protect against sun damage. The SPF values of a few commonly used oils are given in the table below. You can use these to tweak hair sunscreens to your needs (6).

Did You Know?

Sunscreen with SPF 30 can block about 97% of UVB rays. While SPF 50 can block about 98% of UVB rays.

Commercial sunscreens mention their SPF on the packaging. But is it possible to know the same for homemade sunscreens? Let us find out.

How To Calculate The SPF Of Homemade Sunscreen

Calculating the sun protection factor (SPF) of a homemade sunscreen can be challenging as it requires precise measurements and knowledge of the SPF of each ingredient you use while making it. For instance, coconut oil and olive oil have an SPF value of around 8 (6). Add all the values together and test the SPF to determine if the calculated value is correct. The only way to test your homemade sunscreen is by applying it and spending some time in the sun to see if it works.

Note: Homemade sunscreens may not provide consistent or adequate protection, so use them with caution.

While using homemade sunscreen is a good option, there are other tips that one can follow to protect their lustrous tresses from harmful UV rays. Let’s read about them in the next section!

Additional Tips For Hair Protection

Here’s a list of additional tips that you can follow to protect your hair from the sun.

• Use a wide-brimmed hat to shield your hair and scalp from direct sunlight.
• Apply good quality hair products formulated with UV filters to protect against damage.
• Avoid stepping out during peak sun hours, typically between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.
• Use a deep conditioning treatment regularly to replenish moisture and repair any sun damage.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I protect my hair from the sun naturally?

Cover your hair with a hat or a scarf to minimize sun exposure. Use products with sun protection, including DIY hair masks and natural hair sunscreens.

How to get sunscreen out of hair?

Use a clarifying shampoo to remove sunscreen and product build-up from hair and scalp.

What oils protect hair from the sun?

Grapeseed oil, sesame oil, tea tree oil and coconut oil are known to offer partial sun protection to hair.

Can sunscreen damage your hair?

No, sunscreen protects your hair from damage. However, ensure you rinse the sunscreen out of your hair after use.

Can a homemade sunscreen for hair be used on all hair types?

Yes, homemade hair sunscreen can be used on all hair types.

Can a homemade sunscreen for hair be used as a leave-in conditioner?

We recommend not using hair sunscreen as a leave-in conditioner and applying the sunscreen before washing your hair to prevent product buildup. Sunscreens with aloe vera and honey, jojoba oil, grapeseed oil and coconut oil can condition your hair strands naturally and shield them from damaging UV rays.

Can a homemade sunscreen for hair be used to protect color-treated hair from fading?

Sun rays can break the chemical bonds in the hair dye, acting as a natural bleach. Using homemade sunscreens can help protect color-treated hair and prevent the color from fading.

Is it necessary to use a conditioner after applying the homemade sunscreen?

Applying conditioner allows for better product absorption and helps protect the hair from pollution damage. So, use a conditioner every time you shampoo your hair after applying homemade sunscreen.

Illustration: Simple Homemade Sunscreens To Protect Your Hair

Image: Stable Diffusion/StyleCraze Design Team

Learn how to make natural DIY sunscreens for your hair! Protect your hair from the sun’s harmful rays with these easy and affordable recipes by watching this informative video.

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Dr. Anjali AsokBAMS, MD (Ayu)

   

Dr. Anjali is a staunch believer of Ayurveda. Her holistic approach and passion for science help her treat her clients. She has 4 years of expertise in dealing with metabolic and lifestyle-related disorders, digestive care, women's health, skin and beauty, allergic conditions, detox procedures, and rejuvenating therapies.

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Ramona is an editor at StyleCraze with 11 years of experience in writing and editing. She has authored over 200 articles on skin and hair care. She graduated from the University of Calcutta, West Bengal, and did her post-graduation from the University of Kalyani, West Bengal.

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Swathi ESenior Beauty & Lifestyle Writer

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