How to Protect Your Scalp and Hair From the Sun This Summer

You diligently apply sunscreen to your face, shoulders, and arms—but when was the last time you protected your scalp? The top of your head and your hairline are among the most directly sun-exposed areas of your entire body, and also among the most neglected. A sunburned scalp is painful and peels uncomfortably, and over time, UV rays dry out your hair, weaken its structure, and fade your color. Here's how to keep both your scalp and your strands protected all summer.

Why Your Scalp Is So Vulnerable

Think about how the sun hits you: when it's overhead, your scalp takes a near-direct hit, especially along the part line and hairline where skin is exposed. Yet it's the spot people forget most, partly because it's hidden under hair and partly because it's awkward to reach. The skin on your scalp is just as susceptible to burning and long-term damage as the skin anywhere else—and because it's so often overlooked, scalp sun damage can quietly add up year after year.

Who's Most at Risk

Everyone should protect their scalp, but some people need to be especially vigilant. Anyone with thinning hair, a visible part, a buzz cut, or a bald patch has more skin directly exposed. Fine, light-colored, or tightly coiled hair also offers less natural coverage. And if you spend long days outdoors—at the beach, gardening, hiking, or watching sports—your scalp is logging far more UV exposure than you might realize.

1. Wear a Hat—Ideally a UPF One

The simplest, most effective scalp protection is a physical barrier. A wide-brimmed or bucket hat shields not just your scalp but your ears, neck, and the tops of your shoulders too. For maximum protection, look for hats labeled with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) of 50+, which are specifically designed to block UV rays. A hat also spares your hair from the drying, color-fading effects of constant sun.

2. Apply Sunscreen to Exposed Scalp

A hat isn't always practical, so sunscreen is your reliable backup—particularly along the part and hairline. Use a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and work it into any exposed skin. Our lightweight SPF 30 Body Gelée is ideal here because its non-greasy gel texture sinks in without leaving your hair looking slick or weighed down, unlike heavy creams. Apply it to the part line, hairline, and the tops of your ears, and reapply every two hours—and after swimming or sweating.

3. Don't Forget the Hairline and Face Border

The transition zone where your face meets your hair is a classic missed spot. As you apply your facial sunscreen, carry it right up into the hairline rather than stopping short. Our SPF 50 Face Gelée makes this easy: a higher SPF for the delicate skin of your face and forehead, blended seamlessly up to where your hair begins so there's no unprotected strip left behind.

4. Shield Your Hair From Drying UV Damage

Sun protection isn't only about your scalp—your hair suffers too. UV rays break down the proteins that keep strands strong and strip moisture, leaving hair dry, brittle, and dull, while accelerating color fade. To protect it, tuck long hair under a hat, loosely braid or tie it up to reduce surface exposure, and rinse with fresh water after swimming so salt and chlorine don't compound the damage. A leave-in conditioner adds a hydrating, protective layer for long days outside.

5. Time Your Sun Exposure

UV intensity peaks between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. When you can, seek shade or schedule outdoor time for earlier morning or later afternoon. Less direct overhead sun means less exposure for the most vulnerable part of your head—a small timing shift that meaningfully reduces your risk.

Build Scalp Care Into Your Routine

Protecting your scalp doesn't require a separate regimen—it's about extending the sun protection you already use to the spots you usually skip. Pair a UPF hat with a broad-spectrum gel for exposed skin, carry your protection all the way to the hairline, and give your hair a little extra hydration after sun and saltwater. If you want both your face and body covered with formulas that layer cleanly into hair-adjacent areas, the Summer Duo Bundle pairs the SPF 50 Face Gelée and SPF 30 Body Gelée so every exposed inch—scalp and hairline included—stays protected. The top of your head has been doing without for too long; this summer, give it the same attention as the rest of you.