Yes, you need sunscreen on your scalp regardless of hair coverage — here are the best ones to shop
You probably know that you should lather sunscreen on both your face and body, but you might be missing one crucial spot: the top of your head. The scalp is a high risk area when it comes to sun exposure — and if damage like skin cancer is found on the scalp, it can be a tricky area to treat, says Dr. Claire Wolinsky, a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City.
'Studies have shown that hair provides very little protection for your scalp, regardless of hair color,' says board-certified dermatologist Dr. Michele Green. 'If there's no hair on the scalp, it's extra important to protect it with sunscreen or a UV-protective hat.'
To help you narrow down the best scalp SPF for you, we consulted dermatologists about how to shop for the right scalp sunscreen and how to best protect your head from harmful UV rays.
How we picked the best scalp sunscreens
When shopping for scalp sunscreens, our experts recommend you consider the following factors:
Type: There are two types of sunscreens: mineral and chemical. Mineral sunscreens sit on the surface of your skin and reflect the UV light by using zinc oxide and titanium oxide as active ingredients. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light with one or a combination of six chemical filters, according to our experts.
SPF Protection: In order to properly protect the skin, the sunscreen should have at least an SPF 30 rating, according to the American Academy of Dermatology.
Formulation: Sunscreens come in different forms, including lotions, sprays, oils, powders and sticks. However, for the scalp, certain formulations work better than others depending on whether you have hair or not. For those with no hair, a sunscreen lotion would protect the scalp best, while a spray or powder might be better for those with hair.
The best scalp sunscreens
Below, we compiled dermatologist-recommended scalp sunscreens as well as some highly rated ones to keep your scalp protected from UV rays. All of the products we list have a minimum SPF 30 rating in line with our experts' guidance.
This sunscreen is great for both face and scalp coverage, and it has the added benefit of correcting sun damage, including sun spots, says Dr. Jamie DeRosa, a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. Not only does it protect the skin from UV rays, but it also has ingredients like squalane to restore moisture in the skin and antioxidants, including vitamins C and E, to help prevent free radical damage, too, says DeRosa.
If you're looking to protect your scalp without making your hair greasy, you may prefer a powder formulation. This Supergoop Poof Part Powder comes recommended by both DeRosa and Green because it has silica to absorb excess oil on the scalp and vitamin C to protect the skin from damage caused by UV radiation. Apply the product two inches away from your scalp and blend it into your skin using a hairbrush or your fingertips, much like you would a dry shampoo, according to the brand.
This spray sunscreen has a narrow nozzle at the top that makes it easy to apply the product on specific areas of the scalp, says Wolinksy. The broad-spectrum and water-resistant mist is suitable for all skin types because it's noncomedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores, according to the brand. The best way to apply this sunscreen is by spraying it 4-6 inches away from the scalp and evenly spreading out the product using your fingertips, according to Sun Bum.
This is our favorite expert-recommended sunscreen stick because it's easy to apply, glides well onto the skin and goes on clear, so you won't have to worry about an unsightly residue on your scalp. Its small size is great to take on the go when you're on vacation or strolling outside, plus it's sweat- and water-resistant.
Coola's scalp and hair spray has a non-greasy formula and SPF 30 that protects your scalp without weighing your hair down, according to the brand. With hair protection in mind, this sunscreen prevents UV-related hair color fading, moisturizes the hair and improves your overall scalp health with ingredients like monoi oil, panthenol and gotu kola extract, according to Coola. It has a 4.4-star average rating from over 3,800 reviews on Amazon.
If you're worried about your sunscreen leaving a white cast on your hair and scalp, consider this tinted sunscreen powder, which earned a spot in our guide to the best sunscreen for darker skin tones. Its broad-spectrum coverage can help protect against UV rays, infrared rays and high-energy visible light (blue light), experts say. It's available in four shades — fair, medium, tan and deep — and you can dust it over your part and head or use it to touch-up your face makeup throughout the day, according to the brand.
This Oars and Alps spray, which has a 4.3-star average rating from over 200 reviews on Amazon, has cucumber and aloe to hydrate your scalp and prevent sun exposure from drying out your skin, according to the brand. Plus, it comes in a small travel-sized bottle, so you can easily take it on the go.
What to look for in a scalp sunscreen
When shopping for a scalp sunscreen, choose one that will block both UVA and UVB rays to maximize protection, according to our experts. Below, we list some other factors to consider when it comes to deciding which scalp sunscreen is best for you.
Mineral vs. chemical sunscreen
Choosing between a mineral or chemical sunscreen is based on personal preference, according to Wolinsky. Mineral sunscreens, also known as physical sunscreens, will have zinc oxide, titanium oxide or both as their active ingredients. These sunscreens are great for sensitive skin, but can leave a white cast on dark skin tones or on dark hair, depending on their formula, Wolinsky says. Chemical sunscreens have one (or a combination) of six chemical filters: oxybenzone, avobenzone, octisalate, octocrylene, homosalate and octinoxate.
Hair density
For some people, the scalp may be covered by hair, while others will have a completely exposed scalp. The density of your hair may impact which type of sunscreen you need.
If you have no hair covering the scalp, a cream or lotion sunscreen is the best option since it provides the most protection, and there is no worry about potentially making your hair greasy, according to experts.
If you have thinner hair, you may want to consider a spray since it's the most comfortable and easiest to use, says Wolinsky. However, you can also apply a cream or lotion if it's possible for you to access your scalp without getting your hair greasy, says Wolinsky.
For those with long or thick hair, you may be a bit more limited on where you can apply sunscreen since a majority of the scalp will be covered (though it's still important to apply sunscreen regardless of your hair density). You should apply sunscreen to any exposed areas, including where your part lines are.
Skin type
Factoring in your skin type will help you determine which scalp sunscreen will be the best option for you.
If you have oily and acne-prone skin, you may want to consider a lightweight formula when possible to avoid possible scalp breakouts, also known as folliculitis. Sensitive skin might want to avoid common irritants like fragrances, too, says Wolinsky. If you have sensitive skin, you should also consider a mineral sunscreen since chemical filters can be irritating, experts say.
Meet our experts
At Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Dr. Claire Wolinsky is a board-certified dermatologist at Spring Street Dermatology in New York City. Her areas of expertise include medical dermatology, including acne and rosacea, as well as cosmetic dermatology, such as lasers and injectables.
Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist at her own private practice in New York City. Her areas of expertise include skin cancer, skin disorders, non-surgical neck lifts, body contouring and more.
Dr. Eileen Deignan is a board-certified dermatologist and chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. Her area of expertise lies in medical dermatology.
Dr. Jaimie DeRosa is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon and founder of the DeRosa Center Facial Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston. She also is an assistant professor at Harvard Medical School and Boston University School of Medicine. Her area of expertise includes both surgical and nonsurgical treatments.
Why trust NBC Select?
Justin Krajeski is a former associate editor for NBC Select. For this piece, Justin interviewed three dermatologists and highlighted their recommendations as well as other scalp sunscreens that are in line with their recommendations.
Bianca Alvarez is a former associate reporter who covered beauty and skin care. For this piece, she interviewed a dermatologist and researched scalp sunscreens that are in line with expert guidance.
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She likes its lightweight feel and says it blends into her son's skin well, so it doesn't leave behind an oily or gritty residue. The sunscreen's vegan formula is also hypoallergenic and moisturizing, plus it doesn't have any synthetic fragrances. How to properly apply spray sunscreen 'The efficacy of sunscreens, no matter the formulation, lies in proper application,' says Green. And one of the biggest disadvantages of spray sunscreen is that it's easy to apply incorrectly. To make sure you're using spray sunscreen the right way, follow the guide below. A step-by-step guide to applying spray sunscreen Hold the spray bottle's nozzle about three to four inches away from your skin. Spray multiple passes across each part of your body. Two to three times per arm and three to four times per leg is a good rule of thumb, says Dr. Corey L. Hartman, a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. 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'I suggest applying the spray, spreading it on the skin, and coming back 10 minutes later to reapply,' says Dr. Eileen Deignan, board-certified dermatologist and the chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. It's also important to avoid inhaling spray sunscreen or getting it in the eyes, nose or mouth, which can cause irritation. To make sure spray sunscreen actually reaches your body, hold the nozzle close enough to your skin, apply it slowly and don't use it in windy conditions, says Green. Also don't forget about your ears, scalp, feet and hands. How often should you reapply spray sunscreen? You need to constantly reapply all types of sunscreen regardless of whether you're exposed to water. Reapply every two hours if you're spending time outdoors or sitting next to a window indoors, says Hartman. And if you're swimming or sweating, reapply sunscreen every 80 minutes and after drying off, even if you're using a water-resistant formula, says DeRosa. Meet our experts At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure that all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and with no undisclosed financial conflicts of interest. Dr. Michele Green is a board-certified cosmetic dermatologist based in New York City. Dr. Corey L. Hartman is a board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. Dr. Jaimie DeRosa is a double board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. She's the founder and lead facial plastic surgeon at DeRosa Center Plastic Surgery & Med Spa in Boston and Palm Beach. Dr. Eileen Deignan is a board-certified dermatologist and the chief of dermatology at Emerson Hospital. She practices medical dermatology at the Dermatology Associates of Concord. Why trust NBC Select? I'm a reporter at NBC Select who writes about skin care, including topics like tinted sunscreen, ingrown hair, razor burn and sunscreen for acne-prone skin. For this article, I interviewed four experts about how to shop for spray sunscreen and rounded up options recommended by dermatologists and the NBC Select staff.
