9 Best Scalp Sunscreens to Protect Without Leaving Hair Greasy
So you dutifully apply body sunscreen, face SPF, and even protective lip balm—but your hair too? We hear you, it’s hard to imagine ruining a fresh blowout, but dermatologists say the skin on your head needs the best scalp sunscreens—no ifs, ands, or buts. Thankfully, there are actually quite a few formulas that can get the job done without slicking.
Women are essentially bald at their hair parts, says Zaineb H. Makhzoumi, MD, a director of clinical services and head of dermatologic surgery and oncology at University of Maryland Medical Center. What's more, we tend to part our hair in the same manner, leaving the area exposed to the damaging and cancer-inducing UV rays of the sun over and over again. So basically, applying SPF on the scalp with a focus on the part is not a step to be skipped. “Since most women don’t like greasy, messy lotions and creams in their hair, I typically recommend using a powder-based or spray sunscreen,” she says.
To help you find the formulas that fit the bill—you know, the ones that’ll preserve you blowout but give you that SPF you need—we tapped a handful of board-certified dermatologists to find out what they use personally and recommend to their patients. We also asked our expert editorial Glamour team to weigh in on their faves.
The best scalp sunscreens, at a glance:
- Best Scalp Sunscreen Overall: Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50, $69
- Best Drugstore Scalp Sunscreen: Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush SPF 30, $21
- Best Powder SPF: Isdin Mineral Brush Powder, $60
- Best Sunscreen Spray: Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen, $34
- Best Organic Sunscreen: Coola Suncare Ocean Salt & Sage Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30, $28
Your scalp sunscreen questions, answered:
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50
Courtesy of brand1/11Colorescience Sunforgettable Total Protection Brush-On Sunscreen SPF 50
When it comes to the scalp, dermatologists overwhelmingly recommend powder formulas—and for good reason. “If you’re concerned about scalp sunscreen making your hair look greasy or goopy, you’re more likely to skip this step,” says Melanie Palm, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD. “I encourage patients to look for a formula that is lightweight and easy to use, which usually comes in the form of a spray or a powder instead of a cream or lotion.” This is one of her top picks for that very reason—plus, you can use it on the rest of your body just as you would any other mineral sunscreen.
“Dermatologists often recommend this sunscreen for oily skin, because it can actually help with excess shine, almost like a dry shampoo,” says Glamour contributor Brigitt Earley. “It even comes in a few different shades to suit skin and hair color. I love how portable this one is too. You just remove the cap and twist the brush to apply.”
Type: Powder / Size: 0.21 oz. / SPF: 50 / Active ingredients: Titanium dioxide, zinc oxide
- What we love: Nongreasy; mineral formula; high SPF; comes in a variety of shades
- What could improve: Expensive, especially given the size
Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush SPF 30
Photo courtesy of Glamour Tester, Brigitt Earley2/11Hawaiian Tropic Mineral Powder Sunscreen Brush SPF 30
Photo courtesy of Glamour tester Brigitt Earley
Whether you’re looking to score something more affordable or forgot to pack your fave sunscreen, you can pick up this Hawaiian Tropic sunscreen at your nearest drugstore. This brush-on formula is similar to those of more luxe brands—the powder is housed in a mini bruch (perfect for your purse) that twists up for easy application. You can use it on your scalp, your face, or any other part of your body for matte sun protection that won’t leave your hair or skin feeling slick.
“One of the things I like most about this sunscreen is that it has the same nostalgic smell as the brand’s other products,” says Earley. “I’m also very sensitive to that chalky feeling some powdered products can leave behind. This one doesn’t give me that ick factor, because what it leaves behind is actually quite smooth.”
Type: Powder / Size: 0.15 oz. / SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Mineral formula; matte finish; budget-friendly
- What could improve: Only one shade available
Coola Suncare Ocean Salt & Sage Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30
Courtesy of brand3/11Coola Suncare Ocean Salt & Sage Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30
Coola offers a sunscreen that works overtime, not only protecting your scalp from those UVA and UVB rays but also boosting hair health. The antioxidant-rich formula, recommended by Dr. Palm, helps lock in color and strengthen damaged hair. It also contains panthenol, a hydrating ingredient that helps prevent breakage and boost shine, as well as monoi oil, a natural UV hair protector. And how could we forget: SPF 30.
Users say the product works especially well on thicker hair but may leave finer strands a bit greasy if you’re too heavy-handed. You can apply the product to your hands first, if you’re worried.
Type: Mist / Size: 2 oz. / SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- What we love: Hydrates hair and protects the scalp simultaneously; water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
- What could improve: May be too greasy for finer hair
Isdin Mineral Brush Powder
Original photo courtesy of Glamour contributor Briggit Earley4/11ISDIN Mineral Brush Powder
This is another favorite of Dr. Palm’s for its convenience and ability to protect without weighing down hair. She also notes that it’s a great pick for those with any skin sensitivities, since it’s a mineral-based formula that’s free from fragrances, parabens, and talc.
“The powder is nice and fine, so it doesn’t feel chalky like some other powders,” one tester says. “I frequently use this formula on my face too, since it layers so well over makeup. It’s almost like a setting powder with the added benefit of sun protection.”
Type: Powder / Size: 0.14 oz. / SPF: 50 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: High SPF; nongreasy; suitable for sensitive skin
- What could improve: Comes in only one shade
Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Photo courtesy of Glamour Tester, Brigitt Earley5/11Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen Spray Broad Spectrum SPF 45
Photo courtesy of Glamour tester Brigitt Earley
If you’re looking for a spray option, Dr. Makhzoumi recommends this formula because—first and foremost—it’s affordable and effective. To add to that, the product is also entirely clear and very lightweight, so it’s less likely to make hair greasy or leave any sort of residue in its wake.
“I can vouch for the fact that this formulation is 100% clear,” says Earley. “And as long as you give a real quick, light mist, you don’t have to rub the product in at all. When they say ‘Dry Touch,’ they really mean it. It dries in a speedy 10 seconds or less.”
Type: Spray / Size: 5 oz. / SPF: 45 / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene, oxybenzone
- What we love: Nongreasy; dries quickly; water-resistant for up to 80 minutes
- What could improve: Not quite as foolproof as powders
Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35
Courtesy of brand6/11Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35
If you’ve browsed any of Glamour’s sunscreen content, you know we’re big fans of Supergoop!—and dermatologists are too. Rosanne Paul, DO, assistant professor of dermatology at Case Western Reserve University, recommends the brand’s Poof Part Powder for scalps, “specifically for bald men, patients with thinning hair, the part line of the scalp for men and women, and the frontal hairline for all.”
Glamour West Coast editor Jessica Radloff has long reached for this sun-care product too. “I normally am really good about applying an SPF protectant spray on my scalp when I’m out in the sun, but it leaves my hair super sticky and strawlike,” she says. “Poof is life-changing, because it basically goes on like baby powder to deliver SPF 30 and hair that feels refreshed.” Just note: You may have to massage it into your hairline for it to totally disappear.
Type: Powder / Size: 0.71 oz. / SPF: 35 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Nongreasy; mineral-based; bigger bottle than some other containers
- What could improve: May have to rub it in to fully disappear
Sun Bum Sea Spray
Photo courtesy of Glamour Tester, Brigitt Earley7/11Sun Bum Sea Spray
Photo courtesy of Glamour tester Brigitt Earley
A cross between UV protection and hair product, Sun Bum’s spray is lightweight and has a very easy application process, says Jeremy Brauer, MD, a board-certified dermatologist at Spectrum Skin and Laser in Purchase, New York. “It contains a high SPF along with vitamin E, which can help strengthen hair and increase shine for all hair types,” he says.
Glamour editors like that the formula has sea salt to lend texture, delivering those covetable beachy waves, but also boasts sea kelp, a moisturizing ingredient that helps prevent any crunch. “It looks like it could be a powder, but it’s actually an entirely clear spray,” says Earley. “I love that it dries almost as soon as it hits the scalp, so there’s no downtime and no greasy residue.”
Type: Spray / Size: 2 oz. / SPF: 30 / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- What we love: Applies like hairspray; offers hair benefits; entirely clear formula
- What could improve: Feels slightly tacky
Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ for Face & Body
Courtesy of brand8/11Shiseido Clear Sunscreen Stick SPF 50+ for Face & Body
Prefer a stick? We love the convenience of stick sunscreens too, and Dr. Brauer says this one is about as good as it gets. “This product comes as a glide stick to cover your scalp easily,” he says. It’s also great for people who are outside for long periods of time, he adds, noting the water-resistant formulation has an SPF of 50+. “It doesn't leave a white cast the way some other scalp sunscreen products do,” he adds.
“One of the biggest draws of Shiseido sunscreens is the light citrus scent,” says Earley. “And yes, I can attest this stick really does glide on like butter but, thankfully, doesn’t leave any greasiness behind.”
Type: Stick / Size: 0.7 oz. / SPF: 50+ / Active ingredients: Avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, octocrylene
- What we love: Clear formula; goes on smooth; high SPF; nice citrus scent
- What could improve: May not be suitable for sensitive skin, since it contains fragrances
EltaMD UV AOX Mist Mineral Sunscreen Spray
Courtesy of brand9/11EltaMD UV AOX Mist Mineral Sunscreen Spray
If you don’t want to use a powder, lightweight sprays and mists are also convenient and less messy than creams or lotions. They’re also highly versatile, which is nice, since you can use the same product on the rest of your body. This EltaMD lightweight mineral sunscreen fits the bill, says Dr. Palm: “It’s lightweight, effective, and doesn’t leave a greasy residue.”
Our tester recommends spraying it into your hands and then applying to your scalp, rather than spraying directly onto strands. “The formula does look pretty white when it comes out of the spray bottle, but I can confirm it rubs in very nicely with zero white cast and minimal shine,” says Earley. “Just remember that a little bit goes a long way, and you can always add more.”
Type: Spray / Size: 5 oz. / SPF: 40 / Active ingredients: Zinc oxide
- What we love: Mineral formula; highly versatile
- What could improve: Could leave hair greasy if not applied carefully
10/11Should you put sunscreen on your scalp?
“You should protect your scalp all throughout the year,” says Dr. Brauer. “While it is often forgotten, when unprotected, the scalp is consistently exposed to the sun, and persistent exposure can result in sunburn, sun damage, and possibly skin cancer.”
11/11What is the best scalp protector?
There are many products, like many of those above, that are designed specifically with the scalp in mind. But if you don’t have access to scalp sunscreen, regular sunscreen also works, says Dr. Brauer. “When choosing a scalp sunscreen, it is important to look for a broad-spectrum UVA/UVB protective product with an SPF 30 or higher,” he says. It’s also a good idea to limit sun exposure and seek shade, particularly during peak afternoon hours, and wear a hat (or UPF clothing) for additional coverage, he adds. Don’t forget to reapply throughout the day too.
