No matter how much or how little melanin you have in your skin, it’s important to apply sunscreen. It’s what helps to protect it from UV ray damage; especially during the summer months. But did you know that when it comes to shielding yourself from the sun, it’s not only your skin that you should be concerned about? Your hair could use a little sunscreen too.
Why? Because when our hair spends a lot of time in sunlight, UV rays can start to do a real number on it as well. Ultimately, that can lead to protein loss, a change of hair color (which can also cause dry and brittle tresses”> and even exposure to free radicals.
Recently, a study shared that sunscreen can enter into our bloodstream in as little as 24 hours. And while many medical professionals claim that shouldn’t deter us from applying sunscreen, if you’d like to take better “sun care” of your hair this summer, but you want to avoid as many chemicals as possible, we’ve got some DIY recipes that are quick, affordable and super easy to make.
Grapeseed and Rosewater Hair Sunscreen Recipe
If you want to see your hair grow faster, try applying some grapeseed oil to it. It’s high in Vitamin E, proteins, minerals, and the linoleic acid—all of which will strengthen your hair’s roots, protect your hair’s cuticles and even help to prevent frizzing.
Since being in the sun can zap your hair of much-needed moisture, add some rosewater to the grapeseed oil to replenishes your locks. Thanks to the anti-inflammatory properties that are also in rosewater, your scalp will experience less sun damage and dandruff. Plus, rosewater has a way of increasing blood circulation to your hair’s follicles, so that it can get all of the nutrients that it requires in the process.
- 2 tablespoons of grapeseed oil
- Spray bottle full of rosewater
All you need to do is fill up a spray bottle with rosewater, leaving enough room for two tablespoons of grapeseed oil. Spray your hair before going outside and you’re all set! (For the record, you can put all of these recipes in your spray bottle, if that’s what you’d prefer.”>
White Tea and Lavender Hair Sunscreen Recipe
There are a few great things about using white tea on your hair. For starters, it contains an antioxidant called epigallocatechin gallate; it not only stimulates hair growth, it also works to prevent premature hair loss too. White tea also has a great reputation for protecting hair from the sun by providing what it needs to keep your tresses moisturized, soft and shiny. Another great thing about white tea is it has EGCG in it; that’s an antioxidant that enhances hair growth.
Lavender is not only soothing to your scalp; it’s also a wonderful deep conditioner that contains antimicrobial properties to prevent an itchy scalp. As a bonus, it also has the ability to heal skin and scalp inflammation too.
- 2 white tea tea bags
- 5 drops of lavender oil
To make this particular kind of hair sunscreen, steep two white tea tea bags and let tea cool completely. Then pour it into a bottle, add the five drops of lavender and shake. Then apply.
Coconut Oil and Lime Hair Sunscreen Recipe
Coconut oil has been all the rage when it comes to natural hair care for a while now. It’s also pretty popular as it relates to applying some of it to your skin during the summer months. The ingredients in coconut oil work to condition your hair, soften and moisturize your it while preventing breakage. Something else that coconut oil does is tame frizz and seal your strands so that heat damage can’t easily get to it. And lime? The Vitamin C that’s in it also protects your hair from sun damage while stimulating hair growth.
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1/2 cup of water
- A dash of lime
In order for the coconut oil to blend well with the water and lime juice, zap a tablespoon of it into the microwave for just a couple of seconds. Then mix everything together and put the sunscreen into a plastic bottle and store at room temperature. If the coconut oil starts to solidify, put the entire bottle into the microwave for about five seconds. The warm solution will feel great when you put it onto your hair and scalp.
Zinc Hair Sunscreen Recipe
Distilled water is simply water that is in its purest form. Non-nano zinc oxide is a natural and non-toxic way to protect your hair from UVA and UVB light rays. Argan oil contains vitamins A, C and E, antioxidants, omega-6 fatty acids and linoleic acid that all works to tame frizz, make your hair more manageable and protect your hair from both the sun and heat-related styling tools.
- 6 oz. of distilled water
- 1 teaspoon of non-nano zinc oxide
- 1 teaspoon of argan oil
Mix all of the ingredients together and apply directly to your hair.
Aloe Vera and Honey Hair Sunscreen Recipe
If you want an all-natural way to give your natural curls more definition, Aloe Vera is the route to go. Aloe Vera also has proteolytic enzymes in it that will repair any damaged skin cells that you might have on your scalp while deep conditioning your locks and promoting hair growth. Sea salt absorbs oil, prevents fungal growth and increases blood circulation to your scalp. Honey is a humectant that keeps your hair moisturized while also providing your hair with the nutrients that it needs to prevent breakage too.
- 8 oz. of water
- 1 tablespoon of Aloe Vera
- 1 teaspoon of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of honey
Fill a plastic bottle with all of these ingredients, shake it up well and then apply.
Raspberry Seed Oil and Avocado Oil Sunscreen Recipe
If you decided to do some online research on the health benefits of raspberry seed oil, what you’re going to constantly see is just how powerful it is at blocking UV rays, boosting collagen and fighting free radicals. So, of course, we couldn’t pen a piece on hair sunscreen recipes without including one that has this particular oil in it!
If you add avocado oil to it, your tresses will get oleic acid and monounsaturated fats in it so that your hair’s shaft will get deeply penetrated and conditioned. And rosemary tea? It strengthens hair and boosts hair growth as well.
- 2 tablespoons of raspberry seed oil
- 2 tablespoons of avocado oil
- 1 rosemary tea bag
Steep the rosemary tea bag. Let it cool and pour the oils in. Stir and then pour it into a plastic bottle. Apply it to your hair and scalp and it will be sun-protected-ready!
Have any recipes of your own to share? Let us know in the comments!
