Is Saltwater Good for Your Hair?

You’ve probably heard you should rinse off after swimming in pools because of how the chlorine can damage your hair — or turn it green. But what about the ocean?

Is saltwater good for your hair? After all, you can get sea salt spray in the hair care section, so there must be some benefit. If so, what does saltwater do to your hair?

Before you soak your head in a salt bath, it’s helpful to understand how it might actually affect your hair strands. While sea water may enhance texture and volume, it can also lead to dryness, brittleness, and damage, making pre- and post-ocean hair care tips essential.

Honestly, there’s not much direct research on the topic of sea water and hair. Based on the available information, we’ll go over the pros and cons of saltwater for hair and how to protect your hair from getting too salty.

Saltwater isn’t just for surfers. It may actually have some temporary benefits for your hair — in moderation.

Why is saltwater good for your hair? Let’s go over the potential upsides of a dip in the ocean.

Saltwater Is a Natural Exfoliant for the Scalp

You might think of saltwater as nature’s dry shampoo — but without the weird white residue that builds up after a couple of days of spraying too closely to your scalp. 

Salt is naturally dehydrating (one of several reasons why you can’t drink ocean water when you’re thirsty and call it good). This property means it might also help break down excess oil, sebum, dead skin cells, and product buildup lurking on your scalp. 

This semi-deep-cleaning effect may leave your hair feeling fresher and lighter — to an extent.

Saltwater Is Mother Nature’s Hair Mousse

Ever noticed how beach hair has that effortlessly cool, messy-but-in-a-good-way look?

That’s because saltwater may also help add texture and give a short-term volume boost to your mane.

Building off of its natural exfoliant properties, saltwater slightly roughs up the hair cuticle, theoretically giving your strands more grip and body.

For guys who struggle with limp, lifeless hair, saltwater could feel like a natural texturizing spray without the overpriced salon markup.

Saltwater may give you that rugged, just-got-back-from-surfing look. But like bare skin without sunscreen, too much exposure can leave your hair feeling like a straw broom that lost a fight with the sun.

Is salt bad for your hair? Swimming in the ocean regularly is undoubtedly a healthy form of exercise. But when it comes to hair, there probably are some negative effects of regular ocean dips.

Saltwater Might Strip Hair’s Natural Oils

Your scalp produces natural oils to keep your hair soft, hydrated, and not resembling a tumbleweed.

But saltwater? It sucks the moisture right out. Too much of it is likely to leave your hair dry, frizzy, and in desperate need of a drink.

Saltwater Can Cause Tangles and Breakage

Ever tried running your fingers through your hair after a long beach day? It doesn’t exactly feel nice.

Salt dries and roughens hair, making strands more prone to tangles, knots, and that frustrating feeling when your comb just can’t get the job done. Too much tugging can lead to more breakage and split ends.

Saltwater Fades Color-Treated Hair

If you’ve invested in a fresh hair hue, saltwater is like a time machine that speeds up the color-fading process.

It strips color molecules from the hair shaft, leaving you with a dull, washed-out version of what used to be a vibrant look. 

Saltwater Can Irritate Dry or Sensitive Scalps

Got a dry or sensitive scalp? Saltwater isn’t going to do you any favors. It can make dryness, itchiness, and flaking worse — kind of like turning up the volume on an already annoying itch. 

If you deal with dandruff, eczema, or scalp psoriasis, the drying effect of prolonged saltwater exposure might leave your scalp angrier than it was when you got to the beach.

Saltwater doesn’t just mess with your hair — it has a thing for drying out your skin, too.

While saltwater can have some mild antibacterial benefits (why some people might notice fewer pimples after a week of ocean swimming), too much exposure can leave you feeling like you’ve been shrink-wrapped. 

Here’s what to watch out for:

• Saltwater can dry out your skin. Saltwater pulls moisture from your skin the same way it zaps your hair of hydration. After a long beach day, you might notice your face and body feeling tight or flaky. If you already have dry skin, saltwater can worsen it.

• Saltwater can worsen existing skin issues. If you have sensitive skin, eczema, or psoriasis, prolonged saltwater exposure can be like poking a bear. While some people swear by ocean water for clearing up skin imbalances, the high salt content can cause redness, inflammation, and increased peeling for others.

• Saltwater increases sun sensitivity. Ever felt extra-crispy after a beach day? That’s because saltwater can enhance the sun’s effects on your skin. The salt crystals that dry on your skin act like tiny magnifying glasses, intensifying UV exposure and upping your chances of sunburn. 

• Saltwater may cause itchiness. The scratchy feeling after a swim in the ocean is saltwater (and possibly scratchy sand particles) messing with your skin’s natural barrier. If left on too long, it can lead to irritation, small rashes, or even a weird post-swim itch.

While an ocean dip can be refreshing, leaving saltwater on your skin for too long is like forgetting to put lotion on in the dead of winter — it’s bound to leave you dry, flaky, and irritated.

Good news: A quick rinse and a consistent moisturizing routine can help fix (and prevent) most of the damage.

Though saltwater is fun in small doses, too much can turn your hair and scalp into a crunchy, irritated mess. But don’t worry — we’ve got ways to keep your hair from going full desert mode.

Pre-Swim Protection: Prep Your Hair Like a Pro

Before you jump into a salt bath, a little prep can go a long way in helping prevent saltwater damage to your hair.

Here are some things to consider when planning for a day at the beach:

• Rinse your hair with freshwater first. Hair is like a sponge — it can only soak up so much. Saturating your hair with salt-free water before swimming can help keep it from absorbing too much saltwater.

• Use a leave-in conditioner or hair oil. A lightweight leave-in conditioner, coconut oil, or argan oil creates a barrier that locks in moisture and shields hair from salt exposure. Plus, these treatments smell good.

• Wear a swim cap. Okay, it might not be the most stylish option, but if you’re serious about safeguarding your hair, a swim cap is your best bet for protection against dryness and tangles.

Post-Swim Care: Rinse, Wash, and Rehydrate

After you’ve gotten your fill of saltwater, it’s important to implement some ocean aftercare for your hair.

These simple habits can help reduce saltwater damage: 

• Rinse immediately with freshwater. The longer salt sits in your hair, the more moisture it sucks out. Give your hair a good rinse as soon as you’re out of the water to wash away the salt.

• Use a gentle moisturizing shampoo. Saltwater can be harsh, so skip anything with sulfates or detergents that might strip the cuticle. Look for hydrating shampoos with ingredients like aloe vera, shea butter, or argan oil.

• Deep condition. Using a good deep conditioner or hair mask once or twice a week helps restore lost moisture and keeps your hair soft, strong, and healthy.

Of course, caring for your hair doesn’t stop at avoiding saltwater damage. There are other simple habits you can employ to keep your hair healthy and looking its best, such as:

• Using protein treatments. If your hair’s feeling weak or brittle, a protein-infused treatment can help strengthen your strands and prevent breakage. Look for styling and hair care products with keratin.

• Getting it trimmed regularly. Saltwater is rough and can lead to split ends. Regular trims (every six to eight weeks) will keep your hair looking fresh and prevent further damage.

• Avoiding overwashing. It’s tempting to shampoo daily after beach trips, but too much washing strips your hair of natural oils. Stick to hydrating shampoos and try to later up only when necessary.

Is saltwater good for your hair? Saltwater can be both a blessing and a curse for hair. On one hand, it gives you effortlessly textured, beachy waves, but on the other, it can dry out your strands, cause breakage and hair damage, and leave your scalp feeling irritated.

The key is finding the right balance. Enjoy the ocean, but don’t let saltwater turn your hair into a brittle mess. With the right prep and aftercare, you can reap the temporary benefits while keeping damage to a minimum.

Here are a few things to keep in mind, especially if you’re a regular beach bum: 

• Saltwater enhances texture but may strip natural oils. It can give your hair volume and a rugged look, but too much exposure can leave it dry, brittle, and prone to frizz.

• Prolonged exposure may promote breakage and irritation. Without proper care, saltwater can weaken your hair, tangle it up, and even worsen scalp conditions.

• Pre- and post-swim care make all the difference. Rinsing with salt-free water, using a leave-in conditioner, and deep conditioning after swimming help protect hair from salt damage.

Overall, science is lacking on the relationship between saltwater and hair. We feel comfortable saying that if you love the ocean but don’t want to sacrifice your hair health, add these simple protective steps to your routine. 

Want more grooming tips to keep your hair texture looking its best? Check out our men’s hair care resources, or grab a thickening conditioner to keep your strands moisturized and voluminous.