The Top 7 Scalp Sunscreens for the Scalp & Thin Hair: Expert Recommendations

If you’re experiencing hair thinning or balding, your scalp is extra vulnerable to sunburn and UV (ultraviolet) damage. SPF is the answer. The best sunscreen for scalps or thin hair is easy to apply and doesn’t leave behind a mess.

Whether your excess shedding is the result of androgenetic alopecia (aka male pattern baldness) or a stress-induced form of hair loss known as telogen effluvium, the right sunscreen can help protect your scalp without messing up your coif.

Read on to learn how to keep your scalp from getting scorched and which expert-backed, scalp-friendly sunscreen picks we suggest.

Yes, your scalp can definitely get sunburned. “Hair is an important barrier against UV damage to the scalp, and in men with hair loss, more of the scalp is exposed, which can lead to sunburn that, over time, can potentially develop into skin cancer,“ says board-certified dermatologist Knox Beasley, MD, one of our medical reviewers. 

The skin on top of your head is just like the skin on any other part of your body. Without protection, damaging UV rays from sun exposure can reach your scalp and lead to sunburn.

For most people, hair acts as a natural shield from harmful UV rays. But thinning hair can expose scalp skin to the sun’s damaging rays and make you more likely to burn.

Yes. A research review from 2024 showed that the scalp is a “common site of skin cancer in humans.“ Sun exposure is also responsible for signs of skin aging (photo-damage) and hair damage.

Evidence suggests that melanoma and other skin cancers of the scalp, ears, and other areas of the head and neck are more common in men than women. The working theory is that this has to do with differences in hair coverage. 

Your skin type, hair type, hair thickness, and severity of hair loss may affect how easily you burn. But in general, the more you burn, the higher your risk of skin cancer. 

Bottom line? Suncare is skincare, and the best sunscreen for scalps helps safeguard the sensitive skin on your head.

It’s technically safe to use any sunscreen on your scalp. As Dr. Knox says, the best sunscreen for scalps is “whatever one you’re willing to use regularly.“

However, traditional lotions are moisturizing but tend to be oily and leave behind a greasy residue — bad news for your hair, especially if it’s already thinning and prone to oiliness. Excess oil can make your hair look even thinner.

Oil-free powder sunscreen can provide the same level of protection without the slick residue. It blends naturally with your hair and can even help sop up excess oil — think dry shampoo with SPF.

Another option? Spray sunscreen or sunscreen mist. These products offer lightweight coverage, depending on the formula, and they’re easy to apply in an even layer.

Stick sunscreens have convenient, travel-friendly containers and work well for applying protection to hairlines and parts. That said, they’re not practical for blocking UV rays from getting to the skin under your hair.

Application type isn’t the only thing to keep in mind when shopping for scalp-friendly sunscreen.

Two main sunscreen categories offer protection from harmful UV rays:

• Chemical sunscreen. Sometimes called organic sunscreen, this type of sunblock contains one or more ingredients that absorb the sun’s rays, like avobenzone, octisalate, oxybenzone, octocrylene, octinoxate, or homosalate. These formulas usually absorb into the skin more easily without leaving behind a white cast.

• Physical sunscreen. Often called mineral sunscreen, this type of sunblock contains mineral-based ingredients that sit on top of the skin and physically block UV rays. Active ingredients in mineral sunscreens typically include titanium dioxide and zinc oxide. Since these ingredients can be less irritating, they’re an excellent choice for people with sensitive skin.

Learn more about the differences between these two types of sunscreen in our guide to chemical versus mineral sunscreen.

Some hair care products, like shampoo and heat protectants, also contain sunscreen filters to protect the scalp and hair from sun damage.

You should wear a broad-spectrum sunscreen on your scalp — that is, one with at least SPF 30.

Ready to shop? Here are our product recommendations for the best scalp sunscreen:

• Brush On Block SPF 30 Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen

• Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

• Sun Bum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 Sunscreen

• Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35

• Coola Organic Scalp & Hair Sunscreen Mist SPF 30

• Oars + Alps Face + Scalp Mist SPF 35

• CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

We’ve also included ratings from Dr. Knox for the ingredients and ease of application.

1. Brush On Block SPF 30 Translucent Mineral Powder Sunscreen

Ingredients: ★★★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★★

This is a mineral, powder sunscreen that does without the white cast of some physical sunscreens. It’s reef-safe, vegan, paraben-free, and gluten-free, and the translucent powder formula won’t leave your hair or scalp looking greasy. Of the seven scalp sunscreens tested, Dr. Knox says this one has his favorite applicator.

2. Elta MD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46

Ingredients: ★★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★★ 

A favorite of dermatologists all over, you may have seen this brand for sale in your derm’s office. This lightweight sunscreen goes on clear and protects against UVA and UVB rays (making it “broad-spectrum“). It also contains niacinamide (vitamin B3), an antioxidant that can help even out skin tone and fight blemishes.

3. Sun Bum Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 Sunscreen

Ingredients: ★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★★★

This broad-spectrum, vegan, cruelty-free sunscreen formula is lightweight and non-greasy. It’s also non-comedogenic, meaning it won’t clog pores — yes, even your scalp has pores.

4. Supergoop! Poof 100% Mineral Part Powder SPF 35

Ingredients: ★★★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★

If you’re looking for a two-in-one product that protects and banishes grease at the same time, this sunscreen powder might be for you. The mineral formula contains zinc oxide to physically block the sun’s rays. (Dr. Knox says he personally prefers mineral sunscreens, though they can sometimes leave a white cast.)

5. Coola Organic Scalp & Hair Sunscreen Mist SPF 30

Ingredients: ★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★★★

This dermatologist-tested sunscreen spray contains a blend of (mostly) organic plant-based ingredients, including antioxidants that help combat free radicals. Formulated to help strengthen hair, it’s also safe for color-treated hair, so you can protect your skin and hair color.

6. Oars + Alps Face + Scalp Mist SPF 35

Ingredients: ★★★

Ease of Application: ★★★

This lightweight, broad-spectrum SPF spray mist is gentle enough for both the scalp and face. You can spritz an even layer onto your head without getting any on your hands. It’s also water- and sweat-resistant.

7. CeraVe Mineral Sunscreen Stick SPF 50

Ingredients: ★★★★★

Ease of Application: ★★

Don’t love the feel of a spray or powder? This travel-friendly stick sunscreen offers broad-spectrum SPF 50 protection and contains skin-soothing ingredients like ceramides and hyaluronic acid.

You can get most of these sunscreens online at Amazon, Nordstrom, Sephora, Dermstore, or Ulta or at your local drugstore.

If you’re having trouble finding sunscreen that’s right for your skin type, consult a board-certified dermatologist for advice.

Beyond these scalp sunscreen for thin hair recs, let’s cover a few dermatologist-backed sun protection tips:

• Choose a product that offers at least SPF 30 protection — even better if it’s SPF 50.

• Apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before going out in the sun.

• Wear a hat that completely covers your scalp.

• Extra protection is always better! Grab an umbrella to minimize UV exposure further.

• Skip hanging out in the sun between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when the sun’s rays are strongest.

To apply scalp sunscreen for thin hair or a shaved head, follow the instructions on the packaging. For those we recommended, you can spray, squeeze, or brush on the recommended amount. Rub the product into your scalp to thoroughly cover the skin under your hair.

Remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, as well as after sweating, toweling off, bathing, and swimming — even if you’re using a water-resistant formula.

Sun protection on your head is crucial if you want to curb or reverse hair loss — but it’s only one piece of the puzzle. If you’re looking for ways to regrow your hair or fill in spots that look sparse, here are some totally legit (and FDA-approved) options.

Topical Minoxidil

Minoxidil is an FDA-approved topical medication that treats male pattern baldness and other types of hair loss. It’s available as a foam or liquid solution.

This treatment relaxes blood vessels in the scalp, making it easier for blood to flow to hair follicles. When follicles get the oxygen and nutrients they need, they’ll kick-start hair regrowth — at least, that’s the theory. Researchers still aren’t entirely sure how minoxidil works, but they know that it does work for most men.

Topical minoxidil is generally safe to use, but some people can experience side effects. The most common side effect of minoxidil is irritant contact dermatitis, which typically causes itchy, scaly skin where it’s applied.

Finasteride 

Finasteride is an FDA-approved medication for treating hair loss in men. It belongs to a class of drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors that act on the male hormone DHT (short for dihydrotestosterone).

In a two-year clinical study involving men with hair loss, 66 percent of participants had improvements in hair growth when using finasteride versus just seven percent who used a placebo.

Keep in mind, though, that you need to use this medication continuously to maintain results. If you stop using it, you’ll lose any new hair about a year after stopping finasteride treatments.

Platelet-Rich Plasma Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma therapy (PRP) is a treatment for male pattern baldness that involves drawing your blood and separating the platelet-rich plasma.

A healthcare professional then injects this plasma into your scalp to provide nutrients that stimulate the hair growth cycle.

A 2019 review concluded that current studies show “promising“ results for platelet-rich plasma as a potential hair loss treatment. But research is still in the early stages.

Read about PRP in more detail in our guide to PRP treatments for hair loss. 

Hair Transplant Surgery

Hair transplantation involves taking hair from a healthier part of your body and physically transplanting it onto a thinner, balding part of the scalp.

While generally effective and safe, the main drawback of hair transplants is the cost — often thousands of dollars. Since insurance companies consider this an elective (cosmetic) surgery, they don’t usually cover it.

If your hair is thinning and you’re spending time outside in a sunny climate (in any season — sunburns can happen in the winter), you need to protect the skin on your head. Your scalp needs UV protection just like your face and the skin on the rest of your body.

Here’s what to keep in mind about the best sunscreen for scalps:

• Though you can use any type of sunscreen on your head, scalp-specific sprays and powders offer SPF protection without leaving behind grease or residue.

• A broad-spectrum formula with at least SPF 30 protection is best to safeguard your scalp from UVA and UVB rays.

• Promoting hair growth can also help protect your scalp from UV rays. FDA-approved hair loss treatments, like our topical finasteride & minoxidil spray, can help improve hair thickness and coverage. 

If you’re concerned about UV scalp damage or want to grow thicker hair, consult a dermatology specialist or another healthcare provider about your options.

Interested in hair loss treatments? Do our free virtual hair loss assessment to start exploring your options.