What Does Sea Salt Spray Do for Hair?: Benefits and How to Use It

Have you ever noticed that your hair looks particularly good after a dip in the ocean? That’s not all vacation magic — it’s sea salt. Sea salt can have many benefits for hair, and fortunately, you don’t need to swim in salt water to get the effects. That’s where sea salt spray comes in.

What does sea salt spray do for your hair, exactly? And what’s in sea salt spray? We’ll answer those questions and more below.

Sea salt spray can benefit your hair in several ways. This ocean-inspired styling product:

• Enhances natural curl pattern. Sea salt spray brings out natural waves by drawing out moisture and causing the strands to contract slightly. This is especially effective for wavy hair or curly hair types, but you can also use the spray on straight hair to add texture.

• Adds grittiness. The salt in the spray slightly dehydrates the hair (more on that soon), making it less smooth. This adds a subtle roughness, giving hair more grip while creating volume and definition.

• Creates light hold. Sea salt spray gives hair some grip (think of adding salt to snowy roads). Like a less-intense version of traditional hair spray or pomade, this makes hair slightly stiff but still flexible when styled or brushed back, helping it stay in place.

• Reduces greasiness. Salt sops up natural oil from your hair and scalp, which helps hair look matte and fresh. If your hair is on the drier side, though, it could contribute to frizz, so make sure to use a nourishing conditioner with moisturizing ingredients.

• Creates volume and texture. The gritty texture of sea salt spray lifts hair away from the scalp, adding body and fullness.

Sea salt spray isn’t just bottled seawater, though it’s pretty similar. As you probably guessed, this type of hair product contains sea salt and water, but it’s also often formulated with other ingredients.

The best sea salt sprays contain hydrating ingredients like glycerin or aloe vera to help balance some of the drying effects of salt.

Most sea salt sprays will also contain a preservative (this is necessary for all hair products that include water). You might see these listed on an ingredient label as sodium benzoate or phenoxyethanol, though many preservatives are used in hair care products.

Many sea salt sprays are also made with magnesium sulfate (aka Epsom salt) or magnesium chloride — both types of salt with slightly different absorption rates. You might see “sea salt” listed as an actual ingredient, and it’s not unusual for sea salt sprays to contain different types of salts.

Depending on the formula, other potential ingredients may include seaweed, kelp extracts, kaolinite clay, aloe, or charcoal.

Here’s how to use sea salt spray:

• Start with damp hair. Towel-dry your hair after washing it, or lightly mist dry hair with plain water for a refresh.

• Spray evenly. Spritz the product onto your mid-lengths and ends, avoiding the roots unless you use it as a dry shampoo. Fine hair and thin hair will only need a few sprays, whereas thicker, coarse hair or long hair may need more.

• Scrunch or twist. Use your hands to scrunch your hair or twist sections to enhance waves.

• Air-dry or diffuse. Let your hair air-dry for a natural look. Or use a diffuser attachment with your blow dryer for more volume and a quicker drying time.

We’re answering some frequently asked questions about sea salt spray.

Will Sea Salt Spray Dry Out My Hair?

Sea salt spray can be drying because salt naturally draws moisture out of hair. Look for a spray with hydrating ingredients to help counteract dryness, such as glycerin, aloe, or coconut oil.

Is Sea Salt Spray Good for Your Hair?

Sea salt spray is undoubtedly good for achieving certain hairstyles and giving hair grit and hold. Typically, it’s not great for hair the way a hair mask or conditioner is, but if you have oily hair, salt can help balance excess oil. Some other ingredients in sea salt spray (like aloe) may reduce inflammation and help control dandruff.

Do I Use Sea Salt Spray on Dry or Wet Hair?

You can use sea salt spray on wet or dry hair, but damp is best. Applying it to damp hair helps to create texture, waves, and volume while your hair dries. Spraying on dry hair can refresh your curls or add some grit if you plan on styling your hair after.

Are Sea Salt Spray and Texturizing Spray the Same Thing?

No. Sea salt spray and texturizing spray are similar products — both come in spray bottles, enhance natural texture, and may have ingredient overlap. But texturizing spray usually offers a stronger hold than sea salt spray.

Trying to add some oomph to flat hair or get surfer beachy waves? Here’s the quick version of what to remember about sea salt spray and hair:

• What does salt spray do to hair? Sea salt spray enhances hair texture, volume, and waves, making it easy to achieve beach waves.

• This type of product can dry out hair strands, so choose a formula with hydrating ingredients like aloe, certain oils, or glycerin.

• Use sea salt spray on damp hair to bring out natural curls and waves or dry hair to refresh and add grip.

To learn more about hair care for men, check out our guides to the best hair-thickening products for men and hair care tips for men.