Sun, sea, chlorine… your scalp suffers in summer too! How can you protect it?
Protecting our skin with sunscreen has become second nature. No need to remind anyone—everyone now knows how essential it is to apply UV filters to avoid sunburns or, in the long term, pigmentation spots, melanomas, skin aging, etc. In short, it’s a health and beauty habit that’s deeply ingrained and widely accepted.
What still isn’t second nature, however, is protecting your hair—and even less so, your scalp—from the sun and other summer pleasures like chlorine or sea salt. And yet, the skin on your scalp is particularly sensitive and exposed. In this article, we take a closer look at the anatomy of the scalp, the damage it can suffer during summer, and most importantly, the right steps to take to shield it from sunburn and other seasonal aggressors.
The scalp: a thin and vulnerable skin
It’s easy to forget, but the scalp is simply an extension of the skin on your face, with the main difference being that it’s covered in hair. This area is particularly thin, well vascularized, and sensitive, making it highly reactive to external stressors—especially during the summer.
Anatomically, the scalp is made up of several layers: the epidermis, the dermis, and the hypodermis. Its distinct feature is the abundance of sebaceous glands connected to each hair follicle. These glands produce sebum, a natural oily substance that protects the skin and lubricates the hair. But in summer, heat, sweat, salt, or chlorine can disrupt this production, leading to an imbalanced scalp—either too oily or, conversely, too dry.
Another key factor: the skin barrier. Just like facial skin, the scalp is protected by a delicate hydrolipidic film. This natural shield helps retain moisture, protects against chemical or environmental aggressors, and maintains the balance of the skin’s microbiome. However, in summer, this barrier can become weakened, opening the door to irritation, itching, and even inflammation.
Lastly, unlike other parts of the body, the scalp is often exposed without direct protection—especially along the parting, forehead, or temples. With prolonged sun exposure, this thin skin can quickly burn—often without you even noticing.
The scalp and sunburn: an invisible threat
We think about protecting our skin, but we rarely consider our scalp. Yet this area is especially exposed—particularly along the parting, forehead, and temples. Thin, sensitive, and barely protected, it can burn quickly under UV rays.
A sunburn on the scalp often causes redness, tingling, peeling, and in some cases, temporary dandruff or localized hair loss. These symptoms sometimes go unnoticed, but they can weaken the skin and hair fiber in the long run.
A sunburned scalp is particularly unpleasant: it’s difficult to soothe and can impact the overall appearance of your hair. Not to mention the imbalance it may cause, which isn’t always easy to restore. But the sun isn’t the only enemy of the scalp during summer…
Salt, sand, chlorine: enemies of a healthy scalp
Sea salt, sand, and chlorine all have drying effects that weaken the skin barrier and dehydrate the skin—including, of course, the scalp.
Salt and chlorine, even when properly treated, disrupt the scalp’s natural pH balance, making it more sensitive and prone to itching, flaking, or irregular sebum production. On top of that, they can disturb the balance of the scalp microbiome—this ecosystem of microorganisms that naturally protects the skin and plays a key role in scalp health.
The result? An irritated, unbalanced scalp… and hair that often appears dull or becomes harder to manage. Yes, it’s not just your ends and lengths that suffer in summer—the scalp, the very foundation of hair health, takes a hit too.
Fortunately, it’s entirely possible to protect your scalp from the sun, sea salt, chlorine, and other summer pleasures—not only to keep your hair looking beautiful, but more importantly, to maintain a healthy, comfortable scalp.
The right steps to protect your scalp in summer
In summer, a few simple habits can effectively protect the scalp and help avoid discomfort caused by sun, salt, or chlorine.
Mechanical protection
This is the first barrier to adopt: a hat, cap, or lightweight scarf can help limit direct UV exposure—especially along the hair part, which is often very vulnerable. Plus, you’ll avoid heatstroke while adding a stylish touch to your look.
Protection with appropriate care and oils
Applying protective plant oils like jojoba oil, our Renovator oil blend, or treatments enriched with natural actives—like the Karité mask—helps form a protective film on the scalp. These treatments hydrate, soothe, and strengthen the skin barrier, while also limiting the drying effects of external aggressors. You can apply them to both the roots and the lengths to nourish your entire hair.
By adopting these simple habits, you’re offering your scalp comfort, balance, and protection throughout the summer.
The ideal hair care routine for a balanced scalp and protected hair in summer
To maintain radiant hair and a healthy scalp all summer long—despite sun, salt, or chlorine—here are our recommendations for a natural summer hair care routine:
Before sun exposure or swimming
Protect your hair with jojoba oil, the Renovator oil bath, or the Karité mask. These treatments create a natural protective barrier against external aggressors, especially salt and chlorine, while providing intense hydration and lasting nourishment. The result: soft, vibrant, well-protected hair.
Summer hair-washing routine
Before shampooing, apply the Renovator oil bath, enriched with the Dermosweet essential oil synergy. This nourishing, balancing, and soothing treatment is perfect for comforting the scalp and repairing hair weakened by summer fun.
Follow with the Naturalys organic shampoo, which is gentle and enriched with prebiotics. It helps rebalance the scalp’s microbiome and delivers essential nutrients for healthy, resilient, and soothed skin.
Finish with the Sweet Care organic conditioner, which seals the hair cuticles and provides additional hydration. It’s enriched with aloe vera, rice protein, and mallow extract—plant-based ingredients that boost softness, suppleness, and shine.
1 to 2 times a week: a nutrition boost
Add the Karité mask to your routine. This ultra-nourishing and healing organic mask, made with shea butter, brings dry and depleted hair back to life. Ideal after several days at the beach or pool, it restores strength and flexibility. Its concentrated formula has earned it the nickname “savior of the lengths”—silky hair guaranteed!
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