Best Summer Hair Care Tips to Hydrate and Keep Hair Healthy

Sun, sweat, saltwater — summer can be brutal on your hair. If your strands feel drier, duller, or harder to manage this season, you’re not alone. Without the right hair care, warm weather can lead to frizz, breakage, or even damaged hair.

This guide shares practical summer hair care tips to help you protect your hair from UV, hydrate it from root to tip, and keep your scalp and strands healthy all summer long.

Why Summer Hair Care Matters

Summer is tough on your hair. Intense UV rays, chlorine, saltwater, and heat styling all combine to leave strands dry, brittle, and dull. Without proper protection, even healthy hair can quickly become damaged hair.

UV exposure breaks down proteins, fades hair colour, and weakens the cuticle. Meanwhile, chlorine strips away natural oils, and saltwater draws moisture out of the hair shaft, leaving it dehydrated. Add in frizz-inducing humidity and extreme heat from styling tools, and it’s clear why your hair care routine needs a seasonal upgrade.

The good news is that a few simple strategies can help you protect your hair from these summer stressors and keep it looking vibrant, soft, and strong.

How to Protect Hair from the Sun, Chlorine, and Saltwater

Once you understand what causes summer hair damage, the next step is building a care routine that works. The right strategies can help you protect your hair from UV rays, chlorine, and saltwater — and keep it healthy, hydrated, and easy to style.

How to Prevent UV-Related Hair Damage

UV rays weaken the cuticle, fade hair colour, and dry out your strands. Here’s how to create a shield between your hair and the sun:

• Apply a UV-protective spray or serum before sun exposure

• Use shampoo and conditioner with UV filters to maintain colour and moisture

• Wear a wide-brimmed hat when spending long hours outdoors

• Opt for protective hairstyles like braids or buns to reduce direct exposure

• Rinse your hair with fresh water before sunbathing or swimming

How to Minimise Damage from Saltwater and Chlorine

Chlorine and saltwater both strip your hair of essential moisture and oils, especially if not washed out promptly. To reduce the impact:

• Soak your hair with clean water before swimming — it fills the hair shaft, limiting absorption of salt and chlorine

• Apply a rich hair mask or coconut oil before hitting the pool or sea

• Wear a swimming cap, especially if you have lightened or colour-treated hair

• Rinse thoroughly with fresh water right after swimming

• Use a clarifying shampoo weekly to remove buildup

• Follow up with a hydrating conditioner to restore softness and strength

If you’re dealing with ongoing dryness or brittle strands, regular deep conditioning can help treat heat-damaged hair and revive overall texture. In more severe cases, a salon-grade treatment may be needed to fully restore shine and strength.

Essential Summer Hair Care Tips for All Hair Types

No matter your hair type, summer brings shared challenges — from chlorine and saltwater to heat and humidity. The right techniques can help you protect your hair, maintain moisture, and prevent long-term hair damage. Here's how to care for your strands before and after a swim.

Pre-Swim Hair Protection Tips

Swimming is refreshing, but your hair needs a barrier between it and harsh water. Here’s how to prevent damage before you dive in:

• Rinse your hair thoroughly with clean water before entering the pool or sea. This helps fill the hair shaft, reducing absorption of chlorine and salt.

• Apply a leave-in conditioner or nourishing hair mask to create a seal and reduce moisture loss.

• Coat your hair with a moisturising mask for a water-resistant barrier.

• Use a swim cap, especially if your hair is colour-treated or blonde.

• Tie your hair in a protective style such as a braid or bun to limit surface exposure.

• If available, rinse your hair again with fresh water mid-swim to minimise buildup.

Post-Swim Cleansing and Recovery

After swimming, it’s important to cleanse and hydrate your hair properly to restore balance and prevent lasting damage:

• Rinse your hair immediately after swimming to flush out chlorine, salt, and residue.

• Use a clarifying shampoo once a week to remove build-up, especially if you swim frequently.

• Follow with a hydrating conditioner, focusing on your ends.

• Detangle gently using a wide-tooth comb or detangling spray to avoid breakage.

• Once a week, apply a deep conditioning hair mask to replace lost moisture and strengthen the hair shaft.

• Avoid using heat styling tools on freshly washed, post-swim hair. Let it air dry to give your hair a break.

For hair exposed to chlorine, look for products containing chelating agents that remove mineral deposits. If your hair colour is fading, opt for colour-safe formulas with UV protection.

Hydration and Moisture: The Key to Healthy Summer Hair

When it comes to summer hair care, hydration is everything. Long days in the sun, dips in the sea, and exposure to chlorine can quickly dry out your strands. Without regular moisture, dry hair becomes fragile, dull, and prone to breakage. To keep your hair strong, shiny, and manageable, hydration must be at the heart of your routine.

Use Deep Conditioning Hair Masks Weekly

A nourishing hair mask can help reverse moisture loss and improve the texture of brittle or sun-stressed strands. Aim to use one 1–2 times a week, especially if you’re swimming often or spending lots of time outdoors.

Here’s how hair masks support healthy summer hair:

• Replenish natural oils lost to chlorine and saltwater

• Strengthen the hair shaft and reduce breakage

• Restore elasticity for better bounce and control

  
  

How to apply:

After shampooing, apply the mask to damp hair — focusing on mid-lengths and ends. Leave it on for 15–20 minutes, then rinse with cool water. For a boost, wrap your hair in a warm towel to help the ingredients hydrate more deeply.

Choose a mask based on your hair type:

• Curly hair: Look for richer formulas with shea butter or avocado oil

• Fine hair: Lightweight masks with amino acids won’t weigh it down

• Colour-treated hair: Use products with UV filters to protect your hair colour

Daily Leave-In Products to Hydrate and Protect

For day-to-day protection, leave-in products are a summer essential. They help keep your hair hydrated, smooth, and guarded against UV rays, humidity, and pollution.

Look for:

• UV-protective serums to shield against sun damage

• Leave-in conditioners with humectants like glycerin to retain moisture

• Lightweight oils that hydrate without leaving hair greasy

Apply to clean, damp hair after washing. Focus on the ends, and avoid the roots if you're prone to oiliness. For on-the-go touch-ups, keep a travel-size leave-in conditioner in your bag — perfect after a swim or sun exposure.

Tailor your product to your hair type:

• Fine hair: Use a water-based spray

• Thick or coarse hair: Try a cream or oil-rich formula

• Frizz-prone hair: Go for anti-humidity leave-ins with moisture-sealing ingredients

Summer-Friendly Hairstyles to Minimise Damage

Hot weather doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style for protection. Choosing the right summer hairstyles can help you stay cool while reducing the risk of damaged hair. The right style limits sun exposure, minimises friction, and keeps your strands in better shape, especially when combined with smart hair care practices.

Braided Styles to Protect Your Hair

Braids are one of the most effective ways to protect your hair during summer. They hold hair securely in place, reducing breakage and shielding the ends from UV rays, chlorine, and wind.

Try these braid styles:

• French braids keep your hair off your neck and protect your ends from direct sun

• Box braids are great for textured hair types, offering humidity and saltwater resistance

• Fishtail braids give medium-to-long hair a chic, beach-ready look with added protection

• Dutch braids are ideal for tucking hair away and minimising exposure to harsh elements

Buns and Updos That Beat the Heat

Updos do more than keep you cool — they’re protective by design. Keeping hair off your shoulders reduces tangling, sweating, and environmental wear.

Try:

• Messy high buns for casual days — they reduce friction and keep hair away from sweaty areas

• Low chignons for an elegant, professional finish that reduces sun exposure

• Twisted top knots to secure shorter strands and protect ends from chlorine or saltwater

• Space buns for a fun, playful style that holds hair firmly during active summer days

Pro tip: Apply a leave-in conditioner or hydrating spray before styling. It adds a layer of moisture and shields against dry hair caused by the sun and heat.

Loose Styles with Built-In Protection

Prefer to wear your hair down? You can still protect your hair with smart styling and lightweight products.

Options include:

• Beach waves paired with a UV-protective spray for a laid-back, glossy finish

• Half-up styles to lift hair away from your face — great with a hat or scarf

• Twisted crown braids for elegant detail, while leaving some length free

• Loose ponytails secured with soft scrunchies to avoid pulling and breakage

Accessories That Help Protect Hair and Scalp

Styling accessories can elevate your look and add vital protection:

• Wide-brimmed hats shield both your scalp and strands from the sun

• Silk scarves wrapped around buns or braids reduce friction and help keep hair smooth

• Microfibre scrunchies prevent breakage while being gentle on the hair shaft

• Soft headbands keep hair off your face without causing strain or knots

Natural Remedies for Summer Hair Concerns

If your hair is feeling the effects of UV rays, chlorine, or saltwater, natural remedies can help. These chemical-free solutions use simple, household ingredients to nourish, repair, and protect your hair — all while supporting your regular hair care routine.

DIY Hair Masks to Treat Summer Damage

Homemade hair masks are a gentle yet effective way to hydrate, strengthen, and restore shine to dry hair. Here are four easy recipes you can try at home:

• Honey & yoghurt mask: Mix 2 tbsp of plain yoghurt with 1 tbsp of honey. Apply to damp hair, leave on for 30 minutes, and rinse well. Yoghurt gently cleanses while honey locks in moisture.

• Avocado & olive oil mask: Mash half an avocado with 2 tbsp of olive oil. Apply to mid-lengths and ends, cover with a shower cap for 20 minutes, then shampoo and rinse. Ideal for hair stressed by chlorine.

• Banana & coconut oil mask: Blend one ripe banana with 1 tbsp of coconut oil until smooth. Apply to your hair, leave for 25 minutes, and rinse. This deeply nourishes and helps repair brittle strands damaged by the sun.

• Aloe vera & almond oil mask: Mix 3 tbsp of fresh aloe vera gel with 1 tbsp of almond oil. Apply from root to tip, leave on for 40 minutes, and wash out. This mask soothes your scalp and repairs the hair shaft.

Best Natural Oils for Summer Hair Care

Natural oils offer an extra level of protection, especially when hair is frequently exposed to heat, sun, or saltwater. Each oil works differently to keep your hair smooth, shiny, and manageable:

• Coconut oil: Penetrates the hair shaft to reduce protein loss. Apply a small amount to damp hair before swimming to protect against chlorine and salt damage.

• Argan oil: Packed with vitamin E and fatty acids, it smooths frizz caused by humidity. Just 2–3 drops on your ends adds shine and softness to dry hair.

• Jojoba oil: Mimics your scalp’s natural oil, making it ideal for balancing moisture. Massage a few drops into your scalp weekly to maintain hydration in hot weather.

• Olive oil: Rich in antioxidants like squalene, it defends against UV-related hair damage. Use as a 15-minute pre-shampoo treatment to revive damaged hair.

• Rosemary oil: Helps stimulate scalp circulation and supports healthier growth. Mix 5 drops with a carrier oil and apply to your scalp twice weekly.

The Right Products for Your Summer Hair Care Routine

Your regular products may not be enough in summer. Sun, salt, chlorine, and sweat call for targeted solutions to protect your hair, lock in moisture, and keep it looking fresh, no matter your hair type.

Specialist Shampoos and Conditioners

A smart summer hair care routine starts in the shower. Use a clarifying shampoo once or twice a week to remove chlorine, salt, and product buildup. Follow with a hydrating shampoo on other days to keep moisture levels balanced.

• Swimmers should look for shampoos with vitamin C or EDTA — these neutralise chlorine and help prevent green tones in blonde or colour-treated hair

• Choose shampoo and conditioner with UV filters to protect from colour fading caused by UV rays

For intense hydration, your conditioner should include:

• Glycerin or hyaluronic acid to draw in moisture

• Panthenol (vitamin B5) to improve elasticity

• Coconut oil derivatives to nourish the hair shaft without weighing it down

UV Protection for Hair

You wouldn’t skip sunscreen for your skin — your hair needs the same care. Use UV-focused hair care products to guard against protein breakdown and fading.

Top options include:

• UV-protection sprays – light mists that coat strands with shielding ingredients

• Leave-in treatments – creams enriched with rice protein or vitamin E

• SPF hair oils – dual-action formulas that hydrate and reflect the sun

Apply to damp or dry hair before sun exposure, and reapply after swimming for all-day defence.

Anti-Frizz and Humidity Control

Humidity is the enemy of sleek styles, especially for curly hair or frizz-prone textures. Anti-frizz products help seal the cuticle and keep your look intact.

Try:

• Serums with dimethicone – coat the cuticle and add shine

• Silicone-free oils – like argan or camellia, for a lighter finish

• Styling creams with humidity-blocking polymers – apply to damp hair before heat styling or air drying

After-Sun Hair Repair Treatments

Hair that’s been in the sun all day needs repair. After-sun treatments restore lost moisture and rebuild damaged cuticles.

Use:

• Recovery masks with ceramides and keratin after washing — leave on for 15–20 minutes

• Overnight masks with baobab or moringa oil — ideal for very dry or textured hair

• For brittle hair, apply an oil-based mask 2–3 times a week to improve flexibility and reduce breakage

Scalp Care to Prevent Build-Up and Irritation

Summer heat can cause scalp flare-ups, including itchiness, sweat buildup, or even sunburn. Look after your scalp with products that balance, soothe, and cleanse.

Consider:

• Scalp sunscreens for exposed partings or thinning areas

• Cooling sprays with peppermint or menthol to relieve irritation

• Scalp scrubs to gently exfoliate product residue and sweat without stripping natural oils

Conclusion

Summer can be tough on your hair, but with the right approach, it doesn’t have to lead to damage. A consistent hair care routine that includes UV protection, hydrating treatments, and protective styles is your best defence against dry hair, frizz, and fading hair colour.

Simple changes make a big difference. Whether it’s using a clarifying shampoo, applying a weekly hair mask, or reaching for natural remedies like aloe vera or coconut oil, each step helps to protect your hair from sun, chlorine, and saltwater.

Above all, it’s about balance — looking after your hair while enjoying every moment of the season. With these strategies, you’ll keep your hair healthy, strong, and easy to style all summer long. And when autumn arrives, your strands will be just as vibrant as your memories.