Scalp Sunscreen Is a Sun Protection Step You Don't Wanna Skip

Even if you're super diligent about sunscreen application, it's easy to overlook certain parts of your body. If you tend to slather enough sunscreen on your face to make your dermatologist proud but are still skipping your scalp, you're certainly not alone.

Anyone who's experienced the unpleasant effects of a scalp sunburn knows that unfortunately, the area isn't immune to the sun's damaging UV rays. So if you've been forgoing scalp sunscreen out of willful ignorance, you probably want to reconsider. To find out exactly how to go about protecting your scalp — including how to find a scalp-friendly sunscreen formula — keep reading.

Scalp sunscreen may not seem necessary, especially if you have a full head of hair. But skin experts agree you should never overlook your scalp when applying sunscreen. "You can get sunburns and develop skin cancer even if you have a full head of hair," says Alison Z. Young, M.D., Ph.D., founder of Young Dermatology in Seattle. "The scalp is most directly exposed to the sun, and while your hair offers some level of cover with physical protection, some areas (e.g. areas with thinning or your part) are always at risk of sun damage and skin cancer development."

You should make sure to reapply the sunscreen every two hours or immediately after swimming or sweating as with the rest of your skin, says Dr. Young. "Sunscreen should be applied daily as we are exposed to free radicals generated by visible light and UVA, even on a cloudy day," she adds. If you're bad about reapplication, a UPF (ultraviolet protection) hat can suffice, according to Dr. Young.

The thought of applying an oily lotion to your scalp won't sound appealing, assuming you don't like having greasy roots. Thankfully, there are plenty of powder and mist formulas, including sunscreen for the scalp created expressly for this purpose. For the best experience, try "using hair mist or mineral powder and mineral dry touch sunscreens for easy application, which won't clump with your hair," recommends Dr. Young.

If you decide to take the spray-on sunscreen route, avoid formulas containing benzophenone derivatives (i.e. the ingredients avobenzone and oxybenzone), advises Dr. Young. Last year Johnson and Johnson recalled five Neutrogena and Aveeno spray-on sunscreens after detecting contamination with benzene, a known carcinogen, in samples, she notes.

To get you started, here are some of the best spray-on and powder sunscreens for the scalp.