Sun, Sea, and Swimming Pools: How to Care for Your Hair

Protecting your hair in summer is simply essential for maintaining its health and beauty. Exposure to the sun, sea salt, and chlorine from swimming pools can dry it out, making it brittle and dull. Keratin, the main protein in hair, can be damaged, and your locks may gradually lose their shine.

That is why it is essential to protect your hair from these elements as much as possible and use protective products to minimise damage. Adequate protection will help you keep your hair moisturised, shiny, and strong right through to autumn.

Sea Salt

Salt draws moisture away from the hair, which can leave it dehydrated. As a result, salt water can dry out the hair, making it more brittle and prone to split ends. Prolonged exposure to the sun and UV rays can also cause hair colour to fade and the hair to become brittle. However, seawater can also give the hair extra volume and texture, creating a welcome ‘natural blow-dry’ effect. [1]

Chlorine in Swimming Pools

In summer, swimming pools can affect your hair in several ways. Chlorine, used to disinfect swimming pool water, can dehydrate and weaken your hair, leaving it dry and brittle. Furthermore, chlorine can alter hair colour, particularly in coloured hair, and can sometimes give blonde hair a greenish tinge. [2]

The Sun’s Rays

Hair fibres, made up of three main layers (cuticle, cortex, and medulla), give hair its strength, flexibility, elasticity and colour. UVB radiation can penetrate approximately 5μm into the hair fibre before its intensity gradually decreases. As a result, it can contribute to the breakdown of keratin, the protein that makes up the hair fibre, making the hair drier, more fragile and more prone to breakage. Furthermore, prolonged sun exposure can cause hair to fade, losing its lustre and shine. [1][3]

Protecting your hair from the harmful effects of the sun, sea water, or swimming pool water has several benefits for healthy, beautiful hair:

• Better-Protected Hair: The hair shaft is less exposed to summer damage, which helps keep your hair more supple and resilient

• Hydrated and Resilient Hair: Suitable protection limits the drying out caused by the sun, sea salt and chlorine, whilst preserving the comfort and suppleness of the lengths

• Soft and Shiny Hair: Hair retains more of its natural shine and looks less dull after repeated exposure

• Easier Detangling: Better-protected hair tends to tangle less, making it easier to style every day

1. Strengthen Your Hair Before Summer

Ideally, you should start preparing your hair before your first exposure to the sun. A few weeks before your holiday, consider adapting your hair care routine with products suited to your hair type. Dry, coloured or damaged hair can particularly benefit from nourishing or strengthening treatments that help maintain its suppleness and strength.

2. Protect Your Hair Properly All Summer Long

During the holidays, your hair is exposed to various external stresses. The sun, seawater, chlorine and even the wind can gradually reduce its softness and shine.

Applying suitable hair care products before swimming or spending time in the sun can help care for your hair throughout the summer.

3. Repair and Nourish Your Hair After Sun Exposure

Even with good protection, your hair may come out of the summer drier or duller than usual. Returning from your holiday is therefore a good time to give it extra care with richer products designed to nourish and condition it.

Hair masks, oil treatments, and nourishing treatments can then help your hair regain its softness and suppleness.

To prepare your hair for summer exposure, protect it throughout the season and then help it regain its suppleness and softness after the holidays, there are several natural solutions you can incorporate into your daily routine. 

Strengthen Your Hair Before Summer

Hair Mask

Rich in jojoba and castor oils, as well as shea butter, this certified organic hair mask nourishes, smooths, and protects the hair. It can be used as a mask or a conditioner to make detangling easier, whilst leaving the hair soft, supple, and shiny.

Discover the Hair Mask

Hair Care Oil

This blend of plant-based oils is particularly beneficial for dry, damaged, or sensitised hair. Used regularly before the summer, it helps to nourish the hair fibre and preserve the beauty of your locks.

Discover the Organic Hair Care Oil

Keratin AA & Peptides Serum

This concentrated serum combines Keratin AA with peptides to strengthen the hair fibre and improve the appearance of damaged hair. It is particularly suitable for hair exposed to repeated damage from factors such as UV rays, salt, chlorine, or heat-styling tools.

Discover the Keratin AA & Peptides Hair Serum

Keratin – Dietary Supplement

This dietary supplement, based on Cynatine HNS®, provides a patented hydrolysed keratin. It is formulated to improve the strength, quality, and shine of your hair while helping to reduce daily hair loss.

Precautions: This dietary supplement is not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Keep out of reach of children.

Discover Keratin – 60 Capsules – Dietary Supplement

Enriched Brewer’s Yeast – Food Supplement

Combining brewer’s yeast, B vitamins and selenium, this formula is particularly suitable for those wishing to support the beauty and vitality of their hair as part of a seasonal treatment programme.

Precautions: This dietary supplement is not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. Do not exceed the recommended daily dose. For adults only. Not recommended for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Keep out of reach of children. This food supplement contains biotin (Vitamin B8), which may interfere with certain thyroid hormone tests. If you are under medical supervision, seek advice from your doctor.

Discover Enriched Brewer’s Yeast 120 Capsules

Protect Your Hair Properly All Summer Long

Organic Karanja & Raspberry Protective Hair Oil

Formulated with organic raspberry and karanja plant oils, this oil should be used before sun exposure and swimming. It helps protect hair from the drying effects of the sun and sea water, while preserving the softness, shine and vibrancy of coloured hair. It is suitable for all hair types and is a leave-in treatment.

Discover the Organic Karanja & Raspberry Protective Hair Oil

Hair Protection Active Ingredient

Derived from Abyssinian oil extract rich in phytosterols, this active ingredient is ideal for hair care products designed to protect hair from external aggressors such as UV rays or sea water. It also helps protect hair from damage caused by heat styling (hairdryers, blow-drying, straightening), while helping to preserve the lustre of coloured hair. It also leaves hair soft and shiny. To be incorporated into a suitable hair care formulation.

Discover the Hair Protection Active Ingredient 

Repair and Nourish Your Hair After Exposure

Raw Murumuru Butter

Ideal for dry and damaged hair, Murumuru butter is rich in lauric acid and has a strong affinity with hair proteins. It is used in hair masks and balms to nourish and soften hair lengths that have been put under strain during the summer.

Discover Murumuru Plant Butter

Ceramide NG & Hyaluronic Acid Hair Care Butter

After several weeks of sun, swimming, and frequent washing, this hair care butter can help restore softer, more manageable hair. Formulated for dry to very dry and/or textured hair, it nourishes, prevents dehydration, repairs, and protects the hair fibre. It can be used as a leave-in or rinse-out treatment, depending on your hair’s needs.

Discover the Ceramide NG & Hyaluronic Acid Hair Care Butter - Aroma-Zone

Active Ingredient: Hydrolysed Silk Proteins

Silk proteins are prized for their coating and smoothing properties. They leave hair soft and shiny whilst helping to maintain its natural moisture levels. Ideal for incorporating into your homemade hair care recipes, they are particularly well-suited to dry, dull, or sensitised hair.

Discover Silk Proteins

1. Limit Direct Exposure to the Sun

Whenever possible, wear a hat, cap, or scarf to protect your hair from the sun’s rays during prolonged exposure.

2. Rinse Your Hair After Every Swim

After a swim in the sea or a pool, rinsing your hair with fresh water helps remove any salt or chlorine residue that could damage the hair shaft.

3. Adopt a Gentle Washing Routine

Choose a shampoo suited to your hair type and avoid overly harsh washing. Rinsing with cool water can also help to smooth the hair cuticle and preserve its softness.

4. Limit Heat Damage

In summer, your hair is already under a lot of strain. Where possible, cut down on the use of hairdriers, straighteners, or curling tongs, and let your hair dry naturally instead.

5. Postpone the Most Damaging Hair Treatments

Colour treatments, bleaching, perms, or straightening treatments can further weaken your hair when it is already exposed to the sun, salt, or chlorine.

Before using a new hair care product, it is recommended that you carry out a patch test in the crook of your elbow 48 hours before your first application to check for any skin reactions. Also ensure you follow the instructions for use and any specific precautions for each product.

Dietary supplements are not a substitute for a varied and balanced diet or a healthy lifestyle. The recommended doses must be followed and the specific precautions indicated on the packaging should be consulted before use.

If you have a sensitive scalp, experience an unusual reaction or have a persistent hair problem, seek advice from a healthcare professional. Natural solutions can support the beauty and comfort of your hair, but they are no substitute for medical treatment when this is necessary.

When it comes to summer skincare, the topic of protecting your skin tends to dominate the conversation. Of course, there’s no question of depriving yourself and not enjoying your summer, especially as a good back-to-school haircut can revitalise hair that’s been worn out by summer outings. That said, it can be very pleasant to have soft, silky, and shiny hair right through to autumn. These few simple tips can help you achieve just that.

After graduating from ESCP Business School in 2020, Louise began her career as a writer in 2021. Today, she writes a newsletter where she shares cultural recommendations and more personal articles, such as dating apps, therapy, and career guidance. She also writes for media outlets, brands and agencies on subjects such as well-being, mental health, culture, and society.