When choosing a post-sun hair mask, take into account your hair type and the condition of your hair lengths after sun exposure. Dry, curly or frizzy hair will benefit most from rich treatments based on plant oils, nourishing butters or coating agents. Fine hair is best suited to a lighter texture, to be applied only to the lengths and ends so as not to weigh the hair down. Brittle hair, split ends, coloured or highlighted hair will need a nourishing and strengthening mask to help reinforce the hair fibre, minimise breakage and preserve shine.
What are the best after-sun hair care products?
In summer, we often think about protecting our skin from the sun and soothing it after exposure. But our hair, too, is put under a lot of strain by UV rays, heat, sea water and even chlorine from swimming pools. As a result, the hair shaft can become drier, coarser, duller or brittle. To restore soft, supple and radiant hair, after-sun hair care products are invaluable allies. Nourishing masks, oil treatments, moisturising products or repairing active ingredients: discover the right techniques and the natural ingredients to prioritise when caring for your hair after sun exposure.
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Organic Guinean Shea Butter
Protective
Repairing
£10.00
200 ml
Organic Avocado Oil
Anti-ageing
£12.50
250 ml
4 options
Neutral Hair Mask
Nourishing
Hair conditioner
£7.50
200 ml
3 options
Liposomal Hyaluronic Acid Active Ingredient
Anti-wrinkle
Plumping
£7.00
5 g
What effects does the sun have on your hair?
Just like the skin, hair can be weakened by prolonged exposure to the sun. UV rays gradually damage the hair fibre and can weaken keratin, a protein essential for the hair’s strength. The result is that the lengths become drier, duller, coarser and sometimes more prone to breakage. Sea water, salt and chlorine from swimming pools further exacerbate this dehydration, particularly in hair that is already sensitised, coloured or curly. After a day in the sun, using targeted hair care products can therefore help the hair shaft regain its softness, suppleness and shine.
Why use a hair mask after sun exposure?
After sun exposure, hair often needs more intensive care than just a conditioner. UV rays, the heat, seawater and chlorine can weaken the hair fibre, making it drier, duller and harder to detangle. As a deep-conditioning treatment, the after-sun hair mask helps to counteract these effects by providing nourishment, softness and comfort to damaged hair.
Rehydrating dry hair
Exposed to the sun, salt and chlorine, hair can lose its suppleness and feel coarser to the touch. An after-sun hair mask provides moisturising and nourishing ingredients to help the hair shaft regain its softness and elasticity.
Nourish and strengthen the hair shaft
When hair is repeatedly exposed to the sun, it becomes more vulnerable to external damage. A mask rich in lipid-replenishing or fortifying active ingredients helps to strengthen the lengths, minimise breakage and preserve the quality of the hair fibre.
Restoring shine to the lengths
After several days in the sun, your hair may look dull or lack lustre. By smoothing the hair shaft and soothing the lengths, an after-sun hair mask helps restore softer, shinier and visibly better-maintained hair.
Make detangling and styling easier
Hair weakened by the sun, salt or chlorine tends to tangle more easily, especially if it is long, curly, coloured or naturally dry. By softening the lengths, an after-sun hair mask makes detangling easier and reduces friction when styling.
What are the benefits of an after-sun hair mask?
After a day in the sun, your hair often needs more intensive care than just a simple conditioner. A hair mask helps to nourish the lengths, soften them and restore a softer feel, especially when they’ve been exposed to UV rays, sea water or chlorine. Depending on its formula, it can work in several ways:
Enhanced hydration: the mask helps to rehydrate dry hair and minimise water loss, leaving the lengths feeling more supple to the touch
Targeted nourishment: plant-based oils and butters provide essential lipids to nourish the hair fibre and improve its comfort
Revitalised shine: by visibly smoothing the hair fibre, the mask helps restore radiance to hair dulled by the sun
A softer feel: hair is softer, more supple and more pleasant to the touch
Easier detangling: by softening the lengths, the mask minimises tangles and reduces friction during styling
Reduced frizz: better nourished and more manageable, the hair tends to be less puffy and holds its style better
Protected ends: by strengthening damaged lengths, the mask helps to minimise breakage and the appearance of split ends
A soothed scalp: certain moisturising and soothing ingredients can also help to alleviate any discomfort after a day in the sun.
Which active ingredients and ingredients should you look for to moisturise your hair after sun exposure?
After sun exposure, your hair needs targeted active ingredients and nourishing components to restore its softness, suppleness and shine. Incorporated into a homemade hair mask, these natural solutions help to care for hair lengths weakened by UV rays, heat, sea water or chlorine.
Moisturising and soothing active ingredients
Organic Aloe Vera Powder
Concentrated 200 times through a freeze-drying process, this powder captures all the richness of aloe vera juice in a format that’s easy to incorporate into homemade water-based hair care products. Rich in polysaccharides, it helps to moisturise, coat and nourish dry, dull or damaged hair. It is also beneficial for sensitive scalps, particularly after exposure to the sun, salt or chlorine. Rehydrate in water to reconstitute the aloe vera juice, then use as the aqueous phase in your preparations. Store in the fridge.
Active ingredient: Natural hyaluronic acid
Renowned for its ability to retain water, this active ingredient is ideal for dehydrated hair that lacks suppleness after the summer. Just a few drops in a water-based formula or a personalised hair mask are enough to help the lengths regain softness, lightness and comfort. A great ally when hair is dried out by repeated exposure to the sun, sea water or chlorine. Use in accordance with the recommended dosages.
Butters and oils to nourish the lengths
Raw Murumuru Butter
Naturally rich in lauric acid, this lightweight, smooth butter is prized for its affinity with hair proteins. It helps to nourish the hair fibre, smooth the lengths and restore shine to dull, dry or brittle hair. In an after-sun hair care treatment, it is particularly suitable for sensitised ends and for hair that is dry, split, lifeless or frizzy. Use it as an ingredient in a homemade hair care product, following the recommended measurements.
Organic Raw Shea Butter
Rich in unsaponifiables and vitamins, this raw, unrefined and unscented butter is a must-have for homemade hair care. Used in a post-sun mask, it nourishes and soothes dry, brittle or split ends, whilst helping to maintain the hair’s suppleness. It is particularly suitable for dry, coloured or frizzy hair. Shea butter naturally contains latex: it should therefore be avoided if you are allergic to it.
Organic Avocado Oil
Extracted from avocado pulp, this plant-based oil nourishes, protects and beautifies dry or dull hair. It adds suppleness to the lengths, helps restore shine and improves the appearance of hair weakened by the sun, salt or chlorine. It is also renowned for stimulating hair growth, making it a valuable ingredient in fortifying hair care products.
Organic Castor Oil
Known for its strengthening properties, this plant-based oil helps to coat, nourish and repair dry, dull, brittle or devitalised hair. When added to a homemade hair mask, it helps to strengthen the hair shafts and improve the appearance of damaged ends. It is also renowned for promoting hair growth. Do not swallow: due to its strong laxative and purgative effects, this oil must be used exclusively for external cosmetic purposes.
Strengthening and beautifying active ingredients
Active Ingredient: Hydrolysed Silk Proteins
These proteins are renowned for their coating, smoothing and conditioning properties. They help maintain the hair’s natural moisture levels, whilst leaving it soft, shiny and silky to the touch. In an after-sun treatment, they are particularly useful for smoothing coarse lengths, making styling easier and enhancing fine, dull, dry, damaged, coloured or permed hair.
Phytokeratin Active Ingredient
Composed of hydrolysed wheat proteins, Phytokeratin contains amino acids similar to those found in the keratin naturally present in hair. It helps to strengthen the hair fibre, improve its hydration and add volume, softness and shine. As part of an after-sun routine, it is suitable for fine, dull, dry, dehydrated, damaged, coloured or permed hair, as well as for split ends. It can be used in shampoos, conditioners, hair masks, serums or homemade styling products. As it is sensitive to humidity and heat, it should be stored in its original sachet in the fridge, ideally in a tightly sealed airtight jar.
Which after-sun hair masks should you choose?
Sun, salt, chlorine, repeated washing: in summer, your hair is put under particular strain. To help restore its softness and suppleness, there are several options you can incorporate into your hair care routine: a customisable mask, a richer treatment or even an oil treatment applied before shampooing.
For a bespoke after-sun hair mask
Hair Mask Base
Rich in plant oils, shea butter, aloe vera and glycerine, this certified organic neutral base nourishes, softens and coats the hair fibre. After sun exposure, it helps weakened hair to regain softness, suppleness and shine. Use it on its own or customised, as a mask, conditioner or leave-in treatment.
For rich nourishment for sensitised hair lengths
Ceramide NG & Hyaluronic Acid Hair Care Butter
Formulated for dry to very dry, damaged or textured hair, this 100% natural treatment combines organic shea, mango and avocado butters and oils with hyaluronic acid and Ceramides NG. As part of an after-sun routine, it helps to nourish, protect and repair hair lengths weakened by UV rays, salt or chlorine, whilst leaving hair soft, supple and shiny. Suitable for use from the age of 3, with or without rinsing, on the lengths and ends. Once opened, it can be kept for 12 months.
For a nourishing oil treatment before shampooing
Hair Care Oil
Certified organic, vegan and 100 per cent natural, this oil combines seven organic plant oils – castor, coconut, mustard, broccoli, avocado, jojoba and olive – with an organic amla oil macerate. It helps to nourish, repair and strengthen the hair shafts, whilst adding shine, softness and suppleness. After sun exposure, it is suitable for hair that is dry or damaged by UV rays, salt or chlorine. Use as an oil treatment before shampooing, massage into the scalp or apply a small amount to the ends. Whether used pure or personalised, store in a cool place. Below 20 °C, it may solidify: run the bottle under a trickle of warm water to restore its fluidity. Customisation is for adults only.
How do you use an after-sun hair mask?
To get the full benefits of an after-sun hair mask, apply it to clean hair, focusing particularly on the lengths and ends. As these areas are more easily damaged by the sun, sea water or chlorine, they can become dry, coarse and brittle.
Gently wash your hair: after a day in the sun, start by washing your hair with a gentle shampoo to remove any traces of salt, chlorine, sand or sun cream.
Gently squeeze out excess water from the lengths: before applying the mask, remove excess water with a towel, without rubbing. Your hair should remain damp, but not soaking wet, to allow the treatment to adhere better to the hair fibre.
Apply the mask to the lengths and ends: take an amount suitable for the length of your hair, then work the treatment through strand by strand, focusing on the driest or most damaged areas. Avoid the roots if your scalp tends to become oily quickly.
Leave on for a few minutes: leave the mask on for the recommended time to allow the moisturising, nourishing or repairing active ingredients to work on the hair fibre. For a more intensive treatment, you can wrap your hair in a warm towel whilst the mask is on.
Rinse thoroughly: rinse thoroughly with clean water until all product residue has been removed. Your hair should feel soft to the touch, without feeling heavy or greasy.
Repeat after prolonged exposure: in summer, the after-sun hair mask can be used once or twice a week, or more often if your hair is very dry, coloured, curly or weakened by repeated exposure.
Precautions for use
Before using a new hair care product, carry out a sensitivity test on a small area of your scalp or in the crook of your elbow to check that you tolerate the product well. Then apply the right amount, focusing on the lengths and ends, especially if your roots tend to get greasy quickly.
How often you use the product depends on the type of treatment chosen and the condition of your hair. A hair mask or oil treatment can be used once or twice a week, whilst a leave-in treatment is best used in small amounts, as and when needed. Always follow the product’s instructions for use, particularly regarding application times, recommended dosages and rinsing instructions.
Expert advice
Before and during any time spent in the sun, remember to protect your hair from the sun with a hat, a scarf or a hair care product enriched with UV filters and protective active ingredients. If you go swimming repeatedly, reapply the product regularly to protect your hair from the drying effects of the sun, salt and chlorine.
Find out more
How do you choose an after-sun hair mask to suit your hair type?
How do you choose an after-sun hair mask to suit your hair type?
How do you choose an after-sun hair mask to suit your hair type?
How can you repair sun-damaged hair?
How can you repair sun-damaged hair?
How can you repair sun-damaged hair?
Sun-damaged hair is deeply dehydrated, weakened and sometimes brittle. To improve its appearance, it is important to rehydrate and nourish the lengths with a suitable mask, then protect the ends with a leave-in treatment or a small amount of plant-based oil. Moisturising, nourishing and strengthening active ingredients help to soften the hair, restore its shine and minimise breakage. If the ends are very damaged or split, a light trim may also be necessary to start afresh with healthier lengths.
What should you do for your hair after sun exposure?
What should you do for your hair after sun exposure?
What should you do for your hair after sun exposure?
After sun exposure, start by rinsing your hair with clean water to remove any residue from salt, chlorine, sand or suncare products. Then wash it with a gentle shampoo if necessary, and apply an after-sun hair mask to the lengths and ends to rehydrate, nourish and soften the hair. Avoid using heat styling tools immediately after sun exposure and opt for air-drying instead. To keep your hair healthy throughout the summer, remember to protect it before going out in the sun with a hat, a scarf or a suitable hair care product.
Spotlight on Our Naturopathic Writer, Stéphanie Catrysse
Stéphanie Catrysse is a naturopath (certified by the FENA), a wellness massage and lymphatic drainage practitioner, and a personal development consultant.
Passionate about alternative medicine, she practices a holistic approach to health.
Associated recipe
Pre-shampoo treatments and masks
Bibliography
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