It’s our crowning glory, a major confidence boost, and yet, we don’t really care for it. We’re always styling our locks with heated tools – be it with hairdryers, curlers, or straighteners. But what is one thing we might manage to neglect? Thermal protection.
As if the damage from heat styling tools isn’t enough, we don’t even think about protecting your hair from the sun. Yes, your hair – and your scalp as a matter of fact – need protection from UV damage too!
What effect do UV rays have on our hair?
Like bleach, UV rays damage our hair’s cuticles and breaks down its protein, keratin. And the result? Dull, weakened, dry, frizzy and damaged hair that’s prone to tangles.
Generally, thick and dark hair is more resistant against UV damage than fine and light hair. So if you fall into the latter category, make sure you give your hair the protection that it needs to avoid having frizzy, tangled, unruly hair that’s harder to manage.
Does the sun affect your scalp?
The effect on our scalp is actually deeper – our scalp’s hair-producing cells suffer negative effects that lead to hair loss and thinning hair. Like our skin too, our scalp can be sunburnt, however, it only occurs when you’re exposed to direct sunlight for a prolonged period of time. That in turn, leaves you in some discomfort and annoying little flakes.
While full and thick hair can help protect your scalp, a protective layer for your tresses is always a good idea to give it an added defence. Here are 17 products that’ll do just that. Plus, most of these act as thermal protectors for heat styling too – which is fantastic!
1. John Frieda Detox and Repair Care & Heat Protect Spray
The John Frieda Detox & Repair collection was designed specifically for dry, stressed and damaged hair! This spray’s formula is rich with nutrients to moisturise, smoothen, and gently detangle your hair as it protects it from heat damage too. It also works well with heat styling tools – just apply it before you begin.
P.S. If your hair is truly dry, stressed and damaged, then try out the collection’s products for an all-rounded treatment that goes through your hair and penetrates your scalp. Its star ingredients are green tea – an antioxidant which also protects your hair from air pollutants – and nourishing avocado oil.
The John Frieda Detox and Repair Care & Heat Protect Spray retails at S$11, available exclusively at Watsons.
2. Ouai Leave-In Conditioner
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The conditioner, enriched with moisturising ingredients such as Tamarind Seed Extract, Panthenol and Vitamin E, tames your hair leaving it with a sleek and smooth ‘do. It works to hydrate your hair at the same time to reduce any visible signs of frizz and dryness. At the same time, its moisturising quality makes detangling easy-breezy!
Deep within, the exclusive amino acid blend and hydrolysed proteins work to reinforce your hair’s structure, protecting your locks from styling and heat damage. Bonus: It’s cruelty-free and free from parabens and sodium chloride. Hooray!
The Ouai Leave-In Conditioner retails at S$39 at Sephora stores and at Sephora.sg
3. JOICO K-Pak Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil
This professional hair oil was formulated to especially help protect and improve coloured hair. Formulated with Joico’s breakthrough Quadraßond Complex, this oil works to strengthen, protect and repair the hair as it seals and nourishes the cuticle to lock in colour. It’s thanks to the hydrating African Manketti oil, which regenerates and strengthens dry and brittle hair, whilst antioxidant-rich Vitamin E offers natural environmental protection that stops the colour from fading too.
The oil was actually reformulated recently to include Joico’s revolutionary Bio-Advanced Peptide Complex™. That means it replicates the DNA of healthy hair to repair damaged hair and prevent further hair damage. Additionally, it enhances the colour vibrancy and shine, as the high content of Argan Oil dramatically reduces drying and styling time. Say hola to shiny, healthy, softer, and sleeker hair.
The JOICO K-Pak Colour Therapy Restorative Styling Oil retails at S$26 at Beauty Bay
4. ghd Heat Protect Spray
GHD’s spray – which has got rave reviews – contains the brand’s unique heat protection system that protects your hair from styling products up to 220 degree Celsius. It’s super lightweight and can be layered with other styling products!
The ghd Heat Protect Spray retails at S$21 at Selfridges
5. Ouai Memory Mist
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This fan-favourite, award-winning spray is quite the multitasker! It primes and memorises your hair’s shape and texture (to keep it fab all day) – all while adding shine and protecting your locks from heat damage with its high octane content.
The Ouai Memory Mist retails at S$42 at Sephora stores and at Sephora.sg
6. Kevin Murphy Un.Tangled
Although it’s a detangler, this product from the famous Australian brand also works to protect your hair against the effects of heat. Perfect for dry, damaged hair, Un.Tangled is enriched with a complex of nutrient-rich Australian fruit extracts to detangle, strengthen and regenerate hair. Additionally, it keeps your hair moisturised.
You’ll also feel good since it’s a clean brand – the packaging is arecyclable or biodegradable, and only natural ingredients from sustainable and renewable sources are used. This means that the ingredients are harvested in a way that does no harm to the environment at all. The ingredients are also cruelty-free, safe for animals and the environment. And there are no parabens!
The Kevin Murphy Un.Tangled spray retails at SGD52.95 at Cosmetics Now
7. Clarins Sun Care Oil Mist For Body & Hair SPF 30
This high-protection, ultra-fine sun care oil can be used on not just your body, but your hair too! Despite being an oil, the mist is non-greasy and is absorbed into your skin and hair easily. It’s water-resistant and sweat-resistant, enriched with botanical extracts to hydrate and nourish your crowning glory. Honestly, this one is a sweet deal to bag since it’s a good anti-ageing sunscreen for not just your hair but your body too!
The Clarins Sun Care Oil Mist For Body & Hair SPF 30 retails at S$57.95 at Cosmetics Now
8. HASK Keratin Protein Flash Blow-Dry Spray
From the famous brand used by Hollywood film makeup artists, HASK’s spray doesn’t just protect your hair from heat damage, but it also reduces frizz and blocks the humidity from ruining your ‘do – a truly painful experience. The lightweight formula helps to speed up your drying process tremendously. It also detangles your hair effortlessly for a smooth, static-free finish.
The HASK Keratin Protein Flash Blow-Dry Spray retails at S$17 at Lazada.
9. Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray
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This multi-tasking spray is infused with Pro-Vitamin B5 to help you achieve smooth, sleek locks or a gorgeous blowout. The non-greasy formula conditions your strands from tip to end and shields it from styling damage and UV rays. The priming spray also works on your scalp to nourish it while the polymers add volume and a little oomph to your frizz-free, salon-worthy ‘do. The spray is perfect for those with colour-treated, brittle or dry hair.
The Philip Kingsley Perfecting Primer Heat Protection Spray retails at S$32 at Lookfantastic.
10. Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Detangling Spray
The detangling spray primes and offers thermal protection as it makes curls more manageable and fuss-free – so if you have curlier hair, this would be great for you! It’s formulated Ouidad’s proprietary Anti-Frizz Nano Technology with silk proteins to help seal your hair cuticles with a barrier that locks the moisture in, and keeps frizz-induced humidity out. It also has a nourishing blend of natural oils to keep your locks moisturised, defined, and polished – no matter the weather! Finally, the spray also has dedicated UV filter that guards your tresses against harmful environmental aggressors.
The Ouidad Advanced Climate Control Detangling Spray retails at S$43 at Lookfantastic.
11. Living Proof Restore Instant Protection
From Living Proof, this weightless spray features the brand’s patented Healthy Hair Molecule (OFPMA), which adds shine while protecting your hair from static and styling heat. It claims to shield your hair from UV damage for 24 hours too! Since it is lightweight, you can layer it with more styling products if needed.
Living Proof Restore Instant Protection retails at S$30 at Sephora stores and at Sephora.sg.
12. IGK Blocked Hair-Resistant Hair Shield (Limited Edition)
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It has a breakthrough formula that preserves colour and defends it from UV rays – and wind, water, chlorine and sweat too! The creamy-textured formula seals your hair cuticles with a concoction of water-resistant natural waxes. It also protects your wet hair by preventing colour fading and damage when your hair is the most vulnerable. If you’re outdoors a lot or heading for a beach holiday sometime soon, pack this away and easily apply it before you head out! P.S. this would be great for clean-beauty enthusiasts – it’s vegan, cruelty-free, free of gluten, sulfates, parabens, petrolatum and mineral oil!
The IGK Blocked Hair-Resistant Hair Shield (Limited Edition) retails at S$43 at Sephora stores and at Sephora.sg
13. Briogeo Farewell Frizz™ Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend
This nutrient-rich hair treatment has a cocktail of rosehip, argan and coconut oil to seal in moisture and lock out the nasty environmental aggressors that we do not want! The antioxidant-rich rosehip oil works to shield your hair from UV and free-radical damage. Meanwhile, the argan oil restores lustre and diminishes frizz, and coconut oil locks in moisture to reduce environmental impurities from penetrating your locks. With a 98% naturally-derived formula free of sulfates, silicones, phthalates, parabens, artificial dyes, the Farewell Frizz™ is also cruelty-free and vegan! Say hello healthy and glistening hair, all day, err-day.
The Briogeo Farewell Frizz™ Rosehip, Argan & Coconut Oil Blend retails at S$41 at Sephora stores and at Sephora.sg
14. Wella Professionals Sun Protection Spray for Fine Hair
Created by professionals, this high-performing spray – formulated for fine and normal hair – gives your hair the ultimate protection from the damaging (and highly-unwanted) effects of sun exposure. The spray contains a double-phase formula – the first phase protects your hair against UV rays, and the second one hydrates your hair for a soft, healthy and not to mention, protected finish!
The Wella Professionals Sun Protection Spray for Fine Hair retails at S$25 at Zest Beauty.
15. Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil
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The lightweight and water-resistant mist protects your hair from the nasty effects of the sun. It has UVA/UVB filters which are derived from wintergreen and cinnamon bark oils to shield your hair. The cruelty-free brand carries other products in this line as part of its defence and recovery system, so check it out for complete protection!
The Aveda Sun Care Protective Hair Veil retails at USD50 at Aveda outlets and Lazada.
16. Sachajuan Hair In The Sun
This creamy formula is created with ocean silk tech which protects your hair and colour from the sun with UV-filter that lasts all day – with no need for re-application. The full coverage UVQ protectant used in the product is a tropical sun protectant which shields your locks from ultraviolet rays, and it doesn’t permeate.
Instead, it lies on the surfaces where you’ve applied the cream, even through rinsing and swimming, meaning your colour is completely protected, making it perfect if your hair is dyed. Hair In The Sun also works as a light styling cream!
Sachajuan Hair In The Sun retails at S$39 at Sephora stores and Sephora.sg
17. Percy & Reed Tame That Mane Smoothing Styling Cream
Great for thick to coarse hair types, this treatment helps to inject and replenish your locks with moisture and nutrients to smooth your hair cuticles, and reduce frizz or flyaways. It is formulated with sunflower seed, the ingredient which protects your hair against UV damage. Meanwhile, wheat extract strengthens your hairs fibres. A concoction of camellia seed oil and Pro-Vitamin B5 enhances softness and shine for a lush ‘do. Percy & Reed claims to be able to rid frizz for up to 72 hours, which sounds like a dream come true!
The Percy & Reed Tame That Mane Smoothing Styling Cream retails at S$30.50 at Lookfantastic.
Featured imaged credit: @twicegloss/Carousell.my and @JESSICA TICOZZELLI/Pexels
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