Content reviewed by Souad Charifi Hadj, registered pharmacist no. 2676. At Biovardi, every recommendation goes through a pharmacist's filter: we tell you what really works, not what sells the most.
You reach September, you look in the mirror, and there it is: split ends, dull color, a rough texture, and frizz that won't go away even with a mask. In summer, hair gets as damaged as or even more damaged than skin — and almost no one protects it. The good news: with three simple steps and the right cosmetics, you'll reach autumn with your mane intact. We explain how, with a scientific basis and no miraculous promises.
The short answer: protect your hair from its three big enemies — sun, sea salt, and pool chlorine — hydrate it more than usual, and rinse the fiber with fresh water every time you get out of the water. Sun and salty or chlorinated water dry out, dull, and weaken hair because they degrade keratin and open the cuticle.
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Why do sun, salt, and chlorine damage hair so much in summer?
Hair is a fiber of keratin protected by an outer layer of scales, the cuticle. When that cuticle remains closed and lubricated, the hair looks shiny, soft, and flexible. Sun, salt, and chlorine attack precisely this structure, each in its own way.
Sun: UV radiation that breaks down keratin and decolorizes
Ultraviolet radiation not only affects the skin: it also degrades hair proteins and pigments. UVB radiation causes protein loss (keratin), while UVA oxidizes melanin and changes color. That's why summer hair looks lighter, duller, and more brittle: it loses pigment and protein at the same time.
Seawater: salt that dehydrates the fiber
With a salinity of around 3.5%, seawater extracts water from inside the hair fiber by osmosis and leaves minerals on the surface: rough texture, frizz, and split ends, damage that is even more pronounced in colored or bleached hair.
Pool chlorine: oxidant that dries out and dulls color
Chlorine, being an oxidant, breaks down hair fiber proteins, dries out the cuticle, and can alter the color — especially in blonde, gray, or colored hair. If you swim daily in a pool, the effect accumulates week after week.
An uncomfortable but honest fact: hair photodamage is cumulative and irreversible. What the sun burns in July is not "cured" in September — it is only disguised or cut. Protecting your hair today costs much less, in money and inches, than trying to rescue it in autumn.
How to care for your hair in summer step by step
The formula is simple: create a barrier before, minimize contact during, and repair after. This is the 3-step routine we recommend:
Protect BEFORE swimming
Wet your hair with fresh water and apply a protective oil to mid-lengths and ends: this creates a film that slows down the penetration of salt and chlorine. Tie it up or cover it during peak sun hours (12:00–16:00).
Cleanse AFTER without drying
Always rinse with fresh water after getting out of the water and wash with a gentle natural shampoo that removes salt, chlorine, and sunscreen without damaging the fiber.
Nourish and seal
Finish with a nourishing hair treatment — mask, serum, or oil — to restore hydration and seal the cuticle. Air dry and avoid extra heat.
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Acorelle Hair Sun Protection
That "sunscreen" that almost no one puts on their hair: organic buriti and karanja oil that creates a barrier against sun, salt, and chlorine without weighing it down. It's step 1 of your routine.
View product · €22Natural ingredients that protect and repair hair
Particularly useful ingredients in summer (no miracles, but effective): vegetable oils (argan, coconut, jojoba, fig) that nourish and seal the cuticle; hydrolyzed keratin and vegetable proteins that fill damaged areas; panthenol and glycerin that retain water; antioxidants (green tea, vitamin C) against sun free radicals; and aloe vera to soothe the scalp.
Common mistakes in summer hair care
- Forgetting the scalp: it also gets burned. Protect it with a hat or specific products.
- Washing with harsh shampoos: they dry out the fiber even more. A gentle, natural shampoo is better, even if you wash daily.
- Overusing heat: a very hot dryer, flat iron, and sun on the same day multiply the damage.
- Not hydrating afterwards: leaves the cuticle open and the hair frizzy.
- Leaving colored hair unprotected: it is the most vulnerable to sun, salt, and chlorine.
Frequently asked questions about summer hair care
How to recover hair burned or damaged by the sun?
Already damaged hair cannot be reversed, but the fiber can be rehydrated with consistency: gentle shampoos, nourishing masks rich in oils and proteins, cutting the most split ends, and reducing heat. In 3–4 weeks, you'll notice more flexibility and shine.
Can body sunscreen be used on hair?
It's not ideal: body sunscreens weigh down hair and are not formulated for hair fiber. It's preferable to use oils, mists, or leave-in conditioners designed for hair, in addition to physical barriers like hats or swim caps.
Is seawater good or bad for hair?
Neither the sea nor the pool is "good" for hair fiber: salt dehydrates by osmosis and chlorine oxidizes proteins. The key step is the same in both cases: wet your hair with fresh water before and rinse it well afterward.
How often should I wash my hair in summer?
As often as you need — even daily if you go to the beach or pool — as long as you use a gentle shampoo and don't forget to hydrate afterward.
The sun in July and August is the strongest of the year
Every day without protecting your hair is damage that cannot be recovered. Set up your summer routine today and arrive in September with your mane intact.
See my summer hair routine →References
- American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) — Must-try summer hair care
- Hair color changes and protein damage caused by ultraviolet radiation (Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B)
- Performance and Mechanism of Hydrolyzed Keratin for Hair Photoaging Prevention (PMC, 2025)
This article is for informational and educational purposes about natural cosmetics and does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. If you have persistent scalp problems or significant hair loss, consult your dermatologist.
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