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Whether you're chasing your kids at the pool, heading to the lake, or just trying to survive Midwest humidity ~ summer can be downright savage on your hair. But here's the good news: with a few clean swaps and smart habits, you can protect your strands, keep your color vibrant, and enjoy your best hair days all season long.
This guide shares exactly how to protect your hair from sun, sweat, salt, and chlorine (without loading it up with toxins or spending your entire weekend in a salon). Plus, I’ll show you the exact products I use from Hugh & Grace and other clean brands available on Amazon.
Let’s get into it because your scalp deserves just as much care as your skin this summer.
What You Might Need
- Wide-brim UPF hat
- Scalp + hair SPF mist
- Clean, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner
- Deep conditioning hair mask
- Microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt
- Leave-in conditioner or detangler
- Swimmer-friendly shampoo
- Heat protectant spray
- Silk hair scrunchies or claw clips (gentle and summer-friendly)
Affiliate links may be included. As always, I only recommend what I use and love.
Start With a Clean Slate: Shampoo and Conditioner That Actually Work
Your first step to healthy summer hair? Ditching the harsh sulfates and hormone-disrupting ingredients in your current shampoo.
If you haven’t already, check out my full review of the Hugh & Grace “Your Best Hair Day” Shampoo and Conditioner. It’s clean, non-toxic, and hormone-safe and it leaves my hair soft, shiny, and build-up free without daily washing.
Other Clean Shampoo & Conditioner Favorites from Amazon:
- Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath + Conditioner – Rich, hydrating, and color-safe
- Acure Daily Workout Shampoo + Conditioner – Perfect for post-workout or pool days. 100% Vegan – With Argan Oil & Pumpkin
- 100% Pure Glossy Locks Repair Set – Vegan. Strengthens and repairs damaged hair
- California Naturals Shampoo & Conditioner – I ordered this when I needed a quick clean S&C refill, and it was a total hit in my house. It works extremely well, smells amazing, and is now a new favorite!
Picture this: You just finished a run on a hot day or spent the day at a tournament. You hop in the shower, wash with your non-toxic shampoo, and your scalp feels clean, not stripped. Your strands? Silky. Hydrated. Ready for whatever's next.
Rinse Before You Swim, Clarify After
Before you jump into a chlorinated pool or salty ocean, rinse your hair with fresh water. This simple trick helps reduce how much chlorine or salt your hair absorbs.
After swimming, wash with a swimmer-friendly shampoo:
- Malibu C Swimmer's Wellness Shampoo – Removes chlorine without drying
- goop Beauty Scalp Scrub – Himalayan Salt Scrub: Purifies and Detoxes all at once.
Follow up with your favorite conditioner or hydrating mask. I personally love using the Hugh & Grace Intensely Hydrating Conditioner + Masque after every pool day.
Picture this: You're in the car headed home from a long day at the lake. Your hair's wrapped in a claw clip with conditioner working its magic. By the time you're home, it feels like you just stepped out of the salon.
Here are the links to my favorite Amazon shampoos and conditioners—my go-to Summer Hair Care staples. These picks keep our hair healthy, soft, and protected from the sun, sweat, and chlorine. I’ve personally used and loved each one, so you can shop with confidence!
Protect That Scalp (And Your Ears!)
Sun protection isn’t just for your face. Don’t forget your scalp! A sunburned scalp is not only painful but can also lead to hair thinning over time. For tips on protecting your scalp and skin, check out our guide on Sun Safety Over 40: Natural Sunscreens That Protect and Nourish.
My Go To Sun Protection Products:
- Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp & Hair Mist – Clean and tropical-smelling
- COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 – Subtle scent, great for sensitive skin
- Oars + Alps Face & Scalp Sunscreen Spray Mist – This scalp SPF spray delivers broad spectrum sun protection with a refreshing Summer Splash scent, is water-resistant for 80 minutes, and is free of aerosols, parabens, and other harsh chemicals.
Pair with a UPF-rated hat:
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat is a great way to shield your hair from the sun. Pairing it with a quality sunscreen ensures your skin stays protected too. Discover our top picks in Sun Safety Over 40: Natural Sunscreens That Protect and Nourish.
- Furtalk Wide-Brim Straw Hat – Cute and sun-smart
- Coolibar UPF 50+ Ponytail Hat – Functional and mom-life approved
- Stylish Trucker or NY Baseball Cap – A favorite in my house, with several color options that offer sun protection and sporty style
Picture this: You’re standing on the soccer sidelines in your breezy straw hat, SPF spritzed on, sipping iced tea, and not worrying one bit about sunburned roots or flaky scalp next week.
Weekly Deep Conditioning = Summer Hair Insurance
Whether you highlight, heat style, or swim, you need a weekly deep conditioning routine.
Here are my clean favorites:
- Hugh & Grace Conditioner + Masque – My ride-or-die for hydration and shine
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Mask – Strengthens without heaviness
- Mielle Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner – Adds protein and bounce
- OUAI Treatment Masques – Tailored by hair type, these masks leave your hair nourished, frizz-free, and shiny without heavy buildup
Use it once a week or more if you’re in the pool often. Wrap your hair in a warm towel or let it soak in while you're tidying up the house.
Blonde for Summer? Here's How to Keep It Bright, Not Brassy
It’s super common to go lighter in summer but blonde hair is more fragile and prone to brassiness, breakage, and chlorine damage.
Here’s how to keep it fresh:
Clean Blonde-Friendly Products:
- Innersense Bright Balance Purple Shampoo – Neutralizes yellow tones
- Four Reasons No Nothing Sensitive Shampoo – Unscented, Silver Shampoo
- dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo – Great for toning and softness
Picture this: No green hair, no brass. Just a soft, sun kissed color that stays salon fresh, even after multiple pool days.
Whether you're chasing your kids at the pool, heading to the lake, or just trying to survive Midwest humidity ~ summer can be downright savage on your hair. But here's the good news: with a few clean swaps and smart habits, you can protect your strands, keep your color vibrant, and enjoy your best hair days all season long.
This guide shares exactly how to protect your hair from sun, sweat, salt, and chlorine (without loading it up with toxins or spending your entire weekend in a salon). Plus, I’ll show you the exact products I use from Hugh & Grace and other clean brands available on Amazon.
Let’s get into it because your scalp deserves just as much care as your skin this summer.
What You Might Need
- Wide-brim UPF hat
- Scalp + hair SPF mist
- Clean, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner
- Deep conditioning hair mask
- Microfiber towel or cotton T-shirt
- Leave-in conditioner or detangler
- Swimmer-friendly shampoo
- Heat protectant spray
- Silk hair scrunchies or claw clips (gentle and summer-friendly)
Affiliate links may be included. As always, I only recommend what I use and love.
Start With a Clean Slate: Shampoo and Conditioner That Actually Work
Your first step to healthy summer hair? Ditching the harsh sulfates and hormone-disrupting ingredients in your current shampoo.
If you haven’t already, check out my full review of the Hugh & Grace “Your Best Hair Day” Shampoo and Conditioner. It’s clean, non-toxic, and hormone-safe and it leaves my hair soft, shiny, and build-up free without daily washing.
Other Clean Shampoo & Conditioner Favorites from Amazon:
- Innersense Pure Harmony Hairbath + Conditioner – Rich, hydrating, and color-safe
- Acure Daily Workout Shampoo + Conditioner – Perfect for post-workout or pool days. 100% Vegan – With Argan Oil & Pumpkin
- 100% Pure Glossy Locks Repair Set – Vegan. Strengthens and repairs damaged hair
- California Naturals Shampoo & Conditioner – I ordered this when I needed a quick clean S&C refill, and it was a total hit in my house. It works extremely well, smells amazing, and is now a new favorite!
Picture this: You just finished a run on a hot day or spent the day at a tournament. You hop in the shower, wash with your non-toxic shampoo, and your scalp feels clean, not stripped. Your strands? Silky. Hydrated. Ready for whatever's next.
Rinse Before You Swim, Clarify After
Before you jump into a chlorinated pool or salty ocean, rinse your hair with fresh water. This simple trick helps reduce how much chlorine or salt your hair absorbs.
After swimming, wash with a swimmer-friendly shampoo:
- Malibu C Swimmer's Wellness Shampoo – Removes chlorine without drying
- goop Beauty Scalp Scrub – Himalayan Salt Scrub: Purifies and Detoxes all at once.
Follow up with your favorite conditioner or hydrating mask. I personally love using the Hugh & Grace Intensely Hydrating Conditioner + Masque after every pool day.
Picture this: You're in the car headed home from a long day at the lake. Your hair's wrapped in a claw clip with conditioner working its magic. By the time you're home, it feels like you just stepped out of the salon.
Here are the links to my favorite Amazon shampoos and conditioners—my go-to Summer Hair Care staples. These picks keep our hair healthy, soft, and protected from the sun, sweat, and chlorine. I’ve personally used and loved each one, so you can shop with confidence!
Protect That Scalp (And Your Ears!)
Sun protection isn’t just for your face. Your scalp can burn, especially your part line. And while we’re here, don’t forget your ears. They're one of the most overlooked (and most sunburned) spots on the body.
My Go To Sun Protection Products:
- Sun Bum SPF 30 Scalp & Hair Mist – Clean and tropical-smelling
- COOLA Organic Scalp & Hair Mist SPF 30 – Subtle scent, great for sensitive skin
- Oars + Alps Face & Scalp Sunscreen Spray Mist – This scalp SPF spray delivers broad spectrum sun protection with a refreshing Summer Splash scent, is water-resistant for 80 minutes, and is free of aerosols, parabens, and other harsh chemicals.
Pair with a UPF-rated hat:
- Furtalk Wide-Brim Straw Hat – Cute and sun-smart
- Coolibar UPF 50+ Ponytail Hat – Functional and mom-life approved
- Stylish Trucker or NY Baseball Cap – A favorite in my house, with several color options that offer sun protection and sporty style
Picture this: You’re standing on the soccer sidelines in your breezy straw hat, SPF spritzed on, sipping iced tea, and not worrying one bit about sunburned roots or flaky scalp next week.
Weekly Deep Conditioning = Summer Hair Insurance
Whether you highlight, heat style, or swim, you need a weekly deep conditioning routine.
Here are my clean favorites:
- Hugh & Grace Conditioner + Masque – My ride-or-die for hydration and shine
- Briogeo Don't Despair, Repair Mask – Strengthens without heaviness
- Mielle Babassu Oil Mint Deep Conditioner – Adds protein and bounce
- OUAI Treatment Masques – Tailored by hair type, these masks leave your hair nourished, frizz-free, and shiny without heavy buildup
Use it once a week or more if you’re in the pool often. Wrap your hair in a warm towel or let it soak in while you're tidying up the house.
Blonde for Summer? Here's How to Keep It Bright, Not Brassy
It’s super common to go lighter in summer but blonde hair is more fragile and prone to brassiness, breakage, and chlorine damage.
Here’s how to keep it fresh:
Clean Blonde-Friendly Products:
- Innersense Bright Balance Purple Shampoo – Neutralizes yellow tones
- Four Reasons No Nothing Sensitive Shampoo – Unscented, Silver Shampoo
- dpHUE Cool Blonde Shampoo – Great for toning and softness
Picture this: No green hair, no brass. Just a soft, sun kissed color that stays salon fresh, even after multiple pool days.
Minimize Heat, Maximize Health
Hot tools + summer sun = dry, damaged hair. Let your hair air dry when possible. Use a microfiber towel or old T-shirt to soak up excess water and style with silk scrunchies or soft, gentle claw clips that won’t tug or break your strands. They also keep you cool and polished while letting your hair recover.
If you do need to blow-dry or curl, always use a heat protectant.
My Heat Protectant Faves:
- OUAI Heat Protection Spray – Lightweight, no sticky feel
- Sun Bum Heat Protectant Spray – Affordable and great scent
- Kitsch Rice Water Heat Protectant –
- nfused with keratin and castor oil
Picture this: You're heading out for a dinner date. You blowdry your hair quickly, spritzed with clean protectant, and it still feels soft and strong even after styling.
Final Thoughts: Summer Hair, Simplified
You don’t need a 12 step system to protect your hair this summer. You just need the right clean products and a few smart habits:
- Rinse before and after the pool
- Wear a hat + SPF on your scalp
- Deep condition weekly
- Air dry when possible, use protectant if not
- Use clean, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner you trust
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with this Hugh & Grace shampoo and conditioner set. It’s been a total wellness win for me and my daughters.
Let this be your Your Best Hair Day summer—because you deserve hair care that works with your body, not against it.
Want more tips like this? Follow me on Pinterest @ownyourmidlifeblog or join the email list for midlife wellness guides, clean beauty reviews, and weekly routines that actually make life easier.
You got this, friend. Let’s glow all summer long. ✨
Minimize Heat, Maximize Health
Hot tools + summer sun = dry, damaged hair. Let your hair air dry when possible. Use a microfiber towel or old T-shirt to soak up excess water and style with silk scrunchies or soft, gentle claw clips that won’t tug or break your strands. They also keep you cool and polished while letting your hair recover.
If you do need to blow-dry or curl, always use a heat protectant.
My Heat Protectant Faves:
- OUAI Heat Protection Spray – Lightweight, no sticky feel
- Sun Bum Heat Protectant Spray – Affordable and great scent
- Kitsch Rice Water Heat Protectant –
- nfused with keratin and castor oil
Picture this: You're heading out for a dinner date. You blowdry your hair quickly, spritzed with clean protectant, and it still feels soft and strong even after styling.
- nfused with keratin and castor oil
Final Thoughts: Summer Hair, Simplified
You don’t need a 12 step system to protect your hair this summer. You just need the right clean products and a few smart habits:
- Rinse before and after the pool
- Wear a hat + SPF on your scalp
- Deep condition weekly
- Air dry when possible, use protectant if not
- Use clean, non-toxic shampoo and conditioner you trust
If you’re not sure where to start, begin with this Hugh & Grace shampoo and conditioner set. It’s been a total wellness win for me and my daughters.
Let this be your Your Best Hair Day summer—because you deserve hair care that works with your body, not against it.
Want more tips like this? Follow me on Pinterest @ownyourmidlifeblog or join the email list for midlife wellness guides, clean beauty reviews, and weekly routines that actually make life easier.
You got this, friend. Let’s glow all summer long. ✨
Love all these tips!
This is great information! I am looking for non toxic hair options and this gave me everything I needed to know in one spot. Looking forward to trying out some of these products.
I love these summer hair care tips! Healthy, hydrated hair is such a struggle this time of year, and these suggestions are super helpful. Thanks for sharing!