There's no doubt, summer is the season of fun! But whether you're spending time in the pool or hours in the sun, your favorite summer activities can be rough on your hair.
Chlorine, saltwater, UV rays, heat, and even air conditioning all team up to cause dryness and damage. On top of that, the tight ponytails and buns that help us survive the heat can also cause breakage.
Luckily, we've got you covered from every angle, so you can keep your hair happy without giving up the fun.
Here are 10 summer hair care tips to keep your hair soft and hydrated all summer long.
10 Summer Hair Care Tips To Protect Your Hair
Tip #1: Moisturize. Moisturize. Moisturize.
Don't let heat and sun zap the moisture from your strands!
Even when you head to the beach or pool to cool off, the chlorine in pool water and the salt in seawater can dry your hair out and leave it brittle (also known as "swimmer's hair").
Here's how to keep your hair moisturized all summer long:
- Use quality hair care products made to hydrate your strands. The Goldie Locks® Signature Collection is formulated to hydrate and smooth, and it's protein-free.
- Shield your strands from the sun with scarves or hats (wide-brim is best). It protects you from UV rays and helps protect your hair color.
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Swap cotton pillowcases for silk or satin.
They help your hair hold on to moisture and reduce the friction that causes tangles and breakage. - Saturate your hair with a Leave-In Conditioner before swimming, so your hair has a layer of product between it and the chlorine or saltwater.
- Wear a silicone swim cap. It won't keep your hair perfectly dry, but it cuts down on chlorine exposure.
- Hydrating shampoo + conditioner is a must! Shampoo and condition your hair right after you swim.
- Protect your ends by tucking them into buns, French braids, and other protective styles.
Tip #2: Seal In Moisture
This lightweight, fast-absorbing serum adds instant shine and smoothness and tames frizz. It's clinically shown to reduce breakage by 83% and protect against heat up to 450°F.* Ideal for all hair types.
Wind, friction, and UV rays can dry your hair out in just hours if there's nothing sealing it. So it's not enough to moisturize. You also want to seal that moisture in.
Hair oils and hair serums work as sealants that coat and smooth your strands.
They create a light layer over the hair that helps it hold on to moisture, so strands stay soft and manageable.
*Based on third-party testing, when used as directed.
Tip #3: Choose Loose, Comfortable Protective Styles
Another way to keep moisture in is protective styling. Some great protective styles include:
- Braid crown
- Low ponytail
- Double French braids
- Low bun
Curls have their own summer rulebook, from wash day to humidity. Here's how to take care of curly hair in summer.
When you put these styles in, go easy on your scalp. Tight styles can make your scalp tense and tender, especially around the hairline, and that constant pull stresses the hair.
Over time, it can pull hair out at the root, a condition called traction alopecia. Tension isn't the only reason hair comes out this time of year, so it helps to know what counts as shedding more than usual in summer. Tension along the length of the strand can also cause breakage.
Tip #4: Drop The Heat
Between the summer sun and humidity, this is a great season to give hot tools a break.
Most days, air-dry. It gives your hair a rest from blow dryers and styling tools. When you do use heat, apply a heat protectant first.
Tip #5: Keep Your Conditioners Close
Every hair care article says to condition your hair, but why?
Because conditioners are your hair's main source of moisture and softness. There are three types, and each has its own job:
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Rinse-out (regular) conditioners: Signature Conditioner
Rinse-out conditioners go on right after shampooing and stay on for 3 to 5 minutes (or more) to detangle and add moisture back.
Hydration without the weight. This creamy, protein-free formula leaves dry hair feeling soft, smooth, and shiny, and helps ends look and feel smoother. Learn more about split ends.
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Deep conditioners + hair masks
Deep conditioners and hair masks are the queens of moisture. Where rinse-out conditioners can be thinner, deep conditioners and hair masks have a thicker consistency and sit in your hair for 10+ minutes to deeply hydrate thirsty hair.
The ultimate indulgence for your hair. Formulated to replenish moisture and leave hair feeling stronger, more resilient, and shiny, without weighing it down.
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Leave-in conditioners
These no-rinse conditioners keep working all day. After applying a leave-in conditioner, follow with a sealant (like a hair serum) to lock in moisture.
Lightweight, long-lasting hydration plus slip for easy detangling, so hair feels smoother and more manageable.
Tip #6: Use Quality Summer Hair Care Products
Quality hair care products make a real difference in how your hair looks and feels, especially if it's already damaged.
Goldie Locks® hair care is formulated to hydrate, smooth, and add shine, so your hair stays soft all summer long. Here's a simple routine:
- Start with our shampoo to gently cleanse your hair and scalp without stripping natural oils.
- Follow with our conditioner to add moisture and help detangle.
- Once a week, deep condition with our hair mask. It's formulated to replenish moisture in dry, damaged hair and leave it feeling stronger, with incredible shine.
- Next, apply our leave-in conditioner. This moisturizing multitasker adds hydration and slip, helps detangle, tames frizz, and adds shine.
- Seal it all in with our hair serum for smooth, shiny, frizz-free hair. It's clinically shown to reduce breakage by 83% and protect against heat up to 450°F.*
*Based on third-party testing, when used as directed.
Tip #7: Say Goodbye To Green Hair
Does your hair turn green after a dip in a chlorinated pool? Here's why.
Copper and other metals in pool water can react with chlorine and deposit on your hair, giving light hair a greenish tint.
Goldie Locks® Clarifying Shampoo is a great pick for swimmers. You may need to clarify more often in summer to remove chlorine, minerals, and the buildup that can give hair a greenish tint and make it look dull.
Clarifying regularly in summer removes chlorine, saltwater, sweat, and product buildup, so your hair feels clean and light and your other products can work better.
Tip #8: SOS: Slather On Sunscreen (But Mind Your Hair)
Wear sunscreen, always. Just try to keep it off your hair when you can. Some sunscreen ingredients are known to leave stains on fabric, and some people notice a similar tint when sunscreen gets on light hair.
Light colored hair and extensions are the most likely to show it. Sunscreen is only part of the story, though. Here's why summer sun shifts your color on its own.
Tip #9: Try A Warm Oil Treatment
Oils like coconut, jojoba, olive, and avocado are great for softening hair. Our Signature Serum is made with marula, jojoba, and coconut oils and works nicely as a pre-wash treatment.
Warm a few pumps of Signature Serum between your palms, work it through your mid-lengths and ends, and leave it on for 5 minutes. Then shampoo as usual. Your hair will feel softer and smoother after washing.
Tip #10: Stay Hydrated
In summer you sweat more and get dehydrated faster. Drinking enough water supports your overall health, and that includes your skin and hair health.
Keep a water bottle with you this season, especially on hot days outside.
FAQs
How do I protect my hair in the summer?
Cover up with a hat in strong sun, wet your hair and apply leave-in before swimming, rinse right after, clarify after heavy pool or beach days, and deep condition weekly.
Why does my hair turn green in the pool?
Copper and other metals in pool water can react with chlorine and deposit on hair, which shows up as a green tint on light hair. A clarifying shampoo helps remove it.
Should I use heat styling in summer?
Give hot tools a break when you can and air-dry. When you do use heat, always apply a heat protectant first.
Final Thoughts
Protecting your hair this summer doesn't mean giving up the fun. With our ultra hydrating hair care products, you can keep your hair soft and hydrated all summer long. Recap:
- Moisturize.
- Seal in moisture with hair serum.
- Go easy on your scalp.
- Minimize heat.
- Use your conditioners.
- Invest in quality summer hair care products.
- Prevent green hair from chlorine.
- Wear sunscreen, but keep it off your hair.
- Try a warm oil treatment.
- Drink plenty of water.