Stop blaming the heat. Your routine might be the real problem.
Does your hair turn into an oily mess just a few hours after washing it in summer? The problem is probably not the heat itself, but a routine that was never built for high temperatures, humidity, and pool days. That’s why we rounded up five summer hair care routines that match the season, so your locks stay fresh, healthy, and good-looking from June straight through August. Try these out!
Think of your hair like a dry sponge the moment it hits pool or ocean water: it absorbs whatever is in there fast. The fix is to wet your strands with fresh water before you even dip a toe in. Pre-saturated hair has far less room to soak up chlorine or salt.
Once your hair is damp, work a leave-in conditioner through it to act as a barrier against UV and chemical damage. On pool days specifically, always finish with a detangler and a wet brush to work through any post-swim knots without snapping strands mid-comb.
Hair specialists have weighed in, and their advice is surprisingly straightforward.
Step 1. use leave-ins with built-in UV filters.
Step 2. don’t forget SPF on your scalp, not just your face and shoulders.
Step 3. coat your lengths and ends with oil before swimming and tie your hair up to limit exposure.
Step 4. follow up with a chelating shampoo after any time in a chlorinated or salt-water pool to strip mineral buildup from your strands.
Step 5. hats and bandanas aren’t just accessories, they’re actual sun protection for your hair and scalp when you’re out for long stretches.
Long hours under the sun call for a layered defense strategy. Start with a UV-protective spray before heading out, applied over dry or styled hair. Layer a leave-in conditioner underneath to lock moisture in throughout the day.
Then seal everything with a light oil along your lengths for shine and an extra shield against heat and summer frizz. And when you’re back from a day at the pool, wash it all out properly. Skipping that rinse lets chlorine sit on your strands overnight, and it keeps working on your hair long after you’ve left the water.
This one is a preemptive move rather than a damage-control fix. While your hair is still freshly washed and styled, lift your top layer and apply dry shampoo directly underneath it, close to the roots. When your scalp sweats later in the day, the product is already in place to absorb the moisture before it flattens your style.
One thing worth noting: this trick is not meant for daily use long-term. It can clog your follicles if overused, so follow up with a clarifying shampoo when you next wash.
Greasy roots in summer can derail your whole look, but a few small habit shifts make a noticeable difference. First, keep conditioner away from your roots entirely and work it only through your mid-lengths and ends. Second, stop running your fingers through your hair throughout the day since every touch transfers oil from your hands to your strands.
Third, avoid going to sleep with wet hair. Damp strands against a pillow signal your scalp to ramp up oil production, which is the last thing you need in July. For more ways to stay ahead of the problem, check out these pool hair care tips that pair perfectly with an anti-grease routine.
Summer hair doesn’t have to be a battle. With the right routines in place, your locks can stay healthy, fresh, and styled no matter what the season throws at them. Pick one tip to start with this week and build from there. And if you want to see which styles hold up best in the heat, use the TheRightHairstyles virtual try-on tool or test the HairHunt app (iOS, Android) for daily hair styling and coloring ideas that match the season.
