Whether you’re preparing for a weekend outdoors or simply hoping to protect your scalp while running errands, the best sunscreens for bald heads cover all the bases — from sun protection to shine control to pimple prevention.
But what makes a sunscreen ideal for hairless crowns? Well, selecting a product with at least 30 SPF is a good place to start. As board-certified dermatologist Samer Jaber, MD, recently told New York magazine in an interview, people with bald heads should be using sunscreens that boast at least 30 SPF, and an even higher SPF is better.
Next, you'll want to take a close look at the ingredients list since you want broad-spectrum or multi-spectrum protection, meaning the sunscreen will protect against both UVA and UVB rays. Look for one these broad-spectrum ingredients: benzophenones (like oxybenzone), cinnamates (like octylmethyl cinnamate and cinoxate), sulisobenzone, salicylates, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, avobenzone (Parsol 1789), and ecamsule (Mexoryl SX), according to WebMD. Further, if you have sensitive skin, you should forgo the chemical sunscreen and opt for a physical sunscreen like zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, according to the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD).
You should also think about any special features that might be important to you. Many sunscreens are formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant, which is ideal if you tend to sweat often or you’re an active person. And if scalp acne has ever been an issue for you, it’s also worth looking into facial sunscreens that are formulated to help keep skin clear of blemishes.
Another purely cosmetic thing to consider is what type of sunscreen finish you’re looking for — some sunscreens are mattifying and cut down on shine, while others promise to leave no pesky white residue behind. Also, if environmentally-friendly labels are important to you, some of the best sunscreens for bald heads are coral reef-safe and never tested on animals.
Take a look at the best sunscreens for bald heads below. All of them are 30 SPF or higher, and highly rated on Amazon.