Rebalancing lost lipids and protecting the hair fiber from oxidation are the two main tasks of after-sun hair masks. After adequate protection on the beach and daily cleansing, they represent the third step for healthy and shiny hair in summer.
UV rays, salt, chlorine, sand and wind, in fact, are a mix that has numerous harmful effects on the beauty and health of hair. Heat of the sun opens the external cuticles triggering a chain process that in a few days can make the fiber fragile, rough and opaque.
The effects of sun, salt and chlorine on hair
The first risk is dehydration: hair with open cuticles can no longer absorb water and tends to become dry and weak. Without using hair masks, the color pigments, natural or artificial, at this point come out more easily from the shaft, causing opacity and fading.
Another risk of hair by the sea is linked to the loss of keratin, proteins and amino acids, elements that constitute their health. With open cuticles, the hair increases its porosity and is rough and frayed, with the tendency to break easily.
Finally, the third step is the oxidation of lipids inside the stem, with the consequent loss of flexibility and an increased risk of breakage.
After-sun hair masks return the lost elements in a few minutes and contribute to seal the cuticles. They block the chain process triggered by exposure to the sun and frequent baths in the sea and pool.
Here are some of the best after-sun hair masks on the market in 2024.
1. Morphosis Sun Conditioner by Framesi
With over 97% of ingredients of natural origin, it restores hair hydration and defends it from the damaging action of UV rays, chlorine and salt water. Thanks to papaya extract, shea butter and almond proteins, it nourishes, detangles and revitalizes giving body, shine and strength without weighing it down.
2. Solรจ Tropical Intensive Mask by Creattiva Professional
If hair is colored or bleached, it needs specific after-sun hair masks. This rich mask compensates for the dryness caused by the combined action of sun, wind and salt water, restoring softness and shine to the hair. It facilitates the closure of the cuticles, disciplines and detangles. Its formulation is an exotic nourishing mix of mango and coconut, combined with carrot and aloe vera.
3. Soleil After Sun Hydrating Hair Mask by La Biosthรฉtique
Used as an evening treatment, this mask soothes and revitalizes the structures damaged by the sun, providing hydration and repairing the hair shaft. Sunflower polyphenols render harmless the free radicals that are generated by UV rays and protect from future damage.
A treating polymer, which absorbs sunlight, reinforces the protective action. It acts in combination with non-water soluble UV filters, which therefore remain on the hair until the next wash. Orange peel wax protects and illuminates.
4. Solarich Intensive Restructuring After-Sun Mask by Medavita
Intensely moisturizing, it nourishes and restructures the hair fiber subjected to stress from sun, salt water, wind and chlorine. Thanks to its intensely detangling and film-forming properties, it gives a fluid and dynamic effect to the hair. It contains manuka honey, soothing and antioxidant, avocado, nourishing and protective, coconut, karitรฉ and aloe.
5. Allerbad Sun & Sea Solar Mask by Tocco Magico
The regenerating and revitalizing mask counteracts the harmful effects of exposure to sun, salt water and chlorine. This energy concentrate is formulated with rice oil, glycerin and UV filters. It gives elasticity, hydration, combability and protection to stressed hair. It contains a bio extract of sweet orange, with antioxidant and relaxing action.
6. Semi di Lino Sunshine After-Sun Treatment by Alfaparf Milano
The restorative treatment with biodegradable formula nourishes and helps to detangle hair stressed by sun, chlorine and salt water. It is formulated with four different technologies. Urban Defence Pro is an anti-pollution shield for total protection, while Shine Fix Complex gives 24 hours of illuminating power from roots to ends.
Color Fix Complex is the UV filter and antioxidant that prolongs the beauty of color and Climate-Proof forms a protective barrier that keeps the hair hydrated as humidity and temperature vary.
7. Beach after sun recovery mask by Cotril
Itโs a repairing and revitalizing after-sun mask with immediate action. Thanks to red algae, coconut water and fermented prickly pear extract, this mask acts in a few moments with an emollient, protective and antioxidant action on the structures sensitized during the summer period.
8. Food for Soft Conditioner by Matrix
Ideal for frequent summer washes, this lightweight but moisturizing conditioner is suitable for fine, oily and low-volume hair. It contains avocado oil, which seals the hair with a hydrophobic layer, preventing the loss of hydration, and hyaluronic acid.
9. Colorcare Suncare Aftersun Shine Mask pH 4 by Elgon
A moisturizing and illuminating mask, it is ideal for all hair types. Its super-formula with 1.3% functional biotechnological cactus extract is rich in essential nutrients for healthy hair. Preserves color vibrancy, leaving hair silky, detangled and, thanks to its acidic pH, shiny. The vegan formula is free of sulphates, parabens and artificial colours.
10. Beauty mask intensive nourishing mask by milk_shake
A nourishing and detangling hair mask, it is ideal after every shampoo to counteract the damage caused by sun, salt, wind and chlorine. Contains hibiscus oil, an emollient, organic muru muru butter, rich in antioxidant vitamins, and active quinoa proteins, to combat colour fading.