Best Sunscreen for Bald Heads in 2021

Your head is particularly exposed and therefore vulnerable to UV radiation. That vulnerability goes way up if you don’t have hair providing you with at least limited shielding from the sun. Think about what that means for bald heads!

You have to work especially hard to ensure your scalp is sufficiently protected from UV radiation. This is particularly important as, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation, the deadliest type of skin cancer, melanoma, is especially deadly on the head.

This means you’ll have to pull out all the stops to provide your bald head with the protection it needs. These safety precautions include wearing a UV protective hat and always seeking shade when you’re outside.

But you can’t rely on a hat alone to sufficiently protect the vulnerable skin on your bald head because it’s not always practical. Activities in the water or vigorous exercise mean a hat isn’t always a comfortable option. This is where a generous layer of broad spectrum sunscreen will come in handy. That way you can go about your day knowing your bald head is safe from harmful UV rays.

Buyer’s Guide

 

In order to be sure that you are sufficiently protecting your bald head, there are a few must-have features to look for in your sunscreen:

Broad spectrum protection

One of the most important features to find any time you are buying sunscreen is broad spectrum protection. This means the sunscreen provides protection against both UVA and UVB rays, which work in different ways. UVB rays cause you to tan or burn by damaging the outer layer of your skin. UVA rays, on the other hand, penetrate the deepest layer of your skin (the dermis) and cause premature aging.

Exposure to both types of UV rays increases your risk of getting skin cancer. Since the skin on your bald head is so openly exposed to the sun, it is extremely susceptible to damage from harmful UV rays. This is why you want your sunscreen to protect you against both types.

So how can you be sure that your sunscreen is broad spectrum? There are two ways to be sure – check the ingredients and the sunscreen’s label. Look for the words ‘broad spectrum’ or ‘UVA/B’ on the label.

To be extra sure you can check the ingredients. Sunscreens with the ingredient zinc oxide protect against the full range of UVA/B so they are always a safe and effective choice. The FDA has made broad spectrum protection a requirement, but it never hurts to double check!

Best SPF for Bald Heads

When you’re looking for the best sunscreen for bald spots, you want to make sure that you will get enough coverage. You can determine this based on the Sun Protection Factor (SPF). Like most people, you likely base your decision to buy sunscreen on the SPF rating. But do you truly understand what the SPF rating actually means?

The SPF indicates what fraction of the sun’s UVB radiation will reach your skin after proper application of the sunscreen. So if you buy a sunscreen with SPF 50, then 1/50th of the sun’s UV rays will reach your skin when you’re wearing it. This explains why you’re able to spend more time in the sun if you’re wearing sunscreen. Make sure not to oversimplify the meaning or get confused, though!

Just because you are wearing sunscreen with SPF 50 does not mean that you can spend 50 times more time in the sun. SPF effectiveness depends on a lot of different factors including time of day, amount of sunscreen applied (and if it’s applied properly), and also reflections from surrounding surfaces such as sand or water.

To gain a better understanding of how much UVB protection different SPF ratings provide, take a look at the table below:

SPF Rating	UVB Protection
None	0%
2	50%
15	93%
30	97%
50	98%
100	99%

So it may be surprising, but as you can see there is little difference between a sunscreen with SPF 30 and one with SPF 100. It’d be better if they just used the second column percentages on sunscreen labels, but I’ll make it this simple: Always choose a sunscreen with an SPF rating no lower than 30 and no higher than 50. This suggestion is in line with FDA recommendations.

Make sure that you remember to reapply your sunscreen to your exposed scalp regularly, no matter what SPF rating you choose!

Physical is better than chemical

There are two main groups of sunscreen – physical and chemical. What’s the difference between the two types? It’s the active ingredients of the sunscreens and the way they work to protect you from the sun’s UV radiation. Physical sunscreens reflect UV rays before they reach your skin whereas chemical sunscreens absorb UV rays as they reach your skin.

There are a few reasons why SimplySunSafe prefers physical or hybrid sunscreens over chemical ones. I think you should choose and use physical sunscreens because they:

• Work immediately upon application
• Last longer
• Are less likely to cause irritation
• Have a longer shelf life

There really are many reasons to choose physical sunscreens over chemical ones. But what about reasons not to choose chemical sunscreens?

The most important reason not to choose a chemical sunscreen is that they often contain ingredients which are classified as endocrine disruptors. These are chemicals that interfere with your hormones, something you want to avoid.

The worst of these endocrine disruptors is an ingredient called oxybenzone. It’s always a good idea to check the ingredients in sunscreens to be sure that this chemical is not listed.

To make sure you’re next sunscreen purchase is physical, there are a few keywords and ingredients you can search for when checking the labels. Look for the words ‘physical’ or ‘mineral’ to be sure that the sunscreen is not chemical.

Also keep a look out for the active ingredients zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide. When you’re applying sunscreen to an area of skin as vulnerable as your bald scalp, it is essential that you are using a physical sunscreen with safe and gentle ingredients. That is why the best sunscreen for the head will always be a physical one.

If you’re planning to try one of SimplySunSafe’s recommended sunscreens, you can rest assured knowing they have all been checked against EWG’s database. They are all strongly recommended for UV protection and ingredient safety.

Water resistant

When you’re bald, your head is constantly exposed to the sun anytime you’re not wearing a hat. If the temperature is warm, then you’re likely to sweat, at least a little bit. This is why the best sunscreen for your scalp will be water resistant.

By using a water resistant sunscreen, you’ll know that your bald head is protected from harmful UV rays if you sweat or even if you’re swimming. If you’re wearing a sunscreen that is not water resistant on your bald head, it will dissolve when you sweat or swim, and your scalp will no longer be sufficiently protected. This is not something you want to risk on such a vulnerable part of your body!

You will notice that sunscreens are marketed as water resistant for either 40 or 80 minutes. ‘Waterproof’ or ‘sweatproof’ sunscreen does not exist so don’t let false claims confuse you. Even though your sunscreen is water resistant, be sure to reapply regularly to make sure you are properly protected!

Suitable for daily use

Wearing a hat is a great way to protect your bald head from the sun, but it is not necessarily the most convenient option for day-to-day living. There will be times when you want to go about your day without a hat. That’s why you need to find a sunscreen that is sensitive and effective enough for you to apply to your scalp every day.

Since you need to apply sunscreen to your bald head every day, you want to find one that will not cause you any irritation. This means that you want to search for a sunscreen that is designed for sensitive skin or is hypoallergenic and free from irritants like parabens.

The products I have recommended below have been carefully selected to ensure their formulations are gentle enough for everyday use on even the most sensitive scalp while still providing you sufficient protection from harmful UV rays.

Rub on lotion not spray

Spray sunscreens may sound like a good option to easily apply to your scalp, but I do not advise using one. The truth is that their safety and effectiveness are uncertain.

In terms of safety, you will always be much better off with a rub on lotion. Your skin may be able to handle the chemicals in sunscreens, but your internal lung tissue cannot. Using a spray sunscreen, especially on your scalp, it is very easy to inhale those potentially harmful chemicals.

On top of the safety issue, spray sunscreen is simply less effective. Think about it. If you’re spraying sunscreen on your bald head, how can you really be sure that you covered your whole scalp? This is something that is much easier to control with rub on lotions.

So even though it may seem logical to use a spray sunscreen for your scalp, it will serve you in the long run to stick to the safer option. Choose rub on lotions over sprays for better coverage and less potential harm!

Matte finish

If you’re going to be wearing a sunscreen on your bald, exposed head every day, you don’t want the sunscreen to show on your skin all day. You want to find a sunscreen that will rub into your skin without leaving a noticeable color or shine.

That’s why I have recommended products that have a matte finish. This means that when you apply them correctly, they will be completely (or mostly) unnoticeable on your scalp. These sunscreens will not leave your bald head with a greasy, reflective shine, either. Effective sun protection without sacrificing your appearance!

Best Sunscreen for Bald Heads Comparison

 

5 Best Sunscreens for Bald Heads

 

After thorough research into how to protect bald heads from the sun which included discussing issues with customers, reviewing customer feedback, examining manufacturer specifications, and participating in skincare forums, SimplySunSafe has chosen the 5 best sunscreens for your bald head. Each product provides broad spectrum, physical protection of SPF 30 or greater. They are all free of oxybenzone, are suitable for daily use, and water resistant.

1. thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+

Last update on 2021-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Thinksport Sunscreen is a strong protectant that will provide you with the assurance of sufficient coverage throughout your day. It gives you the highest recommended amount of UVB ray protection so that you don’t need to be constantly worried about your bald head getting burned. It also has a high concentration (20%) of zinc oxide for great, balanced UV protection.

Thinksport’s formula is free of parabens, phthalates, and PABA, which makes it sensitive enough for daily use. It is of excellent quality and was actually the first sunscreen to pass the Whole Foods premium care requirements. In terms of safety, thinksport is very dependable, adhering strictly to FDA guidelines.

The formula of this sunscreen applies and absorbs very easily, and will not leave your scalp feeling oily! The formula is a thick cream so be sure to rub it in adequately so that no white cast is left on your bald head.

Daily use of thinksport Sunscreen will leave you very satisfied because it does not have an obtrusive smell and is moisturizing for the scalps. It is water resistant (80 minutes), and doesn’t move even when used in conditions that induce heavy sweating. It’s good to know you won’t have to stress about sweating with this product protecting your bald head!

The above version of thinksport Sunscreen comes as a 3 ounce tube. At this price it’s already great value for money, but if you use this sunscreen on your head everyday, feel free to check out the 6 ounce tube that is even more cost effective.

This reasonably priced sunscreen will provide you with sensitive but effective protection against harmful UV rays for your scalp. All of the positive features of thinksport’s SPF 50+ formula make it the best sunscreen for bald heads.

The positive features also add up to make thinksport SPF 50+ the best mens sunscreen and the best neck sunscreen. On top of this, its baby version (thinkbaby) is the SimplySunSafe choice for best hair sunscreen. This product really does have all bases covered!

2. BADGER SPF 35 Sport Sunscreen

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

BADGER Sport Sunscreen is another excellent option for protecting your bald head from the sun. It’s a physical sunscreen which provides broad spectrum protection with a high concentration (22.5%) of its active ingredient, zinc oxide. It’s an ideal option for bald heads because it has a simple formula that is both incredibly effective and gentle on sensitive skin.

BADGER Sport Sunscreen is chemical and fragrance free. It has only 5 total ingredients, zinc oxide, organic sunflower oil, organic beeswax, organic jojoba oil, and sunflower Vitamin E. The short list of ingredients means that you will not experience any irritation even using the product daily on the most sensitive scalp.

This sunscreen provides you with the highest amount of water resistance (80 minutes) which is one of the most important features you want in a sunscreen for your bald head. You really don’t want to use a sunscreen that will start running at any sign of sweat or exposure to water!

BADGER Sport comes as either a lotion or a roll on stick. It’s the same awesome formula so all you have to do is choose the one that’s most convenient for you to apply to your head!

For the effective and gentle coverage this sunscreen provides, it is more than worth its price. It is a great option for your scalp, right in line with my number 1 recommendation, thinksport. BADGER Sport Sunscreen was edged out of the number one spot only because thinksport has slightly more customer support and recommendations on skincare forums.

This doesn’t mean it couldn’t be your number 1 though. If it sounds better for you, definitely test it out. You could find that for you it is the best sunscreen for your scalp.

3. EltaMD SPF 47 UV Pure Broad Spectrum Sunscreen

Last update on 2021-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

EltaMD Pure Broad Spectrum Sunscreen is a good option for everyday use on your bald head. It’s a physical sunscreen which gives you broad spectrum protection through the main ingredients zinc oxide (10%) and titanium dioxide (5.5%).

This product is gentle and safe for sensitive and vulnerable areas like bald spots because it is non-comedogenic and free of parabens, fragrances, oils, dyes, hormones, and gluten. This product will not cause any irritation to your exposed scalp.

This sunscreen’s formula is lightweight and lightly scented which is part of the reason it has such positive reviews from users with bald heads. You’ll also be very pleased because as long as you rub in the sunscreen properly, it will not leave a white cast or shiny look on your scalp.

EltaMD Pure Broad Spectrum will also provide you with 80 minutes of water resistant protection. So this is another product with which you will not have to worry about sweat causing it to run down your face and into your eyes.

This reasonably priced sunscreen is another good option to try when searching for a product for your scalp. It will give you reliable every day protection.

4. LaRoche-Posay Anthelios Clear skin Dry Touch Sunscreen SPF60

Last update on 2021-10-11 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

This LaRoche Posay Sunscreen made especially for sensitive skin has a broad-spectrum SPF 60 protection from UVA and UVB rays. It is made with Cell-Ox Shield technology; a powerful combination of physical sun filters that protect the skin from free radicals and the scalp from breakouts. The fragrance-free product also absorbs pore-clogging oil, even in heat & humidity. The combination of Perlite and Silica in its ingredients gives it the ability to reduces the visibility of the sunburns and mitigate its effect on the bare skin. It contains no paraben or oxybenzone and it is equally non-greasy and oil-free. In fact, it’s great at absorbing oil and it leaves a light feel on the skin.

As an added benefit, this sunscreen is also water-resistant, so your scalp and face are protected for eighty minutes which means you can casually go for a swim or hiking regardless of the weather, without worrying about sweating or the water washing it off your face. It blends quickly and finely with your skin, leaving a matte finish and can be applied under your makeup although it is not totally cooperative. The lack of cooperation makes is give white streaks sometimes. To avoid this, ensure it is almost dry before applying makeup on it.

5. Vanicream Sunscreen SPF 30

Last update on 2021-10-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Vanicream Sunscreen is a physical sunscreen which provides broad spectrum protection through its active ingredients, zinc oxide (6%) and titanium dioxide (3.4%). It is dermatologist recommended and formulated for sensitive skin, making it a safe option for your bald head.

Vanicream Sunscreen is non-comedogenic and free from parabens, PABA, oil, gluten, and fragrance. No irritation will be caused to your tender scalp even with everyday use. It’s water resistance (80 minutes) so, just like the other sunscreens on this list, provides you with perhaps one of the important assurance that the sunscreen will not run if you sweat or come into contact with water.

The reason that Vanicream Sunscreen has fallen into the 5th spot on SimplySunSafe’s list is because of its slightly heavy formula and low concentration of active ingredients. Some feedback on the sunscreen (and it was my experience also) says that it may leave a white cast or a greasy feeling on your scalp if it does not absorb fully.

It is recommended that you apply the sunscreen a little while before going outside to allow it absorb fully into your scalp to counter the possible greasiness or white cast.

Vanicream Sunscreen is gentle and effective enough for daily use and users with bald heads are satisfied with the protection they receive using this product. If this product’s features sound like they’d suit you best, it is worth testing to see if it’s right for you!

Conclusion

This guide was written to help those who are looking to find the best sunscreen for bald scalps. Hopefully, by reading this you have gained more insight into what you need to search for and have discovered a sunscreen that fits your needs!

SimplySunSafe recommends thinksport Sunscreen SPF 50+ as the number 1 choice for bald men, but be sure that all 5 sunscreens recommended will provide you with sufficient and reliable protection for your head.

It’s a good idea to test a few products in order to find one that works well for your skin. When you have tested a few different sunscreens, you will be able to choose one that best fits your daily lifestyle. Then the effective and convenient protection of your vulnerable scalp will no longer be something you need to worry about!

I am always itching to learn new things and hear about different products from others. So if you use or know of another good sunscreen for bald heads, please let me know in the comments. I’ll check it out and may add it to this list!

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why do you need sunscreen for your bald head?

A: It is important to be sure your bald head is protected from the sun because while it doesn’t have any hair follicles to protect, it does have a thin and delicate skin layer that could get burned easily. Besides, there are several blood vessels on your scalp that may result in melanoma due to sun damage.

Burning or peeling of the skin will cause damage, just like burning or peeling anywhere else on the body. Most people don’t realize they even need protection up there until after something has happened. Some benefits of protecting your head include not only looking younger than you otherwise would and preventing UV damage.

Q: How do you protect a bald head from the sun?

A: If you are bald, it is a good idea to wear hats as much as possible. One of the challenges with this is protecting the back of your head, which is less protected by hair and skin. Also, put sunscreen near the nape of your neck and on each bald spot in order to protect it from UVA rays that come from overhead.

Apart from this, you may wear a hat that extends over the nape of your neck. Do not forget to lather your head up with SPF 50+ before heading out into the sun!

Q: Can you use regular sunscreen on your head?

A: There are sunscreens designed for your scalp specifically, which will keep it from getting burned by the harmful rays of the Sun. You can also apply regular face lotion as long as you find one is oil-free since applying oily substances to an already sensitive area could prove into a disaster.

It’s important to pick an oil-free sunscreen that you will be able to apply easily. Stick sunscreens are helpful for easy application, and mineral formula protection is great if you have sensitive skin. Choose a sunscreen that won’t leave a white cast and is sweat resistant.

Q: Does being bald or shaving your head raise your risk of skin cancer?

A: Yes. It’s true that everyone is at risk for skin cancer when faced with the sun’s rays. But, in general, bald people are more susceptible to skin cancer because they don’t have the natural protection of hair follicles and sweat ducts. These provide a barrier between the cells of your surface epidermal cells and the UVB rays from sunlight.

Studies show that having thin or no hair on top can significantly increase your chance of developing skin cancers, such as squamous cell carcinomas and basal cell carcinomas.

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