Is Sea Salt Spray Bad for Your Hair? Experts Weigh In

By mimicking ocean water, the product adds texture and grit to hair.

When it comes to hair, we all have a certain style goal that we one day hope to achieve. For those that envy the relaxed, boho, just-got-out-of-a-surfing-lesson look, beach waves are all the rage. But what if you live nowhere near the ocean? What if you are deathly afraid of sharks? For those who are landlocked, sea salt sprays are often advertised as an alternative to ocean exposure. But what effect do they really have on your hair? Ahead, experts weigh in.

Meet the Experts

• Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers is an expert hair stylist and the Global Technical Director at hair-care brand Joico.

• Shilrey Chi, M.D. is a board-certified dermatologist based in California and Hawaii.

• Shirin Zakerion is a hair stylist and curl-expert based out of Tulsa, Oklahom.

What Is Sea Salt Spray?

Sea salt spray is one of those few products with a name that is quite literal and easy to understand.

“Sea salt spray is a spray that is used for prepping and styling the hair,” says hair stylist Jeannetta Walker-Rodgers. “The solution usually contains literal salt and, or salt derivatives that provide grip and texture and volume to the hair.”

Sea salt spray works by minimizing oil and moisture within the hair.

“The thought process is that you are able to use them to help absorb excess oil and moisture from the scalp,” says dermatologist Shirley Chi, M.D. “Similarly when we are in the ocean water, the way that the salts dry the hair a little bit can help define better curls and waves. And so sometimes by drying things out a little bit, it helps to give the hair that textured look as though you were spending time at the sea.”

The Benefits of Sea Salt Spray

Hair stylist Shirin Zakerion says she notices a difference in clean hair after using a sea salt spray. “It's because it has that grit and that texture that freshly washed hair doesn't have. And so sometimes you can get that day one [of washing your hair], by adding a sea salt spray to your routine.”

Walker-Rodgers says that the product can be useful when styling hair that is fine and limp, as it adds volume. It works “for all hair textures, to provide texture or grip to the hair, to help hold shapes, to expand curls and iron sets making them look fuller, and for updos, providing texture to form shapes,” she says.

How to Use Sea Salt Spray

As with any product, it’s important to use it properly in order to obtain the best results. “I would do it when the hair is damp and closer to the roots, says Zakerion. “You can either spray it into the hair at the root area or into your hands and then rough up your scalp.” Zakerion adds that it’s a versatile product. “You can use it as a refreshing spray, throw it in your gym bag,” says Zakerion. “You can carry it around your purse to kind of zhuzh up your hair if you're someone that likes a lot of volume, and you need something to kind of give you a little bit of hold, but not something like a hairspray would.”

When considering sea salt spray, it’s also important to use the type that is right for you. “They are not one-size-fits-all,” says Walker-Rodgers. “Some have more grip, or matte finish than others, definitely try multiple to see which one is right for your needs.” And when you’re done with a product, proper removal is important for scalp and hair health.

InStyle Tip

It's important to wash your hair after using sea salt spray to minimize build-up and optimize scalp health. “Even if your hair is not looking particularly oily, you still want to be consistent with cleansing your scalp, basically shampooing to ensure that the product is properly and adequately removed," says Dr. Chi.

Is Sea Salt Spray Safe?

As with all products for skin and hair, it’s important to know your own body when considering adding a new product to your routine. Zakerion says that if your hair is already severely compromised, then you might not be a good candidate for sea salt spray.

”If your hair has been through a huge chemical process, you're really really blonde, your ends are struggling, don't use it,” she says. “After you've had a good haircut, a good mask, and then maybe bring it into your routine. But if your hair is already struggling with dryness, it's probably not going to be the ideal product for you.”

Walker-Rodgers says that overuse of the product can lead to dryness and stiffness. “[It] can make hair too matte if that’s not the look desired,” she says. “[And] could lead to tangling - which is great for some styling scenarios when you need to back comb, - [but] for free flowing textured looks, tangling could be a problem.”

If you’re looking for a little extra grit, a little extra texture, or just that cool-girl-at-the-beach-club wavey look, sea salt spray could be a great product to add to your hair care arsenal. But with a great product comes great responsibility - make sure to always wash it out, and keep an eye out for dryness.

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