Beach days, hiking, swimming, kayaking, and lounging on cool tiles when the humidity becomes too much; summertime brings with it a lot of outdoor activities and air-conditioned sheltering. With all that commotion and fun, you may forget your hair needs protection and hydration too! Read on if you want to ensure your locks are still nourished and healthy by the time you retire your floating pool flamingo for another year.

1. Safeguard Against the Sun

When you slather on sunscreen over your body, do you remember to take care of your scalp and hair as well? The next time you head outdoors, make sure you apply sunscreen to your hairline and part line. And while this is somewhat annoying and messy, try massaging a small amount of sunscreen onto your scalp as well. As always, cover up with a hat (preferably one with a wide brim). If you don’t like to wear your hair down on a windy beach day, scoop it into a low bun at the nape of your neck for added skin protection.

2. Turn Down the Heat

Summer is hot enough without heat styling tools, so put away your blow dryer and straightener. Heat damages hair follicles and causes breakage, especially when added to the drying effects of chlorine and salt water. If you feel like your hair needs controlled styling, try to let it dry in loose braids for gorgeous, beachy waves.

3. Rediscover Apple Cider Vinegar

Apple cider vinegar does as many wonders for hair as it does a boring salad. It restores the natural pH levels of the scalp and hair, smooths the cuticles to reduce frizz, and works to clarify by effectively removing product build-up. Create your own apple cider vinegar hair rinse by adding a few tablespoons to a cup of water and a few drops of the essential oil of your choice (peppermint, in particular, is a great essential oil for an oily scalp, whereas cedar wood is great for a dry scalp). After you’ve shampooed, carefully pour the mixture over your scalp and let it run down to the very ends – just be wary of getting any near your eyes as this formula isn’t ‘No More Tears’. Let it sit while you wash your body, then rinse and condition as usual.

4. Cold Rinse

At the end of your hair washing routine, rinse your hair under cold water. Warm water helps open up hair cuticles, so it’s important to rinse with cold water at the end so your cuticles close and seal in moisture. Cold rinsing is also a great idea after swimming in chlorinated pools.

5. Choose Your Hair Products Carefully

While it may be tempting to reach for the hairspray and other firm-holding products on humid days, some hair products can create brittle, damaged follicles. With the likelihood of extra perspiration, many also find themselves at risk of pomade acne – that is, acne on the forehead and temples caused by hair creams and waxes. If you’re suffering from this type of acne, shelve the offending products and cleanse and purify your skin with 5 Minute Purifying Mask. Even if your skin is oily, it’s important you don’t skip your daily moisturiser. SkinB5’s Acne Control Moisturiser is easily absorbed and won’t clog pores. How do you protect your hair in summer? Do you have any hair secrets that keep your locks shiny and nourished? Renee is a 20-something writer who has a love-hate relationship with fictional characters. If she doesn’t have her eyes glued to the big screen, you’ll find her chasing sunsets by the water. Having grown up with sensitive skin, she’s passionate about sharing and celebrating natural products that really work.