If used in excess, sea salt spray can dehydrate your hair, which can cause damage, and weaken hair strands. You may also start noticing dandruff if you overuse it for extended periods.
Still, sea salt spray is a popular styling product for a reason – it creates those beachy waves and adds volume to limp hair.
Let me tell you more about the pros and cons of sea salt spray in this guide.
I’ll also explain the best frequency and quantity of usage, as well as my favorite products for you to try.
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Using Sea Salt Spray (The Good and the Bad)
Here’s why so many people, myself included, love sea salt spray:
- Texture and volume: Sea salt helps create definition and texture.
- Curl Enhancement: Sea salt also enhances the natural waves and curls of hair, giving them more bounce and hold.
- Second-day hair refresh: Feeling too lazy to redo my whole hair on day two (and sometimes day three) is the primary reason I started using sea salt. A spritz of sea salt spray can revive a second or third-day hairstyle by adding grit and absorbing excess oil.
However, as soon as I went trigger-happy with using sea salt spray, I started noticing some roughing in my hair cuticles.
This made my hair more prone to damage, and some strands were even breakable.
That’s mostly because salt pulls moisture from hair, which can lead to dehydrated hair, dryness, frizz, and breakage, especially if your hair is already dry or color-treated.
My hair wasn’t color-treated, which is why I didn’t notice further issues. However, I later learned that sea salt can also strip hair color, making it appear duller.
I didn’t notice that with my natural hair color, and I didn’t dye my hair to test this. So, take this with a grain of salt. (Intended, sorry).
How to Use Sea Salt? (Quantity and Frequency)
Here’s how you can get the good without struggling with the bad while using sea salt:
Quantity
Aim for 3-5 spritzes for short hair and 5-10 for longer hair.
You can always add more if needed, but it’s easier to overdo it than fix it later. Avoid spraying directly at the roots, which can irritate the scalp.
Frequency
How often you use sea salt spray depends on your hair type:
- Fine or Oily Hair: You can use sea salt spray more frequently, 2-3 times a week, to take advantage of its volume-boosting properties.
- Dry or Color-Treated Hair: Limit use to 1-2 times a week to avoid dryness and color fading.
- Damaged Hair: It’s best to avoid sea salt spray altogether until your hair recovers.
My Sea Salt Spray Recommendations
Keep in mind that a low-quality sea salt spray can still dry your hair even if you use it properly. So, here are some good products to rule out bad product-related dryness:
1. Beauty by Earth Sea Salt Spray
Beauty by Earth Sea Salt Spray combines hydrating aloe vera, shea butter, and lightweight oils to add beachy texture and volume without drying your hair. It’s clean, cruelty-free, and vegan, offering two refreshing scents to suit your mood.
It also has nearly 7,000 reviews on Amazon. You know the drill, more reviews, probably a good product, right?
2. Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe Texturizing Sea Salt Spray
Not Your Mother’s Beach Babe is a Rebellious name, I know, but the name is one of the reasons that grabbed me. (In addition to the 8,000+ reviews on Amazon).
It delivers effortless, beachy waves with a fine mist that enhances texture without weighing down fine hair.
3. Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray
Bumble and Bumble Surf Spray is a fan favorite for creating authentic beachy waves with a matte finish.
I fancied its capsule appearance and portability before I even tried it, and when I did, I didn’t regret it.
The spray provides the perfect amount of texture and hold, making it ideal for both wet and dry styling.
In the End
So, sea salt isn’t bad for your hair unless you overuse it and cause dryness.
Assuming that you purchase a good product, limiting sea salt use to 1–3 times a week should keep you away from its negative effects.