How to Protect Your Hair from Salt Water This Summer (Without Skipping the Ocean)
Beach days are non-negotiable—but dry, crunchy post-ocean hair? That’s where we draw the line.
If you’re soaking up the salt, sun, and sea this summer, it’s time to get serious about salt water hair protection. Because while salt water has its perks (hello natural exfoliant), it can also strip your strands faster than you can say “mermaid life.”
Is Salt Water Bad for Your Hair?
Salt water is kind of a frenemy. It can help exfoliate your scalp, boost circulation, and even cut through excess oil. In fact, people with greasy roots sometimes love how sea water acts like a natural shampoo.
But here’s the catch: the ocean’s pH is around 8.1—way too alkaline for healthy hair (which thrives between 3.5 and 5.5). That imbalance, plus the high salt content, pulls moisture right out of your strands in a process called osmosis (yep, your high school bio teacher was onto something).
How to Prevent Salt Water Damage to Hair
If you want to keep your hair soft, strong, and beach-babe-worthy, you need to protect before and repair after. That’s why we created the ultimate two-part ocean haircare system:
Step 1: Use a Pre-Ocean Hair Protectant
Feeling Nauti | Ocean-Proof Hair Shield
Before jumping in, mist Feeling Nauti from roots to ends. It’s packed with salt-loving oils like coconut, baobab, and MCT oil that create a lightweight lipid barrier around your strands. Translation: it helps block salt damage, sun exposure, and moisture loss—without weighing your hair down.
Key Benefits:
- Protects hair from salt water and sun exposure
- Prevents dryness, breakage, and color fade
- Lightweight and reef-safe
Step 2: Rehydrate + Restore After the Beach
Landlubber | Nourishing Leave-In Conditioner
After rinsing off or towel-drying, spritz on Landlubber to instantly rehydrate and soften hair. With aloe vera, avocado oil, and vitamin E, it helps balance your hair’s pH and detangles even the gnarliest post-surf knots.
Bonus: It doubles as a soothing body mist for sun-exposed skin.
Key Benefits:
- Rehydrates dry hair post-swim
- Restores softness and shine
- Helps rebalance hair’s pH
- Great for scalp and skin too
Why pH Matters for Hair Health
Hair loves a slightly acidic environment—too much alkalinity (like ocean water) can cause the cuticle to lift, making hair frizzy, rough, and prone to breakage. Our formulas help bring balance back by sealing the cuticle and restoring hydration from scalp to tip.
Want more on pH? Check out our blog post on why pH balance matters for hair.
Can You Still Use Sea Salt Spray?
Yes—just in moderation. Sea salt sprays give you that textured, tousled look, but overusing them has the same drying effect as ocean water. If you’re using salt sprays daily, follow up with Landlubber to keep hair hydrated and happy.
Your Summer Hair Routine, Smuggler-Style
Salt water doesn’t have to ruin your hair game. With the right pre- and post-ocean care, you can keep your strands soft, shiny, and strong—no matter how many dips you take.
Smuggle the duo. Stay wild, not fried.