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How to Care for Your Natural Hair This Summer

Updated on July 11, 2025 | 7 min read

Jaclyn LaBadia, Davines Writer

The summer can be harsh on your natural hair. The humidity, exposure to harmful UV rays and drying chlorine and salt water are incredibly damaging to your curls. But with the right care routine and seasonal hair hacks, you can keep your curly hair healthy all summer long. From protecting your strands against the elements, to keeping them hydrated and damage recovery, we’re telling you how to care for natural hair in the summer.

Key Takeaways

How to Protect and Hydrate Natural Hair in the Summer

Summer exposes natural hair to UV rays, heat, humidity, chlorine, and saltwater, which can damage curls if unprotected.
Hydration is critical for curly and coily textures, which are naturally prone to dryness — use the LOC method and deep condition weekly.
UV rays break down hair proteins, causing frizz, dullness, and breakage — protect strands with hats, scarves, and products containing UV filters.
Protective styles like goddess braids, space buns, and twisted updos minimize exposure and damage while keeping hair stylish.
Regular trims every 6–8 weeks prevent split ends, improve texture, and maintain healthy growth during summer.
Use targeted products like the Davines SU line to hydrate, repair, and shield your hair and scalp from sun and environmental stress.
Watch for signs of sun damage — such as rough texture, loss of curl pattern, colour fading, or brittleness — and treat promptly with moisturising and restorative care.
Healthy summer hair comes down to hydration, sun protection, gentle styling, and a consistent care routine tailored to your natural texture

Summer Hair Care - Why it Matters for Natural Hair

Natural curls are beautiful, but some unique challenges come along with natural hair in the summer. The warmer, sunnier months keep you outdoors more, exposing your hair to the season’s elements for longer periods of time. And while prolonged exposure to the sun can be great for your mood, (sunlight is associated with elevated serotonin levels, promoting feelings of happiness and calm) it can damage the hair’s cuticle, disrupting the curl pattern, causing frizz and unmanageability. Also, there is chlorine or salt in swimming pools that strip the hair of natural oils, which dehydrates it, leading to breakage. So your curly hair care in summer should prioritize hydration and protection against the sun. Keep reading for more on how to care for natural hair in the summer.

Hydration is a Must for Natural Hair This Summer

Curly and coily hair textures are naturally dry and crave moisture, more so than any other type. The drying elements of the season and hydration becomes essential for your natural hair. So you should focus on adding moisture into your curls this summer.

Wondering how to keep hair hydrated in summer? The best way to keep your curly hair hydrated in any season is by adopting the LOC method when applying your hair products. It involves saturating the hair with a liquid or water-based product, sealing moisture in with an oil, and applying a cream-based product to close the cuticle and prevent moisture loss. In addition to this, curly hair needs to be deep conditioned regularly. Let’s dive a little deeper below.

Summer Hydration Solution

Deep conditioning your natural hair at least once a week with a restorative hair mask helps to keep your curls hydrated through the summer. Davines SU Hair Mask is designed to be used after being in the sun to replenish lost moisture and counter summer’s damaging effects- specifically from the sun, chlorine and salt. SU is packed with antioxidants bringing dry, dull curls back to life with a moisturising, cosmetic effect for shiny and healthy hair.

The Impact of UV Rays on Natural Hair and How to Protect It

Part of your natural hair care in summer includes protecting it from the impact of UV rays from the sun. When your hair is exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light for extended periods of time, it absorbs it. This breaks down the proteins inside, causing dryness, fading, frizz, split ends and damage. Limiting your exposure when you can, and when you can’t, protect your curls with hats, scarves, and the Davines SU line of hair products with SPF. Our SU family with SPF and UV protection are a complete routine to protect your hair and skin before and after sun exposure focusing on healing, hydration, and nourishment.

Hairstyles for Protection and Style

Another way to enjoy your time in the sun, hair-damage-free, is by wearing a protective style. Summer protective hairstyles help minimize damage from UV rays, heat, humidity, salt and chlorine. This season’s top styles include braided halos, twisted updos, space buns, braided bobs and our favourite- goddess braids! Goddess braids are a chunkier version of classic cornrows, with the most notable difference being the former is thicker in size and raised higher than the latter.

Regular Trims During Summer

Regular hair trims are an important part of maintaining healthy, strong hair, regardless of texture. Trimming your hair regularly prevents split ends and breakage, improves texture and shine, maintains your hair’s shape and promotes healthy growth. So a regular trim schedule in the summer is an absolute must for healthy curls. Your ideal summer trim schedule depends on your hair type, length and styling habits, but a good guideline is every 6-8 weeks. More if you heat styling often or spend lots of time outside.

Hairstyles for Protection and Style

Another way to enjoy your time in the sun, hair-damage-free, is by wearing a protective style. Summer protective hairstyles help minimize damage from UV rays, heat, humidity, salt and chlorine. This season’s top styles include braided halos, twisted updos, space buns, braided bobs and our favorite- goddess braids! Goddess braids are a chunkier version of classic cornrows, with the most notable difference being the former is thicker in size and raised higher than the latter.

Regular Trims During Summer

The Best Products for Natural Hair Care This Summer

When it comes to how to care for natural hair in the summer, the most important thing you can do for your curls is using products for protection, hydration and repair. The Davines SU line is formulated with citrus myrtifolia extract, sourced from a farm in Savona, Italy. Also known as "chinotto," this protected citrus extract contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties, such as vitamin C, which protect hair and skin cells from free radicals caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. Protect your hair and skin before and after sun exposure with these healing, hydrating and nourishing products from the SU family.

Protect Your Strands

With SU Hair Milk, a sun-protecting spray great for use both before and after sun exposure. Perfect as a preventative treatment, the milk hair spray protects the hair with UV-A and UV-B filters, that protect cosmetic colour and hydration during sun exposure. It nourishes and moisturises hair without weighing it down and can also be used as a leave-in conditioner after being in the sun.

Post-Sun Hair and Skin

We briefly touched on the SU Hair Mask above, a restorative and hydrating anti-aging treatment for hair damaged by the sun, chlorine and salt. Another must-have in your summer bag is SU Aftersun, a soothing, mineral-rich gel that moisturises and restores the skin's hydration levels after sun exposure. Apply it as after sun care to soothe and give immediate relief to your dry, sun-kissed skin.

Nourish Your Hair All Summer

Keep your hair and skin soft all season long while you play (or work) in the sun. Our SU Hair and Body Wash is a foaming hair and body wash that gently cleanses, post-sun. It’s packed with antioxidants for a smooth, clean, happy skin and hair that lasts all summer. Follow up with your favourite curly hair conditioner, SU hair mask or SU milk, depending on your needs.

Signs of Sun-Damaged Hair and How to Repair It

A large part of how to care for natural hair in the summer is knowing how to spot the signs of damage, and treating them early. If you're experiencing more split ends than normal, a loss of curl pattern, colour-fade or dullness, frizzy or rough strands, brittleness with a susceptibility to breakage, or faster water and product absorption, you’re likely dealing with sun-damage. Repair your natural hair by restoring lost moisture with hydrating shampoos and conditioners designed for dry or damaged hair, deep conditioning and using leave-in treatments. Avoid chemical processes and heat styling, and cover your damage with a hat or protective style any time you plan to be outside for long periods of time. If the damage is extreme, the best way to handle it is by cutting it off. Otherwise, it can travel up your hair strands and get worse.

Maintain Healthy Natural Hair All Summer

The warmer and sunnier months are here, keeping you outside more and exposing you to the season’s elements for longer periods of time. And while spending time in the sun can do wonders for your mood, it can wreak havoc on your natural hair. The heat, humidity, harmful UV rays and drying chlorine and salt water are incredibly damaging to your curls. So the best thing you can do when it comes to how to care for natural hair in the summer is to prioritize hydration and protection against the sun. From protecting your strands against the elements, to keeping them hydrated and damage recovery, our summer hair care guide for natural hair will keep your curly hair healthy all season long.

Maintain Healthy Natural Hair All Summer

FAQ

How do I take care of natural hair in summer?

Your natural hair care in summer should prioritize hydration, protection from sun and heat, and gentle cleansing and conditioning. This includes using UV protection, opting for heat-free, protective hairstyles, and using moisturising product formulas for curly hair. Drink plenty of water and consider adopting the LOC method. Wash your hair less frequently in the summer, rinse with cool water and detangle your curls gently, air-drying when you can. Trim your ends regularly and eat a hair-healthy diet to care for your natural hair this summer.

How can I keep my hair healthy in summer?

Keep your hair healthy in summer by focusing on protecting it from sun damage, reducing heat styling, and keeping it hydrated. Limit your sun exposure when you can, and keep your summer bag stocked with a hat or scarf and your favorite Davines hair products with SPF for when you can’t. Shampoo your hair less often, rinsing with cool water and air-drying when possible. Get regular trims, drink lots of water and fill your diet with hair-loving foods. Finally, brush and style your strands gently and wear them up in a protective style to keep your hair healthy all summer.

How do I keep my natural hair straight in the summer?

Use a shower cap when you can and stay indoors on humid days. Stick to low-intensity workouts, as excessive sweat can cause your hair to revert back to its natural texture. Apply a few drops of hair oil before bed to lock in moisture and wrap your hair in a silk or satin bonnet to minimize frizz while you sleep. Avoid using water-based products that attract moisture and cause frizz, use a microfiber towel to gently dry your strands, limit heat styling and keep a heat protectant on hand all season long to keep your natural hair straight in the summer.

How do I take care of my hair during hot weather?

Take care of your hair during hot weather by focusing on hydration and sun and heat protection. Use moisturising shampoos and conditioners, deep condition and use leave-in treatments regularly to lock in moisture. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water and eating lots of fruits and veggies. Protect your hair from the heat and sun with UV sprays, protective styles and hats, and limit heat styling to prevent damage. Air-dry your hair when possible and use heat protectants when it's not. Brush and style gently, and keep a few summer natural hairstyles on hand during the hot weather.

Should I oil my hair in summer?

Oiling your hair in the summer can be beneficial for natural strands, helping to replenish lost moisture. And some oils, like coconut oil, can even offer protection from harmful UV rays. Oiling can tame frizz during humid summer months, soothe an itchy or irritated scalp and even help manage dandruff. Oil 2-3 times per week and choose one with a light consistency (like coconut oil, jojoba oil or almond oil). Apply it to damp hair after shampoo, using a small amount and focusing on your ends. Leave it for at least 30 minutes or leave it in your hair overnight. If you notice your hair becoming greasy or weighed down, reduce the frequency of oiling.

How do I moisturise my natural hair?

To moisturise your natural hair, focus on replenishing lost moisture with hydrating shampoos and leave-in conditioners. Deep condition regularly, protect your hair from heat, and layer your products using the LOC method. Choose a sulfate-free shampoo to avoid stripping your hair of its natural oils and and avoid over-washing. Choose formulas with ingredients like glycerin or hyaluronic acid, to attract moisture and seal it all in with an oil or butter based leave-in conditioner. Avoid using hot tools on your natural hair, but always apply a heat protectant spray if you can’t. Sleep on a satin pillowcase to prevent moisture loss from friction, drink lots of water and hair mask regularly.

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How to Care for Your Natural Hair This Summer

Key Takeaways

How to Protect and Hydrate Natural Hair in the Summer

In This Article

Summer Hair Care - Why it Matters for Natural Hair

Hydration is a Must for Natural Hair This Summer