Surf Hair Care Routine: Lazy Girl Hacks for Ocean Lovers

While the beachy waves afforded ocean hobbies are often coveted, the salt water can wreak havoc on your hair if you don’t properly care for it. Over the years I’ve figured out a lazy-girl approach that keeps my hair healthy by taking advantage of the shower schedule that ocean time offers, with minimal admin and maximum results. Here’s my post-surf hair care routine, for all the ocean lovers!

Step 1: Rinse Out Saltwater After Surfing

Salt water zaps the moisture from your hair, so the first step is always rinsing. We don’t always have the luxury of a shower at every surf break, so I keep a portable car shower in my trunk. Not ready to commit? A big jug of fresh water works just as well.

Step 2: Apply a Hair Mask Post-Surf

Hair masks are amazing, but I almost never do them at home because of all the admin (shower, mask, back in the shower again… nope). But after surfing, your hair is already wet, so you’ve skipped a whole step!

I apply a hydrating hair mask, comb it through with a wide-tooth comb, and that’s it. My favorites:

• Sun Bum Revitalizing Hair Mask (affordable, smells great)
• KOOK Hair Mask (reef-safe, designed by surfers for surfers)

Step 3: Drive Home, Let It Soak, Then Rinse

Most masks need 10–30 minutes to work, which is usually the time it takes me to get home from the beach. It feels like a cheat code — the mask does its thing while I drive. Once I’m home, I hop in the shower, as I would anyway! The ease! So simple. Sometimes I shampoo, sometimes I just rinse, depending on how my hair feels and what texture I want later that day.

Extra Credit: Oil Your Scalp Before You Paddle Out

If you want to up the anty on your post surf hair care routine, add a pre surf step! If you have a little time before the sesh, oiling your scalp is a game-changer. Since you’re about to jump in the ocean anyway, you can let it soak in while you drive to the break. Just make sure you’re using something reef-safe, like coconut oil or Bur Bur grow oil, since it’ll rinse into the ocean.

Bonus: Get Surfy Waves Without the Ocean

Can’t get in the water but still want surfy texture? I love the IGK Beach Club Texture Mousse. I apply it when my hair is about 50% dry, scrunch a bit, then twist it into a clip while it finishes drying. The result = effortless waves without even paddling out.

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FAQs About Surf Hair Care

How do I protect my hair when surfing?
Rinse with fresh water before and after, and use a reef-safe oil or mask to lock in moisture.

How often should I wash my hair after surfing?
It depends on your hair type. I usually rinse every session, but only shampoo every few days to avoid stripping natural oils.

What’s the best reef-safe hair product for surfers?
I love the KOOK Hair Mask — it’s lightweight, effective, and made specifically for ocean lovers.