There are a lot of sea salt reviews out there, and I looked at a lot of them before buying my first bottle.
What ended up happening was the “best” recommended sea salt spray was basically just the cheapest one.
And not just cheap in price, but also quality. It dried out my hair and gave it the texture of a pack of dry noodles – it was bad.
That’s when I started doing my own research on what sea salt spray is actually made of, how it works, how to use it, and most importantly – the difference between a high-quality sea salt spray and a cheap one.
Ingredients in Sea Salt Spray:
The primary ingredient in sea salt spray is, unsurprisingly, sea salt. However, it’s typically mixed with other components to make it suitable for hair use:
Sea Salt: Adds texture and volume to the hair, creating a “beachy” look.
Water: Serves as the main carrier for the salt.
Oils (e.g., Coconut or Argan Oil): Often added to provide moisture, as sea salt can be drying to the hair.
Essential Oils or Fragrance: Added for a pleasant scent.
Alcohol: Sometimes used to help the product dry faster.
Other Additives: Some formulas may include additional vitamins, minerals, or botanical extracts to enhance the spray’s effects on the hair.
What Sea Salt Spray Does to Hair:
Texture: The salt in the spray adds grit and texture to the hair, making it easier to style and giving it a matte finish.
Volume: It can add volume to the hair, especially at the roots, making it look fuller.
Waves: Sea salt spray can help enhance natural waves or curls, giving a relaxed, “just from the beach” appearance.
Potential Dryness: Since salt draws moisture, it can leave the hair feeling dry if used excessively or without complementary moisturizing ingredients.
Difference Between Cheap and High-Quality Sea Salt Sprays:
Ingredient Quality: Higher-end sprays often contain more nourishing ingredients, like quality oils and vitamins, that can offset the potential drying effect of the salt.
Concentration of Salt: Cheaper products may have a higher concentration of salt without balancing moisturizing agents, leading to dryness or damage.
Fragrance: Premium products often include natural fragrances or essential oils, while cheaper ones may use synthetic fragrances.
Packaging and Sprayer Quality: A better-quality sprayer ensures an even mist, while a cheaper one might cause uneven application.
Best Sea Salt Sprays
Ok ok I get it – you’re probably bored of me explaining all the intricacies of sea salt spray and just want me to get to the best ones – well wait no further.
OnPointFresh Fresh Waves Sea Salt Spray is designed to mimic the effects of saltwater, giving your hair a beachy, tousled look as if you’ve just come out of the ocean. It’s meant to work on various hair types and comes in a convenient spray bottle.
I’ve been writing about hair for over 10 years and this is my personal product. I absolutely think it’s the best sea salt spray you will ever use.
This is an amazing product if you have straight hair and want to add waves and volume to it.
Key Ingredients
- Sea Salt: Naturally adds texture and volume to the hair.
- Seaweed and Kelp Extracts: These added moisturizing ingredients can help counteract the drying effects of the salt.
Pros
- Versatility: Suitable for various hair types, from straight to wavy.
- Texture and Volume: Provides excellent texturizing and volumizing effects for that sought-after beachy look.
- Moisturizing Elements: Unlike some sea salt sprays, it includes ingredients designed to counteract the potentially drying effects of the salt.
- Easy to Use: The spray application allows for even distribution.
Seriously, don’t look any further if you want the highest quality sea salt spray on the market. Get a bottle of Fresh Waves here.
Ouai Wave Spray is a weightless texture mist designed to give hair a natural wave and body. Unlike many traditional sea salt sprays, it’s formulated without actual salt, aiming to achieve a similar texturizing effect without causing dryness.
Key Ingredients
- Rice Protein: Instead of sea salt, this spray uses rice protein to create texture, providing structure without stripping moisture.
- Coconut Water: Adds hydration and shine, countering any potential drying effects.
- Hibiscus Extract: Imparts a subtle, pleasant fragrance and may offer additional nourishing benefits.
Pros
- Non-Drying Formula: The absence of salt and the inclusion of hydrating ingredients like coconut water make it less likely to dry out hair compared to traditional sea salt sprays.
- Suitable for Various Hair Types: Designed to work on different hair types, including those more prone to dryness.
- Pleasant Fragrance: The hibiscus and coconut components offer a light, beachy scent.
- Buildable: It can be applied in layers for a more pronounced effect without becoming sticky or heavy.
- Cruelty-Free: Ouai is known for its commitment to cruelty-free practices.
Cons
- Price: Similar to Bumble and Bumble’s Surf Spray, Ouai’s Wave Spray is on the pricier side.
- Not as “Beachy”: Since it doesn’t contain actual salt, the effect might be more subtle and less authentically “beachy” for some users.
Davines’ sea salt spray, called “This Is A Sea Salt Spray,” is part of their “More Inside” styling range. It’s designed to give full-bodied, beachy looks with matte finish, aiming to provide texture without overly drying the hair.
Key Ingredients
- Sea Salt: Natural sea salt provides the texture and volume associated with beachy waves.
- Other Ingredients: The full ingredient list may vary, so it’s advisable to check the specific formulation if you have particular concerns or needs.
Pros
- Texture and Volume: Provides the texturizing effect typical of sea salt sprays, creating that desired beachy look.
- Matte Finish: Unlike some other sprays that can leave a shiny finish, this one offers a matte look, which some users may prefer.
- Professional Brand: Davines is a salon-quality brand known for its commitment to quality ingredients and sustainable practices.
- Pleasant Scent: Many users commend the fragrance, which is often described as fresh and not overpowering.
Cons
- Potential Dryness: As with many sea salt sprays, some users might find it drying, particularly with regular use.
- Price Point: Being a salon-quality product, it may be more expensive than some drugstore alternatives.
- Availability: Depending on your location, it may not be as readily available as other brands.
Blind Barber’s 40 Proof Sea Salt Spray is designed to provide a textured, matte finish that’s perfect for achieving a relaxed, beach-inspired look. It’s marketed towards men and comes with a masculine design and scent.
Key Ingredients
- Sea Salt: For that desired beachy texture.
- Hops Extract: Aids in building volume and providing a matte finish.
- Protein Blend: Helps in strengthening hair.
Pros
- Matte Finish: Provides a natural, matte finish that many men prefer.
- Masculine Scent: Has a bourbon scent that appeals to many men.
- Versatile: Suitable for various hair types and lengths.
- Free of Parabens and Sulphates: Formulated without some of the common chemicals that some prefer to avoid.
Cons
- Price Point: It’s a mid-tier product, so it might be a bit more expensive than basic drugstore options.