Not hitting the beach as much as you’d like this summer? Bring the beach to you with the perfect sea salt spray.

Beachy waves may not be the newest or most exciting hairstyle out there right now, but when summer rolls around, we still all want that seaside babe look. There’s nothing quite like the real deal, but with pure and natural sea salt spray which use salts straight from the ocean, you get pretty close.

Not only does it look effortless, but it is effortless! With just a few spritzes of these natural hair wonders, you’ll be rocking tousled locks in no time.

How To Be A Natural Beach Babe With Sea Salt Spray

1. John Masters Organics Sea Mist

For a subtle boost of texture that’s gentle on locks, you can’t get much better than this offering from John Masters Organics. While those with poker straight hair may want to go for something a little more volumizing, this salty solution is ideal for heads of hair that already rock waves, and want something to enhance them without too much of a messy look. The helping of certified organic lavender oil will not only be a selling point for lovers of this flower but also soothes sensitive scalps.

2. Olivine Love + Salt Beach Hair and Body Mist

This concoction is to sea salt spray what four cheeses is to pizza. But vegan, of course! You’ll find Epsom, Pink Himalayan, dendritic, and organic French sea salt in amongst the mix, which each have their own unique mineral profile. This may not make a huge difference to hair, but it’s nice to know Olivine have all basis covered. Plus, it doubles as a scented body spray which improves skin hydration. Although that sounds counterintuitive, magnesium and calcium rich salts actually help keep skin’s barrier function, well, functioning. If you want as much matte texture as possible, you’ve found your match. Just keep spraying until you’ve achieved the level of texture and volume you want, while added coconut oil will make sure hair stays soft and nourished.

3. Herbivore Botanicals Sea Mist Texturizing Salt Spray Coconut

A sea salt spray that comes with some serious summer vibes (shouldn’t they all?)! The simple combination of coconut and vanilla extract, plus a dash of lime essential oil, will make your tresses smell truly tropical. It certainly doesn’t lack in the beach waves department either. Designed to have the same concentration of salt as the ocean, it imparts a naturally tousled look for every day summery hair. The addition of aloe will keep your hair moisturized too, and also makes it particularly great for dry hair types that usually steer away from sea salt sprays.

4. Rahua Enchanted Island Salt Spray

New on the scene, cult haircare brand Rahua has finally given the natural beauty world its answer to sea salt spray. Known for its use of tropical ingredients, this sea salt spray lives up to that reputation with guava juice, and hibiscus and passion fruit extracts, creating and intoxicating scent. Luxury lovers will adore the frosted glass bottle and rosy hue the pink sea salt lends to this beach in a bottle.

5. Captain Blankenship Golden Waves Sea Salt Shimmer Spray

Saving what is maybe the best ’til last, this liquid sunshine is a more summery twist on Captain Blankenship’s already popular Mermaid Sea Salt Spray. While the golden glitter looks more club than beach in the bottle, once sprayed into hair is gives is a subtle glimmer that only reveals itself when caught in the summer sun. Sea salt isn’t the only piece of ocean magic you’ll get in this formula too, as organic sea kelp extract treats both hair and scalp to a dose of minerals and vitamins. The final texture is gorgeous; while you can build it up, it never looks overly matte or begins weighing down fine hair, it just creates a soft, bouncy tousle that stays throughout the day.

*Disclaimer: Help support EcoSalon! Our site is dedicated to helping people live a conscious lifestyle. We’ve provided some affiliate links above in case you wish to purchase any of these products.

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City life has plenty of perks, but the effect on your skin is not one of them. Urban fumes and toxins are not on your side, but green beauty is striking back with anti-pollution skincare.

Protecting your skin from simply the air around you may sound a little extreme (and paranoid), but if ignored day after day, it can eventually take a very real toll on its health.

The concept behind anti-pollution skincare is nothing new. In fact, it’s a refined version of what natural beauty does best–mostly antioxidants, and lots of them. City air, thanks to our good friend fossil fuels (not), is full of free radicals which are the main cause of cell damage.

One of the biggest concerns as a result is premature skin aging, but studies have shown that certain kinds of pollution can also irritate existing conditions such as atopic dermatitis or sensitize your skin.

The enemy may be invisible, but it doesn’t mean you can’t fight back; just get this beauty arsenal on your side and ditch urban skin for good.

5 Anti-Pollution Beauty Solutions

1. De Mamiel Pure Calm Cleansing Dew 

When you’re exposed to city grime on a daily basis, a good cleansing routine isn’t an option, it’s a necessity. Skin needs to be thoroughly cleansed (without over stripping), especially in the evenings, to wash away pollutants and allow it to repair unhindered overnight. Massage this emulsifying cleansing oil deep into all the nooks and crannies of your face to effectively lift away impurities. The added bonus is that free radical fighting botanicals like red raspberry seed oil and barbary fig seed oil will lend a helping hand to your skin’s natural recovery process (and leave it baby soft.)

2. Tata Harper Purifying Mask

Nothing injects life into a dull, tired complexion like a good face mask. After a long week being exposed to all the city has to throw at it, your skin will thank you for this potent dose of detoxing clay and plant extracts. A side of probiotics will also ensure that your skin’s natural protective barrier is balanced and ready for future combat with environmental hazards. Bring on the damage control!

3. 100% Pure Organic Matcha Anti-Aging: Shielding Serum

Because matcha isn’t just good for trendy lattes. Known for having off-the-chart levels of antioxidants, it seems to be the perfect answer to combating all of those pesky, free-floating toxins that come into contact with skin. One particular compound, epigallocatechin gallate, which matcha offers hefty amounts of, has been shown to have strong anti-inflammatory effects and may even protect against sun damage. Just pat this lightweight water-based serum all over your face morning and night and you’re set.

4. Osea Atmosphere Protection Cream

More into your creams than serums for your moisture needs? There are the tried and true ingredients in here like jojoba oil, shea butter, and avocado oil which will meet your skin’s nourishment needs alongside soothing any inflammation caused by environmental factors. The little twist though is Osea’s penchant for marine botanicals, as algae extract is what gives this moisturizer it’s anti-pollution kick. Mineral and antioxidant rich, it boosts the skin’s natural barrier.

5. Intelligent Nutrients PureServe Color Shield

While skin is certainly vulnerable to pollution, hair can be even more so. It is more often than not openly exposed to the elements and has a tendency to absorb anything it comes into contact with, including pollutants. This is especially true for colored hair, as the chemical processes involved with dying your ‘do make it more porous and susceptible to damage. This protective spray does the double duty of defending against oxidization (caused by free radicals, which can fade color) and making hair more manageable and glossy.

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We brought you the goods on great green hair conditioners. Naturally, now we’re following up with the best eco-friendly, natural, organic shampoos! (Or should it be the other way around?)

But first, why do we want to go organic and nontoxic with our shampoos? One reason: it’s called sodium lauryl sulfate.

This chemical is what makes regular shampoos suds up. Among other things, it can lead to skin damage, permanent eye damage in children and even liver toxicity.

The news is not much better for sodium laureth sulfate (SLS). On the up side, SLS cannot be metabolized by the liver. But that just mean the other bad things about it hang out that much longer in your body.  And don’t forget, it is also used to degrease engines.

There are alternatives. Some natural shampoos use disodium laureth sulfosuccinate, which can be considered the lesser of two evils. (Skin Deep rates it only a moderate health hazard.)

Better than that, there is decyl glucoside.  This is a mild sudsing agent certified for its eco-clean production. And some natural shampoos don’t use any sudsing ingredients at all – though this means they don’t foam up very well and if you’re accustomed to the foaming action of most shampoos, it can take some getting used to.

Confused? Not to worry. We went through quite a few natural and organic shampoos to sort out the best picks for your different hair types. And we point out the good and the bad.  So get ready to get lathered up!

And Our Top Pick Is”¦

Tasmanian Lavender Shampoo from Sea Chi Organics

Out of all the shampoos I sampled, this combined the best of everything. It had a fantastic scent that can best be described as “spicy lavender.”  It really foamed up in the shower and didn’t leave any build up. Best of all, if left my hair feeling silky and light.

Its ingredients read like a breakfast menu: seaweed extract, nettles, marshmallow root, comfrey root, calendula blossoms, oat straw, kombucha tea and more. It does not contain any solvents or sodium lauryl or sodium laureth sulfates. Bravo on the organic suds! And finally, it is great for all hair types.

Best for Normal Hair…

Lavender Rosemary Shampoo from John Masters Organics

This is another great product from John Masters Organics. It was a bit thick and heavy going on, so it is probably not best for every day use.

It is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, using decyl glucoside to get sudsy. It contains 13 other certified-organic ingredients and is cruelty-free.

Pampering Carrot Juice Shampoo from Yes to Carrots

This fun product has a fresh, light floral smell.  It lathered well, rinsed well and left my hair feeling light.

This paraben-free shampoo is blended with organic carrot, sweet potato and pumpkin, which act as potent antioxidants to cleanse and moisturize the hair. It also contains Dead Sea Mud (seriously), melon, orange and honey. However, it does contain some sodium laureth sulfate, so be warned.

Best for Dry Hair…

Teatree Mint Shampoo from Organix

Out of all the samples I tried, this is the best bang for your buck. It retails for about $6 and has a delicious mint smell that lingers. It left my hair feeling soft and clean, and there’s a good suds factor.

It has organic Australian tea tree oils, moisturizing milk proteins and micro-infused peppermint oils for hydration and balance. It is sulfate free, but does contain disodium laureth sulfosuccinate.

Burt’s Bees Super Shiny Grapefruit & Sugar Beet Shampoo

This smells exactly as you would imagine – sugary and grapefruity. It is pH-balanced, and sodium laury/laureth sulfate-, paraben- and phthalate-free. And it contains decyl glucoisde.

I found it rather hard to work through my hair and had to follow with conditioner. But it did leave my hair feeling clean and refreshed.

Best Clarifying Shampoos…

Why do we want an occasional rinse with a clarifying shampoo?  Well, to remove chlorine and mineral buildup. Use them once a week and you will notice a difference in your hair. Just be sure to follow with a great conditioner, as overuse can strip your hair of all the good oils.

Hair Detoxifier from Aveda

By far, this is the best product for the task at hand. It has a clean, camphor smell that perks you up. It is almost magical how clean and silky your hair will feel after use. (And trust me, it has to be magical to get me to use the term magical.)

It contains certified organic aloe and no synthetic reducing agents. And it suds with disodium laureth sulfosuccinate. Like all Aveda products, it is cruelty-free and contains 80% post-consumer packaging.

Clarifying Shampoo from Alba Botanica

This has a pleasant fruity scent that didn’t disappoint. My only complaint is that it is a bit thick, so leave some time to lather it out of your hair.

Alba Botanica’s shampoo is made with eucalyptus, which has antiseptic and cooling qualities. It is free of sodium lauryl sulfate, parabens, artificial colors and of course there is no animal testing. It also contains 100% vegetarian ingredients.

Best Volumizing Shampoos…

Volumizing Shampoo from Nurture My Body

This product lathers sufficiently and left my hair feeling full and clean. It contains oat extract and honey to help strengthen the hair.

Nuture My Body’s product does not contain sodium laurel sulfate or any harsh detergents. It is supposed to be fragrance-free, but it smells more like light vitamins. Not bad, just not exactly fragrance-free. (Though it is free of the “fragrance” that is often used in non-organic brands which is nothing more than parabens.)

Big Body Shampoo from Kiss My Face

This product has a complex, fruity scent. Another great value, it is made with certified organic ingredients like floral water of rosemary, chamomile, lemon balm and more.

It contains no animal ingredients, sodium lauryl sulfate, artificial colors, or unnecessary chemicals.

Image: Meg Yarsh

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