Want that wavy beach hair? Well, now you can with this natural sea salt spray to hold those locks and give you that “I just walked off the beach” look. This simple recipe is ready in under 10 minutes and could not be easier to make!

DIY sea salt spray on a wooden tray with a comb and rose petals.

A beach is a beautiful place, the sun, the waves, and of course the salt water.

Years ago, I remembered my sister joking that she wanted to bottle up some ocean water to use in her hair because she loved how the salt water adds texture to the hair and tightens up wavy curls.

Making a DIY sea salt spray is an easy, more affordable alternative to buying a bottle of salt spray. This natural texturizing sea salt spray is made using sustainable ingredients and a reusable spray bottle.

Table of Contents

Salt Spray for Hair

Sea salt spray is a popular and natural way to provide your locks with dreamy beach-wavy hair with a light hold. Best if used after showering, for added texture and neater curls, but it can be used on dry hair for a messy look.

DIY Sea Salt Spray

Gain access to my online resource library for your free printable label to help keep track of all your DIYs.

Ingredients

Water: Make sure it’s warm so the salt can dissolve.
Sea salt: Salt is what makes this spray work. Once the water has evaporated, the salt will be left in your hair, adding texture and maintaining your waves.
Coconut oil: Using coconut oil on your hair helps to lock in moisture and keep your hair soft and shiny.
Aloe vera: Aloe vera will hydrate your hair and counteract the drying effect of the saltwater. It’s a great ingredient for hair, which is why I use it in several of my curl-enhancing hair masks, too.
Essential oils: This addition will leave your hair smelling wonderful. I used lavender and roman chamomile, but you can use any of your favorite essential oils. If you’re unsure where to start, check out my favorite essential oils for hair!

Instructions

A bottle of coconut oil, a bottle of aloe vera, a bag of sea salt, and two bottles of essential oils assembled on a countertop.

Assemble your ingredients: Warm water, sea salt, coconut oil, aloe vera, and essential oils.

Pouring the sea salt into a bowl with water to make into sea salt spray.

Step 1. Add the warm water to a small mixing bowl. Add the sea salt and stir until it has dissolved.

Pouring a wooden measuring spoon full of aloe vera into a small bowl to make sea salt spray.

Step 2: Stir in the coconut oil and the aloe vera.

Dropping roman chamomile essential oils into a white bowl from an amber glass bottle.

Step 3. Add 5 drops of your essential oil of choice and stir once more.

An amber glass bottle with a small metal funnel in the top.

Step 4: Using a small funnel, pour the mixture into a spray bottle and secure the lid.

An amber glass spray bottle sitting on a countertop.

Give the bottle a shake before use and enjoy salty beach waves!

How to Use Salt Spray

Spray the texturizing sea salt spray onto wet or damp hair. Use your hands to scrunch the hair and allow it to air dry.

Does Sea Salt Spray Work on Straight Hair?

First, I think it’s best to understand how does sea salt spray work? The salt spray adds volume to hair, giving off a thicker appearance to thinning hair, provides a light hold, and gives hair texture.

When your hair dries, the salt reaches the cuticle layer, forming little microscopic fibers between cells, and this makes curls much easier to form.

Woman with curly beach hair after spraying with diy sea salt spray.

As a result, sea salt spray will not miraculously make straight hair curly, rather it makes naturally wavy or curly hair more pronounced. Believe me, I tried!

My hair is completely straight and does not curl (even with amazing curl-enhancing products, like my homemade curl cream).

I remember a time getting a perm, and within a few days, my hair was pin straight again. Unfortunately, as a result, I was unable to test this product myself.

Thankfully my sister was more than willing, and it worked great on her. She said it held up and was still looking good the following day!

Ocean water or salt sprays can give hair texture and enhance appearance. In addition, the salt can improve the curl by tightening it up.

That is why your hair gets extra wavy when you are at the beach!

Is Salt Water Bad For Your Hair?

You have heard the quote, “everything in moderation,” right? Well, the same goes for sea salt!

Though saltwater can make your hair look amazing and beautiful, unless you have inherently oily hair, you don’t want to overdo it.

Too much salt can damage your hair and cause it to become really dry. Dry hair is prone to breaking and split ends because it is so fragile.

This sea salt spray recipe includes aloe, which will help balance the drying effect from the salt. Using natural homemade shampoo and a deep conditioner treatment will also help hydrate and keep the strands moisturized.

Homemade sea salt spray in a glass spray bottle with a printed label on white marble vanity.

Is Sea Salt Spray Good for Your Hair?

Is there any benefit to putting sea salt into the hair?

Besides the obvious texturizing benefits to waves and curls, salt can have other added benefits to the hair. With anti-fungal properties, it can help absorb excess oil produced by the scalp and fight off dandruff. Still, it should be used in moderation because it can quickly become too drying.

In this recipe, we are adding fractionated coconut oil and aloe vera to help hydrate and nourish the hair. These ingredients are an important addition that will lead to healthier hair than you would find using a spray made up of just salt and water.

Conclusion: Use the salt spray sparingly, wash out after each use, and use some homemade conditioner to rehydrate hair. And consider incorporating a hair mask for curly hair into your routine.

Are you a visual learner?

In the recipe card below, you’ll find a video where my sister and I walk you through the entire process of making this salt spray step-by-step. We even show you how to apply it for the best results!

Homemade Sea Salt Spray

Friends, if you are lucky enough to have curly locks, then this homemade sea salt spray is a must-try!

With warmer weather fast approaching, now is the time to work on that beach body and finish off the summer look with curly beach hair!

Give this salt spray a shot, and let me know what you think in the comment section below. If you loved it, you may also want to check out my simple tips for reviving curly hair!

Scrunching hair after spraying with sea salt spray.

More Natural Hair Products to Enjoy:

If you made this recipe and loved it, I would love for you to come back and give it five stars! Let me know how it turned out in the comments below.

DIY Sea Salt Spray

Laura Ascher

Sea salt spray is the natural, lighter alternative to hold those curls in place. Spritz onto damp hair to look like you just walked off the beach

4.82 from 11 votes

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Project Type Hair Care

Category Bath & Beauty

Prep Time 2

Active Time 2

Total Time 4

Yield 1 spray bottle