A dermatologist wants you to add this one item to your suitcase before your next summer trip

Your face isn’t the only thing that needs sun protection.

Dermatologist-recommended Sun Hats

• Perfectly packable: Peter Grimm Coralia Resort Hat, $31 (was $45)
• For your biggest summer adventures: Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat, $54
• Beach and boat day must-have: Peter Grimm Tuna Lifeguard Straw Hat, $30 (was $40)
• Special occasion topper: Sunday Afternoons Coronado Hat, $30 (was $40)

By now, most of us are diligent about applying sunscreen before a beach day or sightseeing excursion, but there’s one spot that’s severely overlooked when it comes to sun protection: the scalp. According to Ohara Aivaz, MD, a double board-certified dermatologist and Live Conscious consultant, the scalp is “an especially vulnerable area for sun damage and skin cancer,” especially for those with thinning hair. Since hair naturally protects the skin from the sun, as it thins, we lose that protection, Dr. Aivaz explains. But regardless of whether your hair is thinning or not, sun damage on the scalp is no joke.

That’s why Dr. Aivaz recommends packing a sun hat alongside your favorite SPF on your next summer getaway. She suggests choosing a hat with a tight weave (so no light gets through) and sun protection for your entire face, ears, and the back of your neck—a 4- or 5-inch brim should do the trick, she says. And of course, summer hats with built-in UPF protection, especially above UPF 50, are effective at protecting your scalp. Ahead, shop Dr. Aivaz’s top four sun hats for women at REI.

Peter Grimm Coralia Resort Hat

$45 (31% Off) $31 at REI

Dr. Aivaz says you’re “sure to get great protection” with this pretty resort-ready sun hat. It has a 4.5-inch brim for plenty of coverage and a UPF 50 rating to keep your scalp protected from damaging UV rays. It’s her top pick for travel, especially because it’s made with crushable fabric. It’ll “fit great in a suitcase, glovebox, behind a stroller, or in any other tight space,” Dr. Aivaz shares. It has a nice, dressy look that feels at home at a luxury beach resort or strolling a nice downtown area shopping for souvenirs, too.

Sunday Afternoons Adventure Hat

$54 at REI

For your biggest summer adventures, Dr. Aivaz recommends this high-coverage hat. She loves it because it’s “made with a lightweight UPF 50 fabric and a 4-inch brim,” which protects your whole face from the sun. It also has a cape in the back she loves for protecting your neck and ears. This hat also stays in place no matter where your summer vacation takes you, with a chin-strap and even a foam brim to keep it afloat if it ends up in the water. Dr. Aivaz says it’s the ideal sun hat for “people out on the water, kayaking, rafting, or in windy weather conditions” but also just for those who want “serious sun protection for their entire head.”

Peter Grimm Tuna Lifeguard Straw Hat

$40 (25% Off) $30 at REI

Beach and boat days are prime opportunities for sun burns, and luckily, this straw sun hat meets all of Dr. Aivaz’s requirements for scalp protection. It has a 4.25-inch brim and “is lined with fabric, offering the equivalent of UPF 50 protection,” she says. It has a beachy look, thanks to the herringbone-woven straw and blue fish-inspired fabric lining. She recommends tucking it in your bag for the pool, bringing it paddle boarding, and even wearing it to walk your dog. 

Sunday Afternoons Coronado Hat

$40 (25% Off) $30 at REI

Sun protection can still be stylish, and this fedora-style sun hat proves it. Dr. Aivaz recommends this one as a dressier option, since it can easily “be dressed up for a garden party or nice outdoor occasion,” like a summer wedding. Though she acknowledges that its brim is slightly less wide than she’d prefer at 3.25 inches, a layer of face SPF will protect any areas missed (mostly, she says, your chin). The hat is made of UPF 50 fabric and easily compresses down to fit in your suitcase, making it a travel-friendly option, too. It is even customizable with adjustable sizing on the inside and has a built-in sweat-band so you’re comfortable in the heat.

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