One of the best things about summer is going to the beach. The sea, the sand, the sun…there’s nothing like spending a relaxing day at the beach, lying in the sun, sipping cocktails and having a good time with family or friends.
But don’t forget that your skin doesn’t like the sun as much as you do! At the beach, your skin can be exposed to various environmental pollutants like humidity, dryness, wind, and sun, so, if it’s not properly protected, it can ruin your entire vacation. I learned this the hard way, and trust me, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
That being said, here are my top beach essentials to keep your summer skin happy, healthy and glowing before, during and after sun exposure.
For your holiday to start off on the right foot, you need to prepare your skin long before you actually hit the beach. First thing’s first: hydration! After showering and using a ph balanced, gentle cleanser, apply some moisturizer on your face and body to maintain its natural hydration barrier. Products such as Vichy Aqualia Thermal Rich Face Cream and Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Lotion will leave your skin soft, smooth and healthy-looking.
The next step is applying a broad-spectrum SPF. Most people apply it when they are at the beach, but your skin is also exposed on the way there, so you need to apply a base layer of sunscreen at least 20 minutes before you leave the house. I use La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Ultra-Light Fluid Broad Spectrum for the face and CeraVe Tinted Sunscreen with SPF 30 for the body. Don’t forget your lips also need protection and hydration, so use this lip protectant to protect your lips against UVA and UVB rays.
Even if you applied some sunscreen before you left for the beach, this doesn’t mean your skincare routine stops there. After all, beach skincare is all about sunscreen. It should be reapplied every 2 hours or after swimming and drying with the towel. It might seem like a drag, but it’s the best way to avoid wrinkles, sunburns and whatnot.
Being exposed to the sun all day long may leave your skin feeling dry and gritty. An aloe vera gel or body lotion can soften and repair dry skin and locks in moisture. Wear a wide-brimmed hat and protective clothing also and stay in the shade as much as possible to keep you skin away from the damaging sun rays.
At the end of a long beach day and lots of UV rays, your skin will need a little tender loving and caring. The first thing you should do during your post-sun skincare routine is to use a refreshing cleanser with cooling properties to clean your skin of impurities and soothe it properly. This cleanser is great in eliminating all the sweat, sand and sunscreen stuck to your skin but if you really want the softest skin out there, try this nourishing cleanser oil.
What you need to remember from all of this is that you constantly need to protect your skin with sunscreen and keep it hydrated at all times. Step up your skincare game if you’ve been disregarding it lately and just enjoy your vacation.
What is your summer skincare routine? What products do you usually use at the beach? Tells us in the comments section below and let’s help each other out!
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