Is it even summer if you don’t spend at least a few days at the beach? There’s nothing more relaxing than swimming in the ocean or soaking up the sun while gossiping with your BFF, but if you let your guard down and neglect your skincare, the sun’s harmful rays will wreak havoc on your skin. Wrinkles. Dryness. Skin cancer. It ain’t pretty.
Don’t let the sun ruin your beach time. Here are a few smart skincare tips for the beach to keep your skin safe while you’re having fun:
1. Keep It Simple
A beach day isn’t the time to pile on ten layers of skincare or do a full face of makeup. That’ll just slide off your face, get your skin greasier than a frying pan and turn sunscreen reapplication into a challenge you’re bound to lose. So keep it simple. An anti-oxidant cleanser, such as the Super-C Wash, a lightweight hydrating moisturizer such as the Lux Cream, and a lot of sunscreen is all you need to prep your skin for the beach.
2. Don’t Exfoliate
If you’re planning a trip to the beach, hold off exfoliation for a few days before the big day. Exfoliants like glycolic acid do a wonderful job at removing dead cells off your skin, making it look brighter and younger. But it comes at a cost. Now that your skin’s a little thinner, it’s more susceptible to sun damage. Don’t risk it. Wait till after you come home to get your exfoliating fix.
3. Be Generous With Sunscreen
Sunscreen is the name of the game here. Before you even head to the beach, slather sunscreen liberally on all areas that will be exposed to sunlight. That includes your ears, feet, elbows and all the other places you always forget about.
Opt for a sunscreen that’s zinc oxide-based. Zinc oxide is the only UV filter that provides broad spectrum protection on its own so you can be sure your skin’s safe both from UVA and UVB rays. Plus, it’s so gentle, it can be used even on babies!
The only catch? Zinc oxide is a white mineral so it tends to leave a white cast on the skin. One way to get around this is to go for tinted formulas, like Daily Replenishing 16% Zinc Oxide SPF 40 Sunscreen, that blend seamlessly into your skin and provide a more natural look.
Don’t forget to reapply sunscreen throughout the day. Those pesky UV rays deactivate sunscreen, making it useless after a while. A good rule of thumb is to top up after a couple of hours… or after swimming, sweating and towel drying. Water, sweat and rubbing removes sunscreen from your body, leaving you vulnerable to sun damage.
4. Hydrate With Aloe Vera
Packing your beach bag? Don’t forget to toss in a jar of aloe vera gel. Not only is it an effective remedy for sunburns (hey, it can happen even to the most diligent of sunscreen fanatics), it’s also super hydrating. If you notice your skin getting a little drier under the scorching sun’s rays, reach for the aloe vera jar and slather it on liberally.
Summer means fun at the beach - so relax, your skin is in good hands.