What fun is summertime without spending some amazing time with family and friends at the beach? However, often, skin care is neglected, resulting in sunburnt and irritated skin, which takes a long time to heal.
Also, prolonged exposure to harmful ultraviolet rays of the sun may be a contributing factor to skin cancer. This makes it crucial to prep up your skin to protect it against its natural barrier getting affected.
When the warm weather begins and it is time to hit the beach, you need to follow several skin care tips in preparation for prolonged sun exposure. It is a fact that the ocean is a giant reflector for the sun making it more likely to cause sun damage and sunburn.
In this article, we will be taking a look at important tips for protecting your skin from the sun before and after you go to the beach. Skin protection for beach day is possible, if you take enough care beforehand.
Check out the following skin care tips before you plan your beach day:
1. Moisturize
When you think of skin protection for beach day, think of how to keep your skin hydrated first. People suffering from certain conditions or undergoing a certain medication need to be extra careful as their skin is more sensitive. Dry skin is the most common skin problem in connection to sun exposure.
According to Cheryl Kuhn, who is a body treatment expert at a prestigious Las Vegas spa, sweat and SPF can build up which traps dead skin cells. For this problem, you need to use a grainy body scrub but only if you have normal skin. For sensitive skin, use a less harsh chemical exfoliant about three times a week or every other day.
Remember that too much exfoliation can strip the skin of its natural oils causing dryness or exacerbating the problem. This is why moisturizing the skin is very important especially about a week or two before your trip to the beach. Use an intensive moisturizer at least two times daily to help prepare your skin for the beach. You should also moisturize right after sun exposure to help prevent skin dryness problems.
2. Prevent or Control Breakouts
Every skin is different with some being hypersensitive, which shows a reaction with even the slightest of external irritants. Your skin might be allergic to sunlight, sand, ocean water, or even some sunscreens, for that matter. Beach time can be a hotspot for skin to get irritated.
Blemishes don’t just occur during the summertime, but the combination of humidity and heat from the sun makes it a bigger problem during beach season. If you want to have smooth and flawless skin, use something that will get rid of oil-loving organisms.
This skin care tip will prevent pimples from popping up in different parts of the body, especially the face. Benzoyl peroxide was the most popular active ingredient in anti-acne products, but there are new antibacterial agents like farnesol. You can still use salicylic acid to get rid of dead skin cells in pores.
3. Getting Rid of Body Hair
One of the basic skin care tips for beach is getting rid of your body hair beforehand. Of course, you can’t go to the beach without making sure that there are no strips of hair on your beautiful legs. Shaving when you’re in the shower is not ideal because the stem tends to make the hair softer.
You can apply oil on the area before shaving to prevent razor burn according to Stan Ades, who is the founder of San Francisco’s world-famous Pacific Shaving Company. When you are tweezing, remember to do so in the direction of the hair’s growth in order to prevent ingrown. Also, remember to change to a new blade after five uses since a dull razor usually leaves stubble.
Other Summertime Skin Care Tips
4. Avoid AHAs
Looking for skin care tips for beach? Bear in mind this: Strong exfoliants like those that use glycolic acid have been shown to make the skin more sensitive to the sun by 45%. To prevent problems, do not use AHAs (skin care products that include alpha hydroxy acid) about a week before your trip to the beach. The reason is the retinal in these exfoliators do not work great with the sun and can cause the skin to become more susceptible to damage by the sun. In fact, it will make your skin stressed, making it look aged. You can continue use after your trip to the beach, which will help get rid of sweat and sunscreen build-ups.
5. Choose Sunscreen Carefully
While understanding these skin care tips, it is essential to know how to follow them. Aside from choosing the right SPF, you also need to know the proper way of applying sunscreen. You need to re-apply more often if you sweat a lot or when you are swimming for optimum skin protection. Most experts recommend an SPF of 30 which needs to be applied around every hour.
Also, use the sunscreen generously on your body. Do not forget important areas when applying sunscreen including the hairline, top area of feet, toes, and ears. These parts often get a sunburn because they are often neglected. We would recommend talking to your dermatologist before choosing a sunscreen as they know the sensitivity level of your skin. Make sure you check its shelf life and choose a good brand. Even better, grab a new bottle for your beach day.
6. Remember that Water Reflects Light
Think that you’re all protected just because you’re sitting under the umbrella? Of course, it does provide respite from the scorching heat, however, just because you are in the shade doesn’t mean you are safe from the sun. When you are by the ocean, the light can be reflected by the water so you still need sunscreen. Do not think that using an umbrella is enough to protect your skin from sun damage.
So, never make that mistake of thinking that your skin is not getting exposed to sunlight just because you’re under a shade. No matter what, always wear sunscreen and other accessories for protection, when you’re hitting the beach.
7. Use Protection
One of the obvious skin care tips is to protect your skin through common beach accessories. Aside from sunscreen, you can wear a hat and sunglasses if you really want to protect your skin from premature aging. A big hat and sunglasses will provide extra coverage for the delicate skin around the eyes where skin aging signs usually start to appear.
Shop for UV-protected sunglasses to protect yourself from eye degeneration. Do not choose one simply because it looks fashionable. Ask yourself whether it will protect your eyes and skin around it when exposed to the sun for a long amount of time and has a lens category at least above two. Oversized sunglasses are a better option on the beach as it will provide maximum protection.
Also, if you plan to head into the water, look for water-resistant sunglasses that will float, so that you do not lose them!
8. Wash Off Saltwater
One of the most crucial activities for skin protection for beach day is to wash off saltwater. Saltwater destroys bacteria but it is also a powerful dehydrating agent that can worsen dry skin. Right after taking a dip in the ocean, wash off the saltwater from your skin then apply a moisturizer to rehydrate your skin.
Be gentle with your skin while washing off the sunscreen and saltwater, since it might be a bit sensitive after being exposed under the sun for a long time.
9. Use Mineral Makeup
The list for skin care tips for beach would be incomplete without a smart hack, i.e., using appropriate makeup. Mineral-based powders and makeup offer an SPF rating of 20 which can provide extra protection for your skin and at the same time give you an excellent finished look. Check the ingredients carefully and make sure there are no potentially harmful chemicals.
Choose light makeup that will not make your face appear cakey. Check for a water-resistant formula, which doesn’t become oily or greasy. Keep it as natural as possible, to sustain the sweat and sand.
Conclusion
The above skin care tips will help you protect your skin from damage and side effects from prolonged exposure to external weather and irritants causing excessive reddishness.
Apart from these, keep drinking water and regular intervals and keep your skin care items handy. Besides, remember to use a good lip balm to keep your lips hydrated since they are equally susceptible to sunburn like your skin. While enjoying basking in the sun, do not forget to be mindful of harmful ultraviolet rays.
To sum up, skin protection for beach day is completely possible if you follow a skin care regime before heading towards the beach, after careful consideration of your skin type and adhering to tips that will ensure that your skin is well protected.