How To Prep Your Skin For a Healthy Beach Glow

By Jessica Romero

Photo by Julia Kicova on Unsplash

Are you a sun-seeking, beach-loving enthusiast that can’t get enough of the fresh salty air, sand and sea?

There’s absolutely nothing wrong with that, but it’s essential that you look after your skin. UV exposure and other environmental factors all affect your skin and speed up the signs of ageing, so you need to do a little preparation before you head to the beach.

Here’s what you can do to get your skin ready for that beachy glow.

Stay Moisturised

Before you head out, you need to ensure your skin is well hydrated. After showering or bathing, apply a nourishing body lotion and face cream to protect your skin against high temperatures and strong UV indexes.

Sun, wind and salty water can all dry out your skin. Moisturising beforehand helps to prevent that dreaded dryness and leaves your skin less prone to post-beach itchiness and flaking.

Slather on that SPF

Once you’ve moisturised, you need to apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30—although SPF 50 is preferable.

Apply a generous dollop of SPF to your entire body, and use a face-friendly SPF with the same high level of protection for your face, ears, neck, chest, and hair parting.

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

Reapply Your Sunscreen Regularly

Even the best sunscreen won’t keep your skin protected all day with a single application. Be sun savvy and reapply your sunscreen every two hours and whenever you exit the water to prevent UV-related skin damage.

If you’re relaxing on the sand, try to find a spot with plenty of shade, wear protective clothing in a light colour, and don a wide-brimmed hat.

Post-Beach Care

The saltiness of the sea and sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin at any age, but the older you are, the worse the damage can be. Hormonal changes and thinner skin make us more susceptible to sunburn, pigmentation and dryness.

To combat these negative effects, you can apply rich moisturisers, or if you’re a tad sunburnt, use an after-sun lotion or pure aloe vera gel to restore your skin barrier and reduce healing time. This can also prolong your tan, giving you that healthy, sun-kissed look we all love.