There’s nothing more fun and relaxing than sunbathing in a cute swimsuit for a few hours until you come home feeling like dried, toasted fruit. When it comes to your skin and hair, a beach day is anything but a holiday.
Too much exposure to ultraviolet rays, salty water, and sand can wreak havoc on your skin and hair, making them dry, dull, burnt, and scaly. So before you take a tan or enjoy skinny dipping under the sun, make sure to prepare yourself for the aftermath of a super sunny beach day. We’ve rounded up some important pre and post-beach hair and skincare tips below.
Pre-beach Hair Care Routine
- Use protective spray. Before going out, make sure to spritz your hair with a protective spray from the harsh UV rays of the sun. Choose a protectant spray that can help prevent your hair colour from prematurely fading if you recently dyed your hair. If sprays are not available, hemp seed oil might be an equally potent alternative. Hemp seed contains natural fatty acids and other essential nutrients to help prevent the penetration of harmful substances into your hair follicles. This way helps save your hair from potential damage by possibly enhancing the lubrication of the hair shaft, making your hair silky and smooth even after a long beach day.
- Wet your hair. As odd as it may sound, be sure to wet your hair with clean water before you submerge yourself into the salty ocean. This way helps to prevent the salted water from potentially drying out your hair.
- Give your hair a break. If you are a fan of extremely styling your hair with multiple products like hair sprays, leave-in gels, and blow-dry, there is a possibility of getting them damaged when you spend a day at the beach. Experts suggest giving your hair a day or two of rest before going on a beach trip.
- Wear a protective hat. The sun may not just damage your skin health but also beat your hair and scalp to the ground. Be sure to wear a hat to cover up the head and keep your scalp from burning and drying effects as you stroll around the beach.
Post-beach Hair Care Routine
- Wash your hair thoroughly. Similar to your skincare routine, it’s also worth washing your hair after spending a few hours at the beach. Use a moisturizing shampoo to wash away the sand and salt and to prevent drying and brittling. You can try co-washing or washing only with conditioner if you have thick, wavy or curly hair.
- Consider to buy brunette conditioner specially formulated to maintain the rich tones and nourish your hair, keeping it vibrant and healthy after every beach day.
- Polish with hemp seed oil. After air-drying your hair, don’t forget to apply a moisturizing agent, such as hemp seed oil, for long-lasting silk and softness.
Pre-beach Skincare Routine
- Apply sunscreen. The use of sunscreen at the beach is a must. Since we all have different amounts of melanin and different levels of sun sensitivity, skin experts recommend a proper application of sunscreen with SPF 15+ for daily use and 30+ when spending time at the beach. When it comes to the face, use SPF 50 or higher to avoid dark spots and wrinkles. You can also use baby sunscreen because it usually contains a higher level of protection compared to adults. When applying sunscreen, do not skip the following parts, such as the tops of your hands and feet, behind the knees, under the buttcheeks, nape of the neck, and ears. Lips should never be a second thought either. Use lip balm for your lips.
- Drink lots of water. Stay hydrated before, during, and after staying under the sun. Excessive sun exposure can totally dehydrate the body from inside and out. Be sure to rehydrate from time to time. Pack lots of water, preferably something that contains electrolytes.
- Use post-shaving balms. For many girls, beach or pool time means flaunting their beach bods in cool bikinis. That’s why shaving becomes necessary on a beach vacay. But, do not forget to apply your bikini area with post-shaving balms to avoid potential burns or irritation from the sun.
- Exfoliate. Gentle exfoliation is the key for everyone with dry skin. You can use those facial or body scrubs that you already have at home. But, do not forget to select an exfoliating method that will suit your skin type. Some people would recommend the use of peel pads over harsh scrubs or loofah. But it depends on your skin preference. Follow a moisturizing cream to keep your skin healthy and hydrated at all times.
- Wear cover-up clothes. Covering up is a fantastic way to protect your skin from those harsh ultraviolet rays. You can also wear surf rashies to completely cover up your arms and legs, at least while the sun is up.
Post-beach Skincare Routine
- Wash your skin properly. After sunscreens have done their purpose, it’s essential to wash them away and remove any residual sweat and sand that have probably mixed with the applied sunscreen on your skin. Do this to avoid clogging your pores.
- Take a cool shower. A refreshing cool shower bath will help wash away the caked layers of sunblock all over your skin. Use a mild soap, and scrub well if you don’t get a sunburn. Gently apply an overall moisturizer after taking a bath. To protect and nourish your skin after sun exposure, consider using natural products like Goat Milk Soap, which is gentle and moisturizing.
- Treat your sunburn. If you get a terrible sunburn, make sure to deal with it right away before it gets even worse. The secret is to have a milk bath by pouring a few cups of milk into the tub to soothe your inflamed skin and remove the dead skin cells. Apply some aloe vera on the affected area after taking a bath, or even better, consider using CBD products to help soothe your skin. In case you missed it, cannabidiol (CBD) is now available in many different topicals, from creams and serums to lotions, balms, as well as CBD softgels, gummies and vapes. CBD is reportedly beneficial for several skin issues because of its natural anti-inflammatory properties.
Final Thoughts
A relaxing beach day should never be a bad day for your hair and skin. As long as you’re mindful of your hair and skin health, you should be fine chilling at the beach. You may get some inspiration from this guide to help maintain your hair and skin’s natural glow and beauty all summer long.