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Summer is finally here. And if you’re like me, you can’t wait to hit the beach or the pool. But what I often hear is that people want to tan, improve their color and absorb as many rays as possible while enjoying the water. All these goals imply too much sun exposure and often dangerous skin routines by the beach or pool.
I understand the desire to have perfect color (believe me, I do!), but it’s not a good idea to risk your health. The problem is, regular summer skincare doesn’t always work when salt water or chlorine is added to the mix.
If you’re getting ready to hit the beach or enjoy a dip in the pool, check out this list of essential skin care tips.
Before jumping in the water
Tip 1: Start applying sunscreen as soon as summer begins
I can’t say it enough, but sun protection is a must, especially at the pool or beach. Not only are you trying to combat the sun’s UV rays, but you also need to protect yourself from reflections from the water and sand. Around 10% of UV rays are reflected by water and 15% by sand. Sun protection is therefore all the more important at the pool or beach.
So start early. Apply the first layer of sunscreen before you leave the house. I recommend an SPF of at least 50 with UVA and UVB protection. Here’s my recommendation: Tizo mineral Solar or the All mineral Multi-Protection by HOP.
Tip 2: Protect all exposed skin
It’s easy to forget to apply sunscreen to areas usually covered by clothing, such as the back, stomach or legs. So make sure you apply this first layer (and all subsequent ones) to all parts of your skin that will be exposed to the sun. And yes, that means covering the areas where you’d like to get a nice tan. In fact, you need to protect these areas from the sun to avoid burning.
For head-to-toe SPF, apply and carry a sunscreen suitable for face and body, like HOP’s All Mineral Multi-Protection Sunscreen for Face and Body. This antioxidant-enriched sunscreen forms a protective barrier on the skin’s surface and is suitable for all skin types.
Tip 3: Don’t forget your lips!
People often forget their lips when they apply sunscreen. If you’re at the beach, the wind and sand can dry out the sensitive skin on your lips, making them more susceptible to burns.
So take the necessary precautions by applying an SPF lip balm well before entering the water or exposing yourself. My recommendation is Tizo’s Liptech protection.
Tip 4: Layer your skin protection
In summer, it’s best to layer your moisturizers. The more moisturized your skin is, the less you’ll feel the damaging effects of a day at the pool or beach.
Proceed in order of viscosity: serums, then moisturizer, then sunscreen. Preparing your face with a protective cream is the best way to protect your skin from the irritating chlorine of swimming pools. B-Box Bio’s Kalm cream or HOP’s Promoter Repair Cell cream help skin retain moisture longer and prevent transepidermal water loss. Apply this product as your first moisturizer after a hyaluronic acid-based serum like HOP’s Caviplla Multi-Serum – which will bind 1000 times its weight in water to your skin – and before your SPF.
Don’t forget that all municipal pools that allow the use of sunscreen or skin care products, as they can affect the chemicals present in the water. Check your pool’s rules before entering. And if these are not permitted, skip to the after-swimming tips below!
Tip 5: Avoid certain skin care ingredients
Before a day at the pool or beach, avoid skincare products that increase photosensitivity, such as retinol and salicylic acid. Also be very careful if you’re taking antibiotics, as they increase the risk of sunburn and skin lesions.
While swimming
Tip 6: Keep applying sunscreen
Reapply sunscreen every two hours when swimming. Even water-resistant sunscreens wear off in 40 to 80 minutes. Remember, the sun is stronger and longer in summer. What’s more, at the pool or beach, you have to deal with reverberation.
Reapply easily with compact products like HOP’s Skin Repair Sun Cushion SPF 50. This creamy, broad-spectrum formula provides natural radiance all day long without feeling heavy or sticky on the face. It automatically adapts to skin tone within minutes of application and can be reapplied throughout the day. It’s even perfect for men!
And don’t forget your lips! Reapply your SPF lip balm every time you apply a new layer of sun protection.
Tip 7: Moisturize, moisturize and moisturize some more!
Even if you’re in the water, salt water and chlorine dehydrate and irritate your skin. They also strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritating contact dermatitis (itchy, dry, red skin).
While it’s not necessary to apply moisturizer at every break (especially if your pool doesn’t allow it), you do need to take care of your skin from the inside out. Make sure you drink plenty of water to hydrate your whole body. You can also fill up on water-rich foods like watermelon and celery. Your skin will thank you later!
After your stay in the water
Tip 8: Rinse off the chlorine/sea water
I recommend rinsing off as soon as you get out of the water. Putting more water on your skin after hours of swimming may seem silly, but it’s essential for removing sand, chlorine and salt. The longer these irritants remain on your skin, the more they dry it out. When you rinse off, thoroughly cleanse your skin with a creamy, moisturizing face wash and body wash.
When you get home, rinse your skin again to remove sunscreen containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.
Tip 9: Towel-dry your skin
Instead of air-drying your skin, take a cotton towel and dry it thoroughly. Although it’s tempting to let the sun and heat dry your skin, this can lead to further dehydration.
Tip 10: Rehydrate your skin
After a long day in the sun, immediately rehydrate your skin with a thick moisturizing cream, rich in antioxidants such as aloe vera and vitamin C. My choice for my face area is the ultra-soothing B-Box Bio Kalm cream or HOP’s soothing and moisturizing Promoter Collagen Gel and for the body i love to use the B-Box Bio dry-oil Olea-3 that leave my skin hydrated and so smooth.
Summer skin made easy
Summer can be a dangerous time for your skin, but that doesn’t mean you have to stay away from the pool and the beach! With these pro tips, you can keep your skin healthy while making the most of the summer months.