How to Prep Your Skin for a Summer Beach Day

Nothing says summer like a day spent relaxing at the beach. While it’s crucial to apply sunscreen, it’s equally as important to prep your skin before you step foot into the sun. To ensure your beach trip goes according to plan (read: not ruined by an awful sunburn), follow our helpful guide on how to protect your skin before, at and after the beach. 

Skincare Before You Hit the Beach

Before you head out for a beautiful beach day, you’ll want to prep your skin — starting with hydration. After showering and cleansing with a gentle face wash, slather on a daily facial moisturizer and body lotion. We recommend the Lancôme Rénergie Lift Multi-Action Ultra Face Cream (it has SPF 30!) and the Glossier Body Hero Daily Perfecting Cream.

Once you’ve moisturized, it’s time for some broad-spectrum SPF. Apply a base layer of sunscreen to help ensure your skin is protected on your way to the beach. Pro tip: put on your sunscreen before slipping into your bathing suit — it’s easier to miss a spot after you’re already dressed. In addition to a face and body sunscreen, such as the La Roche-Posay Anthelios SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen Gentle Lotion, you’ll want to apply a lip balm formulated with SPF, like Kiehl’s Butterstick Lip Treatment SPF 30.

Skincare at the Beach

Your pre-beach sunscreen application won’t last the entire day — it should be reapplied at least every two hours — so keep your SPF handy. If you notice that your skin feels a little dry throughout the day, reach for a bottle of aloe vera gel or body lotion and apply as needed. While lounging on the sand, take additional sun protection measures, like seeking shade, wearing a wide-brimmed hat and putting on protective clothing.

Skincare After the Beach

Between the sun and the wind, your skin will be in need of a little pampering at the end of the day. One of the first steps in post-sun skincare is cleansing to remove dirt, debris and other impurities. Reach for a refreshing cleanser with cooling properties, like the Garnier Green Labs Hyalu-Melon Smoothing Milky Washable Cleanser, to calm your complexion. Follow up with a hydrating body moisturizer like the CeraVe Moisturizing Cream, to replenish moisture.

Photo: Shuttershock

Read More:

5 Post-Sun Skincare Tips to Try

Derm DMs: Does Wearing Makeup to the Beach Cause Acne?

Dry Skin in the Summer? It Happens — Here’s How to Deal