How to repair your skin after sun exposure?

First of all, before you can properly repair your skin after sun exposure, you need to prepare it.

Prepare your skin to avoid unpleasant surprises

Before perfecting your golden tan on the beach, there are 2-3 simple tips to properly prepare your skin for the sun.

Forget UV booths, which are harmful to your skin, as they promote skin aging and can even cause certain cancers. Commercial self-tanners are also not very natural, both in terms of their composition and the results they give to your complexion.

Here are our tips for properly preparing your skin before sun exposure.

1/ Perform a gentle exfoliation To remove all dead cells and prepare your skin for the sun for a beautiful, even tan. Once or twice a week, depending on your skin type, you can exfoliate your body and a face scrub. Exfoliation removes dead cells, oxygenates the skin, making it brighter and more radiant! Ready to receive the first rays of the sun, your tan will be more even and long-lasting.

 

2/ Have an appropriate diet to prepare your skin for the sun Focus on foods rich in vitamins and minerals! The star is beta-carotene. It is found in carrots, tomatoes, mangoes, oranges, sweet potatoes, and apricots. In addition, it is important to consume foods rich in vitamin A to protect the skin from aging: cheese, eggs, cod liver oil, green vegetables. Don't forget essential fatty acids to promote skin regeneration after exposure: salmon, sardines, sesame oil... Vitamins C and E allow better skin healing, fight against cell aging, and prevent sunburn. They are rich in antioxidants and anti-free radicals.

 

3/ Skin hydration This is the key step in your beauty routine. Skin that is not hydrated before sun exposure will be more sensitive to the sun. In contrast, hydrated skin becomes softer, more supple, and more resistant to the sun. As a bonus, opt for creams containing carrot macerate or oil. Indeed, beta-carotene stimulates melanin production, which is responsible for skin pigmentation. This will naturally give you a healthy glow and a light natural tan. It is important to hydrate your skin with products, but also by drinking water before sun exposure. Hydration comes primarily from within, so remember to drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water per day.

 

4/ Take food supplements They will help boost your skin before sun exposure. They particularly stimulate melanin production, which is responsible for tanning, and strengthen your natural defenses. Your skin then has all the nutrients to be supple, soft, sublime, and to defend itself against the harmful effects of UV rays.

5/ Sunscreen, the summer essential When the first rays of sun appear, we tend to want to expose ourselves immediately. It is very important to go slowly, starting with short exposures and gradually extending them, always protecting yourself of course! At the beach, in the mountains, in the countryside, it is essential to protect your skin with an SPF between 30 or 50. Contrary to popular belief, sunscreen does not prevent tanning and protects you from the harmful effects of the sun. You can use quality sun protection products without controversial ingredients, such as an organic and natural sunscreen. Of course, avoid exposing yourself during the most dangerous hours, i.e., between 12 p.m. and 4 p.m., as this is when the sun is strongest.

Repair your skin after exposure

Ahhh, the sun, it's great, it makes us smile, it warms our hearts, but it also has its nasty drawbacks.

The sun sends us UVA rays that accelerate the aging of our skin. Not only do they destroy the collagen fibers that make it up, but they also reduce our skin's Vitamin C reserves.

So after the beach, we adopt a powerful routine to soothe and repair our skin! Properly repairing your skin after exposure also helps maintain a quality tan for longer.

1/ After-sun body care

It is important to take care of your skin in the evening after sun exposure, as the skin regenerates during the night.

Firstly, forget hot showers and shower gels full of sulfates, which will irritate the skin and promote a feeling of dryness.

Wash with cold-process soaps that will respect your skin and leave it soft and well-hydrated.

Afterwards, hydrate and nourish your body every evening with a moisturizer with a fluid or rich texture, as you prefer. If you don't like the feel of cream, you can also use a dry oil that won't leave a greasy film on your skin.

Finally, use and abuse after-sun lotions. They will hydrate your skin with their moisturizing active ingredients and deeply soothe warming sensations.

A little tip: you can also put it in the fridge for a pleasant cooling sensation after exposure.

2/ After-sun facial care

After sun exposure, your skin will inevitably have dried out due to the intensity of UV rays. It will therefore be necessary to pamper it to restore hydration and comfort so that it can eventually face new exposure the next day.

First, start with a thorough make-up removal to remove any residue of perspiration, dust, and UV protection that could easily clog your pores and cause unsightly imperfections in the following days. The advantage of a make-up removing oil is that it will deeply dissolve impurities. It emulsifies with water for a pleasant rinse and skin that doesn't feel tight.

Then, move on to cleansing your face. Cleansing your skin doesn't mean stripping it. Opt for a gentle cleanser that won't dry out your skin and respects its pH. Why not also use a konjac sponge for gentle cleansing!

Next, apply an after-sun facial treatment with a fluid texture to provide a first layer of hydration to the skin. This treatment will penetrate the skin very quickly to deeply hydrate, soothe, and regenerate it. Then, it is important to seal this hydration. The skin will thus regenerate during the night and not lose hydration. You can apply a thicker hydrating cream or a dry oil over your after-sun treatment for a non-greasy effect.

3/ Little bonus, hair tips

Salt and chlorine also attack your hair, making it brittle and dry.

Ideally, rinse them quickly to remove all chlorine and salt residues. In the evening, wash them with a gentle shampoo and let them air dry. If they are dry, colored or sensitized, apply a mask every evening. This is the best anti-breakage and anti-dehydration solution for lengths and ends. Do not use silicone-based products, as they are not biodegradable and damage your hair.

More information on how to choose your organic sunscreen 👉 Click here