Sun Skin Care Tips
Avoid Sunburn and Sun Damage With Proper UV Protection
Your health should be your first priority in everything that you do. The same is true when you want to swim. For many of us, all we want to do is soak up as much sun as we can while the sun is out. However, being in the sun all day can harm your skin. Although some skin types are more sensitive than others, it’s still essential to protect your skin. There are steps you can take before you go out into the sun, after being in the sun all day, and if you get sunburned. While Aqua Leisure has a great selection of swimming pools for you to choose from, we also have some skin care tips to go with them.
Pre-Swim Preparation
This is the most important step when protecting your skin from the sun. Doing this makes getting sunburned much more preventable. Moisturizing is something you will hear often when going through these tips.
Our skin tends to dry out fast when we are in chlorine and the sun all day. These two factors make you more susceptible to sunburn. When you are sunburned, your skin is dry and peeling. It’s harder to hold moisture when your skin is already so dry.
- Start with Clean Skin: Before hitting the pool or the ocean, cleanse your skin to remove makeup, dirt, or oils. These can react with chlorine or saltwater and cause irritation.
- Apply a Waterproof Sunscreen: Choose a broad-spectrum, waterproof sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher. Apply it at least 20 minutes before swimming to allow it to bind to your skin properly. Look for sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide for a gentle but effective barrier.
- Use a Barrier Cream: Chlorine and salt water can strip your skin’s natural oils. Coat exposed areas with a thin layer of petroleum jelly or a specialized pre-swim lotion. This acts as a protective barrier, reducing water damage.
- Hydrate Your Skin: Apply a lightweight moisturizer with hydrating ingredients like hyaluronic acid before sunscreen. This helps lock in moisture, keeping your skin balanced during exposure to harsh pool chemicals or salty waves.
How These Skincare Tips Avoid Sunburn
It is recommended that you find a lighter form of lotion in addition to using sunscreen for UV protection. You should always exfoliate before going out into the sun. Exfoliating takes away dead skin and can prevent uniform tanning. It is recommended that you exfoliate a few days before going out into heavy sun rays.
Also, never forget that sunscreen is your best friend! You must always apply sunscreen before going into the sun. There are different levels of sun protection factor (SPF). SPF determines how long you can stay in the sun before burning.
There are different types of sunscreen and sun skincare; some are waterproof so that you can be in the water all day and still be protected. Discover which one is best for your skin.
Protection During Swimming
You can protect your skin while you’re swimming as well without much effort and with little breaks during your swim.
- Reapply Sunscreen Regularly: Even with waterproof sunscreen, it’s essential to reapply every 80-90 minutes if you’re swimming for an extended period. Use a stick sunscreen for easy application to your face.
- Wear Protective Gear: If you’re swimming outdoors, wear a swim cap and a long-sleeved rash guard or UV-resistant gear to minimize skin exposure to harmful UV rays.
- Limit Chlorine/Saltwater Exposure: Take breaks between swimming sessions whenever possible. Staying in water for too long can lead to dryness or irritation, especially in chlorinated pools.
Post-Swim Skincare Routine
You’ve just finished a full day in the sun; now let’s treat the skin. Post-sun skin care is just as essential and beneficial as pre-sun skin care. Moisturizing is still the main factor in skin care.
Being in the sun does dry out your skin tremendously. Making sure you are moisturizing after being in the sun for several hours is important.
- Rinse Off Immediately: After swimming, rinse your body and hair thoroughly with fresh, lukewarm water to wash off chlorine, salt, and any harmful residues. This prevents your skin from becoming dry and itchy.
- Cleanse Gently: Use a mild, pH-balanced body wash or a chlorine-neutralizing cleanser to remove any remaining pool chemicals or seawater without stripping your skin.
- Rehydrate Skin: After rinsing, pat your skin dry and slather on a rich, hydrating moisturizer to replenish your skin. Look for ingredients like shea butter, aloe vera, or ceramides to soothe and repair the skin barrier.
- Use a Hydrating Facial Mask: Treat your face to a hydrating mask containing hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, or cucumber extract to restore moisture and calm sensitivity.
- Drink Plenty of Water: Hydrating your body from the inside is just as important as external care. Drink plenty of water after your swim to help your skin recover faster.
- Exfoliate Weekly: Swimmers are prone to skin buildup from chlorine and saltwater. Gently exfoliate your skin once or twice a week with a scrub or an AHA-based product to remove dead skin cells.
Protect Against Sun Damage After Your Swim
It is also recommended that you soak your body in cool water after a hot day and not a hot shower. Hot water dries out the skin. Cool water will minimize inflammation caused by the sun’s UV rays. This also prevents further dehydration of the skin.
You want to make sure when you shower that you are deep cleansing your skin to get rid of all the oils, sweat, dirt, sunscreen, etc. You don’t want your pores to get clogged making it harder to soak up your sunscreen the next time you go out.
Why Can You Still Get Sunburned?
As cautious as you can be, you can still get sunburned. Sunlight itself is hot and gives off strong UV rays. If you do get sunburned, you should stay out of the sun to prevent sun poisoning for the next few days.
When you are sunburned, your skin will blister, peel, feel painful to the touch, and have extreme redness. Here are some recommendations for easing sunburn symptoms. Aloe is your best friend; it soothes the skin, has a cooling effect, and moisturizes your skin.
Many find it effective to rub ice upon the irritated skin area, it cools it and reduces inflammation and redness. Picking or scratching at the affected area only makes it worse. You should allow the area to heal on its own with proper treatment.
Improve Your UV Protection Efforts with Aqua Leisure
Here at Aqua Leisure, we want you to be healthy while you’re enjoying your swimming pool! We will always be here to help you choose your favorite type of swimming pool, inground or above-ground, but safety is key. Have fun in the sun & be safe! Contact us for more information on the right pool for you!
Posted by Aqua Leisure Pools & Spas in Pools