iriemade Skip to Content

6 Ways You Can Protect Your Skin On A Beach Holiday

Photo by RF._.studio from Pexels

Beach holidays are an opportunity to escape the city and be at one with nature. All you want to do is spend your time soaking up the sun and taking deep breaths of the beautiful fresh air.

Unfortunately, thanks to modern science, we now know that spending all day in the sunshine is bad for our skin. Not only can it burn it at the surface level, but high energy particles also destroy the DNA and essential proteins, causing it to age faster. Researchers have even coined the term “photoaging” to describe this effect. 

So how do you get the best of both worlds? What strategies can you implement to protect your skin on a beach holiday while also enjoying all of the advantages? In other words, how do you maximize the fun?

Stay In The Shade During The Midday Sun

Even if you wear factor fifty sunscreen, the midday sun can still damage your skin over time. The reason for this comes down to the size of the atmosphere above your head and the way that most sunscreens work. 

First, when the sun is high in the sky, light has to travel through a thinner segment of the atmosphere compared to when it’s low. Typically, the atmosphere absorbs harmful rays from the sun. But if there is less of it between you and it, more highly energetic radiation gets through. 

 You would hope that your sunscreen would defend against this – and it does, but only to a point. 

Most sunscreens are chemical-based. That means that they contain compounds that react with incoming UV light and convert it into harmless heat. Unfortunately, when they do this, they’re also used up, meaning that they don’t last forever. That’s why sunscreen manufacturers include advice to reapply regularly on the label. 

But even if you reapply often, protection is probabilistic. This means that it is a roll of the dice as to whether your skin will become damaged. So if more damaging radiation is getting through to your skin, there’s a higher chance of damage, even if you wear sunscreen. 

So with that said, what’s the best option here? The ideal solution for the midday sun is to wear a hat or get under a sun lounger. Physical material will prevent UV rays from getting through to your skin and help you stay safe. 

Choose The Right Sunscreens

Different sunscreens are made of different products, each of which offers varying efficacy to protect the skin. 

Physical, mineral-based sunscreens attempt to create a physical barrier between the skin and the incoming rays. They’re okay so long as you don’t move much or enter the water. But they’ll wash off quickly if you do anything remotely physical. 

Chemical-based sunscreens rely on the skin absorbing compounds that convert the energy of incoming light into harmless heat. Generally, these are better for beach holidays because they stay inside the skin for longer and offer good protection. However, some people might have a sensitivity to them. 

Please note that water on the skin can amplify the sun’s rays like a magnifying glass and cause burning in minutes. Therefore, it’s critical to protect the skin once you come out of the water, no matter what type of product you decide to use. 

If you do experience burning on holiday, you can use products like Crepey skin repair cream. The idea here is to provide the skin with the impetus it needs to get on and repair itself. The concept is different from moisturizers or even other cosmetics because the goal is rejuvenation. In other words, you’re literally trying to undo the damage done by the sun. 

Please also check the star-rating for UVA and UVB sunscreens. The best have five-star ratings on both. This certification means that they protect against the entire UV range that can damage your body. Some products don’t, so just be aware of that.

Apply An Anti-Oxidant Lotion

If you intend to get a tan on your beach holiday, be sure to slather yourself in antioxidants. Your skin will need them.

Sun exposure increases the production of oxygen free radicals. These are chemicals that react with oxygen and create a kind of “rusting” of the body. 

Oxygen is a highly reactive compound (which is why our bodies use it to create energy). But it is also dangerous over the long term because of how it damages the machinery in our cells.

Antioxidant creams help to reduce the level of oxidation. Instead of reacting with your body, oxygen particles interact with the lotion itself, which reduces the amount of wrinkling or burning after sun exposure.

Please note that even if you apply antioxidant lotions, they won’t protect you against UV rays. They could, however, reduce overall skin damage and potentially assist with repair. We just don’t know yet. 

Look After Your Lips

While we naturally slather sunscreen on our cheeks, shoulders, and arms, it is just as essential to protect the lips. 

There’s just one problem: we don’t want to put sunscreen in a place where we will likely swallow it.

Fortunately, you can now get sun protection products designed for both the lips and scalp.

Use An In-Sun Accelerator

In-sun accelerators often have some SPF, but they’re not a substitute for sunscreen. Instead, you layer them on top, and they help increase the rate of melanin production in your skin. 

There are plenty of options out there, meaning that you’re almost spoiled for choice. There are also cruelty-free versions for those who want to protect animals.

Use A Pre-Tan Accelerator

Just as there are in-sun accelerators, there are pre-tan versions too. These products prime the skin for tanning by triggering the natural tanning process. They make the skin ready to produce more pigment the moment it comes into contact with light. 

Mostly, these products come in the form of gel you apply just before your trip. The gel seeps into the skin and gets absorbed. It then tells the cells to get ready to make pigment the moment you expose yourself to the sun.

Understand Your Skin and Its Needs Better

Everyone’s skin is unique to them, and you’ll be able to look after yours and protect it better when you understand it better and its needs. That’s why you should stay in regular contact with your dermatologist and get tailored advice from them. Simply find the cosmetic dermatology clinic that you feel is right for you and that’ll be able to offer you the support and treatments that help you protect your skin better going forward.

Pin It on Pinterest

Shares