How to Revive Your Skin After a Day at the Beach

Of course, it goes without saying that the more you take care of your skin while you’re at the beach—i.e. wearing sunscreen, a big hat, and seeking out shade—the less work you’ll have to do to revive your complexion. However, whether you accidentally slack on reapplying SPF or are diligent with your beach day skin care routine, you’ll still want to follow certain steps when you leave, such as learning how to soothe a sunburn. Between the sand and the salt water, your skin may need an extra dose of TLC (and moisturizer!)—and we know just what you need to do. Here are five skin care tips to help revive your skin after a day at the beach.

Skin Care Tip #1: Wash Away the Day

If you’re like us, you never feel completely clean after spending a day on the beach, walking in the sand and catching waves. And that feeling isn’t completely without warrant, you’re likely covered in sweat and sand by the end of the day. To get back to your normally completely clean self, you’ll want to wash away any impurities that may be sitting on the surface of your skin ASAP. Reach for a gel facial cleanser, like the L’Oréal Paris Ideal Clean™ All Skin Types Foaming Gel Cleanser, which lifts dirt and impurities without drying out your skin. Wet your hands and face with lukewarm water, then work a small amount of the gel into a foamy lather and massage it onto your face using circular motions. Rinse off with more lukewarm water and pat dry using a soft towel. When you’re finished, don’t forget to cleanse your body, too—the skin below your chin isn’t immune from impurities. 

Skin Care Tip #2: Cool Down 

Does your skin still feel hot even after seeking solace in the air conditioned indoors? We have a trick for that! Before heading to the beach, store a sheet mask in your fridge. When you get back, carve out a bit of time to relax and put on the face mask. Not only will you receive the normal skin care benefits but it’ll also serve as a cool treat for your skin. For another way to cool down, you can use an eye treatment with a cooling application tip, like the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power™ Eye Treatment or L’Oréal Paris Men Expert™ Hydra-Energetic Ice Cold Eye Roller.

Skin Care Tip #3: Ramp Up Moisturizing

Going in the water is all fun and games—until you get home. Then, you might notice that your dip in the ocean has dried out your skin. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to combat this. Try increasing the moisture in your regular regimen after a beach day, to help balance out that loss of hydration. If you aren’t already religiously applying night cream, add a nighttime moisturizer to your routine. Try the L’Oréal Paris RevitaLift Triple Power™ Intensive Overnight Mask, which immediately leaves skin feeling hydrated and supple. One more thing about moisturizing—don’t stop with your neck. Make sure you moisturize your entire body with a nourishing body cream or lotion after hopping out of the shower and patting your skin dry. 

Skin Care Tip #4: Apply Aloe Vera

Sometimes, no matter how dedicated to sun protection you are, there are slipups. That means you may walk away from your beach day with a need to soothe your skin. If that’s the case, apply aloe vera gel to help relieve a sunburn.  

Aprés-Beach Tip #5: Continue Getting Color

If you were blessed with a bit of color during your beach day and don’t want to lose it, or were merely inspired by everyone else’s sun-kissed skin, hold off on sunbathing or fake baking. You don’t have to pick up a bad habit just to maintain your tan; you can keep your new hue with the help of a self-tanner. Use the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze™ Hydrating Self-Tanning Milk Medium to gradually give yourself a glowing, streak-free tan—ensuring it looks like you spent the whole summer on the beach, not just a day.

Planning another trip to the beach? Be sure to brush up on How to Care for Your Skin When You’re at the Beach, too.