Living in paradise is well… pure paradise. Isla Vista gifts us with warm, brilliant sunshine and the most glorious sunsets. But as beautiful as our Santa Barbara sun is, she’s deadly and causes wrinkles and sunspots. It’s essential to protect your skin from the sun, especially living on the beach. But don’t stress because I’ve compiled a list of sunscreens and skincare products that can help you keep your skin healthy, glowy, and hydrated, even spending every day on the sand.
If you take one thing from this article, it’s SPF SPF SPF…and a little louder for the people in the back… SPF!!!! Moisturize every morning with a formula that complements your skin type and includes SPF. If you plan on heading to the beach or spending time outside, be sure to apply sunscreen at least 15 minutes before you hit the sunlight and reapply often.
Be critical of which sunscreen you choose to apply. Some formulas have an oily base that can clog your pores and cause you to break out, while others have chemicals that are damaging to coral reefs. So when you purchase your next bottle of sunscreen, ensure that you choose an oil-free formula and one free of Oxybenzone, Octinoxate, and Octocrylene.
Here are some HC-approved SPF moisturizer and sunscreen products to add to your daily routine:
For Oily Skin:
CeraVe Sunscreen Face Lotion SPF 50 ($13.99)
For Sensitive Skin:
Aveeno Positively Mineral Facemilk Sunscreen SPF 40 ($13.99)
For Dry Skin:
Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer SPF 30 ($12.85)
Lightweight Spray Sunscreen:
Babo Botanicals Sheer Zinc Sunscreen SPF 30 ($18.99)
Pro tip: Protect your hair and scalp from the sun when you have a part in your hair with SPF Scalp & Hair Spray by Sun Bum. ($14.99)
Spending all day in the sunshine is a luxury but sun rays, even on cloudy days, deplete fluids and electrolytes in your body, so be sure to hydrate even more on beach days. Bring a reusable water bottle with you to the beach and make sure to continue to drink water during die tournaments!
Sunburn Survival Guide
For those with skin that can badly burn after sun exposure (it happens to the best of us), follow this quick 3-step guide that will help reduce the redness, swelling, and tenderness of your skin overnight with products you likely have in your cupboards.
1. Start by pouring some apple cider vinegar into a paper towel and lightly dab it onto clean skin. Dab it. Rubbing your skin will not feel nice. I know vinegar sounds weird, and it has a little odor, but apple cider vinegar helps restore the pH balance of your skin after being singed by the sun. Let the vinegar soak into your skin for a few minutes; don’t worry, it shouldn’t sting.
2. Then apply a scoop of coconut oil onto your skin and lightly massage it into the burned area. The coconut oil takes time to soak into your skin, so just relax and hydrate as it dries!
3. Over the next few days, continue to apply aloe vera gel onto the affected skin to keep it hydrated.
Pro Tip: If you keep your aloe vera in the refrigerator, applying the cool gel to burned skin feels fantastic.
Now go frolic in the sand and get your glow on, girl!