A day in the sun can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Whether you are exploring a city during a break or laying on the beach, the warmth of the sun can make you feel at ease, refreshed and rejuvenated. But too much of a good thing can have the opposite effect, especially if, like Jonathan, you have fair hair, fair skin and a ginger beard – all of these are signs that you tend to sunburn more easily than others with darker skin and hair! There have been many a time when we have been out in the sun and even though we have both applied plenty of suncream/sunscreen, we end up going swimming, or sweating or simply staying out for longer than we expected to.
The sun protection goes away or wears off and just like a magic switch, Jonathan suddenly turns a lovely shade of pink! While Jonathan isn’t exactly the sort of person who cares much about what he looks like, his sunburnt skin can get quite uncomfortable; sore, irritating, painful to sleep on and very sensitive. Having had plenty of experience with sunburn, he has found a number of simple steps that can keep skin hydrated and healthy, reducing the chances of sunburn and helping achieve a quicker recovery when it does happen. Keep reading to learn some simple ways to keep your skin healthy before, during and after sun exposure!
[box]Other articles you can read:
- Sun Protection and Sunburn Relief – UVA, UVB, SPF – What do they mean?
- 5 Ways to Explore a Destination and Live Like a Local
- Menstrual Cup vs Tampons vs Sanitary Pads – How to Handle Your Monthly Menstruation When Travelling
- Push Pin Travel Map: How I Plan My Route and Keep Myself Inspired to Travel to Every Country in the World
- 7 Brilliant Ways to Earn More When You’re Abroad
[/box]
Overexposure to the sun’s rays can leave your skin feeling dry, lackluster and above all, damaged. Here are 5 ways to look after your skin, following sun exposure to ensure it remains hydrated, soft and healthy:
1. Cool off in the shower
Chlorine from swimming pools and salt water from the sea can magnify the sun’s rays and dehydrate skin. By having a cool shower after exposure to water and the sun, you can help cool down the skin and help keep it clean.
2. Stay hydrated
Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, so of course, it is vital to keep hydrated. Keeping the skin well moistened – particularly when out in the sun is doubly important, particularly when the Rays have a drying effect and the heat will cause sweating. Keep yourself topped up with ice cold water to not only keep you refreshed and hydrated but your skin too.
3. Moisturise
Apply an after-sun lotion or moisturizing cream to help lock in layers of moisture into your skin after a drying day in the sun. If you have a minibar in your hotel room, or fridge in your holiday villa, try keeping your after-sun in there for a cooling, refreshing sensation when applying, whilst benefiting from the moisture.
4. Avoid excessive exfoliating
If you missed a spot with the sun cream, some areas of your body may experience some peeling of the skin. However, tempting it may be, it’s important to let the skin peel naturally, and avoid body scrubs or exfoliation mitts that might aggravate the areas and cause soreness.
5. Have a backup plan in case of sunburn
Even if you follow careful sun care advice, wearing plenty of sunscreens and avoiding the sun at peak times, sunburn can unfortunately still strike. Soleve Sunburn Relief is useful to have as part of your holiday first aid kit, just in case you do get sunburnt. Soleve is a unique combination of pain relieving ibuprofen, which takes the sting from the burnt skin, and the soothing and rehydrating emollient isopropyl myristate to help lock in moisture, reduce skin tightness and minimize any further irritation from clothing. This easy-to-apply, silky smooth lotion should be used at the first sign of sunburn. Look for Soleve in the Boots or Sainsbury’s sun care aisle (next to sun protection). Alternatively, simply order online by visiting boots.com.
Soleve Sunburn Relief is an over the counter medicine available in the UK from Boots and Sainsbury’s nationwide. So, if you are planning a trip abroad, consider packing it in your travel first aid kit just in case. Suitable for adults and children aged twelve years and over. RRP £9.95 for 100ml
Sun Facts:
- Three out of five (60%) of us have had our holidays spoilt by sunburn
- Only half of us (50%) prepare for our sun care routine before we go on holiday
- Only half of us bother taking a first aid kit on holiday (50%)
- Just two women in a hundred top up their protection after swimming
- Three in four do not know which protection factor is recommended for their skin
Are you on Pinterest? Pin these!
