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In addition to cream with SPF, in a vacation cosmetic bag there should be at least one more product – with a moisturizing function and marked after sun. After all, it is not enough to protect the skin from ultraviolet radiation, it is necessary to help it recover after going to the beach.
Why you need to moisturize your skin after sunburn
Ekaterina Turubara, a medical expert at Vichy, explains: “The sun dries out the skin and hair, literally evaporating moisture from the tissues. Ultraviolet rays are perceived by our skin as a damaging factor, and the body triggers a cascade of reactions designed to protect us from harmful effects. That’s what’s happening.
A large amount of biologically active substances enter the bloodstream, which in small doses give a tonic effect (therefore, a walk on a sunny day invigorates and improves mood).
As a protective reaction to ultraviolet light, the skin begins the process of melanin synthesis and accelerated keratinization and thickening of the epidermis: a thick layer of dead cells serves as a protective barrier against harmful external factors. At the same time, keratinocytes mature at an accelerated pace, intercellular cement does not have time to form between them, and moisture freely escapes through the resulting microcracks.
At high doses of ultraviolet radiation or during prolonged insolation, many inflammatory mediators are released in the skin, so after sunburn it turns red and hurts. And inflamed, reddened skin with dilated vessels evaporates more water, just to cool off.
After the beach, be sure to moisturize your skin: apply a cream or milk with moisture-retaining, anti-inflammatory, emollients.
“A sunburn may not occur: the skin does not turn red, it does not tighten, there is no burning sensation. But there is inflammation. Any tan is formed precisely at the site of the inflammatory reaction, explains Ekaterina Turubara. – Therefore, after the beach, be sure to moisturize the skin: apply a cream or milk with moisture-retaining, anti-inflammatory, emollients. This procedure should be carried out every evening after sunbathing, even if neither tan nor redness on the skin is imperceptible.
Post-sun skin care steps
Purification
After returning from the beach, take a shower to wash off sweat, sunscreen residue, sea salt, sand, pollution. The skin is inflamed, even if there are no visible manifestations, therefore:
use mild sulfate-free cleansers, including for children;
exclude scrubs and peels from care;
after a shower, gently pat your skin dry with a towel, do not rub it;
Don’t forget to apply toner to your face and décolleté.
Special moisturizers will help prolong the tan.
humidification
For skin care, use products marked after sun (after the sun). In addition to moisturizing, they have soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. The following components are responsible for this:
thermal water;
allantoin – an antioxidant with a softening and healing effect;
bisabolol;
B vitamins (niacinamide, panthenol, etc.);
aloe extract.
On top of the soothing agent, the usual moisturizing treatment can be applied to the skin of the face.
Food
Despite popular wisdom, oils are not the best after-sun skin care product. Ekaterina Turubara explains: “A nourishing cream based on oils will be superfluous: the fatty film on the skin, of course, will not allow moisture to evaporate, but it will also prevent the tissues from cooling. That is why the popular coconut oil is not the most effective replacement for a dedicated post-sun care product.”
Moisturizing masks are just as necessary in a traveler’s makeup bag as SPF products.
Types of moisturizers
Intense hydration will help prolong the tan. “If you want to keep your dark skin tone longer, use powerful moisturizers,” says Ekaterina Turubara. “They will come in handy not only at sea, but also after returning from vacation for at least a month.”
Masks
After a day in the sun, evening facial moisturizing is a must. These can be both indelible night masks and fabric ones that can be used daily.
Fabric mask “Aquabomba” with pomegranate extract, Garnier
Comfortable and pleasant to use, provides intense hydration. Includes glycerin, hyaluronic acid, pomegranate extract.
Biocellulose regenerating soothing mask Biocellulose Masque, SkinCeuticals
Biocellulose fibers retain water, the mask creates a barrier to help skin regenerate.
Soothing and moisturizing night mask Hydra Zen Jelly Masque, Lancôme
Leave-in mask with glycerin, extracts of peony root, rose, moringa, cocoa, seaweed instantly and permanently moisturizes the skin, soothes it, restores its protective potential.
Creams
Give preference to specialized after-sun products. They can and should be used several times a day, the last one – two hours before going to bed.
Moisturizing after-sun cream Ambre Solaire “Sun Booster”, Garnier
Intensively moisturizes and soothes the skin, helps to maintain the tan tone. Can be applied to both face and body.
Refreshing after-sun gel “Protection and hydration” Sublime Sun, L’Oréal Paris
Light gel texture provides comfortable application and instant absorption. The gel cools the skin immediately by 3 °C. Moisturizes and soothes. Contains extracts of aloe and green tea, glycerin.
Balm to restore the skin with sunburn Capital Idéal Soleil, Vichy
It is not necessary to wait for burns to use a deeply moisturizing and soothing skin regenerating balm with epilob extract, thermal water, vitamin E, shea butter.
Revitalizing after-sun face and body Posthelios, La Roche-Posay
Hydrates and soothes the skin. It is useful not only after exposure to the sun, but also as a care after skin-drying procedures.
Milk
The light texture is especially comfortable: it is absorbed faster, cools, provides a moisturizing and soothing effect.
Moisturizing and soothing after-sun milk with aloe vera Ambre Solaire, Garnier
Provides a feeling of comfort to the skin, softens and restores moisture balance.
Sublime Sun Soothing Revitalizing Milk After Sun, L’Oréal Paris
The non-sticky texture is pleasant to apply, moisturizes and refreshes the skin thanks to glycerin, vitamin E, caffeine, camellia extract, shea butter.
Spray
The advantage of this format is that, thanks to microparticles of moisture, the spray cools the skin, leaving beneficial substances on it. Important: the spray does not replace a full-fledged moisturizing care.
Moisturizing refreshing after-sun spray with cactus extract Ambre Solaire, Garnier
Soothes, moisturizes and softens the skin. Leaves no residue, can be dressed immediately after application, leaves a pleasant fresh scent on the skin.
Refreshing facial spray Cactus Flower & Tibetan Ginseng Hydrating Mist, Kiehl’s
Moisturizes and activates the protective forces of the skin. Rich in essential oils of geranium, lavender, rosemary and antioxidants (extracts of cactus, “Tibetan ginseng”), the formula refreshes and energizes the skin.