How to Care for Dry Skin and Hair After a Beach Day

The Ultimate Post-Beach Beauty Routine

Jen Adkins

Updated on 04/14/21 11:34PM

Reviewed by

Morgan Rabach, MD

BOARD-CERTIFIED DERMATOLOGIST

Fact checked by

Anna Harris

Blonde woman with red one-piece swimsuit on a beach — Kevin Vandenberghe/Getty Images

Vitamin D and vitamin sea—a beach day is good for your body and soul. But it can also wreak havoc on your skin and hair.

Sure, soaking up some rays is great for healthy vitamin D production in your body, but too much sun exposure may also lead to dryness, skin damage, and premature aging. Taking a dip in the ocean means easy beach hair sans the salt spray, but it also means parched locks.

No need to skip fun in the sun, though. You just need to know how to replenish your skin and hair afterward. This beauty routine and these products will be your saviors.

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Pre- and Post-Beach Hair Care

A quick tip pre-swim: Apply a conditioning spray like Oribe Run-Through Detangling Primer ($19) beforehand (the travel size is perfect for bringing along with you). This helps keep your hair tangle free and gives a little protection from the elements. A UV protectant like Rene Furterer Solaire Protective Summer Oil ($28) also works wonders.

When you get home from the beach, apply a deep conditioner for five to 10 minutes.

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Shower and Moisturize

After slathering on layer upon layer of sunscreen and swimming in salt water, it's definitely time to come clean and wash all the product and elements off of your skin and hair. Take a shower and shampoo your locks as soon as you can after a beach day. In addition to deep conditioning, restore hydration to your hair in the shower with a conditioner like Moroccanoil Moisture Repair Conditioner ($24).

Sun and salt may be very dehydrating to your skin, so you need to moisturize immediately after your shower. Smooth on Pacifica Body Butter ($15); all four scents will make you feel like you never even left the beach.

If you're sunburned, soothe your skin with aloe vera.

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Moisturize Your Feet

Long walks on the beach are more than relaxing and romantic—they're also exfoliating. The combination of sand and salt water may help smooth out rough spots on your feet. However, it can also make your feet feel super dry. Foot masks are a thing; Baby Foot Moisturizing Foot Mask ($15) might change your life.

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Be Gentle With Your Skin Care

The sea may be exfoliating for your face as well if you submerged yourself underwater. Avoid scrubs or chemical exfoliators if this is the case.

Use a mild face wash like Saturday Skin Rise + Shine Gentle Cleanser ($26) to wash off all of your sunscreen. Follow with an antioxidant serum like Odacite Night Time Antioxidants Repair Serum ($120) to help combat signs of aging or skin damage. On top of that, apply a soothing moisturizer like Herbivore Pink Cloud Rosewater Moisture Crème ($48).

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Soothe Your Lips

Lips can easily become sunburned, so hopefully, you applied an SPF lip balm throughout the day. Even if you did, your lips might still feel dry after a day at the beach. Swipe on a thick, rich lip balm like Tarte Quench Lip Rescue Balm ($19) for instant relief.

Drink Up

These best practices just might make your beach time feel like a spa day. For good measure, don't forget to drink some extra glasses of water to re-hydrate your body from the inside out.

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