Beach Tips for Sensitive Skin

Having sensitive skin is a pain on a regular day, but when it comes time to whip out the bikini and hit the beach, it can turn into a nightmare. The sun’s rays, sunscreen and sand can all wreak havoc on your body and cause you to break out or develop a nasty rash among other things if you aren’t careful.

Follow these tips to care for your sensitive skin during your next beach trip.

Watch the Labels
Sunscreen is necessary to protect your skin against harmful UV rays, but it can also cause breakouts if it keeps your skin from breathing. Avoid harsh chemicals by aiming for sunscreens that contain zinc oxide to help reduce the impact on your pores.

Know Your Spots
By spots we mean the oily ones. Oil coming out of your pores actually helps to break apart sunscreen, leaving you less protected against the sun. You’ll need to double up on the amount of times you apply in these areas, which typically include your nose.

Wear Layers
While most people tend to see the beach as a place to show some skin, folks with sensitive legs might want to leave them covered. One-piece suits will help keep both the sun and sand from reaching larger areas of your body than a bikini or board shorts. Heck, you might even consider a wet-suit.

Add Barriers
Sand has a horrible habit of sneaking up into your bathing suit and causing unsightly rashes on our inner thighs. To prevent this, try applying a barrier of baby powder or butt paste. While it may seem weird, it can actually help keep the sand from piling up under your trunks or bottom.

Wash Off
Most beaches have shower stations set up along the shores for people to use for rinsing off, but most people tend to walk right past them. Don’t do that! These showers are there for a reason and using them to rid your body and suit of sand accumulation can help prevent uncomfortable rashes later on.

Dry Your Swimsuit
Heading to the beach in a damp swimsuit will draw sand before you even have a chance to lie down. It’s important to toss your suit in the dryer or hang it out after every trip so you’re coming in clean.

Get in the Water
If acne is your biggest concern, one of the best things you can do is actually get in the water. Natural sea salt is a great medication for acne. Maybe that’s why all those Californians seem to have flawless skin? Go for a dip and watch your red bumps shrink away, but don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!

Limit Exposure
Sunscreen will go a long way in helping you keep your skin healthy at the beach, but to truly keep your sensitive skin safe, you have to limit your time outside. Instead of eight-hour excursions, try to keep your trips down to one or two hours at a time. It might not be as fun as being a beach bum all day long, but your skin will thank you for it.