I am not one to advise people to sun bathe and have already talked about protecting your skin from the sun.

But there will be times that your skin will have been exposed or you may just like to catch a few rays. This week I am going to discuss how to care for your skin after sun exposure.

Be prepared and have your after sun products available, keep them in the fridge so that you feel the benefit of extra cooling and soothing.

A good hydrating face mask, particularly a sheet mask, is ideal for rehydrating and cooling the skin – keep it in the fridge.

I keep a cryo roller in the fridge and massage my skin with it over a cream mask – lovely after a hot day, it helps reduce puffiness and sore eyes due to hayfever.

My after sun face mask favourites:

  • Caci Hydro Mask
  • Clarins Super Restorative Instant Lift Serum Mask
  • Clarins SOS Sunburn After Sun Mask.
  • Garnier Ambre Solaire after sun tissue mask.
  • Simple 5-minute reset hydrogel mask
  • Simple moisture sheet mask

Aloe gel is your friend

Try using a hydrating cooling face mist to cool, hydrate and refresh.

When you go indoors after time in the sun I always advise to cleanse my face gently to remove any sweat or impurities from the skin and then tone, before having a nice cool shower. Make sure that you wash away the sun cream.

Once you have showered pat your skin dry gently. Then apply a good after sun sheet mask or cream mask.

Lie down and leave it on for approximately 20 minutes. Remove and massage in the excess moisture.

Apply your hyaluronic acid serum followed by an after sun face cream or lotion along with your regular eye creams and moisturisers. Take care to apply after sun and moisturise on your neck and chest.

Use a good after sun moisturiser for the body, choose a cream, gel or lotion depending on your skin type.

A cream or a rich lotion is better for a dry skin. For people who like quick absorption and not a shiny or greasy finish use a gel.

Aloe also has lots of healing properties, so if you have caught the sun or burnt in a particular area a good quality Aloe Vera gel can be pressed in to the skin.

For very dry skins allow your after sun on your body to soak in a little, and then seal in the moisture with a moisturising body oil.

Hair care

Don’t forget to look after your hair following sun exposure, particularly if it has been exposed to chemicals from a swimming pool. Wishful thinking I know at this time!

Prevention is always better than cure in this case. You can buy good sunscreen sprays to protect your locks, remember a hat is the best way to protect the hair and scalp from the sun’s damaging rays.

There are also some great hair masks on the market. If you have not got a hair mask on, coconut oil can be good you can use Aloe Vera too.

My favourite hair mask is Elemis frangipani Monoi Hair and Scalp Mask or Kerastase produce some excellent sun products for the hair.

Exfoliating

A lot of people won’t exfoliate or body scrub when on holiday or trying to keep a sun tan in case this removes their tan.

This is just not true. If you must tan, then exfoliation will give you a more even tan. Body scrubbing will remove the dead skin cells which make your skin look dull and grey.

Your products will work better, and your skin will be much smoother if you exfoliate regularly. Twice a week is a good amount.

Massage on to a dry skin for a deep scrub before you rinse in the shower.

If you have had sun exposure give your skin some extra TLC, by extra hydration and moisturiser.

My top after sun soothers:

  • Instant Calm Cream by skin Matrix
  • Clarins after sun cooling gel or balm
  • Caudalie tan prolonging after sun lotion
  • BIODERMA refreshing after sun milk
  • La Roche Posthelos after sun for face and body

Dealing with uneven pigmentation

Some people suffer with hyperpigmentation, particularly during the summer months. This is caused by an over production of melanin.

There are many reasons for hyperpigmentation such as pregnancy or menopause due to the change in hormones.

Certain medication can contribute to this condition as can certain medical conditions. Trauma to the skin can also increase the chance of hyper pigmentation.

Hyperpigmentation can occur in small or large dark patches and can occur all over the body. Many people find it troubling when it appears on the face.

There are different types of pigmentation and understanding which you have can help when deciding how to treat. Using a good sunscreen minimises the chance of the pigment becoming darker, wearing hats and avoiding the sun when at it’s strongest.

Sun spots

These can be known as liver spots, are quite common and are generally caused by an excess of sun exposure over time.

They are often visible on the face, backs of hands and on the arms.

Melasma

Otherwise known as chloasma often occurs in pregnant women sometimes known as a pregnancy mask.

Often menopausal women can get this condition. The skin will show symmetrical darker patches on areas of the face.

I always advise to wear a sunscreen. There are treatments to reduce the look of the patches but check with a health professional first.

Always take care in the sun and keep safe.