Top After Sun Skin Care Routine You Should Do
Spending time in the sun can be fun, but prolonged exposure can lead to skin damage; taking care of your skin after sun exposure is essential. Here, we’ll break down the routine for the best after-sun care in Australia.
Immediate Steps After Sun Exposure
The first thing you should do after spending too much time in the sun is seek shade immediately. Proper after-sunburn care is essential to minimise damage; first steps include:
- Gently cleanse your face and body with a mild, fragrance-free cleanser to remove sunscreen, sweat, and debris.
- Use cold compresses or take a cool shower to soothe the skin and reduce inflammation.
- Avoid using rough washcloths, loofahs, or exfoliating scrubs, as these can further irritate sensitive skin.
- Gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel instead of rubbing it.
Hydration and Moisturisation
Once you’ve cooled down, it’s important to move to the next step: Hydration. Keeping your skin hydrated both inside and out is key to recovery.
How to Rehydrate Your Skin
- Apply a gentle, fragrance-free moisturiser immediately after sun exposure.
- Use a heavier moisturiser or specialty cream designed for sun-damaged skin.
- Moisturise your face, ears, neck, shoulders, arms, torso, legs, and tops of your feet—any area exposed to the sun.
- After-sun lotions help soothe inflammation and prevent excessive skin peeling, though they do not cure sunburns.
Best Ingredients for After-Sun Care
- Hyaluronic acid – Hydrates and plumps the skin.
- Aloe vera – Soothes and cools sunburned skin.
- Ceramides – Strengthen the skin barrier.
- Vitamin E – Supports skin repair.
- Green tea extract – Reduces inflammation.
- Niacinamide – Helps with redness and irritation.
- Vitamin C – Aids in skin recovery and protection.
Hydrate Internally
While drinking water will not directly rehydrate your skin after sun damage, it will help rehydrate your body as a whole.
Repairing Sun-Damaged Skin
If you’ve experienced sun damage, a proper skincare routine is essential. Follow these general steps:
- Cleanse with a gentle face wash.
- Apply any prescribed treatments, like a retinoid or vitamin C serum.
- Moisturise, then apply sunscreen—or save time with an SPF moisturiser.
- Protect your lips with an SPF 30+ lip balm.
Additional treatments can help repair sun damage:
- Chemical peels – Remove damaged skin layers and promote renewal.
- Microdermabrasion – Exfoliates to reduce pigmentation and fine lines.
- Radiofrequency treatments – Boost skin elasticity and smooth wrinkles.
Before starting any treatment, it’s important to get a professional assessment to determine the best approach for your skin.
Skin Types More Susceptible to UV Damage
Some skin types are more prone to UV damage, but all can develop skin cancer. Fair skin, light eyes, and red or light hair increase sensitivity to UV radiation.
Factors that increase sun damage risk:
- Family History – A history of skin cancer raises susceptibility.
- Sun Exposure – Frequent UV exposure heightens risk.
- Fair Skin – Lighter skin tones, light eyes, and red or light hair are more vulnerable.
- Age – Cumulative UV exposure leads to DNA damage over time.
- Weakened Immune System – Certain conditions or medications reduce skin protection.
Read more about “How do I know if I have skin cancer?”.
How to Prevent Further Sun Damage
Avoid Sun Exposure
The best way to protect your skin is to limit your time in direct sunlight, especially during peak hours (10 AM to 4 PM).
Avoid Tanning
Tanning, whether from the sun or tanning beds, increases your risk of premature aging and skin cancer.
Apply Sunscreen
- Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher.
- Reapply every two hours or more often if swimming or sweating.
- Don’t forget areas like the ears, neck, and the tops of your feet.
Read about: what’s the difference between SPF30 and SPF50?
Long-Term Effects of Sun Exposure
Skin cancer
Repeated sun exposure increases the risk of skin cancer, including Melanoma, Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma.
Some skin types are more prone to UV damage, but all can develop skin cancer. Fair skin, light eyes, and red or light hair increase sensitivity to UV radiation.
Premature Aging
Sun exposure can lead to premature aging; signs of premature aging include:
- Age spots
- Freckles
- Loose skin
- Melasma (dark patches on the skin)
- Skin growths
- Spider veins (red veins that look like branches or spider webs under the skin)
- Uneven pigmentation
- Wrinkle
Eye damage
Long-term UV exposure can cause:
- Cataracts
- Age-related macular degeneration
- Benign conjunctival growths (pterygium and pinguecula)
Actinic keratosis
Actinic keratosis (AK) is a precancerous condition caused by prolonged UV exposure. It appears as rough, scaly patches on sun-damaged skin and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma if untreated.
Immune System Suppression
UV radiation weakens the skin’s immune response, reducing its ability to fight infections and cancer.
When to See a Skin Specialist
If you notice any of the following changes in your skin, it’s important to consult a skin specialist:
- A new mole or changes in an existing mole’s shape, size, or colour
- Sores that won’t heal
- Unusual redness or irritation
- Sudden dark patches or excessive freckles
A skin specialist can help with early detection and provide tips for skin cancer prevention.