Ah, sweet summertime. It’s about time! Everyone’s favorite season has officially arrived, and with it, endless days spent adventuring outdoors in the beautiful sunshine. From concerts and festivals to boating and backpacking trips, our summers have already filled up with more activities than we can count and they all have one thing in common – they’re outdoors!

Hours spent in the scorching hot sun for days on end can take a big toll on your skin. For some, burnt, dry skin is a reality we hate to face. For others, tanned skin is easy to achieve this time of year, but the risk of permanent skin damage is just the same. No matter what your skin type, make sure to take good care of your skin after prolonged sun exposure.

Follow this intense after sun skincare regime to minimize excess skin damage. From here on out, the sun is only getting hotter, so its best to treat your skin with some major TLC to prevent dry, tired, and burnt skin.

Step 1 – Hydrate All Day Long

The first step to a healthy, glowing complexion is to drink lots (and we mean LOTS) of H20. After all, your body is already close to 65% water anyway, so replenishing it regularly is a no-brainer. During the summer months, it can be easy to forget to amp up your daily aqua intake when you’re busy sipping on fruity drinks by the water. While plain old water certainly isn’t as fun, it works wonders when you’re constantly on the go.

Pro tip: When you’re fully hydrated, you’ll have more long-term energy and your skin will heal more quickly from sun damage since water maintains skins elasticity and moisture.

Step 2 – Stay Cool When You Burn

Did you know that sunburn is actually a form of inflammation? When skin is exposed to sun for an extended period, it may still feel hot for several hours afterwards. This is because sun damage doesn’t just occur on the surface- it penetrates the deeper layers of skin and continues even after you’ve returned indoors (and it may not even result in a burn, just tanned skin). Make sure to take a cool shower to calm inflamed, red skin and then immediately apply a moisturizing gel, like this Vitamin E Antioxidant Gel, to soothe the area and combat aging.

Pro tip: Keep gel in the fridge for an added cooling factor that will make skin feel amazing after hours in the sun.

Step 3 – Moisturize, then Moisturize Again

Keeping skin hydrated starts with water and ends with locking it in with a soothing moisturizer. In an earlier post, we listed all the incredible benefits of using body oil, such as restoring lost nutrients and sealing in moisture. Keep this lightweight, non-greasy Coconut Moisturizing Oil on hand when your skin feels dried out. This will penetrate deep into the skin to restore and protect against further damage and dryness. Don’t forget to reapply!

Pro tip: Apply to damp skin after a shower to lock in moisture at its peak.

Step 4 – Give Your Lips Some Love

Probably the most forgotten step in your after-sun skincare routine is treating chapped lips. Lips can get burned and irritated too, and often go unprotected more than any other area of your body. Don’t forget to apply sunscreen or lip balm with SPF before venturing outdoors. After sun and wind exposure, make sure to apply a nutrient rich lip balm like this Aloe Vera Lip Balm.

Pro tip: If you know you’ll be in direct sunlight, wearing a wide brim hat and sunglasses is an effective (and stylish) way to protect the sensitive skin on your face from excessive sun damage.

Step 5 – Protect Your Peeling Skin

Peeling is generally inevitable after a burn and can also occur from excess dryness. It can be tempting to try and peel off all the dead skin but its best to let nature run its course and allow your skin to repair itself naturally. If the peeling areas aren’t too painful, try using a gentle exfoliant in the shower to smooth out rough, dry patches. Wait several days for burnt and peeling areas to heal before exposing them to the sun again. If you must be outside, apply a thick layer of sunscreen and stick to a strict moisturizing regime after prolonged exposure.

Pro tip: Cocoa butter is a thick, creamy formula that provides hours of moisture to super damaged skin.

If you’re like us, you’ve been itching to get out outside, relax in the warmth, and let your skin breathe after a long, damp spring. Some of us have been a little too eager to bask in the sun’s rays and haven’t stepped foot indoors since the sun decided to show its face. With increased sun exposure comes increased risk of permanent skin damage and advanced aging. After sun skincare is just as important as prepping skin for the outdoors, so don’t forget to follow this regime to protect against any further damage!