Huntington Beach is in high gear this week as we head into the US Open of Surfing. It’s time for sunglasses, cool drinks, and lots of sun.
Summertime at the beach puts us on high alert for protecting our skin. And, as diligent as you may be, you can still fall prey to a hot sunburn.
It’s easy to fall asleep on the beach or miss a spot when slathering yourself in sunscreen. You may forget your hat or a light cover up to throw on when the temperature rises. It happens. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, you end up with a sunburn.
The pain, peeling, and redness may only last a few days, but the cellular damage remains and accumulates over time, showing up later as wrinkles and dark spots. If you find yourself with a sunburn this summer, here’s what to do to relieve the pain, speed healing, and mitigate the long-term effects.
IBUPROFEN AND COOL COMPRESSES
Take ibuprofen to reduce inflammation and ease the discomfort, and apply a damp, cool towel for 10 to 15 minutes a few times a day to turn down the heat in your skin.
SOOTHE AND HEAL
Reduce the stinging and start the repair process with natural healing ingredients.
Aloe is a top choice for its calming and regenerative properties. An abundance of antioxidants and healing minerals in aloe reduce inflammation and stimulate cell renewal. Aloe also helps to prevent dark spots from forming thanks to a compound called aloesin, which inhibits the enzyme responsible for melanin production.
Petroleum-based products like Vaseline aren’t recommended to soothe a sunburn. Their occlusive nature seals pores and traps heat in your skin. If your skin is particularly painful, you can apply an over-the-counter hydrocortisone cream.
We recommend the following to help soothe a sunburn:
This feather-light, non-greasy cream formula includes soothing whole leaf aloe and ceramides which help to repair the skin’s barrier and lock in moisture.
Tip: Refrigerate your products for added cooling relief.
HYDRATE
A sunburn draws water out of the skin, leaving it dehydrated and more vulnerable to damage. Replacing those fluids to kickstart your skin’s repair process, so drink plenty of water.
COVER UP
Take extra care to protect skin from sun exposure while a sunburn is healing. Choose wide-brimmed hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Darker colors and tightly woven fabrics provide better protection than light colors and sheer fabrics. For outdoor activities, look for specially designed UV blocking clothing. Take extra care to protect sunburned skin while it heals.
IF YOUR SKIN BLISTERS
Don’t pop or pick at the blisters. That makes both the pain and the damage worse and also exposes you to the risk of infection. Allow the blisters to heal and keep using the compresses and aloe to aid the process.
PROTECT AND REPAIR
Vitamin C is a natural brightener essential to the synthesis of collagen. Vitamin E nourishes and protects cells. Together these antioxidant superheroes have a synergy that magnifies their individual properties. Make this essential serum part of your morning routine for a potent dose of photoprotection, repair, and brightening.PREVENT
Sunscreen is a daily requirement, even when you are not planning on spending much time outdoors. Remember that you are getting sun even when driving. Your car’s windows don’t block UV rays.
During outdoor activity, reapply sunscreen every hour or immediately following swimming or exercise that causes sweating.
Stay out of the sun between the hours of 10 AM and 4 PM when the sun is strongest.
We offer a variety of non-comedogenic sun protection, including UV Shade and Ultra UV Shade, our tinted mineral sunscreens (spf 40), Sun Guard (SPF 30), Coola Tinted BB Cream (SPF 30) and Brush on Block, a mineral powder to carry in your purse or beach bag with SPF 30.