Heading down the shore can be stressful for your skin,
especially if you’re prone to breaking out or burning, but thankfully, there
are ways to protect yourself and look good while doing it!
We all know the basics of a beach bag: towel, sunscreen, magazine, sunglasses, etc;
yet this isn’t enough if we want to rock our beach bunny persona. I’ll admit, I’m guilty of taking 1/3 of my
bathroom with me, and if I had a bigger beach bag, I’d take more. Hey, I like to be prepared…I also like to be
the savior at the beach when one encounters a skin dilemma. Everyone I go with knows I’m an aesthetician,
so the question is always “Teresa, what do I do?” Well let me tell you!
Scenario #1: Sunscreen vs. Sunblock
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| Written by Teresa Zawada |
Who knows the difference?
In my experience, not many. We
know baby sunscreen, sport lotions, oil vs. dry oil, even brand names, but when
I ask my already sensitive skinned clients who tell me they can’t use
sunscreens due to reactions, the answer I most commonly get is “I didn’t know
there was a difference!” There is…a big
one! Let’s picture our front doors, we
have our screen door and we have our solid, nobody’s getting in door! Sunscreens are just that, screens! They absorb into your skin, let the rays flow
through, and they’ll give you a bit of color without giving you the “I just
took a trip to the sun” look. They’re
usually sufficient for most people without any problems, but if you have
reactive skin…beware!
Sunscreens are
chemical protection, they can aggravate acne and rosacea, sometimes even your
eyes. Sunblocks, on the other hand, sit
on top of the skin and give sun rays a solar punch. You won’t get a lot of color, but you will be
protected. And if you have rosacea, go
for a block with an antioxidant. Avene’s
new line of sunscreens/sunblocks gives you all that and more…protection,
sun-stable antioxidant vitamin E, and thermal spring water to cool and calm the
skin; it’s like a 3 in 1! Plus, if you
feel more comfortable on the beach without a naked face, their sunblocks come
in two shades of compact foundation that covers blemishes, are water resistant,
mineral based, and completely beach friendly!
Scenario #2: I break out from beach days
Skin is fragile…sure, it’s one of our first lines of
defense, but it still likes to be given attention. After a day of sand, salt water, sweating, HOPEFULLY
re-applying sunscreen, moments of dehydration, and meals dominated by boardwalk
food (although tasty, but lacking in major nutrition), it’s no surprise that
your skin might get a little mad at you!
My advice is to pack cleansing wipes; I like the baby variety. Not only are they multi-purpose (for your
bathroom breaks), but they are super gentle on the skin; they’re meant to clean
a delicate bottom! Makeup wipes are OK,
but not the best. My reason being is
that they’re meant to remove makeup… the premise remains to still wash the
face, and with fresh water scarce on the beach, you’re leaving behind residue
and potential irritating ingredients from them, on your face.
So, every 60-80 minutes, when you need to
reapply sunscreen, don’t pack the leftover into your pores, grab a wipe, swipe
your face, and viola....fresh palate for more protection! As far as that boardwalk food goes, enjoy it,
don’t stress, but also pack for yourself lots of water, and some fruits like
strawberries, sunflower seeds, kiwis, and avocados for some extra vitamin C and
B to naturally boost your skin’s healing abilities.
Scenario #3: You didn’t listen, and you burned!
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| Avene Thermal Spring Water |
Maybe you fell asleep in the sun, maybe you were playing in
a paddle ball tournament and had no time to take care of your skin out of fear
of leaving the zone. Whatever the
reason, sunburns happen, we’re only human.
Most of us see it (or feel it) after a shower, but sometimes you can SEE
the burn as its happening. First, run
for cover. If you don’t have an
umbrella, it might be high time to call it a day. Second, use what I frequently refer to as
“miracle water in a can.” Avene Thermal
Spring Water spray is just that. Imagine
a pure water, never seeing the light of day, and constantly maintaining a
temperature, that when you spray it on your skin, it almost immediately brings
down the temperature of your flesh.
Why has nobody told you about this water before?! This is literally the #1 product in my “oh so
well” packed bag that my family and friends ask for. The best part is, after
you spray this water, and are lucky enough to be in front of a fan, you can
feel the heat escaping with a burning/cooling icy-hot sensation. Spray on the beach, spray at night, spray for
the heck of it during the day if you want to feel refreshed!
To further calm the skin, Avene has two at-home masks that I
swear by, but the one you need right now is the Soothing Moisture Mask. Containing the Thermal Spring Water,
safflower oil for nourishing (don’t worry, this will NOT clog you), and glycols
for hydration, this paraben-free formula offers instant relief for burns and
redness.
A little extra:
So that covers your beach emergencies, and just as a little
extra, I always recommend sample sizes of talc powders, for those unfortunate
souls who are prone to chaffing, a mini-first aid kit to clean and protect any
cuts from sharp shells or over-zealous seagulls, a visor or hat, lip balm with
SPF, a pack of tissues, antibacterial wipes, floss, a leave in conditioner for
when you get out of the water, preferably with an SPF to protect the scalp, a
brush, and last but not least, a waterproof camera, because smartphones and
water DO NOT mix! With all this, you too
can be the hero of the beach day!
And of course if you have any questions or want to pamper your skin schedule an appointment at 609-443-4500 and ask to schedule with Teresa today!
