After-Sun Care
Best practices and product recs after a long day in the sun.
Even the most diligent of sunscreen users have days in the heat that can sensitize the skin a bit. We recently did a few days at local theme parks and despite adequately applying multiple layers of sunscreen throughout the day, we came home to slightly sensitive, dry, and very dehydrated skin. No sunburns as expected, but still, something worth changing our evening routines up a bit to adapt. So today, we’re walking you through our tried-and-true after-sun evening routines and recs from cleansing to occlusives:
Cleansing: the general theme of this routine will be to pair back on actives, so if you’re an acid exfoliant or benzoyl peroxide cleanser lover, this will be the time to try something gentler. We go for creamier textures that cleanse skin well, but not strip it of moisture. Some of our favorites at the moment include Kate Somerville’s DeliKate Soothing Cleanser (lipid-rich, very comfy, soothing botanicals), Motif’s Abundance Phytoceramide Cleanser (thick and creamy with large + sparse physical exfoliant bits, the only physical exfoliant option we’d ever pick up in a moment like this! Code: THETOPSHELFEDIT15), and of course a classic: Sachi’s Saponins Cream Cleanser (humectant-rich with a creamy/bouncy texture. Code: TOPSHELF15).
Masking: we rarely mask these days, but if we do, it’s in the shower. The concept is simple: cleanse the skin, apply the mask, wear it in the shower, and wash off before getting out. Our favorite in-shower treatment to reduce irritation and more specifically, redness, is Personal Day’s Everybody Stay Calm Recovery Mask (Code: THETOPSHELFEDIT10), a non-drying/non-clay option that truly protects our skin while in the shower (because we like the water scalding hot, of course) and helps to prevent further dryness from the transepidermal water loss (TEWL) that will occur from the time we cleanse to when we eventually get to some sort of liquid base as the first step of a post-shower skincare routine. Another option we’ve enjoyed in the far past is the Korres Greek Yoghurt Probiotic SuperDose Face Mask (previously known as the Hydra-Biome mask)—a thick, deeply moisturizing option that we also loved in the winter to help repair chapped skin.
Liquid bases: we go for anything non-exfoliating here. A couple layers of a more watery essence is always a treat after a day in the heat, but some of our favorites as of late include Equal Rxn’s Mushroom B5 Toning Cocktail and NIOD’s Superoxide Dismutase Saccharide Mist (both very water products that are chock full of antioxidants), but more recently, we’ve enjoyed the electrolye-rich hydration from Cocokind’s new Calming Magnesium Mist.
Serums: everything found in this post is a suggestion—the hope is that you pull advice and recommendations from the list that sound most doable/affordable/enjoyable/etc. to you, but we have to say, this next product in particular is a nearly non-negotiable step for us when it comes to after-sun care: NIOD’s Survival 0. It’s been a long time since we last took a deep-dive on just how powerful this antioxidant blend is, but in a nutshell, it is a serum specifically designed to help repair damage to the skin caused by environmental stressors: sunlight, pollution, free radicals, etc. Featured ingredients here include powerful antioxidants including superoxide dismutase and dimethylmethoxy chromanol, prebiotic complexes to support the skin’s microbiome, and multiple algae extracts that work to support the skin’s natural healing processes. We’ve had this serum on and off rotation for a number of years now and find it to be a comfortable, hydrating, and reliable option that makes a visible difference in how our skin bounces back after a period of irritation—it’s less reactive, softer, brighter even, and more hydrated. The key is to use it regularly, of course, but if you’re packing for a trip, let this be the one product you make sure to bring for an evening routine.
Check out this post from June 2021 that still encompasses our thoughts:
Moisturizers: honestly, use your favorite!
Occlusives: we like to have an extra layer of protection to ensure our hydrating serums and creams are well-sealed in overnight, so an occlusive layer definitely comes in handy here. In the summer, we typically avoid our thicker, balmy, greasy options as they can congest our skin a bit, but we still have a few that work well in a more humid climate: Aquaphor’s Healing Balm Stick (we hate the feel of a traditional ointment on the skin but the sticks are stiff, much less greasy, and work amazingly for smoothing dry patches), Peach & Lily’s Velvet Biome Smoothing Silky Ointment (quite a thick ointment, but it melts down to a truly velvety finish as in the name. Phenomenal product if you’re a regular occlusive user—reminiscent of our old favorite, NIOD’s Hydration Vaccine, but in a slightly more user-friendly texture and packaging), and if you don’t mind a more slippery product, Experiment’s Buffer Jelly (thin oil/balm hybrid product that you’ll only need a couple drops of!).
That’s pretty much it. A straightforward routine and one you’ve definitely utilized elements of in the past, but really we wanted to refine our list of recommendations for you. As always, let us know if you have any questions, and thanks for taking the time to read :)