A day at the beach or the pool can be one of the best moments of the week. But once you get home, you may notice something less pleasant: your skin feels tight, rough or dry in a way it didn’t before. What is going on, and how can you look after it without complicating your routine?

What happens when you spend hours in the water

Your skin has a natural barrier that helps it hold on to water and protect itself from the environment. Long contact with water, repeated swims, pool chlorine and sun exposure can all contribute to a feeling of dryness in some people. Seawater can also leave salt on the surface and a tight feeling as it dries.

Not everyone reacts the same way. How long you are exposed, the condition of your skin beforehand and the products you use before and after all play a part. If you experience intense irritation, a reaction that doesn’t go away or any lesions, see a health professional.

A simple routine after the beach or the pool

  1. Rinse off with fresh water. When you get out of the ocean or the pool, wash away salt and chlorine residue. There is no need to scrub hard.
  2. Shower with lukewarm water, not too hot. Very hot water and long showers can make your skin feel drier.
  3. Choose a body cleanser that suits your skin. Avoid too much friction and pay attention to how your skin feels after the shower. If a product leaves it feeling tight for a long time, you may need a different cleanser or to use it less often.
  4. Pat your skin dry. Press the towel gently against your skin instead of rubbing it across.

Your care is part of the plan too

Packing a beach bag is usually easy: swimsuit, towel, sunscreen and water. It is worth thinking about what you will do when you get back as well. A good shower and a short body routine can turn that moment into a pause to recover from the day.

At PAUER, we believe self-care should be something you enjoy and can repeat, even on your busiest days. That is why we create body care rituals for people who stay in motion.

What about sunscreen?

An after-sun routine does not replace protection while you are out in the sun. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen, water-resistant when needed, and reapply it as directed on the label. Look for shade and protective clothing whenever you can.

Discover SOLARIS and explore PAUER’s body care rituals.