We touched on some of the key sunburn-soothing ingredients above, but Dr. King suggests looking for a product that’s also rich in antioxidants, as these will help neutralize free radicals from UV rays. Think: vitamins C and E. Augustinus Bader The Body Oil helps protect skin with squalane and vitamin E. Shower before and after swimming. Help to stop chlorine from clinging to your skin by thoroughly drenching the hair and skin in water before swimming. After swimming visit the showers again and use shower gel and shampoo to wash your body and hair thoroughly. Don’t forget to also cleanse chlorine from your face with a gentle cleanser or face wash.

Jordan says: “If you’re swimming outdoors, you should first apply a water-repellent sun cream. Neither a wetsuit nor a rash vest will cover the entire body so if you are swimming in the sea, apply a water-repellent sun cream liberally to exposed skin 20 minutes before you get in the water, and reapply once you get out.”Dry skin is a real downside of swimming and if you swim in a chlorinated pool, you might find that chlorine can make your skin feel tight and dehydrated. If you are prone to eczema or sensitive skin, you may find your skin is particularly affected by swimming.

Gently remove all traces of salt, chlorine, and sun lotion with the unique Institut Esthederm Micellar After Sun Face and Body Shower Gel. Containing micellar molecules, this luxurious shower gel lifts dirt and residue without the need to rub the skin. Its molecules cluster together, providing effortless cleansing action. Jordan works on our customer care team and is also a registered swim coach. Here are some of her top tips for keeping your skin comfortable after swimming.Dr. King recommends applying after-sun lotions and gels with your fingers, as you would with a traditional body lotion. “But be sure to wash your hands afterward if the lotion contains hydrocortisone, as well as if it contains self-tanner so your fingers won’t stain,” she says. If your hair has been damaged by chlorine, Green People’s Quinoa & Artichoke Shampoo and Conditioner are the perfect hair care products to use after swimming. Disclaimer: While this is an article about the best after-sun products, it would be bad beauty behavior of us to not first preach the importance of daily sun protection. UV damage is no joke, and it’s essential to wear broad-spectrum coverage every single day, rain, hail, or shine.

When caring for the skin after sun exposure, I recommend soothing, nutrient-rich ingredients like aloe vera, cucumber, or hyaluronic acid,” says aesthetician Melanie Grant. “My advice is to apply a cool compress, drink plenty of fluids, and apply a lightweight fluid or lotion rich in humectants, plant oils, and antioxidants.” Aftersun is specifically designed to support the skin's healing process. “It’s lightweight, meaning it allows heat to leave the skin; it has a high-water content to replace water loss in the skin; plus, aftersun also contains soothing, anti-inflammatory antiseptic ingredients such as aloe, bisabolol, and allantoin,” says Denning. Is aftersun or moisturiser better for sunburn? Ok, so this technically isn’t an aftersun lotion – but hear us out. Shower gel is an everyday essential that many of us wouldn’t go without – especially during the warm, summer months. And this one, from Clarins, is so much more than your average shower gel. Laced with two plant extracts (organic aloe vera extract and soapwort), it cools the skin as you shower to calm sun-damaged skin while washing away any salt, sand, and chlorine. She also recommends products with DNA repair enzymes, which help to repair damage caused by UV rays. These may not be found in many after-sun products, but they’re ingredients to keep in mind for when your skin has calmed down. Swimming pool chemicals can leave hair feeling dry and frizzy and may discolour hair dye, but you can avoid this by protecting your hair with a shampoo and conditioner after swimming.

The best after-sun products to buy

Melanie Grant is a skin expert and advanced esthetician with clinics in Los Angeles, Sydney, and Melbourne. To help you make the right choice, we've put together an extensive guide on all the best aftersun lotions. We've also made sure to include a variety of options such as creams, gels, body butters, shower gels and mists to help your skin recover after a prolonged tanning session. Plus, you'll find something that suits everyone, regardless of budget or personal taste. Holika Holika's 99% Aloe Soothing Gel Actually Cooled and Healed My Skin An Antioxidant-Rich Formula Natural’ has become a marketing tool in the skincare sphere. And because it’s an unregulated term, many products claim to be natural without actually being natural (and by natural we mean free from synthetically derived ingredients). This aftersun lotion, from Dr Hauschka, is different. Formulated with 100% natural and/or organic cosmetics, it has been certified to NATRUE standard – so you can trust that the claims are true. It’s free from synthetic fragrances, dyes, and preservatives and is free from mineral oils and silicone. This luxurious shower gel is suitable for use on the face and the entire body. It works to rid skin of residue and dirt, so that it feels soft, hydrated, and cared for. Key Benefits