Beach days call for sunscreen and lots of it. Ditto for lazy weekends by the pool, patio brunches or basically any time you’re outside this summer. While it’s imperative to apply (and reapply) SPF, it’s also important to think about what products to apply after lounging in the sun all day to ensure skin stays balanced and nourished. That’s where after-sun products come into play.
In addition to causing bright red and painful sunburns, the sun’s rays can also seriously dry out your skin and cause irritation. Therefore, it’s wise to have nourishing products that counteract the sun’s damage. There are actually a bunch of after-sun products that do just that. Handily, they are sitting on the shelves next to the endless bottles of sunscreen. They often contain super soothing ingredients like cooling aloe vera and moisturizing shea butter to help calm your skin and keep it silky smooth.
But there’s no need to lug around after-sun products in your beach bag. You should just make sure they’re handy in your bathroom vanity. See below for the ones that will see you and your skin through the rest of the season.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #1
Avène After Sun Repair Creamy Gel, $31.95 at The French Cosmetics Club
If you’re a fan of the brand’s refreshing and soothing Thermal Spring Water mist, you’re going to love this after-sun pick. It offers an immediate cooling effect and absorbs quickly without leaving any greasy residue behind. It also boasts ceramides, plant sterols and fatty acids to restore your skin's barrier and prevent moisture loss.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #2
Burt’s Bees Aloe & Coconut Oil After Sun Soother, $7.69 at Walmart
This bargain buy still gets the job done thanks to natural aloe vera extract and hydration helper coconut oil. Formulated to replenish and recondition skin after sun exposure, the fast-absorbing and nongreasy face and body lotion doesn’t contain any parabens, phthalates, petrolatum or SLS.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #3
Korres Greek Yoghurt Calming + Cooling Gel, $28 at Korres
Nothing beats frozen yogurt on a hot day and this cooling gel is the froyo equivalent for bodies and faces. It's made with real Greek yogurt, sweet almond oil and soybean oil to tackle irritated and sunburned skin. And it works as soon as it's applied to skin.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #4
Herbivore Botanicals After Sun Soothing Aloe Mist, $20 at Herbivore Botanicals
Despite our best efforts, sometimes sun overexposure happens. This lightweight mist contains cooling mint, lavender and aloe vera to soothe parched and inflamed skin. For an enhanced cooling effect, store the bottle in the fridge.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #5
Clinique After Sun Rescue Balm With Aloe, $33 at Macy's
Don't wait until skin turns red and peels to take action. Start now. This aloe-rich treatment provides relief for faces and bodies. And unlike some sun care products, it won't cause breakouts. The formula is oil-free and non-acnegenic.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #6
Farmaesthetics Cool Aloe Mist, $30 at Farmaesthetics
Aloe is one of the best soothing skin care ingredients around. And this cooling mist is packed with aloe vera juice along with lecithin, lavender essential oil and bergamot essential oil. Spritz the natural and organic product from head to toes to stop overheating. The nonirritating formula also reduces inflammation, disinfects, regulates oil production and helps you relax. Ahh.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #7
COOLA Radical Recovery Eco-Cert Organic After Sun Lotion, $32 at Ulta Beauty
In danger of overheating? Slather on this after-sun lotion. It is clinically proven to provide sunburn relief. What's more, the cruelty-free product uses organic agave’s natural moisture-binding mechanisms to protect skin against environmental aggressors, making it suitable for year-round use.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #8
Yon-Ka Paris Lait Apres-Soleil Repairing After-Sun Milk, $54 at Yon-Ka Paris
Those whose French is limited to "bonjour" and "merci" should know that "après-soleil" means "after sun." And this is one soothing after-sun product that shouldn't be overlooked because of a language barrier. The nourishing milk is formulated with cooling cucumber and a blend of vitamins and botanicals to put back what the sun took away from skin. Use it on faces and bodies.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #9
Sun Bum After Sun Cool Down Lotion, $11.99 at Sun Bum
Beach bunnies can bring their skin back to its former glory with this lightweight gel. It's rich in vitamin E, cocoa butter and aloe so it calms as it moisturizes. The formula is also 100 percent vegan and gluten-free.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #10
Phyto Phytoplage Sublime After Sun Oil, $44.23 at Walmart
The sun can mess with hair as much as it can skin. Thankfully, this nourishing oil can be applied from head to toe to counteract any damage. It makes use of under-the-radar oils, including annatto, perilla, buriti and camellia to produce an effective formula that's 98 percent natural. Apply the oil to skin after bathing. It can also be applied to tresses pre-shampoo or after styling.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #11
Moroccanoil After-Sun Milk Soothing Body Lotion, $28.95 at Cosmetics Now
Upgrade from a standard body lotion with this hydrating oil. The hero ingredient argan oil is mixed with aloe, passion fruit oil, coconut oil and vitamin E. The combo creates a fast-absorbing formula that provides relief from too much sun. What's more, the Monoï scent is dreamy enough to rival any perfume's.
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This Is Why We Need Post-Sun Products After Beach Days #12
Mantra Mask CBD After Sun Mask, $15 at Mantra Mask
There really is a sheet mask for everything, including sun exposure. These masks include CBD plus powerful antioxidants, like chamomile, calendula and aloe vera. They soothe sun damage, reduce inflammation and fight free radicals.
