Beauty and the Beach: Find Your Best Summer Skin by the Water

It’s no revelation that the combination of sun, sand, and salty waves provides healing benefits for the mind, body, and soul. We’re adding skin to that list.

In fact, we believe regular trips to the beach can help smooth skin, alleviate ailments, and more. Next time you bask in the sun, swim in saltwater, and walk through sand, know that while you’re having fun, you are also contributing to some of your best skin yet.

Here’s how sun, sand, and salt water can help transform you from face to foot.

Sun

The fiery star in the sky often gets a bad rap for its negative effects on skin (think: sunburn and premature aging). However, the sun’s UV rays are vital for helping our bodies produce vitamin D, which helps support our bones, strengthen the immune system, and treat skin disorders. Eczema, psoriasis, and acne can be improved with safe sunlight exposure. It’s because vitamin D has anti-inflammatory properties that can help reduce skin redness and stop itchiness while stimulating cell growth. While sun exposure is beneficial, remember to wear at least an SPF 30 sunscreen at all times and avoid prolonged exposure. We recommend minimizing your time under the sun when the rays are strongest (10am-4pm). Lay out in the early morning or evening for a healthy dose of vitamin D.

Salt water

Swimming in the ocean is undeniably therapeutic. While you’re refreshing your mind, you might also notice a positive change in your skin with regular soaks. Salt water overflows with nutrients that are packed with antibacterial properties, including potassium, magnesium, and zinc. The exfoliating power of the salt sloughs off dead skin cells while you splash around, revealing softer, smoother skin. It also extracts impurities, removes oils, and kills bacteria to revive skin from head to toe. Ailments, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, itchiness, swelling, and more can be improved just by swimming in salt water. While you reap the benefits, know that salt water can be drying, so follow up your swim with nourishing body moisturizers and hydrating face products for your skin type.

Sand

It’s warm, granular, and highly exfoliating—we’re talking about the fine particles better known as sand. Walking on sand is helpful for increasing blood circulation and it’s a great exfoliant for heels. Remove your sandals, sink your feet into both wet and dry sand, and take a long, relaxing walk. You’ll clear your mind while smoothing cracks, calluses, roughness, and more without having to fumble with pumice stones and the like. Follow up with a fast-absorbing moisturizer for feet that are ever-ready for open-heeled shoes.