If your beach bag is packed and you’re ready to heed summer’s siren song of salt waves, sun-kissed shoulders, and sand between your toes, taking care of your skin may be the furthest thing from your mind. Going to the beach is a favorite summer treat for many, and you may have heard that saltwater is good for skin, which can be true! A refreshing ocean swim may heal and refresh skin, but too much fun in the sun, sand, and salt can lead to skin damage. In this blog, we tackle how saltwater affects skin, what products to use before your next trip to the beach, recommendations for recovering after fun in the sun, and what you can do to keep skin healthy and beautiful with a dermatologist-recommended summer skincare routine.

How Saltwater Affects the Skin

Many people say that saltwater improves the appearance and texture of skin. Like most things, this may be true in moderation. Rich in skin healing and therapeutic minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium, sea water can gently exfoliate, soothe, and heal skin. Despite the many benefits of saltwater for skin, there are also drawbacks to consider, especially if you plan to spend a longer amount of time at the beach or you frequently swim in the ocean. Keep in mind the following positive and potentially negative saltwater effects on skin when it comes time to enjoy your day at the beach:

Skin Health Benefits

• Mineral-rich saltwater has mild antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it beneficial for acne-prone skin in moderation.
• These same properties of saltwater also improve general wound healing and reduce skin inflammation.
• Sea salt acts as a natural exfoliant, sloughing away dead skin cells, meaning it improves cell turnover, revealing healthy new skin and a beachy glow.

Potential Drawbacks

• Saltwater strips the skin’s natural oils, leading to increased risk of skin dryness.
• This loss of moisture leads to skin dehydration, tightness, and flaking.
• For those with chronic skin conditions like eczema, rosacea, or psoriasis, saltwater may intensify inflammation and discomfort.

Common Skin Reactions from Saltwater Exposure

Following your first few swims at the beach, you may notice skin feels soft and supple, but without appropriate skincare before and after swimming, skin can quickly become irritated, dry, and flaky. Everyone’s skin reacts differently, but some common skin reactions to saltwater exposure include:

• Tightness – when you first swim in salt water, the minerals soothe and heal skin’s protective barrier, so you may notice skin feels healthier and more supple. Over time, salt draws moisture out of skin, leaving it feeling dry and tight. This can lead to dry patches and discomfort.
• Irritated skin – in addition to lost moisture, repeated dips in saltwater without proper pre- and post-swim skincare can lead to over-exfoliation. This makes skin feel itchy and irritated.
• Skin flareups – for those with chronic conditions like eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea as well as those with sensitive skin, repeated swims in saltwater increase the risk for a flareup.

What to Avoid Before and After Swimming

Many people go to the beach after using the same skincare routine they would on any other day, but this can be a big mistake, especially if you regularly use exfoliants and retinoids to improve skin texture or manage chronic skin conditions. Some skincare ingredients to avoid on beach days include:

• Harsh exfoliants – physical exfoliants like loofas, pumice stones, and sugar scrubs as well as skincare products with exfoliating ingredients like alpha and beta hydroxy acids can be skipped before and after beach trips. These products are great for cell turnover and improving skin texture, but combined with the exfoliating effects of saltwater, additional exfoliation can be too much for skin.
• Retinoids – put down your go-to antiaging night serum after your day at the beach. These products almost always contain retinoids that not only provide unnecessary added exfoliation after swimming in saltwater, but they also lead to increased sun sensitivity.
• Scented and alcohol-based products – these products often have strong chemicals that dry skin and damage the natural protective barrier.

Swimmer-Friendly Skincare Routine

If you have one of those intense ten-step skincare routines that take you an hour in the morning and evening, you can probably leave most of your products at home when you pack for your beach vacation. Less is more when it comes to beach-ready skincare. Focus on hydration, protection, and healing. Below are the steps dermatologists recommend before you hit the beach and as well as for skincare after swimming:

Step 1: Gentle Cleanser

Pre- and post-swim rinse-offs aren’t optional. Always shower after swimming to remove salt residue that sticks to skin, causing dryness and irritation. Use a gentle cleanser before and after swimming to wash away impurities and keep skin looking and feeling its best. Our dermatologist favorites include:

• EltaMD Skin Recovery Amino Acid Cleanser – while alpha and beta hydroxy acids can dry skin, amino acids calm stressed skin and support the moisture barrier, making this cleanser ideal for your next beach trip.
• Revision Skincare Papaya Enzyme Cleanser – A fruit-enzyme-based gentle cleanser that won't strip moisture or sting sun-damaged or dry skin.

Step 2: Moisturizer

Never hit the beach without moisturizing first! Keeping skin hydrated is essential to prevent the adverse effects associated with swimming in saltwater. Look for moisturizers that have skin barrier-repairing ingredients like hyaluronic acid and ceramides. These are great before and after a day at the beach to prevent skin from drying out and replenish moisture once you’re in for the night. Some of our most-recommended moisturizers for your beach skincare routine include:

• ALASTIN TransFORM Body Treatment – this moisturizer is great for post-sun skin. The peptides support skin renewal and healing alongside the nourishing hydration.
• EltaMD Intense Mois turizer – effective and ultra-soothing for parched skin, this intense moisturizer is ideal for those with sensitive skin to restore supple, hydration.
• ISDIN Uradin Lotion 10 – this fast-absorbing moisturizer hydrates without leaving a greasy residue behind.
• SkinMedica Dermal Repair Cream – perfect if your skin is feeling especially dry or irritated after swimming in saltwater.

Step 3: Sunscreen (Before Swimming)

Even if it’s cloudy or overcast, the sun’s rays are going to reach you on a beach day, so it’s essential to apply sunscreen before you head out for the day and reapply at least every two hours. Most sunscreens that are water-resistant (there’s no such thing as waterproof sunscreen!) only last between 40 and 80 minutes, so reapply more frequently after swimming. You should also choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against both UVA and UVB rays and has a sun protection factor (SPF) of 30 or higher. Some high-quality, effective sunscreens to protect skin at the beach include:

• EltaMD UV AOX Mist SPF 40 – if you prefer spray-on sunscreen for easy application, this fast-absorbing sunscreen makes sun protection a breeze. Simply spray on a thin layer, rub in gently, and go.
• ISDIN Eryfotona Actinica SPF 50+ – this unique sunscreen combines sun protection with DNA repair enzymes that reverse existing sun damage for healthier skin while you’re enjoying a day at the beach.
• Colorescience Sunforgettable Face Shield Glow SPF 50 – tinted and reef-safe, this sunblock is designed for easy application on the face. It’s non-greasy and unscented, so even those with sensitive skin can prevent sunburn on the nose, cheeks, forehead, ears, and all the sensitive areas from your neck up.
• SkinCeuticals Physical Fusion UV Defense SPF 50 – this sunscreen is lightweight, easily absorbed, and ideal for sensitive and acne-prone skin.

Extra Tips for Saltwater Skincare Success

In addition to developing and maintaining a consistent summer skincare routine, there are also some small habits you can develop to keep skin healthier all summer long, including:

• Stay hydrated – your skin cells need hydration to stay full and keep skin smooth and healthy. Drinking water is just as important as applying moisturizer. Keep your body well hydrated from within to ensure skin and whole-body health.
• Consider wearing UPF clothing – UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) garments are your summertime armor. These clothing items have a protective coating or unique fabric technology that reduces the sun’s ability to damage skin. Pair that wide-brim hats and sunglasses for another layer of sun defense.
• Build a beach bag skincare kit – stock it with travel-sized versions of your essentials like a gentle cleanser, deep moisturizer, water-resistant SPF 30+ sunscreen, a hydrating mist or serum, soothing aloe gel or mask, and don’t forget the lip balm.

Get Summer Skin Ready with DermSkincare

If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to beach-ready skincare, let DermSkincare do the heavy lifting. With dermatologist-curated products tailored to your skin health needs, DermSkincare makes it easy to build your beach day skincare routine. This summer, let your beach vibe be more goddess glow and less crispy crustacean. With a little skin prep and post-beach skincare, you can enjoy every wave without compromising skin health. Don’t forget to visit our blog regularly for more skincare tips and product recommendations.