The Importance of Your Skincare Routine Before and After Sunscreen Use 

Sunscreen is like a protective armor against the sun’s harmful UVA and UVB rays that can damage your skin through excess sun exposure.  

Does the skin need a hydrating, protective and nourishing layer under the sunscreen?   

By design, whether the sunscreen of your choice is chemical based (the ingredients absorbs and diffuses the sun’s harmful rays) or mineral based (they reflect and block the sun’s harmful rays from reaching your skin) or a combination of both, sunscreens function as a protective armor.  

What’s the best way to care for the skin after the sunscreen wears out?  
 
Your skin care routine provides a protective, healing and nourishing layer for the skin before you apply sunscreen (and make up). And of course, a good skin care routine also helps gently remove the oxidized (used up after being exposed to the sun and mixed with skin oils, sweat and atmospheric dirt) sunscreen and make up after a day out in the sun.  

The Importance of Before and After Sun Care Skin Care Routine 

Benefits Before You Apply Sunscreen 

Effective after-sun care begins even before you apply sunscreen. Preparing your skin with a good skincare routine can enhance its resilience and ability to recover from sun exposure. Here’s how: 

1. Cleanse Thoroughly: Before applying sunscreen, cleanse your skin to remove any environmental dirt, pollutants, excess sebum, and of course, dead skin cells that may be attached to your skin (why nourish or protect them?). Using a gentle yet thorough double cleanse method ensures that your skin is clean, gently exfoliated and ready for the protective barrier that sunscreen provides. 
2. Hydrate, Protect and Nourish: Moisturize your skin with a lightweight, hydrating lotion that contains antioxidants like Vitamin E and C. This not only preps your skin for sunscreen application but also provides an excellent extra layer of protection against oxidative stress. 

After the sunscreen is applied, you can apply any make up, if desired.  

The Benefits of After Sun Care 

Proper after-sun care is crucial for maintaining healthy, youthful skin and can make a significant difference in how your skin looks and feels. After all, the protective armor of your sunscreen is all used up (oxidized) after a day in the sun, mixed with skin oils, atmospheric dirt and even make up. Its stressful for the skin to have this oxidized layer which can clog the skin (become comedogenic) alter the skin biome and its naturally protective pH (acid mantle).  

Let’s dive into the benefits of after-sun care and the steps you can take to ensure your skin recovers and heals beautifully. 

1. Reduces Skin Damage: After-sun care helps to repair and minimize the damage caused by UV exposure, even if you haven’t experienced a visible sunburn. The sun can cause oxidative stress and damage the skin’s barrier, leading to premature aging, hyperpigmentation, and loss of elasticity. 
2. Soothes Irritation: Exposure to the sun can leave your skin feeling hot, irritated, and inflamed. Proper after-sun care can soothe these symptoms, providing immediate relief and comfort. 
3. Restores Moisture: Sun exposure can dehydrate your skin, stripping it of its natural oils. Replenishing moisture is essential to maintain skin’s softness and prevent peeling and dryness. 
4. Supports Skin Recovery: After-sun care promotes the healing process, helping your skin recover more quickly from the effects of UV exposure. This ensures that your skin remains resilient and healthy in the long term. 

Understanding Sunscreen Oxidation 

Once applied, sunscreen can oxidize due to exposure to sunlight, air, and heat. This photodegradation reduces its SPF efficacy over time, making it less effective in protecting against UV rays. Studies have shown that ingredients like avobenzone and oxybenzone degrade under UV exposure, emphasizing the need for reapplication and additional skin protection . 

After Removal of Sunscreen 

At the end of your sun-soaked day, it’s vital to cleanse your skin again to remove any remnants of sunscreen, sweat, and environmental pollutants. Here’s a step-by-step guide to effective after-sun care: 

1. Double Cleanse: Use a gentle cleanser to remove sunscreen and impurities from your skin. The double cleanse method is especially effective for ensuring that your skin is thoroughly clean without stripping away its natural oils. 
2. Soothe and Hydrate: After cleansing, it’s time to restore moisture and soothe any irritation. Look for natural ingredients like aloe vera and high-oleic, cold-pressed organic sunflower seed oil. These ingredients are known for their anti-inflammatory properties and ability to improve skin moisture retention and elasticity . 
3. Nourish and Repair: Apply a nourishing after-sun lotion rich in essential fatty acids such as Omega 3, 6, and 12, along with vitamins A, B, C, and E. These nutrients help to hydrate, repair, and protect your skin, ensuring it remains healthy and radiant. 

Caring for the Skin’s Recovery and Healing 

After any amount of sun exposure, our skin needs some TLC. Whether you can see a burn or not, the sun’s UCV rays have had some effect on your skin. But worry not, there are a few easy steps you can take to mitigate these effects. And sometimes, despite our best efforts, we still get sunburned. Here’s what you can do to support your skin’s recovery: 

1. Cool and Calm: If your skin feels hot and irritated, start by cooling it down. Products containing aloe vera are particularly effective. Aloe vera is known for its healing and antibacterial properties, providing a soothing and cooling effect on sunburned skin . 
2. Replenish Moisture: High-oleic, cold-pressed organic sunflower seed oil is another powerhouse ingredient that can help nourish dry, flaky skin while aiding nutrient absorption and protecting against infections. It’s particularly effective in after-sun care products . 
3. Prevent Scarring: To prevent sunspots and other forms of scarring, it’s essential to keep your skin well-moisturized and protected. The Metrin Skincare System includes #4 Protective Lotion with skin healing ingredients including certified organic aloe vera and #5 Enriched Vita Conditioner, which contain aloe vera and the botanical certified organic high-oleic sunflower seed oil that hydrate, nourish and helps the skin recover from photodamage. These products can help cool and calm sunburned skin, reducing the risk of long-term damage. 

Incorporating these steps into your after-sun care routine can make a significant difference in your skin’s health and appearance. By cleansing, soothing, and nourishing your skin, you can enjoy the summer sun while keeping your skin radiant and youthful. 

Embrace the power of before and after-sun care with Metrin Skincare, and let your skin glow with health and vitality all year round. 

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