Surfer Skincare: 5 Ways To Protect Your Skin From the Elements

While finding shade in a perfect tube might be your ultimate goal, let’s face it: as a surfer, you’re spending as much time as you can in the sun. Sun-soaked days in the water are wonderful, but extreme sun exposure can wreak havoc on your skin—from short-term problems like painful sunburns to more permanent issues, like uneven skin tone and even heightened skin cancer risk.

If you spend a lot of time in the water, good surf skincare is a must. Here are six ways to protect your skin while chasing waves.

1. Apply Good Sunscreen Regularly

Your pre-surf mental checklist should always include sunscreen. If you leave your SPF behind, you’re vulnerable to damage from harsh UV (ultraviolet) rays—even if you don’t notice the effects right away.

Besides the obvious consequence of sunburn, sun damage can cause:

• Dark spots or sunspots

• Fine lines and wrinkles

• Itchy, flaky, dry skin

Experts recommend applying a high-quality, broad-spectrum sunscreen at least an hour before entering the water for maximum protection, and reapplying every two hours. Be sure to use a sunscreen that’s free of oxybenzone and octinoxate, which are harmful to coral reef ecosystems. Some brands we love are Manda, CocoAloha, and Avasol.

2. Protect Your Lips and Hands

Anyone who likes hot sauce on their post-surf burrito knows just how painful burned, blistered lips can be. Many surfers have learned the hard way that sun damage isn’t limited to just your cheeks, nose, and forehead.

The sun isn’t your skin’s only enemy. Saltwater can also dry and crack your skin. Luckily, protecting yourself from salt and sun is easy. Simply apply a lip balm with sun protection before surfing (or rub your zinc paste right over your lips!) and hydrate afterwards with moisturizing products like basic coconut oil. While your hands might not get get as badly burned as your face, they are still prone to wrinkles and aging—so don’t leave your hands out of your sun care routine.

3. Wear Sunglasses 

Wearing glasses in the water isn’t exactly feasible, but that doesn’t mean you should leave your shades at home. Be mindful of protecting your eyes when relaxing on the beach after your session.

Long-term UV exposure and HEV light (high-energy visible radiation) can seriously affect your vision. The rays that reflect off the ocean are more intense than on land, so sunglasses are essential while spending time on the sand. 

You don’t need to spend considerable money on sunglasses. You don’t even have to get a prescription from a doctor. Just make sure that the sunglasses you invest in have UV protection. Polarized lenses can be helpful to reduce glare.

If you can, shop brands that incorporate sustainability into their values. An eyewear company that helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions through recycling or other green initiatives helps protect the environment in addition to your eyes.

4. Drink Lots of Water 

You might not realize how dehydrating the sun and saltwater can be until you find yourself chugging an entire bottle of water post-surfing. Any time you’re out in the sun, especially while exercising or doing water sports, your body needs extra hydration.

The health benefits of adequate H2O are virtually endless, but here are a few that will help you recover from a heavy surf session:

• Prevent muscle cramping and headaches

• Aid digestion

• Keep skin and tissues moisturized

Considering how strenuous surfing can be, it’s best to hydrate every chance you get. Take the opportunity between sets to have a few sips of water (and reapply your sunscreen!).

Bonus: coconut water is rich in super hydrating electrolytes, so treat yourself to a pipa fria if you’re lucky enough to find one.

5. Shower After Surfing

You’re likely all too familiar with the salt crystals that form in your eyebrows and the sand that tracks into the house from your feet when you get home from the beach. What you don’t see is the bacteria and algae that can stick to your skin after a surf.

A cold shower is the best way to rinse off the elements. Here are a few of the benefits you can get from a few minutes under cool running water:

• Rebalanced body chemistry

• Increase circulation

• Remove irritants

• Relieve muscle tension

If you’re a cold water surfer, try heating up some water before you head out and keeping it in your car (or investing in a portable shower). That way, you can thaw out while cleaning off. Getting your key in the ignition will be so much easier when your fingers aren’t numb!

The Bottom Line

Exposure to the sun and the marine environment can leave your skin fatigued, inflamed, and stressed. You can avoid these problems by staying protected, hydrating regularly, and using quality skincare products that work for your unique skin. This will keep you as youthful and radiant looking on the outside as you feel on the inside while enjoying a life well-lived.