The beaches in the UAE are truly spectacular, offering a perfect blend of sunny skies, crystal-clear waters, and pristine sandy shores. However, the combination of abundant sunlight, salty sea water, and sandy environment can pose a real challenge for your skin. This trio of elements, salt, intense UV rays, and gritty sand, can collectively put your skin through quite the rigorous test.
A lot of people just put on sunscreen and go, but end up with problems like breakouts, dry skin, or sunburn. For this reason, the ultimate goal should be a beach skincare routine and after sun products that are skin simple, glow safe and work. Whether you are visiting as a tourist or living in the UAE. Here’s what the locals, expats and dermas advise for keeping your skin safe and healthy at the beach in the UAE.
Tips from Locals, Expats and Experts
1. Before the Beach: Create Your First Line of Defense
The typical mistake people do is just put on sunscreen right before they leave. They have no idea that sunscreen actually needs time to soak in. The solution for this is:
- Apply a water-resistant SPF 50+ sunscreen about half an hour before you go out in the sun. Good choices that are light enough for the humidity here include La Roche-Posay Anthelios and Isntree Hyaluronic Acid Sun Gel.
- Now apply a Vitamin C serum under your sunscreen. The serum not only makes your skin brighter but also helps your sunscreen work better and stops dark spots and pigmentations cause from UV rays bouncing off the water and sand.
- Don’t forget your scalp! Put some SPF on your hairline and where you part your hair. These spots also get burned easily.
- Remember to use a lip balm with SPF on your lips. Sun Bum SPF 30 Lip Balm is a good one to keep in your bag.
This routine will get your skin ready to handle the sun and help it recover faster afterward.
2. At the Beach: Smart Sun Care
The most common error beachgoers unknowingly make is applying sunscreen onto sandy skin. This can be quite harmful, as the abrasive nature of sand can create tiny scratches on your skin, leading to irritation. To prevent this unfortunate situation:
- Use a sunscreen stick instead of a sunscreen cream to reapply your SPF. Sunscreen sticks like Neutrogena Ultra Sheer Stick go onto your skin easily without rubbing in sand.
- Wash your hands with clean water before touching your face. This keeps salt and sand from clogging your pores.
- Spray your face with a cooling mist of aloe vera or thermal water like Avène Thermal Spring Water every hour. It feels good and calms your skin without you needing to rub it.
Pro tip: Avoid applying foundation or heavy makeup when heading to the beach. These products can trap heat and sweat underneath, leading to melasma flares and breakouts, especially when combined with exposure to the sun and saltwater. It's best to let your skin breathe and stay cool in the natural beach environment.
3. After the Beach: Undo the Sun's Work
Normally people run home to take a hot shower and even end up scrubbing their skin hard. Unaware that salt and sun can make your skin sensitive, so this hot shower and rubbing can make it worse. The solution here could be as simple as:
- Starting by rinsing off with cool, clean water. If your tap water seems harsh, use bottled water on your face.
- Then use a hydrating sheet mask to calm and hydrate your sun kissed skin. Mediheal Aqua Rich or Laneige Water Bank masks are great for after sun exposure.
- Use a lightweight moisturizer with ceramides, like Illiyoon Ceramide Ato Cream, to lock in moisture. It helps with skin recovery by rebuilding your skin's barrier and stopping dryness. This can also be incorporated as part of your nighttime routine.
If you find that your feet peel after walking in the sand, just use a hydrating moisturizer as post beach care because feet peeling is caused by sun exposure and sand. Also, you can skip exfoliating for a few days, even gentle exfoliation is a no to allow your skin reset and regain your natural glow.
Bonus Tip: What About the Wind?
The wind can also be tough on skin. The wind from speedboating or that breeze as you sit under the umbrella can make sunburn worse besides causing windburn, which is usually red, tight, and flaky skin. This can happen even when the UV rays aren’t strong. You can prevent windburn by:
- Wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a UV-protective scarf on windy days.
- Reapply sunscreen often, even in the shade.
- Wear UV blocking sunglasses to protect your eyes from the UV rays and the wind.
Quick Guide to Beach Skincare in the UAE
|
Time |
Do This |
Avoid |
|
Pre-Beach |
Vitamin C serum + SPF 50 half an hour before sun exposure |
Spray-on SPF or mist sunscreen as it can blow away in the wind |
|
At the Beach |
Reapply SPF with a stick + use a cooling mist |
Rubbing your face with sandy or salty hands |
|
Post-Beach |
Cool water rinse, hydrating mask, ceramide moisturizer |
Hot showers, scrubs, or harsh cleansers |
What to Keep in Your Beach Skincare Kit
This is a small kit that can really help your skin. What’s inside include:
- Micellar water wipes: Best facial wipes to clean your skin if it gets sandy.
- Aloe vera gel: As a cooling after sun lotion for any sunburned spots.
- Lip balm with SPF: Secret weapon to protect against wind, sun, and salt.
- Face mist: Smooth, mess free application to cool and refresh your sun exposed skin.
- Sunscreen stick: For easy touch-ups.
The Bottom Line: Enjoy The Beach
You can enjoy the beaches in UAE as they are so beautiful and still keep your skin healthy. You can avoid sun damage, sunburn, and dryness by following a good beach skincare routine before your visit. You should also take care of your skin during and after your time at the beach. This will keep your skin looking great and maintain that radiant summer glow.
So, when you pack your beach bag next, remember that your beach skincare is just as vital as your swimsuit and make sure to revamp your summer skincare routine to include the beach.
FAQs: Beach Skincare for UAE Beach Goers
Why am I breaking out after a swim at the beach?
The combination of salt, sweat, sunscreen, and heat can lead to breakouts if not properly managed, as they can clog pores when left on the skin for extended periods. Sand particles can make the problem worse. Dirty towels can also cause more irritation. To minimize the risk of breakouts, it’s crucial to rinse your face with plenty of water that is clean and fresh, immediately after swimming. Follow this up by reapplying a layer of SPF carefully using clean hands to avoid transferring any bacteria to your skin. Further, we advise to skip heavy makeup when heading to the beach, as it can mix with sweat and sunscreen, creating a breeding ground for breakouts.
How do I avoid dry, itchy skin after a beach day?
Saltwater and the sun can dry your skin out and strip it of its natural oils. After the beach day, rinse off with cool water and use a mask that adds moisture. Next, use a ceramide moisturizer to fix your skin's barrier. Avoid hot showers and hold off on exfoliating. Your skin needs to be soothed.
Is it okay to wear makeup to the beach?
Yes, but it's not ideal. Makeup can melt and mix with sweat and sunscreen, which clogs pores and causes rashes. If you have to wear makeup, use a tinted mineral formulas sunscreen or a light BB cream with SPF 30 plus. Avoid foundation and powders. They won’t last in the humidity, heat, and seawater.
What’s the best way to treat sunburn in UAE after the beach?
Use cool compresses or thermal water to calm the burn. Aloe vera gel can soothe and reduce redness, but stay away from products with alcohol or fragrance. Use a cream with ceramide or panthenol to bring back moisture, and drink more water. Don't peel or exfoliate until your skin is better.
Can seawater in the UAE help with acne?
A little bit can help. Saltwater kills bacteria. It can also remove dead skin cells a little. But too much can dry out your skin, which can make your skin produce more oil and can cause breakouts. Rinse off after swimming and use a gentle cleanser to balance your skin.
Why is my feet skin peeling after walking on the beach?
Hot sand acts like a strong exfoliant. Mixed with sun exposure, it can hurt the outer layer of your skin. Peeling is just your skin getting rid of hurt cells. Apply a thick balm, like shea butter or ceramide cream, after your trip to the beach, and wear sandals on hot days to reduce damage.
Are UAE beaches okay for sensitive skin?
They can be if you are careful. Salt, sun, and sand can bother sensitive or acne prone skin. Use antioxidant-rich products and mineral sunscreens to avoid issues. Pack a cream that helps fix your skin barrier for after you leave, and avoid products with fragrances or alcohol before and after going to the beach.