1. Before
Be careful to choose products that don't contain photosensitising agents (they make the skin more sensitive to UV rays that can cause sunburn, eczema, and allergic reactions). The main culprits are perfumes, triclocarban (an antibacterial agent found in soaps and lotions), retinol, and essential oils of geranium, fig, citrus and verbena. Avoid irritating your skin before you leave or you will be spending your holidays hiding under a big hat. That means absolutely no harsh skin peels or hair removal. If you do want these treatments, go to your beautician at least three days before your holiday to allow your skin to recover and reconstitute the lipid barrier. If you self-tan before your holiday, don't forget a fake tan does not protect your skin, so stick to an SPF 50 for the first few days, then switch to a lower SPF as your skin gets used to the sun.
2. On the day
Keep these simple tips in mind to prepare your skin for the upcoming beach vacation and remember to apply generous coats of sunscreen when you are out at the beach all day. Reapply your sunscreen every 3-4 hours or every 1-2 hours if you go in the water. Use the right skincare products and don’t let then sun spoil your fun!