3 Post-Sun Care Tips To Avoid Skin Damage + Ingredients To Look For

I won't say that post-sun care is as important as pre-sun care (you know, applying SPF), but I will say that I think it deserves more attention. Of course the best thing you can do for your skin is to protect it from UV exposure by utilizing sunscreen and being smart about the time you spend in the rays. But after the fact, you also want to make sure you're comforting and caring for it. 

After sunny holiday weekends—where hopefully ample time was spent enjoying time with loved ones and the great outdoors—it's important to pare back your skin care routine and focus on soothing the skin. 

"The gold standard for a natural product is aloe," board-certified dermatologist Christina Chung, M.D., once told mbg. "It works well for post-sun care because of its anti-inflammatory properties." 

Not only is it soothing, but it can even address sun spots thanks to a natural component of the plant called aloesin. In fact, one study showed that topical application of aloesin can directly inhibit hyperpigmentation from forming. 

While it's the most famous, it's certainly not the only one. Oat extracts, like oat oil and colloidal oat, have soothing properties. "Extracts of oat have been shown to lessen inflammatory mediators in the skin, giving significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity," board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo, M.D., FAAD, once told us about using the ingredient in skin care.

If you are experiencing some inflammation from being outdoors, slow down on the aggressive ingredients for the time being. While actives like retinols, AHAs, and BHAs will come in handy once skin has gone back to normal—they shouldn't be used while your barrier is irritated. 

Once the skin has calmed down—you'll know when it stops showing signs of inflammation, like redness, flushing, burning, sensitivity, or irritation—then you can start using them again. 

But a few we'll highlight here: Safflower seed oil is a botanical oil rich in essential fatty acids and antioxidants, including a very special flavonoid called acacetin. A 2020 study found that safflower seed oil and this compound can reduce damage caused by UVB exposure, specifically stopping damage to collagen. 

It works by blocking an enzyme called collagenase-1, which is responsible for collagen loss. Collagen, you might know, is the skin's primary structural protein. It's what keeps skin looking firm, lifted, and youthful.

With its loss comes sagging, fine lines, and wrinkles. Sun damage is actually the No. 1 cause of premature aging, accounting for up to 80% of visible aging.