What is aftersun?
After a day of tanning at the beach or a sun-drenched day outside, your skin may need a moisturizing, soothing, and cooling cream.
An aftersun is then the perfect product. Aftersun is a cream or gel with cooling (often aloe vera), soothing and moisturizing ingredients (hyaluronic acid and glycerin). Aftersun can relieve sunburn and help soothe dry, red, and sensitive skin.
What does aftersun do?
- Moisturize: when your skin is exposed to sunlight, it can quickly feel dry and tight. This is because your skin's moisture balance is disrupted. The moisturizers in aftersun restore your skin's moisture.
- Soothe: the cooling ingredients found in an aftersun have a refreshing and calming effect on the skin.
- Help you keep your tan longer: the primary function of an aftersun is to moisturize the skin; this prevents your skin from flaking and allows you to keep your tan longer.
Aftersun does not help to combat premature skin aging and repair damage to your cells. Aftersun can never heal your skin after a sunburn. Therefore, it is essential not to use aftersun as an aid against the sun but to prevent sunburn by applying enough sunscreen while sunbathing permanently.
How often should you apply aftersun?
After a day of sunbathing, it is first essential to take a lukewarm shower before applying aftersun. This will wash the sunscreen off your skin and open up your pores. This will help the heat leave your body, and your skin absorbs the aftersun better, providing extra hydration.
Lubricate your body generously with aftersun and massage it in. If necessary, you can repeat this every hour so that your skin is extra hydrated and soothed.
Can you use body lotion instead of aftersun?
No. Unlike aftersun, body lotion does not cool. Moreover, oily products such as body lotion and body cream retain heat. Especially if you have been badly burned, it is better to use aftersun. Do you not have this in the house? Then use body lotion to hydrate your skin, but make sure you choose a water-based lotion without perfume and alcohol. This prevents your skin from becoming even more irritated and itchy.