After an unexpectedly long day at the beach or an afternoon running errands under cloud cover, too much sun exposure can leave your skin red, tight, dry, and irritated.
Post-sun repair is essential to calming inflammation, replenishing hydration, and supporting your skin’s recovery process. In this post, we’ll walk you through how to treat redness, dryness, and tightness, what not to do after a sunburn, and which Dermasensa products and ingredients can help your skin heal.
Step 1: Treat redness and inflammation
When your skin is sunburned or overexposed, the first priority is to calm the inflammation. Look for ingredients like aloe, peptides, and panthenol, which are gentle yet effective in reducing redness and discomfort.
Dermasensa’sSC+ Sensitive Cleanser is the perfect first step. It cleanses the skin without stripping its natural oils or further aggravating an already-compromised barrier. Made for sensitive skin, this cleanser uses ultra-gentle surfactants and soothing ingredients to give your skin a fresh start without causing irritation.
Step 2: Rehydrate deeply and restore balance
After inflammation comes dryness and that familiar tight feeling. That’s your skin signaling dehydration and lipid barrier damage. Post-sun, your skincare routine should include deeply hydrating and replenishing ingredients like hyaluronic acid to draw moisture into the skin, andceramides to help restore the protective lipid layer.
Apply ourUP Ultra Peptide Serum after cleansing to begin the restoration process. This powerhouse serum is packed with peptides to support the skin’s natural repair process and visibly improve texture and elasticity. It also layers well with moisturizers and soothes the skin while delivering long-term benefits.
Follow withFormula 5 Moisturizer, one of our most nutrient-rich, skin-repairing formulas. It locks in hydration while nourishing the skin with essential vitamins. Use it generously, morning and night, to support healing and prevent peeling or prolonged irritation. For best results, apply to slightly damp skin to help seal in hydration.
Step 3: Whatnotto do after a sunburn
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Don’t exfoliate yet: Hold off on exfoliating until your skin has fully healed. Scrubs and acids can worsen redness and increase sensitivity.
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Don’t apply heavy or active ingredients: Avoid products with retinol, glycolic acid, or vitamin C until your skin has returned to its normal baseline. These actives can irritate damaged skin.
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Don’t expose your skin to more sun: Even if it looks or feels better, post-sun skin is vulnerable. Protect it with clothing, shade, and sunscreen.
The best prevention: Daily sunscreen
While post-sun repair is critical, the best defense is always prevention. Adaily sunscreen not only helps protect against burns but also prevents long-term damage like fine lines, dark spots, and skin laxity.
We’re excited to tease the upcoming launch of our very first Dermatologist recommended mineral SPF: UV-X Mineral Sunscreen SPF 40. It’s the final step to your daily Dermasensa routine: a hydrating mineral sunscreen for dry skin that protects and restores, thanks to skin-repairing ceramides and zinc oxide. It will be available in both non-tinted and tinted options for seamless daily wear, making it a go-to gentle everyday sunscreen for every skin type.
Whether you’re acne-prone, sensitive, or managing signs of aging, this sunscreen is the physical sunscreen for skin type that works with, not against, your skin. Lightweight and non-greasy, it doubles as a makeup base and supports barrier function, even on days when your skin needs extra love.
The Takeaway
Post-sun repair starts with being gentle: cleanse softly, hydrate deeply, and give your skin the tools it needs to recover. Lean on calming ingredients like aloe, hyaluronic acid, and peptides. Avoid harsh actives and exfoliants until your skin is back to balance.
For ultimate recovery, keep SC+ Sensitive Cleanser, UP Ultra Peptide Serum, and Formula 5 Moisturizer in your routine. And for long-term protection? Our new lightweight mineral sunscreen is on its way to become the daily staple your skin deserves.