How to Protect Your Skin From Salt Water

Photo by Mikhail Nilov from Pexels

A day at the beach can be one of the best parts of a trip. You get a refreshing swim, warm sunshine and plenty of time to relax by the water. Your skin, however, may need a little extra care to recover from all that saltwater exposure. Repeated time in the ocean can leave your skin feeling tight, dry or irritated, especially when sun, heat and wind are also part of the day. Enjoy your time by the sea while keeping your skin comfortable, and book a dermatologist appointment near you to keep your skin glowing with health.

Why Does Salt Water Affect Your Skin?

Salt water can feel refreshing on your skin, but a recent study found that exposure to it can significantly affect the skin's outermost layer by increasing what researchers call “drying stress.” This means that the ocean can make it harder for that outer layer to hold on to moisture, which can leave it feeling tight. People with naturally dry or sensitive skin may notice this effect more quickly.

The effect is not necessarily the same for everyone. Some people may notice that their skin temporarily feels smoother or less oily after swimming. The bigger concern comes with prolonged exposure, particularly for skin that is already prone to dryness or irritation. “For some, saltwater can sting open cuts or exacerbate conditions if not rinsed off quickly,” says Pine Belt Dermatology, a medical practice that diagnoses and treats skin, hair and nail conditions.

How to Protect Your Skin Before Swimming

A little preparation can make your beach skincare routine much easier. You only need a few basics before heading into the water.

Wear Sunscreen

Apply a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher before swimming. SPF describes how much longer protected skin may take to burn from UVB exposure compared with unprotected skin. Sacramento dermatologists from Berman Skin Institute explain, “For example, if you apply sunscreen with an SPF of 50 according to the correct usage instructions, your skin would take 50 times longer to burn than if you hadn’t used the product.” However, this does not mean you should spend all day in the sun or use a single application.

SPF primarily measures protection against UVB. This means that a higher SPF doesn’t replace broad-spectrum coverage, since UVA rays can penetrate deeper into the skin. “Ensure you are using broad-spectrum sunscreen, as these are formulated with ingredients that protect against all types of UV rays,” the Berman Skin Institute, the California medical and cosmetic dermatology practice, advises.

Cover Up Where Possible

A lightweight cover-up, long-sleeved shirt or other sun-protective clothing can reduce the amount of skin exposed to the sun and salt water. A wide-brimmed hat can also shade your face, ears and neck, and sunglasses help protect the delicate skin around your eyes. Physical coverage can be especially useful during long beach days, giving you a break from relying solely on sunscreen.

Keep Your Skin Moisturized

A simple moisturizer can help support your skin's moisture barrier before a day at the beach. Choose a gentle, fragrance-free formula if your skin tends to react easily. You don’t need a complicated pre-beach routine.

Keeping your skin adequately moisturized and avoiding products that cause irritation is enough to give skin cells a better starting point. You may also use petroleum jelly on highly sensitive areas for extra protection. “Petroleum jelly can add a protective layer and help shield your skin from further damage,” explains Berman Skin Institute.

What to Do While You’re in the Water

You can enjoy your swim without constantly thinking about your skin. Pay attention to how it feels, though, especially during a long beach day. Skin that starts feeling unusually tight, itchy or irritated is a good reason to take a break. Spend some time in the shade between swims and keep protective clothing nearby for periods spent on the beach. You can also rinse with fresh water during the day if it is available, particularly after a long swim.

Sun protection remains important throughout the day, especially since salt can remove sunscreen from your skin. “A typical amount needed for an adult to ensure skin stays protected is 30ml, about one shot glass full, reapplied at least every two hours,” notes the University of Alabama at Birmingham’s assistant professor Rachel Falkner, M.D.

How to Care for Your Skin After Swimming

Your post-swim routine helps your skin recover from a day of salt, sun, heat and wind. Keep things gentle and focus on removing residue and restoring moisture.

Rinse Off the Salt Water

The boutique medical and cosmetic dermatology clinic, Waverly DermSpa, recommends rinsing with fresh water soon after swimming to remove salt and other residue. This simple step can also prevent dried salt from sitting on your skin for hours, which may add to that tight or uncomfortable feeling.

Cleanse Gently

After rinsing, use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser and lukewarm water. There is no need to scrub your skin aggressively to remove every trace of salt. This is also a good time to skip harsh body scrubs or other products that could further irritate skin that has already spent hours in the sun and salt water. The University of Alabama at Birmingham says, “Look for body washes that do not contain active ingredients like lactic acids, salicylic acids or glycolic acids and are non-fragranced.”

Apply Moisturizer on Damp Skin

Follow your rinse with moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp. This can help retain water and support the skin barrier. Ceramides are commonly used to support the skin barrier. On the other hand, hyaluronic acid may help attract and retain moisture. Both ingredients can help with dry skin after saltwater exposure.

The right texture may also depend on how dry your skin feels. “Switching to medical-grade products for dry skin, specifically thicker creams or ointments instead of thin lotions, will create a stronger protective seal,” explains clinicians at the Berman Skin Institute.

When Should You See a Dermatologist? 

A little dryness or tightness after a day in the ocean usually does not require medical attention and may improve with gentle cleansing and regular moisturizing. Persistent itching, redness, irritation, worsening dryness or a rash that doesn’t settle deserves closer attention, especially when it continues after you return to your usual skincare routine.

Making a dermatologist appointment may be a useful option when a skin reaction persists or keeps returning. You can trust the dermatologist to examine the affected area, consider possible causes and determine what may be behind the symptoms.

It’s also important to see how much a skin problem affects your everyday life. Berman Skin Institute notes that a rash that makes you self-conscious, interferes with sleep or affects daily activities is a reason to speak with a provider. You don’t have to wait for symptoms to become disruptive before bringing them up.

When searching for a dermatology clinic to schedule an appointment, check your chosen clinic’s website for online scheduling or call the office to ask about available dates. You may be asked to describe your symptoms and choose between medical dermatology services or another type of visit, so having a brief description of what you have noticed can make the process quicker.

Take It With a Grain of Salt

You can enjoy the ocean and care for your skin. A little preparation can help your skin stay comfortable throughout a beach vacation. That way, the only thing you need to take home from the ocean is a few good memories and, perhaps, a little sand in your suitcase.