5 ways to maintain healthy skin, after sun exposure

A day in the sun can be a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Whether you are exploring a city during a break, or laying on the beach, the warmth of the sun can make you feel at ease. But exposure to the sun's rays can leave your skin feeling dry, lacklustre and above all, damaged. Here are 5 ways to look after your skin, following sun exposure to ensure it remains hydrated, soft and healthy:

1) Cool off in the shower. Chlorine from swimming pools and salt water from the sea can magnify the sun's rays and dehydrate skin. By having a cool shower after exposure to water and sun, you can help cool down the skin and help keep it clean.

2) Stay hydrated. Up to 60% of the human adult body is water, so of course it is vital to keep hydrated. Keeping the skin well moistened – particularly when out in the sun is doubly important, particularly when the rays have a drying affect and the heat will cause sweating. Keep yourself topped up with ice cold water to not only keep you refreshed and hydrated, but your skin too.

3) Moisturise. Apply an after-sun lotion or moisturising cream to help lock in layers of moisture into your skin after a drying day in the sun. If you have a minibar in your hotel room, or fridge in your holiday villa, try keeping your after-sun in there for a cooling, refreshing sensation when applying, whilst benefiting from the moisture.

4) Avoid excessive exfoliating. If you missed a spot with the sun cream, some areas of your body may experience some peeling of the skin. However, tempting it may be, it's important to let the skin peel naturally, and avoid body scrubs or exfoliation mitts that might aggravate the areas and cause soreness.

5) Have a backup plan in case of sunburn. Even if you follow careful sun care advice, wearing plenty of sunscreen and avoiding the sun at peak times, sunburn can unfortunately still strike. Soleve Sunburn Relief is useful to have as part of your holiday first aid kit, just in case you do get sunburnt. Soleve is a unique combination of pain relieving ibuprofen, which takes the sting from burnt skin, and the soothing and rehydrating emollient isopropyl myristate to help lock in moisture, reduce skin tightness and minimise any further irritation from clothing. This easy-to-apply, silky smooth lotion should be used at the first sign of sunburn. Look for Soleve in the Boots or Sainsbury's sun care aisle (next to sun protection). Alternatively, simply order online by visiting boots.com.