The spring sun can be surprisingly strong. A cool breeze, a long walk, or an afternoon on the patio can make it easy to forget how much sun your skin is actually getting. Then evening arrives, and your skin feels warm, tight, and pink.
Since we've spent much of the winter indoors, it's important to support and strengthen your skin barrier.
1. Skip the Neon Green Aloe Gel
Many conventional aloe gels promise instant relief, but a closer look at the ingredient list often tells a different story.
Some contain alcohol, artificial fragrance, and synthetic dyes, all of which can be irritating to already stressed skin. Instead, choose products with pure aloe vera or calming botanical ingredients that help soothe and replenish without causing further dryness.
2. Cool the Skin Gently
Sun-exposed skin often holds onto excess heat.
Apply a cool, damp compress to the affected area. A cool shower can also help bring down the heat and provide relief.
Keep cleansing simple, gentle, and nourishing.
We recommend:
Laurel Hydrating Elixir II is a hydrosol that specifically tailored for sensitive, reactive, and damaged skin. Calms irritation, reduces redness, and infuses vital hydration back into the skin before you apply any oils or balms.
Laurel Recovery Balm is an exceptional remedy for sunburns and compromised lipid barriers. Calendula and comfrey promote cell regeneration, while microdosed lavender and helichrysum cool down heat, reduce swelling, and take away the stinging sensation of a burn.
HUNA Calendula Healing Oil is a gentle oil helps soothe irritated skin while providing the deep moisture needed to prevent the intense dryness and peeling that follows a sunburn with organic Calendula flower infusion.
Eminence Calm Skin Moisturizer uses calming botanicals Chamomile, Calendula, and Arnica. Instantly cool down heat and reduce redness. It delivers hydration to dry, parched skin without feeling heavy or blocking the skin’s ability to "breathe" as it recovers.
Eminence Snow Mushroom & Reishi Masque uses adaptogenic mushrooms to target environmental and physical stress on the skin. Snow mushroom holds massive amounts of water to deeply plump and hydrate dry, burned skin, while reishi acts as a powerful anti-inflammatory to calm acute redness.
Always apply a cooling, alcohol-free mist (like the Laurel Hydrating Elixir II) to damp skin before patting on a gentle oil or balm.
3. Take a Break from Active Ingredients
When your skin is inflamed, this is not the time for exfoliating acids or intensive treatments.
Give your skin a chance to recover by temporarily setting aside:
- Retinol and retinoids
- Vitamin C serums
- AHA and BHA exfoliants
- Facial scrubs and cleansing brushes
Focus instead on calming, hydrating, and barrier-supportive products until your skin feels comfortable again.
4. Focus on Hydration and Repair
Sun exposure depletes moisture levels and can compromise the skin barrier.
Reach for soothing ingredients such as aloe vera, calendula, chamomile, oat extract, and hydrosols. Facial mists can provide immediate comfort throughout the day, while nourishing oils and moisturizers help replenish moisture and support repair.
For best results, apply your moisturizer while skin is still slightly damp to help lock in hydration.
5. Hydrate from Within
Supporting skin isn't just about what you put on your skin.
Sun exposure can contribute to dehydration, so be mindful of your fluid intake. Drink plenty of water and consider adding cooling herbal teas such as peppermint or nettle to help support overall hydration and recovery.
Most adults benefit from drinking approximately 2–3 litres of fluids daily, though individual needs vary. If you've spent time in the sun, increase your fluid intake to help replace lost water and support recovery. A good indicator of hydration is pale yellow urine and rarely feeling thirsty.
6. Protect Healing Skin
As your skin recovers, it can be more vulnerable to further sun damage.
If you're spending time outdoors, be especially diligent about sun protection. Apply a broad-spectrum SPF every morning and reapply at least every two hours when outdoors, or more frequently if you're swimming or sweating. Whenever possible, avoid direct sun exposure between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., wear a wide-brimmed hat, seek shade, and cover exposed skin with lightweight clothing.
Giving your skin a few days of extra care now can help minimize redness, irritation, and the risk of lingering pigmentation later.
The Bottom Line
Sun exposure happens, even when we're careful. The sun is not the enemy, it plays an important role in our health and well-being, but it deserves our respect.
The key is finding balance: enjoying time outdoors while being mindful of your skin's limits and supporting it when it needs extra care. If you've had a little too much sun, focus on cooling the skin, replenishing hydration, simplifying your routine, and giving your skin barrier the time it needs to recover.
A little patience and gentle care go a long way toward maintaining healthy, resilient skin all season long.
