You’ve got one foot out the door, sunglasses perched on your head and a tote bag full of beach essentials on your arm. But wait! If you want to be sure you’re protected and truly ready to soak up those rays, keep reading to discover the routines that will prepare, support and repair your body and skin. 

Beach routine: Before heading out 

Shower your skin with attention

If you have high hopes for a sun-kissed complexion, it all starts under the shower. Exfoliation is essential—you need to get rid of those dead skin cells to make room for new ones. The Ritual of Karma scrub has been designed for this very purpose. Its combination of lotus flower and organic white tea is not only tan-enhancing, but it also leaves a summery scent on your skin as it cleanses and moisturises. 

The smoothest shave

ou want to show off your lovely new swimsuit, rather than skin irritations from shaving. To treat and hydrate the skin rather than damaging it, use a quality shower oil for the smoothest shave possible. Another option is using one of our iconic foaming shower gels as a basis for shaving, such as The Ritual of Karma foaming shower gel.

Shield yourself before you’re in the sun

We’ve all seen people slathering themselves with sunscreen right after they lay their towel and other accessories in the sand. What they probably don’t realise, however, is that it takes 20 minutes for sunscreen to become fully absorbed, and for it to be optimally effective. Applying it before you’re outside is a safe bet.  

A little light eating 

Before heading out for the day, fuel yourself properly. If you want to avoid the temptation of the snack bar during your day out, why not start your morning with a delicious and healthy smoothie?

Beach routine: While you’re out 

Adopt a sun safe strategy 

As a general rule, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours. For body, you want to apply a good amount (around a shot glass) of sunscreen. On your face, apply two fingers worth of SPF. You know your skin better than anyone, if you tend to burn easily opt for SPF 50 and, regardless of whether you tan or not, on a hot sunny day don’t slip below SPF 30. You may not see the damage the UV is doing to your skin but these pesky rays can mutate DNA and trigger premature skin ageing, so always err on the side of caution.  

Curious about more lesser-known suncare facts? Check out our expert article here.

Heads up for haircare

If you don’t look good in a big, floppy sunhat (and trust us, it’s not just you!) a great alternative for keeping your hair and scalp safe is using a hair spray with vitamin E to protect against UV rays. Spritz your hair before you leave the house and you’ll also be preventing it from discolouring in the sun.

Easy, breezy reading

Books and the beach go hand in hand. Reading is one of the best routines for giving your mind a boost and is the perfect activity while you’re lounging in the sun. Need some inspiration for your reading list? Check out this article.

Not a big reader? Bring your earbuds to the beach and check out our list of the happiest podcasts on the web.

Stay happy and hydrated 

A day at the beach doesn’t just mean extra care on the outside - you also need to stay healthy on the inside. Make sure you bring a water bottle that you can refill throughout the day to keep yourself hydrated.  

Beach routine: In the evening 

Eat those antioxidants 

UV rays from the sun trigger damaging free radical production in the body, but one way to lessen the effects is to eat an antioxidant-rich meal. This red beet and red endive salad makes a perfect dinner, because the beetroot contains a phytonutrient called betalain that has anti-inflammatory benefits.  

Other antioxidant-rich foods that take down free radicals include matcha and carrots. This carrot dip makes the perfect starter, while these sweet green tea-laden treats are ideal after dinner. 

The perfect end to a perfect day 

Your skin will need some more TLC after being exposed to the sun all day. We suggest using The Ritual of Karma After Sun Hydrating Lotion with gingko biloba extract to calm and soothe the skin. And bonus: just like the scrub, it also contains tan-prolonging properties. 

Consider these tips before your next trip to the beach, and you’re certain to have the best time under the sun.