2022 Best Surfer Hair and Skin Hacks
From incredible surf hair hacks to suggestions on how to moisturize your surf skin, read on for the most incredible beauty ideas—the ones you won't want to miss on your next summer excursion.
Nothing compares to the liberty that comes with surfing. As exhilarating as surfing is for the mind, it can be taxing on the body. A long day at the beach may be harsh on your hair and skin with all the exposure to the sun and saltwater.
With the amount of skill and dedication required to be a surfer, it's only fair that you have a skin and hair routine that works as hard as you do. And let's admit it, the last thing we want to do is a whole routine for our hair and skin after a draining day. But, with these simple tricks to protect your skin and hair for your next surf session, it’ll hardly feel like a daunting task and more of a progressive habit.
5 EASY SKIN AND HAIR PROTECTION HACKS
To avoid getting sunburned or your hair drying out while you're out in the water, you need to be intentional and take measures to protect your skin and hair.
As a surfer, here are five simple tips to help you protect your skin and hair:
1. WEAR SUNSCREEN THAT IS WATER-RESISTANT AND HAS A SPF OF 35 OR HIGHER.
Whether you're enjoying a cool day at the beach or don't know how much time you'll spend in the sun on any given day, wearing a water-resistant SPF is critical. It provides additional protection from the sun's harmful rays when you're splashing around in the water or have worked up a sweat.
Apply a water-resistant sunscreen that has an SPF of 35 or higher 30 minutes before entering the water. Also, re-apply it as much as needed throughout the day. Try to stay as ocean-safe as possible with these sunscreens, many sunscreens use harmful chemicals that damage the ocean’s coral reefs.
To avoid sun damage, pay special attention to areas that are easy to overlook, such as your ears, lips, and eyelids. Our top recommendation that checks off all the boxes is the Better Butter™ - Heal + Protect: 3 Tin Set. This ultra-luxurious moisturizing balm contains natural protectants such as coconut and raspberry seed, which remain on in the water and protect your lips from damage while also healing chapped nips, hips, knees, and any other area that may use some moisture.
2. ENSURE THAT YOUR GEAR IS FITTED ACCURATELY
Whether you're surfing in a full bodysuit or your favorite bikini, it's critical to ensure that your gear fits properly. Water will most likely seep in, and a day at the beach with such discomfort can cause chafing.
Chafing simply means when there is friction between the skin and surf wax. It’s usually more painful because of the presence of seawater.
That’s why we suggest that before entering the water, check the size and fit of your clothing and consider wearing a rash guard or applying a layer of healing ointment to prevent chafing.
3. SELECT PRODUCTS THAT ARE SAFE FOR THE REEF
Always make sure you use organic and chemical-free products that are both eco-friendly and reef-friendly. Avoid cheap imitations of these products.
First, it is not healthy for you, and it will also leak into the water. One of our missions here at Surf Soap is to improve the health of our oceans, which is why we strongly advise the use of ocean-friendly products.
Parabens, propylene glycol, oxybenzone, and other compounds with ominous-sounding names are dangerous to corals and marine life.
4. RINSE YOUR HAIR WITH FRESHWATER BEFORE SURFING
Because your hair wants moisture, it will immediately absorb the seawater once you reach the waves. To avoid excessive saltwater absorption in your hair, wet it with fresh water before entering the ocean.
If you frequently surf (and also use a generic post-surf shampoo), your hair may become stripped of its natural protective oils. While a thorough rinse before surfing is crucial, additional rinse combined with skipping the shampoo and immediately reaching for the conditioner when you're finished for the day will help keep your hair healthy.
5. APPLY COCONUT OIL TO YOUR HAIR TO KEEP IT HYDRATED
Another way to ensure that your hair is healthy and moisturized as a surfer is to apply an additional layer of protection before hitting the waves: coconut oil, grapeseed oil, or red raspberry seed oil will protect your hair from sun exposure and saltwater.
Comb a small amount of coconut oil through wet strands after rinsing your hair with fresh water. Apply sparingly because you don't want your head to feel greasy while surfing.
POST-SURFING SKIN AND SURFER HAIR TIPS
When the day is done, and you've stowed your board in the rack and returned home, it's time to perform some post-surf skin and surf hair care.
For your hair care, you’ll need to take a cold shower first. If you missed your noon sunscreen reapplication, a pleasant cool shower might help stave off any sunburn discomfort. Additionally, wash your hair thoroughly to remove salt buildup and prevent bacteria from taking up residence. We suggest using the Rehab Balm - Restorative Hair Conditioner. This two-in-one conditioner eliminates knots and replaces the moisture in your hair from the inside out. Or, for finer hair types, try our Muku MilkTM – a weightless conditioner that utilizes carrot and kale to moisturize, and jojoba and olive to soften and detangle.
For your skincare, use a gentle yet effective soap on your skin, such as the Surf Soap® All-In-One: 3 Bar Set. This small purple bar will eliminate sand and salt from the skin and hair while replenishing moisture and hydration. The best part is, you don’t have to head home to use this product, it’s ocean-safe, so it can be used right at the beach showers!
After cleansing, you’ll need to rehydrate and restore your skin's moisture. As a quick skincare routine, start with washing your face with your preferred cleanser. After that, hydrate your skin with natural oils such as coconut (for dry-normal skin), almond (for all skin types), avocado (for dry, irritated, or flaky skin), jojoba (for oily to combo skin), or argan (dry to normal skin). We also offer Coral Glow – a face oil that protects and strengthens the skin's outer barrier through jojoba, rosehip, and pear – and Aloe Cream – a hydrating body lotion that uses aloe and calendula to heal and hydrate your skin.
As an additional skincare tip, exfoliate your face once a week with a mixture of brown sugar and olive or almond oil. After rinsing, add honey to dry skin and let on for 20 minutes. Rinse to reveal radiant, healthy skin.
Conclusion
Preparing your skin and hair before surfing is just as critical as repairing, rehydrating, and restoring it afterward. The less time you spend caring about your skin and hair, the more time you have to enjoy surfing and making cool memories.
Also, don’t forget to maintain a healthy lifestyle to ensure that your surf skin and surf hair glows and looks your best every day. Drink lots of water and eat plenty of fresh foods!
Finally, it is the mindset that matters, so have fun!