Back from Vacation: Rehydrate Your Skin

The suitcases are unpacked, a beautiful summer tan is smiling back at you in the mirror—and yet something isn’t quite right: Your skin feels tight—on your face as well as on your shins and arms—and after two weeks at the beach and pool, your hair feels like straw. This is exactly how many of us return from summer vacation in August.

The good news: Your skin doesn’t need a complicated routine right now—it needs one thing above all else: moisture. Here’s what the sun, salt water, and chlorine do to your skin—and how to specifically replenish its moisture during the first week—from head to toe.

What the Sun, Salt Water, and Chlorine Do to Your Skin

Dry skin in the summer isn’t a coincidence—it’s the result of several factors that come together during vacation:

• UV radiation: The sun stresses the skin and weakens its protective barrier—it loses water more quickly and has a harder time retaining moisture.
• Saltwater: Salt draws water out of the skin. The fine layer of salt left on the skin after swimming continues to dry it out—which is why your skin often feels tight even while you’re still on the beach.
• Chlorine: Pool water strips the skin’s natural lipids from the outermost layer—the very fats that help retain moisture in the skin.
• Air conditioning: Dry air in airplanes and hotel rooms further dehydrates the skin.

The skin on your body is particularly affected: On your shins, arms, and shoulders, it has fewer sebaceous glands than on your face, dries out faster—and is the least likely to be moisturized in everyday life.

The 3-Step Routine for Your Body

After vacation, the face usually gets all the attention—but your body has suffered just as much. Three simple steps will restore its moisture. You’ll find all the products in our Moisturizing Care collection.

Step 1: Gently cleanse instead of stripping the skin

Conventional shower gel often further strips the skin of its natural oils, which is already stressed. FRANK BODY’s Ceramide Barrier Body Wash gently cleanses and supports the skin barrier with ceramides—right in the shower. Tip: Take a lukewarm shower instead of a hot one.

Step 2: Replenish moisture with hyaluronic acid

What’s long been standard for the face is now available for the body too: FRANK BODY’s Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum is the centerpiece of the routine. It absorbs quickly and provides intense hydration to parched skin. It’s best to apply it immediately after showering to skin that’s still slightly damp.

Step 3: Seal the barrier

Finally, apply FRANK BODY’s Barrier Body Cream: It locks in the absorbed moisture and strengthens the skin barrier, which has been stressed by salt and chlorine. It’s best to use it daily during the first week.

Face: A Hydration Boost with Masks

The same principle applies to your face—gently cleanse, deeply moisturize, and seal in the moisture. Avoid harsh exfoliants during the first week, as sun-stressed skin has a weakened barrier. Sheet masks are ideal for a moisture boost: The saturated fabric keeps the active ingredients on the skin for 15 to 20 minutes. The Hyaluronic Acid + Collagen Sheet Mask by SKIN REPUBLIC is our go-to for parched skin after summer—use it two to three times during the first week.

For overheated, slightly reddened skin, the cooling Collagen Hydrogel Mask is a real treat: The gel texture provides noticeable cooling, soothes, and moisturizes at the same time. Tip: Pop it in the fridge for a bit beforehand. After each mask, seal in the results with a moisturizer. You can read more about the different types of masks in our face mask guide.

And what about your hair?

Saltwater, chlorine, and the sun also take a toll on your hair’s structure—resulting in that typical straw-like feel. Treat your hair to an intensive treatment once a week: The KUNDAL Honey & Macadamia Protein Treatment nourishes sun-damaged hair with proteins that noticeably smooth its structure. Leave it on for a few minutes, rinse it out—and you’re done.

When to be careful

• If you have an active sunburn: Let red, painful skin heal first before applying masks or rich creams. Cooling the skin and drinking plenty of fluids are the top priorities.
• No acids or retinol: Fruit acids and retinol have no place on irritated skin. FRANK BODY’s Smoothing AHA Body Lotion also helps with rough patches—but only once your skin has calmed down after one to two weeks.
• If you have blisters: A sunburn with blisters is a serious burn—it requires medical treatment, not self-care.

Frequently Asked Questions About Skin After Summer

How often should I use a hydrating mask after summer?

Be generous during the first week: a hyaluronic sheet mask two to three times a week is ideal. After that, one mask per week is usually sufficient. You’ll find an overview in our Sheet Masks & Eye Pads collection.

What helps with tight skin after sun exposure?

Tight skin is a sign of dehydration. For your face, a gentle cleanser, a hyaluronic acid mask, and a sealing cream will help. For your body, the combination of hyaluronic acid serum and barrier cream works the fastest. Also, be sure to drink plenty of water.

Can I exfoliate after sunbathing?

It’s best not to do it right away. Wait until your skin has calmed down and is no longer red or tight—usually after one to two weeks. Then, a gentle exfoliation can remove dead skin cells so your skincare works more effectively.

What can I do for my hair after being in saltwater?

First aid: Rinse your hair with fresh water after every swim. At home, a weekly protein treatment like the KUNDAL Treatment helps. Avoid using a hot hair dryer or straightening irons as much as possible at first.

For Retailers: Do you run a pharmacy, drugstore, perfume shop, or beauty store in Switzerland and want to add SKIN REPUBLIC, FRANK BODY, and other brands to your product range? As a Swiss distributor, we supply retailers quickly and easily from our warehouse. Become a retailer now—we look forward to your inquiry.