The sunny season is upon us and if you haven’t planned a vacation already, its time to start planning!
When going to the seaside there are some obvious things to take to the beach, but you’d be surprised at how many people forget the basics so I’ve come up with a list of must-have beach items to make sure you have a relaxing beach day.
Bask in the sun, splash around a bit, and enjoy your opportunity to soak in the beauty of the beach!
Water Bottle
Humans buy about 1,000,000 plastic bottles per minute and over 30% are not recycled. It’s not only bad for the environment, but it’s also bad for your wallet.
If you want to do your bit to save the planet while also saving money, you should invest in a reusable water bottle.
Carrying a refillable water bottle means you’re more likely to drink the recommended one to two liters of fluid a day.
Stay hydrated at the beach by drinking fluids and eating water-rich foods.
Drinking fluids is essential for keeping your body safe and preserving the function of your organs, including your heart, brain, and muscles. Fluids bring nutrients from your bladder to your liver, remove bacteria, and avoid constipation.
Beach Bag
Go zero waste with a biodegradable tote bag! Get one that’s big enough to carry all of your items (books, laptops, folders, workout clothes, you name it!) and a cute design.
Using tote bags instead of plastic bags is important, but using a product that will easily break down and become part of the environment after you use it makes you an environmental rock star!
Make sure you also get a Bag Organizer because your bag shouldn’t be a bottomless pit!
Sunscreen
I always buy sunscreen before heading to the beach. In most cases, the sunscreen they have at the beach is expensive and not the best quality.
I highly recommend getting an eco-friendly sunscreen that does not contain harmful chemicals.
Many ingredients found in sunscreens and certain sun filters are not biodegradable and can be digested by marine organisms, which can have a very harmful impact.
Why wear sunscreen?
Everyone, regardless of skin color, should wear an adequate amount of sunscreen to ensure full protection every day.
Using sunscreen daily, even when it is cold or raining, dramatically decreases your risk of developing skin cancer.
In addition to slowing aging of the skin, exposure to UV rays can lead to skin dehydration, which causes discomfort and sensations of tightness. Sunscreen prevents sunburn, DNA damage, dark spots, and premature aging.
How often should I reapply sunscreen?
It’s highly recommended that you reapply sunscreen every 2 hours to ensure optimal protection from UVA/UVB rays.
What are UVA/UVB Rays?
The sunlight that reaches us is made up of two types of harmful rays: long wave ultraviolet A (UVA) and short wave ultraviolet B (UVB).
UVA rays penetrate deep into the dermis, the skin’s thickest layer. While UVB rays will usually burn the superficial layers of your skin.
Should I only wear sunscreen when it’s hot?
UV exposure is highest in the spring and summer months. During these seasons, the sun is at a higher angle, which increases UV ray intensity.
However, the sun can still affect you during fall and winter.
The best sunscreen for my skin type
When buying sunscreen it’s important to buy the right one for your skin type.
| Skin Type | What to look for | Best Very High protection Sunscreen to try |
|---|---|---|
| Acne-prone | Avoid creams since they tend to be greasy and heavy and can clog pores. | SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Fluid |
| For your body | Opt for non-greasy options to protect skin without irritating. | SPF 50+ Lotion (body) |
| Dry | Look for a sunscreen that also contains a moisturizer and avoid sprays since they often contain skin-drying alcohol. | SPF 50+ Fragrance Free Cream |
| Oily | Look for a lightweight, cream-based sunscreen that dries quickly on your skin. | Sun 50+ Mineral Cream |
| Sensitive | Make sure the sunscreen you buy is alcohol- and fragrance-free. | SPF50+ Cleanance Sunscreen |
5 Reasons to choose Avène
I have been using Eau Thermale Avène (No.1 dermo-cosmetic sun care brand in Europe) for the past few months.
They offer a range of sun care that offers optimal sun protection while minimizing environmental impact and usually only costs a few rands more to help protect our oceans.
#1. Face and Body Range
Some people aren’t aware but there is a difference between face- and body-specific sunscreens.
There are also combination sunscreens which you should add to your list of things to take to the beach.
In 2018, Avène launched a new suncare compound called SUNSITIVE in all its facial SPF products.
This year, Avène is relaunching all its Body SPF as well as their SPF50 for children, meaning that their entire orange range of suncare now lives up to the promise of “Good for You, Good for the Environment” with its SKIN PROTECT, OCEAN RESPECT pledge.
Facial skin is generally more sensitive to irritation than body skin, so face formulations have to be tested to cause less irritation and not trigger acne.
#2. Travel-Size Products
Everyone who knows me knows I only buy travel-size items. I travel a lot and although I only have one carry one bag, I still like to take my favorite skincare products.
To be honest, those little clear plastic reusable bottles are great, but they’re a pain to use and refill. Buying smaller sizes just saves so much time.
Travel-size products are also a great way to try new products. You don’t have to make a huge commitment to something you’re not sure you’ll like or even need.
Some Avène products are available in 50ml, 150ml, and 300ml, which I love!
#3. No White Residue
Not only does this range give your skin an imperceptible, extremely soft finish but it was also designed to rub in fully without leaving a white residue.
Thanks to new-generation silica, This sun care range absorbs both excess water (sweat) and sebum while helping you stay shine-free.
It easy to apply, luscious, smooth, no greasy or sticky effect; quickly absorbed to guarantee a silky, dry-touch finish, the “Nude skin feel” innovation added to the SPF 50+ face formulas.
#4. Eco-friendly
Since 2013, Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care has been developed in line with a very strict formulation charter in order to provide the best sun protection, whilst minimizing their environmental impact.
In keeping with this eco-friendly approach, the brand is continuously improving its formulas and packaging to live up to their SKIN PROTECT, OCEAN RESPECT promise.
Eco-designed formula
Avène rigorously selects ingredients to reduce environmental impact. They have a Sunsitive® filter system containing only 4 sun filters.
The filter system that does not contain any water-soluble filters, so that they aren’t assimilated by marine organisms. It is also free from controversial filters like oxybenzone, octinoxate, octocrylene, and homosalate.
Avène’s makes silicone-free formulas with a minimal concentration of filters for optimal biodegradability.
Eco-friendly Spray Bottle
There’s nothing more annoying than losing your sunscreen cap but with Avène’s new OPEN/STOP system, they made their spray nozzles retractable.
It’s more convenient and user-friendly and there’s less chance of losing the cap in the environment.
#5. Avène Protects the Ocean
Eau Thermale Avène sun care products have been developed to minimize the impact on the marine ecosystem.
These gentle, effective, eco – friendly formulas and textures with an imperceptible finish carry a promise to protect the skin and respect the ocean.
The project is called “Skin Protect, Ocean Respect”.
Avène has pledged R10 of every Eau Thermale Avène Sun Care product sold for the months of November-December 2019 will be donated towards Turtle Conservation Initiatives along the Southern African Coast.
My Sun Protection Routine
Since I moved to Bali a few months ago, I don’t’ wear any makeup because it’s generally too hot.
I’m relying on a good skincare routine. I also wash my face with a good cleanser then I moisturize then apply for the Very High Protection SPF 50 + Cream to my neck and face and for my body, I use the Very High Protection SPF 50 + Spray.
They both contain the popular Avène Thermal Water. Not only does it help reduce inflammation, but it also softens your skin, strengthens its protective barrier and helps it regenerate. It’s perfect if you have sensitive skin like mine because it also soothes and hydrates your skin.
The Very High Protection range is perfect for me because It offers long-lasting and effective UVB-UVA protection for people with sensitive skin.
Protective Clothing
Another great way to protect your skin is to wear protective clothing like a T-shirt, sunglasses, and hats.
Clothes can provide some protection from UV exposure. Tightly-woven dry fabrics are best. Many outdoor companies make clothes that provide increased protection from UV rays.
Wearing a wide-brimmed hat can provide additional protection to your ears and neck.
When choosing sunglasses opt for ones that offer UV protection to prevent damage to your eyes and the surrounding skin.
Sarong
A sarong is a rectangular piece of fabric longer than it is wide, usually found in a variety of colorful prints.
Its versatility is what makes it so essential for any trip as well as for day to day use.
You can wear it as a skirt or a dress. A sarong can also be used as a blanket, towel, scarf or even a shawl.
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Disclaimer: This article was sponsored by Eau Thermale Avène.