You know that special someone in your life who always has saltwater in their veins and sea breeze in their hair—the avid sailor who spends every free moment on the open water, battling the elements. While life at sea makes for an exciting adventure, it can do a number on the skin. The sun, wind, and salt play havoc with the complexion, leaving it dry, damaged, and prematurely aged. As a gift for your seafaring loved one, skincare products specially formulated for harsh marine conditions can provide sweet relief. In this guide, you’ll discover some of the best skincare gifts to soothe a sailor’s skin and keep them looking shipshape for future seasons. Whether they’re out for an afternoon sail or embarking on an ocean voyage, these products have them covered. Anchors aweigh for healthy, hydrated skin!
Protecting Skin From the Salty Seas
Sun Protection is a Must
When you’re out in the open water, the sun’s rays intensify and UV exposure increases. Be sure to slather on a natural broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF, especially on your face, neck, and hands. Reapply frequently if swimming or sweating a lot. Consider wearing sunglasses, a wide-brimmed hat, and UV-protective clothing as well.
Hydrate Your Skin
The salt in seawater can dry out and irritate your skin. Drink plenty of water to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. Pack a moisturiser to soothe your skin after being in the water. Look for a cream containing hydrating ingredients like glycerin, sweet almond and hemp oils.
Treat Rough, Callused Skin
If you frequently go barefoot on deck or handle ropes and equipment, your hands and feet can become rough and callused. Use an ointment containing beeswax, glycerin, cocoa butter, shea butter, and exfoliants like alpha hydroxy acid to soften calluses and moisturise cracked skin. For severe calluses, see a dermatologist for prescription creams.
With the proper precautions, you can enjoy your seafaring adventures and keep your skin smooth sailing. The open waters await!
Soothing Sunburns From Days on the Water
Your skin will likely feel the effects after a long day sailing the open sea. The sun, wind, and saltwater can do a number on your body, leaving you with a painful sunburn and dry and irritated skin. To soothe a sailor’s skin, here are some gift ideas to bring relief.
Soothing aloe vera gel
Aloe vera gel is a lifesaver for sunburns. Its cooling properties help relieve the pain from damaged skin while moisturising and promoting healing. Apply the gel to the sunburned area, letting it soak in thoroughly. The aloe will reduce inflammation and redness, leaving skin feeling instantly refreshed. Look for a high percentage of pure aloe extract for the best aloe vera gel.
Rich moisturising cream
A rich cream can rehydrate dry, cracked skin and create a protective barrier. Look for hydrating formulas like almond oil, shea butter, beeswax, and tea tree. Gently massage the cream into the skin, especially after showering while the pores are open, to soothe and soften instantly. Look for creams infused with calming lavender or chamomile essential oils for an extra treat.
After-sun care is essential for any nautical soul. With the right combination of rich creams and exfoliants, you’ll be back to feeling beachy keen in no time. Smooth sailing!
Hydrating Parched Skin After Sailing
Your skin needs significant hydration after a long day out on the open water. The sun, wind, and saltwater can do a number on your complexion, leaving it dry, flaky, and irritated. Here are some tips to soothe your sailor’s skin and replenish moisture after boating.
Drink Up
The number one way to hydrate your skin is to hydrate your body. Ensure you drink plenty of water before, during, and after being out on the boat. Staying hydrated will keep your skin cells plump with moisture and support healthy cell regeneration. About 12-16 glasses of water daily is ideal for hydrating your body and skin.
Rinse the Salt Away
When you leave the boat, rinse your body and face with fresh water to remove salt, sunscreen or debris. Saltwater and sunscreen residue can continue dehydrating and irritating your skin even after you’re out of the sun. Rinsing them away instantly makes your skin feel more comfortable and allows moisturisers to absorb better.
Slather on a Thick Moisturiser
After showering, apply a rich moisturiser, especially on dry areas like your face, hands, elbows and knees. Look for a cream containing hydrating ingredients like hemp oil, glycerin, shea butter or cocoa butter. An ointment like almond oil, beeswax or cocoa butter also creates an effective barrier to seal in moisture.
Soothe with Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel is incredibly soothing and healing for sunburned or irritated skin. Apply the gel directly to areas of concern, like your cheeks, nose, shoulders and back. The cooling aloe vera will reduce inflammation, moisturise the skin and speed healing. You can also keep aloe vera gel in the refrigerator for an extra cooling effect.
Following these tips will make your skin feel soft, supple and soothed. Be sure to continue hydrating your skin daily to restore moisture balance after sun and sea exposure. With the proper care and hydration, you’ll be ready to head out on the waters again without worry or discomfort.
Combating Windburn With Rich Creams
Spending long hours exposed to the sun, wind, and saltwater significantly affects a sailor’s skin. Rich creams and balms are a must to combat windburn and soothe a sea-beaten complexion.
Moisturise Morning and Night
Hydrating your skin first thing in the morning and right before bed is critical. Look for a thicker anti-chafing cream containing natural oils and waxes to protect the skin barrier, with a glycerin, a humectant, to draw moisture into the skin. For the day, choose a cream with balanced UVA/UVB sunscreen for protection from UV rays. Use a heavier reparative cream to intensely hydrate while you sleep at night.
Target Rough Spots
Pay extra attention to extremely dry and cracked areas like lips, cuticles, elbows, and heels. An ointment like petroleum jelly, beeswax, shea butter, or lanolin can help soften rough skin and create a protective barrier. For lips, choose a balm with hydrating oils like coconut, argan or jojoba oil and natural waxes to seal in moisture.
Consider Occlusives
Apply a formula with natural occlusives, like beeswax or lanolin, over your moisturiser for extreme dryness to create an impenetrable barrier and lock in hydration. Ointments containing cocoa and shea butter also have occlusive effects. Use 2-3 times weekly or as needed when skin feels tight or flaky. Occlusives are very effective but can feel greasy, so use sparingly.
With a combination of hydrating creams, targeted ointments, gentle exfoliation, and occlusive barriers when needed, you can keep your sailor’s skin soft, smooth and protected no matter how much time you spend at sea.
Finding Skincare Gifts for Sailors and Seafarers
Sun Protection
The sun’s rays intensify on the open water. Gift sunscreen, sunblock, SPF lip balm, and UV-protective clothing like hats, sunglasses, and swim shirts. Look for all-natural, water-resistant, broad-spectrum formulas. Mineral-based sunblocks with zinc oxide tend to hold up better in water. Reapplication reminders like bracelets are helpful, too.
Moisturising Relief
Salt, sun, and wind can dry out and irritate skin. Rich moisturisers, creams, lotions, balms, and ointments provide hydration and relief. Products such as glycerin, almond oil, cocoa butter, beeswax, and lanolin are ideal for sealing in moisture. For windburned or chapped lips, gift lip treatments with moisturising butters, oils and waxes.
Set Sail with Smooth Skin: Top Skincare Picks for Sea Lovers and Land Dwellers
So there you have it, salty sea dogs and landlubbers alike – some of the best skincare gifts to soothe a sailor’s skin. Whether you’re shopping for a sun-weathered captain or want to treat your favourite first mate, these products will have them sailing smoothly. Remember, constant sun and wind exposure require extra TLC. Moisturise, exfoliate and protect that sea-beaten skin. And for aspiring sailors, take a page from the mariner’s manual and safeguard your skin before you even set sail. Fair winds and following seas to you, and may your skincare voyage be smooth!