July 4, 2025
Dry hair, sunburned skin? Our tips for taking good care of yourself after sun exposure
In summer, we love to bask in the sun , feel the salt on our skin , and have our hair tousled by the wind . But once the day is over, your skin feels tight , your hair feels rough , and your natural radiance has given way to a slightly tired look. The sun , the heat , chlorine , and even seawater can weaken the skin barrier and dry out the hair fiber . It's therefore essential to adopt a suitable after-sun routine to help your skin and hair gently regenerate .
In this article, we share our simple and effective tips for repairing sun-damaged hair , moisturizing dry skin after sun exposure, and prolonging that feeling of well-being ... even after the holidays.
And of course, we'll share a few gentle tips to adopt as soon as night falls , because at Emily's Pillow , we believe in the power of sleep to repair , soothe and radiate again.
The effect of the sun on skin and hair: what exactly happens?
As we all know, prolonged exposure to the sun can have serious consequences for our skin and hair . Even if we love that tanned complexion and that feeling of summer lightness, the combination of UV rays, salt, chlorine, and wind can leave some marks once the holidays are over.
Skin side: a weakened barrier
UV rays directly damage the epidermis . The result? Skin that can feel tight , peel, or become more reactive . The sun also stimulates the production of free radicals , which are responsible for premature skin aging .
If it is not properly hydrated after exposure, the skin loses its suppleness and radiance .
And even if you get a tan , it doesn't mean your skin is healthy : it's often the opposite .
Hair side: gradual drying out
Hair , especially curly, fine, colored, or already damaged hair, also suffers. The sun opens the hair cuticles, allowing moisture to evaporate. Add to that salt or chlorine, and the hair fiber becomes dull , rough, and brittle. This is particularly noticeable on the lengths, which become thinner or split.
Adopting a post-sun routine at the first sign of dryness or overheating is essential. A silk pillowcase can help you have less tight skin and moisturized hair .
Skin after sun exposure: the right steps to take
After sun exposure , the skin is thirsty . Even if you don't see a sunburn , UV exposure weakens the skin barrier .
To limit feelings of tightness , avoid redness and maintain a beautiful even complexion , here are our essential steps to incorporate into your after-sun skincare routine .
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1- Clean gently
The first thing to do is to remove salt , sand , chlorine and sunscreen residue from the skin .
For this reason, a gentle cleanser is preferred, without harsh perfumes or alcohol , so as not to dry out the skin further.2- Deeply moisturize
To repair skin after sun exposure, hydration is key. Choose a cream or serum rich in active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid , glycerin , or ceramides .
And at night? We leave on a richer treatment to deeply nourish the skin while we sleep .3- Sleep on a silk pillowcase
Sleeping on a pure silk pillowcase helps to limit skin dehydration during the night.
Unlike cotton , which absorbs skincare products, silk respects the skin's balance and avoids aggressive friction .
Hair after the sun: gently repair and nourish
Rough hair, uncontrollable frizz , damaged ends … The sun often leaves visible marks on our hair.
To repair sun-damaged hair , washing it is not enough: it needs to be given back its substance , hydrated and protected , without weighing it down.
Oil bath or nourishing mask: which should you choose?
Even before shampooing, you can treat your hair to a bath of vegetable oil (jojoba, argan, or coconut). Applied from mid-lengths to ends, it will deeply nourish the hair fiber. You can opt for a silk nightcap to allow your treatment to work its magic.
Wash gently and space out shampoos
The scalp needs to breathe, but not to be irritated. The idea is to preserve the hydrolipidic film that naturally protects the hair fiber.
Preserve the benefits of care during the night
At night, hair becomes more fragile: friction, perspiration, tight elastic bands...
To preserve your evening skincare routine, sleep with a silk nightcap or silk pillowcase : they reduce breakage, knots and dehydration.As a bonus: defined curls, protected ends, and color that lasts longer.
Nighttime, a key time to regenerate skin and hair
While summer days warm us up, it's at night that everything happens. It's during sleep that the body activates its natural regeneration mechanisms, and that treatments work deeply .
In summer, this recovery time becomes essential to repair the effects of the sun on the skin and hair .
Skin: Maximum cell regeneration at night
While you sleep , your skin works hard : it eliminates toxins , stimulates collagen production, and regenerates faster than during the day. To help it in this process, apply your moisturizing or repairing skincare products just before bed. A soothing serum , a nourishing cream , or even an ultra-light overnight mask can make all the difference.
And to avoid compromising their effects, consider the quality of what touches your face throughout the night :
A soft, hypoallergenic , non-absorbent silk pillowcase preserves your skin's moisture and limits micro-friction responsible for redness and dehydration marks.
Hair: Protect and maintain hydration
Hair also needs rest . Friction against a cotton pillowcase can create static electricity , accentuate frizz , or break the ends .
To maintain the benefits of your hair care products , the best approach remains simple:
- To sleep on silk.
- Or slip your hair into a silk nightcap to envelop it in softness.
These gentle steps protect hair from nighttime damage, while allowing it to remain supple, shiny and well-hydrated.
Taking care of yourself after sun exposure: a ritual to savor
Summer is good for the soul , but it requires a little more care when it comes to skincare . By listening to your skin and hair 's needs after each sun exposure, you prolong that healthy glow … without the damage .
Cleanse gently , moisturize generously , and above all, pamper your nights : these are the small gestures that make a real difference .
At Emily's Pillow, we deeply believe in the power of restorative sleep. Our pure silk pillowcases, nightcaps, and silk masks are designed to care for you naturally, even while you sleep.
What if this year, your after-sun routine also involved silk?
Discover all our nighttime essentials right here
