What Sun Protection Lotion Should We Use at the Beach?

You’ve packed your towel, your sunglasses, and your SPF — but have you packed the right lotion for the beach? What sun protection lotion should we use at the beach?

While sunscreen is often the only product people think of before a day in the sun, your skin needs more than just UV protection. Between the salt, sand, sweat, and sun, the beach environment is one of the harshest settings for your skin. And that’s where choosing the right lotion becomes more than a beauty decision — it’s a health one.

Not All Lotions Are Created Equal

Many beachgoers rely on generic creams or oil-heavy SPF lotions that often clog pores, leave a greasy finish, or disturb the skin’s natural balance. Most of these products don’t account for one crucial element: the skin’s pH.

Healthy skin has a pH of 5.5, which is slightly acidic. This is what dermatologists refer to as the acid mantle, the invisib...