Beach trips remain popular choices among British holidaymakers. In fact, 52% of Brits prefer a beach holiday over any other type of vacation. This is no surprise, especially with the range of activities you can do by the sea, such as swimming, wakeboarding, and surfing.
Fortunately, beach lovers won’t have to travel far this summer, especially since the UK has its own picturesque beaches, from Fistral Beach – which is known for its surfing – to Jurassic Coast, the UK’s first UNESCO World Heritage site.
While beach holidays are fun, spending extensive periods under the sun can put your eyes and skin at risk of UV damage. If you’re going on a beach holiday, here’s what you need to know about prioritising eye and skin care during your trip:
Eye care tips
What should I look for in sunglasses?
Spending time at the beach can expose your eyes to the sun’s harmful UV rays, which can also bounce off of water and cause issues like photokeratitis and even age-related macular degeneration in the long run. This makes sunglasses essential, as these specs are equipped with lenses that block UV rays and harmful light from penetrating the eyes. Polarised sunnies from Oakley and Ray-Ban are a viable option for blocking glare reflected by water. When choosing which sunglasses to bring on your beach holiday, make sure they have a CE label for guaranteed UV protection and compliance with European safety regulations.
Are goggles important?
Goggles are an essential eye care must-have during beach holidays, especially since they offer protection against bacteria and debris in the water that can cause keratitis—an inflammation or swelling of the cornea. Exposing your eyes to salt water can also cause a painful, stinging sensation that can compromise an enjoyable experience. That said, wearing goggles before swimming is necessary to protect your eyes from discomfort and bacterial infection, which could earn you a trip to the eye doctor and spoil your holiday.
Can I wear my contact lenses during a beach trip?
Contacts are a popular hands-free alternative for treating vision problems like myopia and astigmatism. If you’re going on a beach holiday, you can opt for disposable daily contact lenses so you won’t have to worry about any potential infections from bacteria or debris from reusable contacts. You can check out options from SofLens and Dailies if you’re looking for contacts that naturally moisturise the eyes for comfort. Wearing disposable contacts can help provide vision correction while you’re on holiday and reduce the risk of eye infection—as long as you don’t wear them while you’re on the water. Make sure to take them off before swimming to avoid painful irritations and sight-threatening corneal damage, and wear them with sunglasses to protect against sand or other debris.
Aside from the eyes, your skin is equally at risk of sun damage. Here’s how you can prioritise skin care during a beach holiday:
Skin care tips
What sunscreen should I bring?
Excessive sun exposure can cause sunburn and premature skin ageing, so sunscreen should always be on your checklist. When heading to the beach, remember to use reef-safe sunscreen to help you protect not only your skin but also marine life. Avoid sunscreens containing chemicals like oxybenzone and octinoxate, which can harm aquatic ecosystems. Instead, look for a mineral or zinc-based sunscreen, such as the Australian Gold Botanical Sunscreen and Garnier Ambre Solaire Protection Lotion. Additionally, opt for sunscreen with at least SPF 30, as recommended by experts.
How does a wide-brimmed hat help?
A wide-brimmed sun hat can provide extensive coverage for the delicate skin around your eyes, neck, and ears, which are all prone to sun damage and wrinkling. You can wear a sun hat with a UV Protection Factor 50+ for guaranteed protection while strolling along shorelines or kayaking. Retailers like Solbari are a good option if you’re looking for packable wide-brimmed hats to bring to your beach holiday trip.
What is UV-protective clothing?
Did you know that skin cancer cases are at an all-time high in the UK? Almost nine in 10 cases are caused by too much exposure to UV rays. This is why you should also bring UV-protective clothing to the beach for maximum skin protection. This type of clothing is made of unique fabrics like polyester and silk that can absorb and reflect UV rays, preventing them from damaging your skin. Long-sleeved swimwear with UV protection allows you to safely swim under the sun without worrying about skin damage.
Spending long, sunny hours at the beach, while enjoyable, can also harm your eyes and skin. Follow these eye and skin care tips for a memorable holiday without compromising your health.
