How I Support My Skin Before & After Sun Exposure

We all love a sun-drenched day outdoors. But here’s the reality: Up to 90% of melanomas are linked to UV exposure, so I can help myself from being a bit worried about both the melanoma risk and looking like a raisin when I'm older whenever I go out in the sun. 

The good news? Most of that damage is preventable — and even better, you can support your body to recover when you are exposed to the sun.

This guide covers how I protect my skin before and after sun exposure — and I hope it will be as helpful for you as it's been for me. 

I’ve always loved being outside — hiking, swimming, beach days, you name it. But I’ve also spent way too much time stressing over sunscreen: Will it irritate my skin? What’s actually in it? Is it safe for the ocean?

It wasn’t until recently that I found a sunscreen I actually feel good about using: Suntribe. This is the first one I’ve used where I’m not worried about what I’m putting on my skin — or what’s washing off into the sea.

Suntribe is a natural mineral sunscreen that uses non-nano zinc oxide for UV protection. That means no hormone-disrupting chemicals, no synthetic fragrances, and no sketchy ingredients. It’s broad-spectrum, water-resistant, and blocks both UVA and UVB rays. The texture is surprisingly smooth, and the light tint blends in well — no ghost face.

Another thing that I love most is that it’s reef-safe, biodegradable, and comes in packaging made from sugarcane-based bioplastic. So it protects both my skin and the planet. It’s become my go-to before every long day outside.

Of course, sunscreen isn’t the whole story. I also stick to the basics:

• I avoid direct sun during peak hours (10–16)
• I wear a hat/cap and sunglasses

• I reapply sunscreen every couple of hours

And I make sure to support my body from the inside out — especially after sun exposure. More on that below.

I’ve also cut out industrial seed oils from my diet — things like sunflower, soybean, corn, and canola oil. Why? These oils are high in omega-6 fats, which in excess can increase systemic inflammation and may make the skin more prone to UV-induced damage. Instead, I focus on whole foods and fats like olive oil, avocado, grass-fed butter, and wild-caught fish rich in omega-3s.

Even with good sunscreen, the sun takes a toll. After a long day outside, I always feel like my body’s a bit “off” — more tired, a bit dehydrated, sometimes foggy. That’s because sun exposure doesn’t just affect the surface of the skin. It triggers oxidative stress, inflammation, collagen breakdown, and moisture loss.

Here’s the routine I follow to support recovery after time in the sun — with the supplements I use and trust:

What it is: A high-absorption magnesium supplement that combines seven different forms of magnesium. Each form is absorbed differently in the body and supports different systems — from muscles to brain to skin.

Why I use it: Magnesium is one of the first minerals you deplete when you’re under stress — and sun exposure is a stressor. It plays a huge role in calming inflammation and supporting your skin’s repair process. I take Magnesium Breakthrough in the evening after a long day outside because it helps me wind down, sleep deeper, and support overnight recovery at the cellular level. 

What it is: A clean, sugar-free electrolyte mix with optimal levels of sodium, potassium, and magnesium — without the junk you find in many sports drinks.

Why I use it: When you’re in the sun, you’re sweating — even if you don’t feel it. That means you’re losing minerals fast. I drink SALTE to replenish what I lose and keep my hydration on track. It’s especially helpful on hot days or when I’ve been swimming or hiking. It also helps prevent that sluggish, drained feeling I used to get after long days in the heat. Honestly, I feel a difference within 15–30 minutes after drinking it and it makes drinking water so much easier #amazingtaste 

What it is: Molecular hydrogen is a gas that acts as a selective antioxidant — it neutralizes harmful free radicals in the body without disrupting beneficial ones. I take it in tablet form, which dissolves in water to release the hydrogen gas.

Why I use it: UV exposure increases oxidative stress in the body. Free radicals break down skin cells, speed up aging, and slow recovery. Hydrogen is one of the few antioxidants that can reach deep inside the cells (even into the mitochondria) where a lot of that damage happens. I take Molecular Hydrogen in the morning on an empty stomach to help reduce inflammation, support skin health from within, and feel sharper overall — mentally and physically. It’s a subtle but powerful daily habit for me.

What it is: A high-bioavailability form of vitamin C that’s wrapped in “liposomes” — little fat bubbles that help your body absorb it better and more consistently than regular vitamin C tablets.

Why I use it: Vitamin C is key for collagen production and skin repair, and it’s one of the first antioxidants your body uses up when fighting UV damage. I take a liposomal form because I know it actually gets into my system, instead of being flushed out. I find it helps with recovery, and over time it’s made a noticeable difference in how quickly my skin bounces back after being in the sun. It’s also great for overall immune support, which often takes a hit after prolonged stress (including sun exposure).

If you really want to go deeper into recovery, red light therapy is something I’ve experimented with and recommend. I use it on days when I’ve had a lot of sun or heat exposure.

Red and near-infrared light can:

• Reduce inflammation 

• Support mitochondrial repair 

• Help regenerate collagen 

• Calm redness or irritation in the skin

It’s not essential, but if you have access to a red light panel or go to a clinic with one, it’s a great way to speed up recovery and support your skin from the inside out. 

For me, sun protection is about more than SPF. It’s about giving my body what it needs to protect, repair, and thrive — before and after sun exposure.

Here’s what my summer ritual looks like:

1. Apply Suntribe mineral sunscreen before going out

2. Stay shaded and reapply often

3. Eat clean and avoid seed oils

4. Drink SALTE electrolytes to stay energized and hydrated

5. Take Molecular Hydrogen to help fight oxidative stress

6. Support skin and immune repair with Liposomal Vitamin C

7. Wind down and recover overnight with Magnesium Breakthrough

8. Use red light therapy occasionally for deeper skin recovery

It’s simple. It works. And it lets me enjoy sunny days without the worry.

What are your sun protection favourites?

Magnesium

• Barbagallo, M. & Dominguez, L. J. (2010). Magnesium and aging. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 16(7), 832–839.

• Zhang, Y. et al. (2017). Magnesium supplementation improves markers of inflammation: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Current Pharmaceutical Design, 23(31), 4670–4679.

  → Magnesium plays a key role in regulating inflammation, supporting sleep, and aiding muscle and nerve recovery — all critical after UV stress.

Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, Magnesium)

• Sawka, M. N. et al. (2007). American College of Sports Medicine position stand: Exercise and fluid replacement. Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 39(2), 377–390.

  → Electrolyte loss through sweat can impair physical performance, thermoregulation, and recovery. Replenishing sodium, potassium, and magnesium helps maintain hydration, energy, and muscle function.

Molecular Hydrogen

• Ohta, S. (2015). Molecular hydrogen as a preventive and therapeutic medical gas: Initiation, development and potential of hydrogen medicine. Pharmacology & Therapeutics, 144(1), 1–11.

• Ichihara, M. et al. (2015). Beneficial biological effects and the underlying mechanisms of molecular hydrogen — comprehensive review of 321 original articles. Medical Gas Research, 5(1), 12.

  → Molecular hydrogen has selective antioxidant effects, helping neutralize harmful free radicals generated by UV exposure, and supports mitochondrial health and inflammation modulation.

Liposomal Vitamin C

• Hickey, S., Roberts, H. J., & Cathcart, R. F. (2005). Pharmacokinetics of oral vitamin C. Journal of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine, 15(3), 169–177.

  → Liposomal delivery improves absorption and retention of vitamin C, which is critical for collagen synthesis, immune support, and antioxidant defense after sun exposure.

Red Light Therapy (Photobiomodulation)

• Avci, P. et al. (2013). Low-level laser (light) therapy (LLLT) in skin: Stimulating, healing, restoring. Seminars in Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery, 32(1), 41–52.

• Hamblin, M. R. (2017). Mechanisms and applications of the anti-inflammatory effects of photobiomodulation. APL Photonics, 2(4), 041101.

  → Red and near-infrared light stimulate cellular repair, reduce oxidative stress, improve collagen production, and may accelerate skin recovery after UV damage.