Fishing is a popular hobby and sport for many Americans. While being out on the open water can be relaxing and enjoyable, the sun, wind, and elements can damage your skin if you’re not careful. Protecting your skin should be a top priority anytime you head out fishing, whether for an afternoon or a whole weekend. Follow these tips to keep your skin looking and feeling healthy during your fishing adventures.
Have a Good Daily Skincare Routine
The first step to protecting your skin for a day of fishing starts long before you ever get in the boat. Having a proper skincare routine is essential to keep your skin resilient and able to withstand the elements while fishing. At the minimum, you’ll want to cleanse, moisturize, and apply sunscreen to your face each morning before going out.
Wash your face with a gentle cleanser when you wake up to remove any dirt, oil, and impurities that accumulate overnight. Opt for a cleanser without harsh sulfates and fragrances. After cleansing, apply a moisturizer with SPF 30 or higher. Choose an oil-free moisturizer if you tend to get shiny throughout the day. Reapply sunscreen every two hours when you are out in the sun.
In addition to your daily skincare routine, using retinoids or peels and creams, such as the ones from https://drdennisgross.com, can increase collagen production and skin cell turnover a few times a week. This helps strengthen the skin barrier and reduces sun damage. Always wear SPF when using these products, as they can make your skin more sensitive to the sun.
Pack Sun Protection
Sun protection is essential for any outdoor activity, especially fishing, where you’ll be out on the open water with UV exposure bouncing off the surface. Pack sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats to shield yourself from damaging sun rays.
Choose a sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Apply liberally to all exposed skin at least 15 minutes before going out in the sun and reapply every two hours. Opt for a water-resistant formula if you’ll be sweating or swimming.
Wear tightly woven, loose-fitting clothing in lightweight fabrics that cover your arms, legs, and torso. Floppy hats and baseball caps shield the face, ears, and neck from the overhead and reflected sun. Wrap-around sunglasses with UV protection will reduce squinting and protect the fragile skin around the eyes.
Try Mineral Makeup and Lip Balm
When you’ll be out on the water all day, hours of sun, wind, and saltwater can dry out your skin. Mineral makeup and lip balm can help combat chapping and irritation.
Mineral makeup contains natural ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to reflect and scatter UV rays away from the skin. Unlike traditional makeup, mineral makeup won’t clog pores or cause breakouts. It has a lightweight feel that is comfortable for all-day wear.
Fishing is a wonderful way to enjoy the outdoors and relax. But all that time under the sun, wind, and water can be rough on your skin. Protecting your skin from sun damage, drying, infections, and irritation is essential to keep it healthy.
