“Avoid harsh cleansers and alcohol-based products because they will dry your skin out further,” Chung says. Instead, look for hydrating face cleansers and body washes. While it may be tempting to skip these products altogether when your skin is feeling dry, you do need to cleanse the skin to wash away any residual SPF, chlorine, salt, or sweat.
It’s best to avoid any exfoliators after you’ve been in the water all day long as well. Your skin is likely already incredibly dry, so you don’t want to risk irritating your moisture barrier further. This means body scrubs, chemical exfoliant serums and lotions, retinol body lotions, and dry brushing is all a no-no (for now).
