UrbanUpdate

After a good beach day, my skin is always parched. I look a bit like a leather sofa, or, if I really overdid it, Tan Mom. While SPF protects the skin from damaging UV rays, it doesn’t preserve the skin’s moisture—which gets zapped in the heat. Plus, if I’m swimming in salt water or a chlorine-filled pool, that’s going to dry out my hide even more.

But that's me, and I’ve got a good melanin ratio. If you’re pastier than me, chances are you’re gonna burn this summer. It’s just inevitable. Unless you stay under an umbrella at the beach, in which case, you must be a goth lord, and I bow down to you.

Like me, you need a post-sun remedy that keeps your skin from peeling but doesn’t leave you greasy. My solution is body oil. Just as I advocate for face oil as a highly effective alternative to moisturizer for your face, body oil absorbs quickly into all three layers of your skin, and packs a host of benefits.

First and foremost, oil restores moisture. Also, many of the essential oils used in these products are antimicrobial and antifungal, meaning you can apply them to freshly shaved skin to combat irritation.

So, after you return home from the beach or the pool, take a cool shower to soothe the skin, using a gentle soap and cleanser to rinse away any sweat or sunscreen from the pores. Dry off and lather on the body oil. Careful though: a few drops will go a long way.

Within seconds, the oil absorbs deep into the skin, and any sense of tautness and dryness should evaporate. It won’t leave you feeling oily, I promise. If it does, you used too much. Never apply any fragrant oils to your face. I suggest using a separate oil for that, since the skin on the face is so much more sensitive. The next day, shower in the morning—same drill, with gentle cleansers—and apply another coat of oil.

Now, in a few days you’ll be tan, and your skin will be smooth. All the perks of a perfect beach day, with none of the consequences.

Here are four oils I like—for sunny beach days, bone-dry winters, and everything in between.

Jao — Goē Oil, $48Goē dispenses like toothpaste but melts into butter in your palms. It’s highly concentrated with jojoba oil (which is more of a wax than an oil), as well as 27(!) other all-natural oils and butters, like sunflower, avocado, grape seed, coconut, and shea). In addition to a post-sun recovery, I love Goē after hot showers, hot tubs, and in the dead of winter. It resuscitates skin to a hydrated, “glowing” state by replicating the natural sebum typically produced by the body’s oil glands.

F. Miller — Body Oil, $88F. Miller’s exceptional blend leads with argan, jojoba, coconut, and almond oils. It’s packed with antioxidants and fatty acids, so it preserves the skin’s elasticity while protecting it from environmental wear. This body oil is my favorite of the bunch for a mid-section post-shave recovery on the shoulders, chest, or back, since it calms irritation and hydrates acne-prone skin. I also like applying it to my arms before I go outside on errands. I don’t like applying sunscreen if I won’t be out for more than 15 minutes, so this oil is my substitute since it has protective qualities that combat UV irradiation.

Dr. Jart+ — Ceramidin Body Oil, $23As you age, the skin becomes firmer since its lipid density is lowered. Dr. Jart’s ceramide-packed products restore that density and thus preserve the skin’s moisture. So, apply the brand’s Ceramidin Body Oil after a day in the sun for an instant replenishment, supported also by olive, avocado, safflower, green tea oils. I used to pump a few hits of it into a hot bath, too, after spraining my ankle. That way, I’d get out of the tub with perfectly healthy skin, nothing compromised or dried out by the oil-stripping hot water.

Tom Ford — Neroli Portofino Body Oil, $72Leave it to Tom Ford to concoct the most extravagant oil on the roster. His Neroli body oil is a spin off his fragrance of the same name, employing citrus oils and floral notes to calm the skin… and to attract someone who can come verify how soft it is. I don’t recommend using this one as a post-shave torso toner, since it has fragrant qualities that could further irritate the skin or clog pores. Instead, use it after showering, when you’re fresh off the beach or nestled into your winter cabin. It’ll keep your skin smooth, and your game even smoother.

Watch Next: Upgrade Your Summer Style with Suede Loafers

Adam Hurly has been covering men's grooming since 2013 (and for GQ since 2016). He is also a travel writer. In Fall 2024, Adam is launching Blue Print by Adam Hurly, a men's grooming platform. Adam resides in Lisbon (previously Berlin, NYC, and San Francisco). He is a Sioux Falls, SD, native... Read moreWriterInstagramRelated Stories for GQGroomingSkincare