How to Repair Sun-Damaged Skin on the Body (Beyond SPF)

Sun damage doesn’t just show up on your face. Your arms, chest, shoulders, back, and legs often tell the story first—freckles, dark spots, dryness, crepey texture, and that “weathered” look that lingers long after summer. The good news? You can help repair sun-damaged skin on your body with a consistent, nourishing routine that goes far beyond SPF.

In this guide, we walk through how to soothe, smooth, and strengthen sun-exposed body skin using gentle exfoliation, after-sun care, antioxidant-rich oils, and ultra-hydrating body butters. All with the Glimmer Goddess® philosophy: vegan, organic ingredients your skin will love, handcrafted in Texas.

• Sun-Damaged Skin: Repair, Brighten & Protect (Pillar Page)
• After-Sun Skin Ritual: Soothe, Hydrate & Repair Sun Exposure
• Can You Reverse Sun Damage Naturally? What Science Says
• SPF + Antioxidants: Why They’re the Ultimate Anti-Aging Duo

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How Sun Damage Shows Up on the Body

Body skin is often exposed to the sun for years with minimal protection—think shoulders, forearms, chest, and shins. Over time, that exposure can lead to:

• Dark spots and “sun freckles” on arms, hands, and chest
• Dry, rough, or “leathery” texture
• Crepey skin on the upper arms and décolletage
• Redness or blotchiness on shoulders and chest
• Overall dullness and loss of glow

While we can’t completely erase every sign of sun damage, we can help body skin look smoother, brighter, and healthier with the right steps.

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Step 1: Soothe & Cleanse Without Stripping

Sun-exposed skin tends to be drier and more fragile. Harsh soaps and sulfates strip away natural oils, making damage look worse. Start with a gentle, sulfate-free body wash that respects your skin barrier.

Try our Organic Moisturizing Body Wash, which uses plant-based cleansers and hydrating botanicals to cleanse without tightness.

• Use lukewarm water instead of hot.
• Avoid scrubbing with harsh loofahs on already-irritated areas.
• Gently pat skin dry instead of rubbing.

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Step 2: Use an After-Sun Lotion to Calm & Rehydrate

Right after sun exposure, your skin needs soothing hydration to help calm heat, replenish moisture, and support your tan without peeling or flaking. This is where a true aftersun lotion shines.

Our Organic After Sun Lotion Tan Extender Luminizing Shimmer is designed to:

• Deliver cooling, soothing moisture after sun exposure
• Help extend the life of your tan by minimizing dryness and flaking
• Add a soft, luminous shimmer that makes sun-kissed skin glow

Apply it generously to sun-exposed areas (arms, chest, shoulders, legs) after showering. You can also use it on non-beach days as a hydrating, luminizing body lotion for a healthy-looking glow.

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Step 3: Gently Exfoliate to Smooth Texture & Boost Radiance

Sun damage often makes body skin look rough, flaky, and uneven. Gentle exfoliation helps buff away dull surface buildup so your treatment products can penetrate more effectively.

Look for a sugar-based body scrub with nourishing oils—it polishes without tearing or overdrying.

Our Organic Whipped Sugar Fondant Exfoliating Body Scrub — Crepey Skin Treatment uses organic sugar cane, coconut oil, sweet almond oil, blue agave, and vitamin E to smooth rough patches while leaving skin soft and hydrated.

• Use 1–3 times per week, depending on sensitivity.
• Focus on shoulders, chest, upper arms, and legs.
• Rinse thoroughly and pat skin dry—never scrub raw or sunburned skin.

Exfoliation is especially helpful if sun damage has led to crepey skin on the body or uneven tone that also connects to hyperpigmentation concerns.

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Step 4: Replenish with Firming, Antioxidant-Rich Body Oils

Once the skin is soothed, cleansed, and (on certain days) exfoliated, it’s the perfect time to apply a treatment body oil. Oils rich in essential fatty acids, antioxidants, and botanical actives help restore suppleness and support a more even look and feel.

Our Organic Luxury Firming Body Oil features evening primrose, rosehip seed, jojoba, broccoli seed, calendula-infused olive oil, and manuka oil to:

• Deeply nourish dry, sun-stressed skin
• Support firmer, smoother-looking texture
• Deliver antioxidants that help defend against free radicals

Apply to slightly damp skin right after showering, or layer it under your aftersun lotion and body butter on extra dry or crepey areas.

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Step 5: Lock In Moisture with Rich Body Butter

Sun-damaged skin often has a weakened barrier and struggles to hold onto moisture. That’s where a rich, plant-based body butter comes in—it locks in hydration and helps skin feel soft and comfortable again.

Our Ultimate Nourishing Organic Whipped Coconut & Vitamin E Body Butter combines coconut oil, shea butter, cocoa butter, and vitamin E to:

• Replenish moisture in sun-parched areas
• Support the skin barrier
• Leave the body feeling soft, supple, and more resilient

For very dry, sun-damaged, or crepey areas (like upper arms or chest), apply body oil first, then layer either:

• After Sun Shimmer Body Lotion for soothing, glowing hydration, or
• Whipped Body Butter for deeper, cushioned moisture

You can also alternate between them: aftersun lotion on freshly sun-exposed days, body butter on recovery days.

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Step 6: Protect & Prevent Future Sun Damage on the Body

You can’t truly talk about repairing sun damage without also talking about prevention. If UV exposure is responsible for the majority of premature aging, then protecting your body is key to maintaining your progress.

• Use a broad-spectrum SPF on exposed body areas any day you’re outside.
• Reapply every 2 hours when outdoors or after swimming/sweating.
• Pair sunscreen with antioxidant care for even better protection—see SPF + Antioxidants: Why They’re the Ultimate Anti-Aging Duo.
• Cover high-exposure areas (shoulders, chest, arms) with clothing or UPF fabrics when possible.

For the face, neck, and chest, daily use of Vitamin C Face Cream SPF 30 helps both protect and brighten.

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Sample Routine: Repairing Sun-Damaged Skin on the Body

On Days You’ve Been in the Sun

1. Cleanse body with Organic Moisturizing Body Wash.
2. Pat skin dry, then apply Organic After Sun Lotion Tan Extender Luminizing Shimmer generously to sun-exposed areas.
3. On very dry or crepey areas, layer Luxury Firming Body Oil underneath before applying your aftersun lotion.

2–3 Times per Week (Repair-Focused Days)

1. Cleanse body with Organic Moisturizing Body Wash.
2. Exfoliate sun-damaged areas using Organic Whipped Sugar Fondant Exfoliating Body Scrub.
3. Rinse, then apply Luxury Firming Body Oil to damp skin.
4. Seal with either After Sun Shimmer Body Lotion or Whipped Coconut & Vitamin E Body Butter, depending on how dry your skin feels.

Daily (On Non-Exfoliation / Non-Beach Days)

1. Cleanse gently with body wash.
2. Apply Luxury Firming Body Oil to key areas (chest, arms, legs).
3. Follow with After Sun Shimmer Body Lotion for hydrated, luminous skin, or Whipped Body Butter for richer moisture.
4. Apply SPF on exposed body skin before going outside.

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FAQ: After-Sun Care & Rehydrating Sun-Exposed Skin

What does aftersun actually do?

Aftersun products are designed to cool, soothe, and rehydrate sun-exposed skin. A good aftersun lotion helps calm heat, replenish moisture, and minimize dryness and flaking so your skin feels more comfortable and your tan looks more even and radiant.

What is the best thing to put on your skin after sun exposure?

The best thing to apply after sun exposure is a combination of cooling hydration + barrier support. Reach for a gentle aftersun lotion like our Organic After Sun Lotion Tan Extender Luminizing Shimmer, then layer nourishing oils or body butter if your skin feels very dry.

How to rehydrate skin after sun exposure?

Start by drinking plenty of water, then apply a generous layer of a hydrating aftersun lotion. On very dry, sun-damaged areas, layer a body oil underneath and a rich body butter on top to lock in moisture. Avoid hot showers, harsh soaps, and additional exfoliation until skin feels calm.

Can you use aftersun as an everyday moisturiser?

Yes—especially if the formula is packed with nourishing, plant-based ingredients. Our Organic After Sun Shimmer Body Lotion can be used as a daily, glow-boosting moisturizer on arms, legs, and chest to keep skin soft, hydrated, and radiant even on days you’re not in the sun.

References

• American Academy of Dermatology — Photoaging and body sun damage.
• Cleveland Clinic — UV exposure, premature aging, and prevention.
• Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology — Exfoliation, antioxidants, and moisturisation for photoaged skin.
• Dermatology Times — Management of chronic sun-damaged body skin.
• PubMed — Studies on plant oils, butters, and antioxidant care in skincare.