CHICAMA SURF SKINCARE ROUTINE: HOW TO PROTECT YOUR SKIN BEFORE AND AFTER SURFING
Surfing exposes your skin to some of the harshest environmental conditions imaginable. UV radiation reflected by the ocean, salt water, wind, long hours under the sun and constant hydration loss all affect the skin barrier. A functional skincare routine helps protect your skin before entering the water and supports recovery afterwards.
To validate our products in real conditions, the Indoor Outdoor team travelled to Chicama, Peru, home to one of the world’s longest left-hand waves. Together with professional athletes, surfers and a Cabrinha team member, we tested our performance skincare throughout multiple days of surfing and foiling. Why surfers need a dedicated skincare routine. Most skincare products are developed for indoor environments. Surfing is different.
Your skin is exposed to:
• intense UV radiation
• ocean reflection that increases sun exposure
• salt water
• wind
• dehydration
• repeated long sessions lasting several hours
A functional skincare routine should prepare the skin before activity, protect it during exposure and help recovery afterwards.
Step 1 — Before surfing: Start with clean performance
Our mornings started before sunrise. At 5:30 AM the team would wake up before a mobility session including yoga or Pilates to improve flexibility and reduce injury risk before surfing. Before breakfast everyone applied Mistral, our active deodorant designed for movement. The transparent formula was comfortable on sensitive skin, left no residue and remained fresh throughout long sessions in warm conditions. When your body is already working before entering the water, comfort matters.
Step 2 — SPF 50+ protection before entering the water
Five minutes before paddling out everyone applied Buran SPF 50+, our invisible reef-safe sunscreen stick. For surfing, proper application is essential. We recommend covering every exposed area of the face with an even layer before entering the water, especially:
• nose
• cheeks
• forehead
• ears
• lips
• neck
Long sessions lasting more than two hours require generous application and regular reapplication whenever possible. Real testing in Chicama. Over several days our team of ten athletes tested Buran alongside products from established skincare brands. The feedback was remarkably consistent.
Our sunscreen stick delivered:
• high SPF 50+ protection
• invisible finish without white cast
• comfortable wear during long surf sessions
• clean vegan formula
• reef-safe solar protection compliant with Hawaii reef-safe standards
• no eye irritation caused by sweat or salt water
Most importantly, the team completed the trip without significant sunburn while maintaining healthy-looking skin despite continuous exposure.
Step 3 — Recovery after surfing
Recovery begins once you leave the water. Salt, UV radiation and wind continue stressing the skin barrier long after the surf session ends. Following dinner, everyone applied Zephyr, our Swiss-made botanical recovery serum. Approximately one or two pumps were enough to hydrate the entire face. The immediate sensation was fresh, lightweight and comfortable. After a full night’s recovery the skin appeared well hydrated, smoother and noticeably less dry despite daily sun exposure. For prolonged surf trips we recommend applying Zephyr both in the evening and again the following morning to maintain hydration throughout consecutive days in the water.
The complete functional surf skincare routine. A simple routine consistently produced the best results throughout our expedition:
1. Apply Mistral before physical activity.
2. Protect exposed skin with Buran SPF 50+ before entering the water.
3. Reapply sunscreen during long surf sessions whenever practical.
4. Stay hydrated and wear a hat whenever you are not surfing.
5. Recover overnight using Zephyr to restore hydration and support the skin barrier.
Performance skincare tested where it matters. At Indoor Outdoor we believe skincare should be validated outside the laboratory. Mountains. Ocean. Deserts. Snow. Real environments create real evidence of function. Our expedition to Chicama reinforced a simple principle: The best surf skincare routine is not about using more products. It’s about using products specifically designed to perform where your skin is pushed to its limits.