It seems as though summers are running a bit late this year. I keep looking at my weather app expecting high 70s and every day I’m greeted with the same sad 68… every time. The moment the weather hits 75 degrees, I’m packing a beach bag and heading out. We outside! Last year, I spent so much time at the beach I think I perfected the beach bag. It’s more than just a towel, sunscreen, and glasses in a bag. It’s my ticket to glowing skin the next day.

First things first, let's talk about essentials: towels, hats, and SPF.

Sun Protection Starts with SPF

SPF stands for sun protection factor. It’s what helps protect our skin from UV rays, or ultraviolet rays. As we all know, the sun is very damaging to our skin. It can cause dark spots, sunburns, and skin cancer.

Treating and managing new dark spots is what we're all about here at Aurganics. The Alpha Glow Serum helps combat new and existing dark spots, for an irritation-free glow.

It’s important we know a few basics about sun protection. The number on the bottles represents the level of protection you receive from UV rays. Does that mean that 30 SPF is better than 15 SPF? Not necessarily. On a daily basis, dermatologists recommend using SPF 15, and on sunnier days they recommend SPF 30. After SPF 15, the percentage of protection increases by only a bit. It’s more important to reapply throughout the day as recommended on the bottle.

Hint: if the bottle doesn't say when to reapply, two hours is the usual. Fair skin absorbs more UV rays, and, as a result, burns more than melanin-rich skin. But that doesn't mean we shouldn’t protect it. Melanin-rich skin still runs the risk of sunburn. Sun damage, peeling, and dark spots can result from it. Our Alpha Glow Serum formulated for melanin-rich skin is perfect for the summer!

Choosing the Right Sunscreen

Cool, we're a little more informed about SPF. Which one should you buy now? I have a few that I found myself reaching for last year:

1. Sun Bum Sunscreen Stick has been a repurchase these last few years. It's a small, compact sunscreen in stick form. I would put it in my bag for touch-ups at the beach. It's small and cute.
2. Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen SPF 40 has been called a dupe for Supergoop. This fragrance-free sunscreen delivers UV protection while leaving skin silky-soft with a matte finish. At half the price of Supergoop, it's definitely worth a try.
3. CeraVe Sunscreen lotion for the face and body is available at Target and has been a staple for us sensitive-skin girlies.

Don’t forget to apply your favorite Aurganics Alpha Glow serum under your sunscreen to ensure your skin is glowing at the end of the day. The serum is perfect for sensitive, melanin-rich skin and delivers a glowy base for a sunny beach day. With Aloe Vera Leaf Juice listed as our first ingredient, it’s a no-brainer to add it to your beach bag.

Beach Bag Essentials Beyond Sunscreen

Now that we’ve browsed the sunscreen aisle, let's check out some fun beach accessories.

1. A towel is a must-have. I recommend a tiger beach towel from Anthropologie or a fun one from Urban Outfitters. Either way, you want to make sure that it's bright so you can't lose it in a sea of beach bums.
2. A hat? Yes, please! Hats are a great way to reduce sun damage. Anything from a trucker hat to a floppy hat can help. They block harmful UV rays from touching your skin or hair.
3. Speaking of hair, if you’re planning to swim, try a hair mask to protect it from saltwater and leave it feeling smooth afterward. Try Sheamoisture Bond Repair or California Naturals Hair Masque.
4. Before we check out, let's get one more thing: aloe vera gel. Just in case, iykyk. If you don't know, aloe vera has been clinically shown to help soothe sunburns. Did you know our Alpha Glow Serum by AURGANICS is aloe-based, making it the perfect before-and-after sun-care glow serum?

And that's everything in my perfect beach bag! Packing these essentials helps protect your skin, keep it hydrated, and leave you glowing long after your beach day ends. Don't forget to reapply!

After-Beach Routine

After the beach, try a gentle cleanser followed by a hydrating serum. The aloe-based Alpha Glow Serum by Aurganics is great for sensitive, melanin-rich skin. Top that with your favorite moisturizer and you are ready for bed.