To avoid sun-damaged skin, covering up with sunscreen is key to protecting your skin during sunny days, but many people don’t bother when the weather is cold or gloomy. This might seem logical at first. After all, if the sun’s not shining, what’s the point of sunscreen? If you hold this point of view, though, you might be exposing your body to harm without even knowing it.
So, should you wear sunscreen year-round? The short answer is yes!
The sun’s rays can be quite harmful. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun can penetrate our skin and harm our cells and immune system.
UVA light is the primary type of UV radiation that reaches our skin, traveling further than its counterpart (even through window glass).
UVB rays go deeper into the skin and can lead to long-term skin damage, aging it beyond its years. While not as far-reaching as UVA light, UVB rays are more powerful causing sunburns and aiding the development of skin cancer.
Wearing sunscreen protects your skin from these rays, and prevents you from getting burnt and developing wrinkles, age spots, and even cancer.
THE RIGHT SUNSCREEN
Not all sunscreen is created equal. Sunscreens should be compared based on strength, breadth, composition, and consistency.
Start by choosing the right SPF (sun protection factor), which describes how long the sunscreen will protect your skin from UVB radiation once applied. According to the American Academy of Dermatology Association, you want a broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher, meaning it guards against both UVA and UVB rays.
For composition, first, review what activities you plan on doing. If you plan on swimming, look for one that’s water-resistant.
The next choice is between chemical or physical sunscreens. Chemical sunscreens dissolve into the skin and absorb the sun’s rays while physical sunscreen rests over the skin and deflects the rays away from the skin, which is a better option for sensitive skin types.) Finally, you can decide between a cream, gel, stick, or spray depending on where you’re applying the sunscreen and how you prefer to apply it.
WEAR COOL, APPROPRIATE CLOTHES, AND DON’T FORGET TO WEAR A NICE HAT
Swimwear aside, if you want to wear clothes that can offer optimum sun protection, wear dark-colored and tightly woven clothing. These types of clothes ensure that UV rays don’t get through your skin as much as possible. And we all know how effective dark colors are when it comes to heat absorption.
Dry clothing also offers better protection as opposed to wet clothing. Also, don’t forget to wear a nice wide-brimmed hat so it can effectively cover the entirety of your face, your neck, and shoulders. It can also help you see well when the sun is at its brightest especially if you don’t like wearing sunglasses.
H2O IS THE WAY TO GO!
Summer is a time to be active and as you increase your physical activities, not to mention it can get really hot, you also need to increase your water intake.
Water intake during this season should be about 2.5 liters upwards. Be wary of alcoholic drinks as they can be dehydrating. Water can help mitigate the effects of hot weather, keep you going, and even prevent heat stroke.
Water can also help your skin stay fresh so please be mindful of your water intake as you have fun.
APPLY TRIED AND TESTED SUNSCREEN PROTECTION
Apply eco-friendly sunscreen every day to get optimum protection from UV rays. You will decrease your risk of skin diseases significantly if you do and even prevent skin cancer.
Direct sun heat can be devastating to our skin and body especially during noontime so we must make sure to always protect ourselves.
PROTECT YOUR EYES
Our eyes also need optimum protection against the heat and glare of the sun. And you can’t just wear any sunglasses to protect it, you’re going to need a pair that can offer 99% to 100% UVA and UVB radiation protection.
Make sure that the sunglasses fit your face well and cover your eyesight effectively. Also, they aren’t expensive, and most sunglasses today offer optimum protection so you can’t go wrong with them.
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
Did you know that antibiotics can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays? Yes, they can. So, if you must take your medicine then it would be prudent to finish your dosage first before going on a summer vacation.
Also, learn how to read UV exposure levels so you can avoid going out on days that are too harsh for your skin and body. The higher the UV range the more harmful the sunlight it is for you. Make it a habit to check the UV forecast if you have plans for the sunny days.
PICK THE TIME OF THE DAY
Speaking of UV exposure, you can also pick the time of the day that you want to bask in the sun. The sunlight is most potent when it’s around 10 AM to 4 PM and so you must try and avoid this time of the day as much as you can.
Also, remember that sand and water reflect sunlight very well so try to stay away from these areas during the aforementioned time of the day if you can.
BE MINDFUL OF THE KIDS
Kids have boundless energy and when out in the sun, they probably won’t feel the heat especially when they are enjoying it. As parents or guardians, we need to make sure to keep an eye on them and their exposure to harmful sunlight.
Make sure that they also follow the same set of guidelines that we do when basking outdoors to keep them safe and healthy at all times.
THINK SUSTAINABILITY
There’s no doubt that summer escapades are going to involve a ton of swimming in the sea. And while you do, we want to remind you to be wary of the chemicals that you put in your body because they can be harmful to our oceans.
There are, for example, eco-friendly deodorants, lotions, and even private label lip balms that make sure that the seas and every organism living in it are safe.
Also, be sure to be mindful of your trash and clean as you go.
REMEMBER TO HAVE FUN
Summertime is almost always equated with vacations. It’s a time that we are supposed to share with friends, family, and loved ones. However, oftentimes, even if we don our summer dresses, hats, and swimwear, we forget to find peace and have a lot of fun under the sun.
We are here to remind you not only to protect yourselves from the sun’s heat but also that you enjoy this fabulous season so you may create great memories with the special people in your lives. Or maybe you’re just on your own in a summer escapade, that also works.
Bring your sunscreen and as mentioned, always be mindful of eco-friendly ways to go about your summer days!
