7 Ways to Protect Your Skin From the Summer Sun

When you’re enjoying the summer sunshine, be sure to protect your skin. Ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause cellular damage in as little as 15 minutes and lead to sunburns, wrinkles, age spots and skin cancer. Minimizing your exposure to sunlight will reduce the risk of harm and help keep your skin looking youthful and healthy. The tips below will help you enjoy the sun safely.

1. Wear Sunscreen

Wearing sunscreen daily is one of the best ways to fight the cumulative effects of sun exposure. Broad-spectrum sunscreens with SPFs of 30 or higher block around 97% of ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) light. UVA rays can contribute to premature aging, while UVB rays cause sunburn. Both types of UV light may contribute to skin cancer.

Sunscreens contain mineral or chemical filters that reduce the amount of UV light that reaches your skin. A mineral sunscreen uses ingredients like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to physically block and scatter UV light away from your skin. Chemical sunscreens that contain ingredients like oxybenzone absorb UV light and convert it into non-damaging heat.

Sunlight is powerfully energetic, so it’s important to protect your skin even when skies are overcast. Whether your sunscreen is a lotion, cream or spray, you should apply a generous amount to any exposed area of skin at least 15 minutes before you go outside. Remember to put the product on your ears, neck, hands or any other area that is easy to neglect. For maximum effectiveness, reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours and after your skin gets wet. Also wear a sunscreen-infused balm to protect your lips.

2. Reduce Your Exposure

UV light can vary in intensity depending on the time of day. The UV index, which ranges from 1 (low) to 11 (very high), measures the strength of the wavelengths at a given time in your area. Larger numbers indicate a greater potential for skin damage.

Checking the UV index before you go out can help you limit your exposure. Sunlight tends to be most powerful between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so take extra precautions during those times. Avoid staying in direct sunlight during peak hours. Seek shelter under a tree, an umbrella, a canopy or a pop-up sunshade.

3. Cover Your Skin

When you’re outside during the daytime, your clothing can help block the sun’s rays. Garments that cover large areas of skin, like long-sleeved shirts and long pants, skirts and dresses, will offer the most protection. Sun shirts, bathing suits and full-body wetsuits can also block the light. Dry clothes are more protective than wet clothes. Dark clothes made from tightly woven fabrics can prevent UV light from reaching your skin; if you can see light shining through a fabric, it usually means that UV rays are passing through.

Specialized sun protective clothing can shield your skin from UV light even when it’s wet. Look for a label that indicates the fabric’s UV protection factor (UPF) on a scale from 15 to 50+, with higher numbers indicating greater protection from UV rays.

4. Wear a Hat

As you’re getting dressed, consider that your scalp, ears, nose and neck may need extra protection. Wearing a hat can reduce the amount of sunlight that lands on these delicate areas by providing localized shade. A circular hat brim that’s at least 3 inches wide offers the most protection. Shade caps with fabric that drapes over your neck can do the same job.

Opaque woven fabrics like canvas offer the best defense against UV rays. Dark hats and hats with dark, non-reflective undersides can also reduce the amount of UV light that reaches your face. Loosely woven straw hats are less protective because they let more UV rays through the holes.

5. Wear Sunglasses

Sunglasses are a summer essential, and they do more than block the glare. UV-blocking sunglasses will protect the delicate skin around your eyes from the sun’s rays and help you maintain a more youthful appearance. Large-framed and wraparound sunglasses that block UVA and UVB light offer the most effective protection.

When you’re shopping for sunglasses, check the label to ensure that the lenses block 99% to 100% of the UVA and UVB rays. Sunglasses with labels that say “meets ANSI UV requirements” or “UV absorption up to 400 nm” will also keep your skin and eyes safe.

6. Care for Your Skin

After a long day in the sun, be sure to hydrate your skin. Using a moisturizer with ingredients like hyaluronic acid will help replenish your skin and reduce the appearance of redness. To keep your skin supple, apply moisturizer every morning and evening and after you spend time outside. Refresh your skin by washing your face with cold water and then applying lotion or cream. You can also apply a vitamin C serum before you apply sunscreen to neutralize free radicals and combat the effects of sun damage.

Another way to support your skin health is by eating nutritious food and drinking plenty of water. Eating vitamin-, mineral-, antioxidant- and protein-rich foods can help your skin stay resilient. Women should try to drink about 3 liters of water per day; men should drink a bit more. Avoid alcohol, tobacco and sugary foods that can deprive your skin of the nutrients and oxygen it needs to stay vibrant.

7. Be Mindful of Sun Sensitivity

Some topical skin treatments, like retinol, benzoyl peroxide and alpha-hydroxy acids, can make your skin more susceptible to damage. Certain prescription and non-prescription medications can also increase sun sensitivity. If you take antibiotics, diuretics, antidepressants, oral contraceptives or other drugs, ask your doctor if your medication will increase your reactivity to sunlight, and limit your exposure to UV rays.

Protect Your Skin from UV Rays and Enjoy the Summer Sun

Summer is a wonderful time of year, and it’s most pleasant when you enjoy the sunshine responsibly. By protecting your skin, you can support your health and appearance for many seasons to come.