With many traveling to warm, sandy beaches for spring break and with sunny weather just right around the corner it is important to know how to protect your skin from harmful, damaging rays.
Why it is important to protect your skin from the sun
It does not take much time in the sun for your skin to soak up the Vitamin D needed. Repeated unprotected exposure to the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can cause skin damage, eye damage, immune system suppression, and skin cancer. According to skincancer.org, about 90 percent of non melanoma skin cancers are associated with exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun.
7 tips to help protect your skin from the sun
- Wear sunscreen. We all know this one! Choose a sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher. Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before heading outdoors. Make sure your SPF says ‘Broad Spectrum”.
- SPF your moisturizer. Choose a hydrating moisturizer with an SPF of 30 or higher.
- UV filters in sunglasses. One of the first areas to show signs of aging, the skin around the eyes needs extra hydration even if the rest of your face doesn’t. Sunglasses help shield the skin around your eyes from skin-aging UV rays.
- Wear protective clothing. Sunglasses, oversized hats and protective outerwear can help protect your skin.
- Seek shade when possible. Between the hours of 10:00am – 4:00pm the sun’s rays are the strongest. Seek shade during these times to minimize your sun exposure.
- Moisturize your lips. Your lips soak up the sun too! Protect your lips by applying a lip-protection balm at least every hour.
- Extra skin protection. For extra protection against sun-induced free radical damage, apply a vitamin C serum after cleansing.
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