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Summer is almost upon us, and with temperatures rising, so does the danger of the sun’s harmful rays on our skin. While we long for tanned complexions, it’s still no excuse not to be sun smart. There are ways to achieve that super sexy tan while still shielding your skin from damaging UV rays. We’ve got the low-down on sun-proof practices and key items you should tote in your beach bag this summer. (Hint: In our tropical country, it might be a good idea to tote them all year round.)
Don’t forget your SPF. For those yearning for tanned skin, fret not: Using SPF lotion before baking under the sun protects your skin from harmful UV rays but will still allow your skin to tan. Skin darkening (or tanning) is your skin’s reaction to the sun as soon as it absorbs the UV rays, which means that too much tanning or darkening is not good for your complexion (read: skin cancer and accelerated aging). Remember to regularly reapply SPF lotion if you’ll be staying under the sun for a long time.
Tip: After your sun spell, slather on lotion to soothe and moisturize your skin. The sun can definitely dry you inside out, so guzzle H2O as well to rehydrate your body.
Use an umbrella or a hat if you’re heading outdoors. They can protect your scalp from being scalded by the sun. A lot of us don’t know it, but our hair and heads are the first thing to receive the harsh treatment of the sun. So, apart from using an umbrella or a hat, we recommend that you also use a hair product formulated to protect your tresses (some serums and conditioners have SPF).
Hide from the noontime sun. The worst time to soak up the sun’s rays is from 10 a.m. to around 2:30 p.m. This is when the sun is at its strongest and harshest, so if you plan to get a tan, do it anytime except from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Otherwise, you might suffer from sunstroke, and believe us, that is totally not fun.
Stock up on eye creams. You may not know it, but the skin surrounding your eyes is the thinnest in your body. Therefore, your eyes are the hardest hit by the UV rays. To protect your peepers, dab on eye cream with SPF, and after staying out under the sun, smooth on night eye cream to help the eye area repair the sun damage.
Tip: Put your shades on when you’ll be outdoors. These days, more and more brands are coming out with designs that have UV protection, so it would be a wise purchase to get a pair.
