Use your stylish sun smarts to protect your skin from the sun

Summer’s long days, sweltering temperatures, and pool chemicals can take its toll on your skin. Over exposure to the sun can contribute to skin cancer, premature aging, sunburns, peeling, and dull, dry skin. To make the most of the the season’s barely-there fashions, healthy skin is a must. Here are some easy ways to help protect your skin from the sun:
Timing is Everything

One way to enjoy the sun and still protect your skin is to avoid excessive sun exposure when the sun’s rays are at at their peak. The sun’s UV rays are strongest between 10 am and 4 pm, so plan outdoor activities so that you can avoid prolonged exposure during those hours. Since morning and afternoon are often the cooler part of the day, plan to enjoy the milder temperatures while you avoid the stronger and more damaging rays. So take a break, sleep in, and enjoy those summer nights!

Block Those Rays

Using sun block correctly, and consistently is another easy way to protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. If you plan to be outside for an extended period of time, make sure to use a broad spectrum, sunscreen that is also water-resistant sunscreen. A sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher can filter out up to 97 percent of the sun?s UV radiation. Make sure to reapply sunscreen regularly, especially after swimming or sweating. Many moisturizers and cosmetics also have built-in sunscreen, making it easier than ever to block harmful rays.

Stylish Sun Protection

Protecting your skin from the sun has never been more stylish. There are clothing lines available which offer UPF Sun Protection built right into the clothing. Beautiful blouses, cute capris, and many other wardrobe essentials do double duty as both fashionable additions to your wardrobe, as well as offering additional protection.  Invest in a variety of fashionable and functional pieces to help ward off the harmful rays while you liven up your summer wardrobe.

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Haute Hats

Have fun with your summer style, while providing additional protection for delicate facial skin, by donning a stylish hat.  Lest you think that hats are best left to the older generation, consider how Julia Roberts rocked that now-famous over-sized hat in Pretty Woman. While hats require a certain confidence, a certain fashion-forward assurance, they undoubtedly add a certain elegance, allure, and sophistication to an outfit. 

A well chosen hat can also provide a bit of shade and sun protection during the dog days of summer. (And, as an added bonus, a hat can also cover a multitude of Summer Hair Sins, especially during those muggy, humid days that turn otherwise sleek hair into a frizz fest.)

After Care

Certainly, some sun exposure is beneficial and contribute to good over-all health, but make sure to be mindful of the amount of exposure, and be diligent about caring for your skin afterwards. Moisture is essential to healthy skin. Consider pampering your summer skin with a fragrant variety of lotions and potions containing shea butter, coconut butter, or almond oil to seal in the moisture and give your sun-kissed skin a healthy glow. Aloe is another natural ingredient that can nurture and heal dry and chapped skin. This wondrous plant is also beneficial in easing the discomfort of mild sunburns.

Summer is a time for fun and festivities, bikinis and beach parties–and with a little planning, you can enjoy all the joys of summer while still protecting your skin for many more summers to come.

Sources:

Skin Cancer

Sun Safety Alliance