Safe and Sunny

I love the sun, but I love my skin more! Really, we only have one body and it cannot be replaced. I don’t need to go into great detail and tell you that the sun can be bad for you and cause wrinkles or skin cancer, because I’m sure you already know. And I will not tell you to avoid the sun either because that one body we have means we only have one life too and life is best spent enjoying it. So I have a few suggestions for my friends who want to take good care of their health and bodies while still enjoying sunny days. 

People often comment that I have great skin and I truly believe that it is all thanks to the copious amounts of sunscreen I use every day year round and my moisturizing routine I learned from my grandmother. For those of you that don’t know; it isn’t just sunburns that can increase your risk for aging faster and for skin cancer; any sign of tanning is visual skin damage that leads to the severe risks and repercussions. To combat the sun while still being out in it, my first defense is sunscreen. 

Even though experts recommend avoiding the sun altogether, especially during the middle of the day when the sun is the strongest, that is not really possible and nor is it enjoyable. These are my best tips for sun safety that keep you outside and having fun no matter how sunny it is. 

One. Start With Sunscreen. 

I wear an organic sunscreen year round, rain or shine. It is your best defense against skin damage caused by the sun and you can even burn on grey and snowy days. In the winter I don’t need as much so an SPF 15 is fine, but as the sun gets stronger I use SPF 50. For my daily body lotion, I use Alba Botanica Daily Shade. For face, a moisturizer like Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Daily Shade Facial Lotion is perfect to wear under my makeup. I like to use Pacifica Body Butter Blood Orange SPF 50 on the rest of my body before going out in the sun and I reapply every couple of hours. 

The thing about sunscreen is that it absorbs into our skin quickly and becomes less effective. Not only is this bad for our bodies because of the chemicals (which is why I prefer completely natural mineral brands), it means that it will not work the entire day. I really didn’t like reapplying heavy sunscreens or oily sprays on my face over my makeup throughout the day. Thankfully, I found the solution for my face: COOLA Organic Makeup Setting Sunscreen Spray. This bottle sprays over makeup in a breeze, keeping everything in place while protecting your skin making reapplying effortless and without making a mess. Although it is a little expensive (around $30 a bottle) it is the best thing I have found so far for outdoor adventures and travel. With just a spritz my face is protected once again. However, it is not a replacement for real sunscreen. You should wear sunscreen under your makeup for complete protection. 

Two. Clothing Is Your Second Defense.

Clothing does offer some protection from the sun, however, there are clothing options available that do have an SPF of 50 made specifically for outdoor sports and days out in the sun and on the water. My favorite are Lands End UPF shirts which are great for beach days and outdoor adventures. 

Hats with a brim are also important for shielding your face and shoulders from the sun. 

Three. Protect Your Eyes With Sunglasses. 

Sunlight, particularly blue light causes vision loss over time. Protect your vision, your eyes from forming cataracts, and prevent fine lines around your eyes by wearing sunglasses year round, but especially on sunny days outdoors. 

Four. Find Shade. 

If you accidentally got too much sun, the best thing to do is find some shade. Even if you’re feeling great and you skin is fine, having periodic breaks while outdoors is better for your skin. Spend some time in the shade to save your skin. 

Five. Eat For Sun Protection. 

Eating foods and supplements high in vitamin C and antioxidants protects your body from the inside out. Not only does it help prevent damage from the sun, but it also assists in your body’s ability to heal from skin damage. Vitamin C supplements are great in the winter when trying to prevent colds, but they’re just as helpful during the summer when you’re trying to protect your skin. Antioxident rich foods and drinks are also a wonderful way to protect yourself from the inside out. Berries, oranges, and green tea should be on your summer menu. Keeping hydrated also helps your skin repair damage. 

Six. After Skin Care.

But what about a tan? All this skin protection prevents tanning, which is a great thing, I promise! But if it is the one thing keeping you from taking care of your body then there is a solution. No, not tanning beds or spray on tans. I know that tanning lotions and fake tans have a bad rep, but there is an organic, vegan, and realistic fake tan that I know and trust during the winter months and for fixing bad tan lines. Tanologist tan water spray creates a realistic and even tan, but make sure to follow the directions or you might end up with ore of a tan that you were looking for. I like this stuff the best because it is colorless (won’t stain your clothes!), doesn’t have a bad smell, creates a realistic and even tan, and is also organic and vegan too. 

How do you practice safe sun in summer?