Skin Care tips for Sun protection
Sun vs Skin
We all know we need to protect our skin from the sun's
harmful rays. Of course, it's impossible to avoid the sun — who wants to hide
indoors when it feels so great to get outside? And the sun's not all bad,
anyway: Sunlight helps our bodies create vitamin D. So follow these tips when
you're outdoors to help manage sun exposure:
Wear sunscreen
with a sun protection factor (SPF) of at least 15, even if it's cloudy or you
don't plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. If you sweat a lot or go
swimming, reapply sunscreen every 1½ to 2 hours .
Choose a sunscreen
that blocks both UVA and UVB rays. Look for the words "broad spectrum
protection" or UVA protection in addition to the SPF of 15 or greater.
Select a sunscreen that says "nonacnegenic" or
"noncomedogenic" on the label to help keep pores clear.
The sun's rays are
strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., so reapply sunscreen frequently and take
breaks indoors if you can. If your shadow is longer than you are tall, then
it's a safer time to be in the sun .
We all know that
the sun can damage skin, but did you know it can contribute to eye problems,
too? Protect your face and eyes with a hat and sunglasses that provide 100% UV
protection.
Some medications, such as prescription acne
medications, can increase your sensitivity to the sun . So
if you're taking medication, increase your sun protection.
If you want the glow
of a tan, try faking it with self-tanners. Avoid tanning beds. They still
contain some of the same harmful UV rays as the sun.