Stylish Ways To Protect Your Skin From The Sun

July 15th, 2009 by crystal

There’s been a lot of talk here lately about the Summer sun. With record heat here in Austin, hanging out at local swimming holes has been on my mind quite a bit. Like most of you, I enjoy spending time in the sun and love the look of a glowing tan. But, I’d also like to keep my skin looking youthful and healthy.
We’ve all seen those people who go out for a day in the sun, but fully cover themselves with some sort of utilitarian long-sleeved shirt, cargo style pants and an amazon style hat that might be fine for a safari or maybe even a fishing trip, but is definitely not the right type of attire for a day beach-side. They have the right idea–the need to cover up to protect their skin from the sun. But, realistically, most of us are not willing to sacrifice style to that extent. We still want to wear our cute little bikinis and look stylish. Luckily, there are other options.
Here are some stylish ways to protect your skin from the sun.

Tips to Protect Your Skin From the Sun

Sunblock

It goes without saying that you should remember to wear sunblock. Choose a sunblock with spf 30 or higher and reapply ever 2-3 hours. My current favorite is Neutrogena Age Shield Sunblock. It goes on easily, isn’t greasy and doesn’t smell the way other sunblocks do.

Lip Balm

Another item to carry in your beach bag is a lip balm with spf. Again, the spf should be 30 or higher. Banana Boat makes a good one that also contains aloe vera and vitamin E.

Time

Remember that the sun is the most intense and harmful between the hours of 10 and 2. So, plan your pool trip before or after those times. A good trick to use to gauge your UV exposure is to use the shadow rule. If your shadow is long, that means your UV exposure is low. If your shadow is short, that means your UV exposure is high. This is a good tip to teach kids who might not keep track of time when they’re out swimming.

Shade

Find a shady spot or bring a beach umbrella. Having fun at the water doesn’t mean you have to lay in the sun all day.

What To Wear

1. Wear a Hat

A cute beach hat is a great accessory for the beach. Go for one that is densely woven to ensure no sun gets through. A 4inch brim will allow for maximum coverage. This Urban Outfitters hat is $28.

2. Wear Sunglasses

It’s so tempting to buy a cheap pair of sunglasses for the beach in case you lose them, drop them in the water or scratch them. Going for a cheap option is fine as long as they offer 100% UV protection. Some studies are saying sunglasses that do not have UV protection can actually attract the sun to your eyes.