Nothing can throw shade over your beach vacation like a rough sunburn. Not only do sunburns hurt, but they can also lead to skin cancer. While everyone loves a good dose of sun, sun-kissed skin does not mean sunburnt skin! If you’re heading south for the winter or planning your next summer vacation, burning up or lathering yourself in sunscreen aren’t the only options. There are many ways to protect your skin while lounging in the lush luxury of your waterfront trip.
Clothing Canopy
While you may be tempted to wear a swimsuit all day, it may not be the best idea unless you wear endless sunblock. You can wear sun protection clothing to block harmful ultraviolet rays when you’re not swimming or cooling off. Cover all of your exposed skin for the best effect, like with Armed American Supply long-sleeved sun shirts and long pants. Despite being fully covered, you can still enjoy the sun and stay cool using lightweight materials without risking skin cancer.
Beach Umbrellas or Canopies
Do you prefer to plant yourself before the ocean waves on a hot day? You can still do this with some protection. Many types of personal beach umbrellas or canopies are meant for beachcombers and vacationers like you. Choose a UV-resistant umbrella canopy cloth to protect yourself from harmful UV rays while still enjoying the warmth and enrichment of the sun. A shaded canopy can provide a great place to cool off, too.
Sunblocking Skincare
Sunblock doesn’t have to be irritating. If you wear makeup, you can wear a foundation with sunblocking ingredients in the formula. Many moisturizers have sunblocking ingredients if you value a natural and healthy skincare routine. A skincare routine for the daytime typically includes SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ingredients. Traditional sunscreen is meant to be pleasantly scented and moisturizing as well. You can use lotion or spray sunscreen—both are effective. Mineral and chemical sunscreen are the two main types, and they work differently but achieve similar effects. Chemical sunscreen is absorbed into the skin and converts harmful sun rays into heat. Mineral sunscreen typically sits on top of the skin and reflects UV rays. Chemical sunscreen is ideal for a lot of swimming and sweating, as it is usually advertised as waterproof; on the downside, it may overheat you as it converts the sun’s rays into heat. Mineral sunscreen is best if you’re not swimming or sweating excessively and have the time to let it sit on your skin for a few minutes. Both types require reapplication after two to three hours.
Haute Hats
Another fashionable and skincare-safe way to block the sun from harming you is to put on a hat. Not only can a hat look incredible with a beach outfit, but you can also keep the sun out of your eyes, give yourself personal shade wherever you go, and protect the soft skin of your face from getting sunburnt. However, your hat will likely not shade the rest of your body, so you’ll likely need a backup form of protection.
Secluded Shade
Nature can sometimes provide some scenic and beautiful protection from the sun. A few palm trees on the beach can make a perfectly shaded cabana to filter the sun’s harmful rays. You’ll want to be careful of any breaks in the sun’s branches where UV rays can still trickle through. Trees can also provide cooling shade and shelter from the rain.
Time Your Tan
The sun is highest and strongest in the sky between the hours of ten in the morning and four in the evening. You’ll have the most direct exposure between these hours and be the most susceptible to sunburns and skin cancer. You’ll want to expose yourself to the sun without protection in minimal quantities, especially during these hours. Consider the early morning or late evening hours if you’d like to enjoy the sunshine. Otherwise, you’ll need to take protective measures.
Check Expiration Dates
Sunscreen doesn’t last forever. If you haven’t been on a beach vacation in a while, you must check expiration dates on any leftover sunscreen you may have. When in doubt, it’s best to purchase a new bottle. Expired sunscreen may not be as effective—it may not even work at all! You don’t want to end your vacation early with a bad sunburn.
Toss the Tanning Bed
You may think a tanning bed is a better way to darken your skin without exposing yourself to the sun. Unfortunately, tanning beds still use harmful technology and ultraviolet rays to tan your skin. You can still get skin cancer from using tanning beds. It’s been studied to increase your chances of melanoma—the deadliest type of skin cancer—by 75% if you use tanning beds before you’re thirty! If you use a tanning bed, you should seriously consider stopping. Tan skin isn’t worth it! You can enjoy your vacation without causing yourself harm.
