5 Ways to Protect Yourself From the Harsh Summer Sun

The summer is a time to hang out with friends, have fun, and be carefree. You spend your days basking in the sun at the beach and your nights laughing with friends at a bonfire. The summer is easygoing, filled with exciting memories and fun activities. But as carefree as the summer may be, that doesn’t mean you get to be reckless about not protecting yourself from the sun. 

It may be easy to let your guard down and forget about sunscreen, but it is crucial to take the proper steps to protect your skin in the summertime. When you’re spending all day lounging at the beach, you’re exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. Those UV rays can cause sunspots, wrinkles, and even skin cancer. Taking simple steps to protect yourself from the sun now will help you tremendously down the road. It’s as easy as applying sunscreen and wearing a hat. You want healthy skin for as long as possible, so here are 5 ways to protect yourself from the harsh summer sun:

1. Always Wear Sunscreen

Applying sunscreen is an absolute necessity every single day of the year, but especially in the summertime when UV rays are the strongest. Even if it’s cloudy and raining out, still put on sunscreen! UV rays can hit when you least expect it. You should wear sunscreen with at least 30 SPF and apply it 30 minutes before going in the sun. Reapply every two hours for optimal protection. Don’t neglect your lips, either, as they can get sunburnt too! Make sure you use a chapstick with SPF whenever you’re in the sun. 

2. Wear a Hat

Sometimes wearing sunscreen isn’t enough and you have to put on a hat. A hat provides added protection and shields your face, neck, and ears from the sun. Just make sure you choose a hat that you know will protect your face. Men’s wide brim hats provide ultimate coverage, while still keeping you cool and comfortable in the summer heat. 

3. Seek Shade

If you know you’re going to be spending all day in the sun, seek shade whenever possible. Even if you put on sunscreen and wear a hat, you still run the risk of exposing yourself to harmful UV rays. So to be even more careful, seek shade whenever you can.

4. Wear Protective Clothing

The best way to protect yourself from the sun is to limit your exposure. A good way to do this is by wearing protective clothing. Long-sleeve shirts and pants will act as a second layer of protection. Since wearing long sleeves and long pants in the summer might not be ideal, you can opt for more loose fighting and flowy options so your skin can breathe, while still being protected from the sun.

5. Wear Sunglasses

In the summer, you should never leave your house without a pair of sunglasses. Not only do sunglasses make you look good, they protect your eyes from UV light. UV light can damage your eyelid, lens, cornea, and retina, so be sure to grab your sunglasses before heading out the door. You can’t wear just any sunglasses, though. Make sure you wear polarized sunglasses that block UVA and UVB rays.

While taking these steps to protect your skin might take some extra time, you will be more than happy you did when your skin looks glowy and youthful for years to come. Protecting your skin from harmful UV rays reduces the risk of wrinkles and skin cancer, so it is crucial to be thorough with this all year long, but especially during the summer.