In the UK, it’s easy to forget that we’re in the midst of the summer. Fortunately it seems that we’re being blessed with some beautiful weather at the moment. But before you head out the door to enjoy the summer sunshine; remember to protect your skin from the harsh UV rays of the sun.

It’s essential to take care of yourself, especially if you don’t want your summer spoiled with burnt skin and heatstroke or if you want to hear the worst case scenario, contracting skin cancer later in life. If that’s not scary enough, let me appeal to your vanity! The sun will leave you more susceptible to developing wrinkles.

Tips on protecting yourself from the sun

Always check the expiry date of your sun lotion. A sunscreen from two years ago is not going to be as effective as a new bottle.

For effective protection, it’s recommended to use no less than a sunscreen with an SPF of 15.
It’s wise to apply more cream on areas which are more delicate. Your feet, nose, shoulders, chest and even behind your ears.

Do as the Spanish do, take a siesta from the sun when it is at its strongest. This would be around midday to three pm.

Don’t assume you’re safe when you’re sitting in the shade. Even on a cloudy day it is said that 80% of UV rays can still reach us. So slap that lotion on no matter what!

Hair can dry out in the sun and leave you looking a bit frazzled. So wear hats to protect your scalp and hair.

If you are not planning on sunbathing but want extra protection, why not try a moisturizer with SPF included? It will be a lot lighter on your skin.

There are foundations which contain SPF but it’s not safe to rely on these as your only protection from the sun. Remember that foundation is meant to be used sparingly on your face. It’s not meant to be caked on like a mask.

If you prefer using your own moisturizer then purchase a sunscreen that you can wear over it and under makeup.

Most people get confused as to when to apply sunscreen on your face. Apply your moisturizer first, wait around ten minutes to absorb before applying your sunscreen and then you can apply your make up on the top of that. You want the sunscreen to sit on your skin directly for the most effective protection which is why it goes under your makeup.

This rule also applies for insect repellent. Always apply insect repellent after your sunscreen.

It’s important to get the timing right when applying your sunscreen as you need to let your skin absorb the sunscreen before you expose yourself to the sun. Aim to apply sunscreen twenty minutes before you go out.

Then remember to reapply every eighty minutes or at even shorter intervals especially if you have lolloping about in the swimming pool.

How much lotion should you apply? Don’t be stingy. Doctors advise a palm-full but if you apply more it’s not going to hurt you. Always apply enough so that it covers your skin sufficiently.

And if you don’t like the heavy feeling of some sunscreens, you also have the option of gels or sprays which have a considerably lighter feel on the skin.

So with that please be safe in the Sun!

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 25th, 2008 at 8:15 am and is filed under Beauty, Beauty Tips, Featured. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.