Just as you’ve gathered your sun hats and swimwear, there’s something more you should get before heading out the door: a new approach to skincare! Protecting your skin is essential at any time of year, but it’s vital during the summer when the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays tend to be the most intense. People also tend to spend more time outside in the summer, so there’s more risk for skin aging and wrinkles, leading to noticeable changes in the skin.

Fortunately, you don’t have to forego having fun this summer simply to protect your skin. We have some easy summer skincare tips for you to protect your skin and prevent premature aging, wrinkles, and cellular damage on your summer voyages.

Protect Your Skin With These 10 Simple Steps

Protecting your skin from the sun doesn’t have to be complicated. We’ve made skin protection from sun easy with these 10 simple steps while you’re enjoying the beautiful weather and time with friends—because a beach day should never have to mean sunburn, hyperpigmentation, or wrinkles!

1. Use Sunscreen

Sunscreen is perhaps the simplest and most effective way to protect your skin from the sun. It’s essential to use sunscreen that’s not expired (If the label specifies six months, you should utilize it within six months of opening it before discarding it.).

You’ll also need to reapply throughout the day (generally every two hours or as the product suggests). It’s also a good idea to reapply after sweating or swimming. Use a broad-spectrum sunscreen with a minimum of 30 SPF and about one ounce to cover the entire body. 

 2. Wear Hats

Wearing hats is an excellent way to keep the sun off your face and protect your skin from UVA and UVB rays. That can cause aging and burning. Choose a wide-brimmed hat that will be comfortable to wear but keep the sun off your face and neck. Bonus points for choosing one that goes with almost all of your summer outfits!

3. Try UPF Clothing

Clothing with a UV protection factor (UPF) helps shield the skin from UVA and UVB rays. UPF clothing can help protect skin when it’s inconvenient to keep applying sunscreen, such as when exercising or hiking, or if you know you’ll be in the sun for a long event. Look for UPF 40 or 50 for the most protection when shopping for skin-protective clothing. 

4. Keep Skin Moisturized

Keeping your skin hydrated can help protect your skin barrier, which can protect your skin from long-term sun exposure. Even if you don’t need a heavy moisturizer, keep your skin moisturized with a light moisturizer and body lotion to keep your skin barrier healthy. Moisturizing when you get out of the shower can help you have the best results for glowing and protected skin.

5. Wear Sunglasses

Wearing sunglasses isn’t just a fashion statement. It may help protect the skin around the eyes and help prevent eye wrinkles. Wearing sunglasses is one of the simplest summer skincare tips and, along with sunscreen and a hat, can provide even more protection from the sun. Choose sunglasses with a UV factor of about 400 nm or sunglasses that say 100% UV protection. 

6. Avoid the Sun During Peak Hours

Avoiding the sun during peak hours, which is typically from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., can help you avoid sunburn and skin aging as much as possible. The sun is most intense during these hours, and you’re more at risk of experiencing both sunburn and aging. If you have to go outside during these times, protect your skin by using sunscreen, wearing UPF clothing, or wearing a hat and sunglasses.

7. Stay Hydrated

Staying hydrated can help your skin stay moisturized from the inside out. In the summer, when temperatures are higher, it’s essential to stay hydrated by drinking water during the day and eating foods with high moisture content, such as fruits and vegetables.

Remember, the more you exercise and sweat, the more water you’ll need to drink. Want to make your water more flavorful and full of antioxidants? Try adding fruit slices to your water.

8. Choose Natural Fabrics

Choosing natural fabrics may help protect your skin from breakouts or irritation during summer. Fabrics such as cotton, linen, or hemp, as opposed to synthetic fabrics such as polyester, nylon, and spandex, can help the skin breathe rather than suffocating it. Natural fabrics can also lead to less odor. That means they may help get more oxygen to the skin for a healthier complexion than synthetic materials. 

9. Protect Skin Even During Cloudy Days

One of the mistakes people often make is thinking that just because the sun’s not out that they don’t need to think about skin protection from the sun. For your summer skincare tips, remember that those overcast days require sun protection because over 90% of the sun’s rays can still pass through the clouds and cause sunburn. Still use sunscreen and cover up when possible, especially during peak hours of the day. 

10. Be Mindful of Meds

Several medications can make you more susceptible to sun exposure. That means you may be more likely to get sunburn or skin rashes when taking these medications and getting sun. These include medications such as:

• Antibiotics
• Antifungals
• Antihistamines
• Cholesterol drugs
• Diuretics
• NSAIDS such as ibuprofen and naproxen 
• Oral contraceptives

To get enough skin protection from the sun, be sure to minimize your sun exposure while taking these medications and use proper sun protection when doing so. Always talk to your doctor and follow up with your dermatologist about your specific risk when getting sun exposure while on these medications.

Take Our Skincare Challenge

Want to start seeing YOUR best skin? Keep your skin protected with our summer skincare tips. Take our skincare challenge, where you can get personalized advice on how to best care for your skin with the right products, routine, and sun protection.