Surprising Ways To Protect Your Skin From Sun Damage

Sun-Proof Clothing Options

Most of us know to use sunblock on a sunny day, but did you know that there are clothes that can protect you from harmful rays? Online, you can find plenty of different clothing options that actually block UV rays so you are protected, even in areas that are not completely exposed. Using these kinds of clothes, particularly when you are heading out hiking or backpacking, can really help. They also make great options for beachwear that can keep your torso safe!

Wear Sunblock On Cloudy Days

Most of us know to lather on some sunscreen before we head out on a sunny day, but that’s about the only time we think about it. Did you know that you can actually get sun damage on cloudy days too? Even though you can’t see them, the rays of the sun can see you. This is an even bigger concern when skiing or snowboarding. People assume that they don’t need sunblock and end up absolutely fried because of it.

Avoid Using Products With Alpha Hydroxy

Alpha hydroxy acid is a surprisingly common ingredient in many skincare products. Though it works great as an exfoliator, it also comes at a cost. Alpha hydroxy is known to boost your skin’s sensitivity to the sun. In fact, you might be surprised to learn that your favorite face wash actually says to avoid going outside in the sun completely when you use it because of that chemical. It is commonly used in face washes, toners, and even moisturizers. Make sure you educate yourself before going outside!

In addition to the general chemical concern with alpha hydroxy, it is also important to consider the exfoliating angle. Since it is a chemical exfoliant, you are going to spend more time with fresh and new skin. Though this is why most of us enjoy using the products, new skin can be quite sensitive to intense amounts of sunshine, so do what you can to limit exposure. It might even be best to cut it from your products when summer comes around!

Pay Attention To Your Medications

Skincare products aren’t the only products that can make your skin more sensitive. Certain medications can also make you more prone to sun damage. This is one reason that it is always important to take the time to read about side effects when you take a medication. The last thing that you want is to end up burnt to a crisp because you didn’t notice that your medication actually says to avoid prolonged sun exposure. Remember to always check the labels for potential side effects like this!

Avoid Peak Sun Hours

No matter where you are, there is always a part of the day when the sun is beating down a little bit harder. Though that midday sun changes from one place to the next and isn’t always directly at noon, it can pack a serious punch if you’re out in it. Going outside and getting sunlight when the sun isn’t completely angled straight at you is generally a much better option to avoid skin damage. Unless you want your beauty routine to involve some serious recovery cream, avoid spending lengthy amounts of time outside when the sun is beating straight down.

Take Breaks In The Shade

Some of us really love the sun, and that’s just fine. We’re not going to tell you to avoid sunlight or that sunlight is bad. There is actually a lot of science specifically built around the importance of sunlight. It does a lot for us! Even though the sun can be very good, it isn’t very good for us to constantly be out in direct sunlight. If you plan on spending a lot of time outside, make sure that you take some time to relax in the shade too. This will help give your skin a break to recover and is also a great way to avoid burning. Let your skin cool off in the shade every once in a while. You’ll be glad that you did!

Use Sunblock Near Clothing Edges

Have you ever used sunblock and found yourself with painful burns around where your clothes are? This is probably because you are only applying sunblock where you can see your skin. While it makes sense to do that, it is important to remember that we move a lot, particularly when we are outside. When we spend plenty of time moving around, it is easy for our clothing to shift.

You might think that your clothes shifting a little isn’t the end of the world, but it can cause quite a few problems for your skin. If you didn’t apply sunblock in those areas, you can be unwittingly exposing sensitive skin to the sunlight that has no form of protection. What is even more annoying is the fact that these areas tend to be incredibly painful spots to get a sunburn, so make sure you use your sunblock everywhere, not just the obvious spots. This is important with your hair too! Make sure that you apply sunscreen to your ears and any parts in your hair.

Use Powder From Aspen Trees

This is more important if you find yourself stuck outside than anything, but aspen trees can totally save you if you’re battling the sun. The trunk of aspen trees is covered in thick white powder. When you rub the tree, the powder will come off on your hands. You can then rub it all over your skin for a nice natural sunscreen. Now, the aspen tree isn’t going to hook you up with an SPF 50 natural sunblock. It offers a fairly low amount of protection, but it does also make it easy for you to get a tiny bit of protection if you’re trapped out in the woods.

Apply Sunscreen Before Makeup

A lot of us have different approaches to our beauty routines, but sunblock application is one that can cause you some serious issues. Most of us apply our sunblock after our makeup when we are heading out for a day at the pool and aren’t planning on wearing a lot of it. Though this makes sense for the sake of convenience, it can actually cause you some problems. Not only can the sunscreen mess up your makeup when you apply it, but it can also fail to soak into your skin correctly, which causes it to be less effective.

Try To Stay Cool and Dry

Sweating is one of the biggest threats to sunblock effectiveness, right next to swimming. By staying cool and dry, you can keep your sunblock more securely in place. When we sweat a lot, we actually remove the sunblock from our skin and ruin its protection. Even worse, having a layer of moisture over your skin can actually cause you to get worse burns if you’re not careful. Moisture can amplify the sun and cause us to take more damage than we normally would, which is another reason why so many of us get more sun in the water.

Use Plenty of Moisturizer, But Don’t Rely On It

Using moisturizer and lotion is a great way to keep your skin safer from the sun. When your skin is well taken care of and properly hydrated, it is more able to withstand damage from other sources. Taking care of your skin and keeping it nice and hydrated can help you to enjoy more time in the sun with less damage, which is great.

Even though moisturizer is good for avoiding sun damage, some people think it is enough when it isn’t. Though it is true that many popular moisturizers have sunscreen in them, it is important to remember that these are often less effective and more likely to come off in heat than traditional sunblock. It’s good for a regular day, not a sunny one.

Conclusion

Protecting your skin from sun damage is important for so many reasons, we can’t even tell you. If you want happy and healthy skin, always take the time to do your part when it comes to limiting sun exposure. By offering your skin the opportunity to stay safe from the sun, you are not only helping yourself to age more gracefully, but you will also limit your chances of getting skin cancer. Your skin is important for so many reasons. Support it!