Can we talk about all the ways to protect your skin from the sun (yep, more than sunscreen)?
Hands up if you enjoy spending time outside. Playing in the park with your kids. Barbecuing in the garden with your friends. Swimming in the ocean. Ah, summer is so much fun!
I, for one, am determined to make the most of this beautiful summer weather without ruining my skin. The sun ain’t as friendly as it looks but I have a few tricks up my sleeve to enjoy its warmth and not end up with wrinkles, dark spots or cancer.
You’ve guessed it, I swear by sunscreen. But that’s not the only tool in our stash, ladies. Here are 7 ways to protect your skin from sun damage:
1. Wear Sunscreen Every Single Day
Ok, this was the obvious one. But it bears repeating. You need to put on your sunscreen every single day before you leave the house.
Sunscreen is the most powerful antiaging weapon you have in your arsenal. Use it. Often. Apply it liberally onto all the exposed areas of your body and top it up every couple of hours (or after swimming/sweating).
Pro Tip: Don’t forget places like the back of your neck, tops of your ears, and the backs of your hands—spots that are easy to overlook but age just as fast as your face.
Pick one that provides broad spectrum protection. It’s ridiculous how many sunscreen still protect you only from UVB rays (hasn’t no one told brands UVA rays are just as dangerous?).
My favourites contain zinc oxide, a white mineral that alone protects against the entire UV range. You can find my fave sunscreens with zinc oxide here.
If you only follow this tip, you’ll age 10x better than all your friends.
Best Picks:
- Drunk Elephant Umbra Tinte Physical Daily Defense Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 30 ($36.00): A rich, tinted mineral sunscreen that protects skin without leaving a white cast behind. Best for dry and sensitive skin. Available at Boots, Cult Beauty, Sephora, and SpaceNK.
- EltaMD UV Pure Broad-Spectrum SPF 47 ($25.00): Its silky texture is pretty lightweight and sinks in quickly without turning your skin into a greasy mess. Plus it’s water-resistant. The catch? It does leave a slight white cast on the skin. Available at Dermstore and Walmart
- Murad City Skin Age Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50 Mineral Sunscreen ($69.00): Another tinted mineral sunscreen that doesn’t leave a white cast behind. It protects from UV rays, hydrates skin, and fights premature wrinkles. Available at Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic, Murad, and Ulta
Related: Why Zinc Oxide Is The Best Sunscreen Ingredient Ever
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2. Wear A Hat
You’re either a hat lover or a hat hater. When it comes to hats, there’s no in between. I get it.
But, are you applying sunscreen on your scalp? Cos that needs sun protection, too. If you don’t remember to apply sunscreen there, a hat is the next best thing.
Plus, a hat is a sun protecting multitasker: it keeps your scalp safe from UV harm AND shields your face, neck and ears from the sun, too.
Extra Tip: Go for wide-brimmed hats that offer more coverage. Baseball caps might be cute, but they leave your neck and ears exposed, so they’re not the best choice for sun protection. And if you love straw hats, make sure they’re tightly woven to block out the sun effectively.
Style Tip: If you think hats are a no-go for your style, think again. There are so many chic options out there, from floppy beach hats to trendy fedoras. Find one that suits your vibe and rock it!
3. Wear Sunglasses
You’re probably using a separate eye cream (even if you don’t need it) because you know how delicate the eye area is.
So why not wear sunglasses when you go out? They add an extra layer of protection to keep your peepers safe from sun harm.
Fun Fact: Did you know UV rays can cause cataracts and even damage your retina? Not to mention the squinting that leads to crow’s feet. Yeah, sunglasses aren’t just a fashion statement. They’re a must.
How To Choose Sunglasses:
- Look for lenses that block at least 98% of UV rays. Don’t fall for the “dark lenses = more protection” myth. It’s all about the UV filter, not the tint.
- Wraparound sunglasses offer the best protection because they block rays from all angles.
4. Wear Lip Products With SPF
Are you sensing a theme here? We’re ensuring that EVERY part of your body is safe from those pesky UV rays.
Like the eyes, the lips are super delicate yet super neglected (at least, when it comes to sun protection). Time to change that, ladies.
Next time you go out, make sure you’re wearing at least one product with SPF. It could be your lipstick. It could be your lipgloss. It could be your lip balm.
It doesn’t matter. Just get that SPF on.
Why It Matters: The skin on your lips is thinner and more vulnerable to sun damage. Plus, sunburned lips are no joke — painful and flaky aren’t cute.
Best Picks:
- Coola Organic Liplux Classic Sunscreen Lip Balm SPF 30 ($12.00): Loaded with moisturising natural oils and antioxidants, it provides excellent daily broad spectrum protection. Available in two versions: clear and tinted. Available at Cult Beauty, Sephora, SpaceNK and Ulta.
- Paula’s Choice Lipscreen SPF 50 ($10.00): A fragrance-free, high-SPF lip balm that protects from all UV rays. Available at Dermstore and Paula’s Choice
- Supergoop! PLAY Lip Balm SPF 30 ($12.00): Loaded with shea butter and natural oils, it deeply moisturises lips and protects them from UV rays. Available at Nordstrom and Ulta.
Related: My Full Review Of Coola Liplux SPF 30 Original
5. Wear Sun Protective Clothing
No, I’m not suggesting you head to the beach dressed up from head to toe. Summer is a time for skimpy dresses and cute bathing suits, but every now and then it pays to cover up, too.
If the weather allows it, don tops with long sleeves, long skirts and trousers. But, be careful! Not all clothes offer sun protection. Tightly women and dark fabrics are better shields against the sun.
Pro Tip: Look for clothing labeled with a UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) rating. A UPF of 50+ is ideal as it blocks 98% of UV rays.
Fashion Tip: Sun-protective clothing doesn’t have to be frumpy. Think flowy maxi dresses, chic cover-ups, and cute rash guards. Sun safety but make it fashion.
6. Seek The Shade
Yes, it’s fun to be outdoors, but that doesn’t mean you have to spend all your time roasting under the blazing sun. When it’s too hot (usually between 10am and 4pm) stay in the shade.
I like to seek shade under a tree but an umbrella does the trick, too. I know it’s weird to stroll around with an umbrella in bright sunlight (unless you’re in Korea – there’s a reason why Korean women age so well, after all), but it’ll keep your skin young and wrinkle-free.
Isn’t that worth it?
7. Avoid Tanning Beds
Let’s get one thing clear: UV rays are UV rays.
They’re not less harmful because you get your fix from tanning beds than the sun itself. Tanning beds cause cancer, wrinkles and dark spots, too.
The Ugly Truth: Tanning beds emit up to 12 times more UV radiation than the sun. Yep, you read that right. So, the next time you’re tempted to hop in one, think again.
Safe Alternatives: If you want a tan, get it from a bottle. Self-tanners have come a long . They’re no longer orange and streaky. Look for gradual tanners for a natural, sun-kissed glow.
Related: A Tan Isn’t Worth Dying For
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to hide indoors to protect your skin. Just a few smart choices can make all the difference. By combining sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, and shade, you can enjoy the sun safely and beautifully.
Time for a secret about good ol’ Trisha: I hate hats and sunglasses.
I hate hats because even really big ones squeeze my head in a way that gives me a headache. I have enough headaches as it is, so…it’s rare that I wear one.
I hate sunglasses because it feels like I’m walking around with blinders on. It makes me feel claustrophobic. So…I rarely wear them.
Perhaps I should get over it? 😉
Trisha, what a shame! I love hats but I hate it when they squeeze your head so I understand why you don’t like wearing them. Maybe you can try getting over your dislike of hats and sunglasses on very hot days when you’re spending a lot of time outdoors and the sun rays are at the stronger and thus causing more damage?
Another one: Wear foundation!
I don’t wear much foundation at all myself, but I had read somewhere that it’s really good at preventing the sun rays from penetrating deep into your skin.
Also eat fruits/veggies rich in Lycopene?
Mary, I had never heard that about foundation but I guess that’s because silicones offer sun protection against the sun rays? Not a substitute for sunscreen, but it can help. 🙂
I think there are some food that can enhance some protection, I need to research the topic and maybe write about it too. 🙂
Awesome post, Gio! Although, I don’t think that lipbalm w/ spf will make much of a difference (at least this is my understanding, correct me if I’m wrong). I’ve read that you don’t get full spf protection unless you apply an adequate amount, and it is unlikely that you would apply that much to your lips. Just wanted to point that out, but the rest of the tips are definitely good to follow 🙂
Makeup Morsels, thanks for pointing that out. It is true that cosmetics with SPF (that includes lipsticks too) don’t offer the level of protection stated on the packaging unless you apply several layers of them. But since I doubt anyone will apply the right amount of sunscreen on lips anyway, these lip products offer a bit of sun protection which is better than nothing.