Your Essential Sun Protection Guide for Year-Round Safety

The sun gives us warmth, light, and life. But it also gives us lots of potentially harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Whether bright and balmy or cloudy and cold out, skincare experts agree that you should take active and preventative measures when exposed to the sun. Good thing there are so many practical ways to get sufficient sun protection, and we’re going over all the steps for you to take the best care of your daytime self in our essential sun protection guide.

Why is Sun Safety Important

If you’ve ever experienced a sunburn, you know how much damage too much time in the sun can cause. But it goes much deeper than the temporary hot skin, painful blisters, and itchy, peeling skin.

Repeated tanning or skin damage dramatically increases your chance of developing various types of skin cancer later in life, including the deadly melanoma. The sun’s carcinogenic rays are also responsible for accelerated aging, resulting in premature fine lines, wrinkles, leathery skin, and hyperpigmentation.

Essential Sun Protection Guide – Reduce Risk of Sun Damage Today

Two types of UV rays affect your skin, whether from outdoor sunlight or indoors, with lots of natural light coming through.

• Ultraviolet A (UVA) – They age skin, contribute to skin cancer, and penetrate clouds and windows. They’re also the same strength year-round, so adequate sun protection is necessary when temperatures are low.
• Ultraviolet B (UVB) – Not as penetrative as UVA rays, but they are more intense and will still cause sunburns; therefore, they’ll also put you at risk for skin cancer. Their strength fluctuates throughout the year, but they remain ever-present.

Start with What You Wear

Clothing, hats, and sunglasses offer lots of UV-blocking coverage, but not all are equally effective. It’s important to understand how to protect your skin from the sun without sunscreen before we go further. Look for the following features:

• Loose-fitting, tightly woven fabrics. Examples include wool, denim, polyester, and nylon.
• Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) – If available, look for clothes and hats with at least a 30 UPF, as the Skin Cancer Foundation recommends. UPF 50 and up offer the best sun protection.
• Sunglasses that offer 100% or up to 400nm UV protection.

Keep Going with the Best Sunscreen

In addition to proper clothing, what is the best way to protect your skin from sun-related damage? For areas that aren’t covered physically, use a water-resistant sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage (meaning it’ll protect against UVA and UVB rays) and a minimum SPF of 30.

The following sunscreens meet all the above recommendations of the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), but in our essential sun protection guide we’re singling out these favorites for their best features.

Daily Broad-Spectrum Coverage

–  Acne-prone and highly irritable skin types will be excited about EltaMD’s UV Clear SPF 46 Tinted Broad-Spectrum Facial Sunscreen. The “clear” stands for clear skin in this calming, moisture-boosting, and tone-balancing formula.

Niacinamide, lactic acid, and sodium hyaluronate work together to keep skin even and hydrated. And the sheer tint allows it to disappear into any skin tone. Round it out with vitamin E, and you have everything your reactive skin needs to feel soothed and protected.

–  Dry skin that’s thirsting for an extra layer of hydration should try EltaMD’s UV Replenish Broad-Spectrum SPF 44. This all-mineral formula has zinc oxide and titanium oxide for the best physical sun protection, and it has a bonus boost of hyaluronic acid to attract and retain moisture within the skin. This sunscreen is also excellent for replenishing moisture after an especially drying professional skin treatment.

–  If you’re looking for a high SPF that also takes care of your skin, PCA Skin’s Daily Defense Broad Spectrum SPF 50+ literally has you covered. It features a special blend of antioxidants called Ectoin^TM that protects the skin from environmental stressors that cause skin damage. This balancing formula works for all skin types, especially normal to combination, making it an ideal all-purpose sunscreen that feels light and dreamy all over.

–  Wearing sunscreen should be a part of your daily beauty routine. After moisturizing and before applying optional makeup, there should be a generous layer of a quality emollient formula that won’t clog your pores and will offer your exposed skin some much-needed sun protection.

Maximum Water Resistance

–  Time flies when you’re having fun, so use sunscreen with the highest water resistance while playing in the sun. COOLA’s White Tea Classic Sport Face SPF 50 is water-resistant for up to 80 minutes, two times longer than average.

This antioxidant-rich formula is made with over 70% certified organic ingredients and offers lasting hydration with aloe vera and nourishing plant oils. It’s a great choice when you only need minimal skin coverage.

–  For a full-body cover-up, choose Elta MD’s UV Sport SPF 50 Broad-Spectrum Water-Resistant Sunscreen. Pro athletes recognize it for staying put during their sweatiest ventures, which means you can focus on getting physical and not on the burning sensation in your eyes.

There’s a dose of vitamin E to protect the skin from oxidative stress and cellular damage. It’s also fragrance-free and won’t clog your pores. Timely reapplication is crucial for adequate sun protection, but you can flex easily knowing you’re covered twice as long as any typical sunscreen.

Best Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin

–  TIZO’s Age Defying Fusion Tinted Ultra Zinc Body & Face Sunscreen SPF 40 is ideal for sensitive types due to its high 20% zinc oxide concentration. Zinc oxide offers broad-spectrum coverage and helps calm the skin (which is why it’s used in diaper rash creams).

This mineral formula has a sheer tint that disappears into most skin tones without leaving a white residue, and it’s packed with antioxidants for added skincare. Use it for everyday wear, or take it on your beach vacation as a reef-friendly option.

Finish with Smart Sun Behavior

The seasons may change, but your sun protection routine should remain consistent.

• Avoid direct sunlight during the peak hours of 10 AM-4 PM, and never look directly at the sun.
• Treat sunburns immediately. Cover up, hydrate, and generously apply the appropriate water-based treatments.
• See a doctor if your sunburn isn’t healing or you feel unwell.

Finally, keep a regular eye on your skin. Periodic self-examinations allow you to know when concerning markings on your body appear. And consult with a board-certified dermatologist if you do. Consider it self-care that can save your life.

If you’d like more information about this important topic, our Beauty Resource Center is the place to be. It may not directly shield you from the sun, but it’ll help you decide your best sun protection and skincare needs.