Keep Skin Safe from Sun: Avoid Sunburn

It happens to me every summer. I head outdoors to catch a tan and inevitably end up with a terrible sunburn. I'm the type of person that thinks I'll wait awhile to put on sunscreen so I can get the best tan (even though I know it is stupid, I do it every year) and then I get an awful burn. Being smart about the sun and protecting yourself from its rays is a very important step to living a long happy life.

Cover your head
Wearing a hat will protect the sensitive skin on your scalp and the tops of your ears. There are some really cute hats with a large brim that will give you very classy look. The look great with a low cut black one piece or a super foxy sun dress. Who says protection can't be stylish? If you can't find a hat, try carrying an umbrella to the beach.

Makeup with sunscreen
Most companies are making foundation with sunscreen already built in. Even some of the mineral powder makeups have sunscreen so you get the protection without feeling oily. BareMinerals makes a great all-natural sunscreen that is SPF 30 and just under $30.

Protect while you play
Often we don't think about how much sun we are getting unless we are actually laying out in the sun. You can get deep burns without realizing it while you are being active during the summer. Look for clothing that has bulit in UV protection. If you can't find any that you like, wash your clothes with SunGuard laundry aid to give your clothes six times the resistance to the sun. Also, use a SPF that is waterproof and sweatproof so you won't need ot take a break to reapply in the middle of the action. Try Hawaiin Tropic Ozone Ultimate, it is available in drug stores and blocks 99% of UV rays.

Don't forget your lips
Be sure to use a lip balm with built in sunscreen. Bath and Body Works carries some great flavors with SPF15. In your local drugstore, look for products by Nivea or the ever so trustworthy Chapstick brand. Sensitive skin on lips can burn very easily and if you are prone to cold sores it can be even worse. For tips on how to protect against cold sores read Fighting Cold Sores in my library of articles.

Get high tech
If you read all these tips and you're like me and common sense still fails you there are lots of gadgets out there from high tech to low tech that will help you know exactly much of the harmful stuff you are getting. At www.solartex.com you can buy stickers that will turn from yellow to orange when it's time to get out of the sun. If you want something even more high tech, try the SunMate from www.purelyproducts.com. This little gadget will slip right into your beach bag and the LED lights will show you exactly how much sun you are getting and give you an alert when it is time to head inside.