How do you protect your skin from the harsh rays of the sun? According to the American Academy of Dermatology, skin cancer is the most common cancer in the US, often caused by sun damage.

Sun damage can have a serious effect on your skin's health over time, but you can take steps for sun protection. Your skin is your body's first defense against the environment around you, so it's important to keep your skin happy and healthy as you age.

If you're curious about sun protection, read below for information on the best clothes, sunscreen, and skincare products to prevent excessive sun exposure. 

The Benefits of Sun Protection

Before we explore the best methods for sun protection, let's go over its many benefits. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the most harmful aspect of sun exposure, and protecting your skin from the sun can eliminate or reduce the risks associated with those harmful UV rays.

Protecting your skin from the sun can help do the following:

  • Minimize skin aging
  • Protect skin from sunburns
  • Reduce the risk of skin cancer
  • Avoid damaging blood vessels

As you can see, there are many benefits to taking care of your skin. Use our sun protection tips to avoid those sun-related issues and have fun in the sun.

Plan Outfits for Sun Protection

The best way to protect your skin from the sun is to cover up. People have been using clothes to block the sun for centuries, especially in desert areas.

While any cover is better than nothing, there are some items specifically designed for sun protection.

Sun Protection Hats

Your scalp is the part of your body that will be closest to the sun's rays, so it needs the most protection. Wearing a hat can protect your scalp, face, ears, and even neck from too much direct sunlight.

So, what to wear? There are more options than you think!

Floppy hats are a cute and stylish way to protect your skin. There are also bucket hats and other sun protection hats made with material to block UV rays and wick moisture.

Whatever your style, there are hats out there that will appeal to you and protect your skin.

Sun Protective Clothing

While your face and scalp are your most sensitive areas, your shoulders and chest can be easily damaged by the sun as well. In fact, UV rays can damage any area exposed to the sun.

The solution? Wear clothes that cover your most sensitive areas.

For the outdoor enthusiast, try to wear clothing that covers more skin. There are also plenty of companies like Coolibar and REI that make sun protective clothing for outdoor lovers.

Of course, you can still wear a swimsuit on the beach. Just make small compromises to protect your skin, like wearing a swimsuit cover when you're not swimming. It's these little changes to your lifestyle that can prevent sun damage and aging in the future.

Choose the Best Sunscreen

Next, let's go over the basics of sunscreen.

We all know that sunscreen is a must-have for beach days or a dip in the pool, but dermatologists recommend that you wear sunscreen any time you plan to go outside. Sunscreen should be incorporated into your routine.

Why wear sunscreen every day?

While you can damage your skin in one sunny sitting, it's more common to experience the sun's negative effects from a long period of repeated exposure. This is the kind of exposure that can result in wrinkles and sunspots.

Don't be fooled by a cloudy forecast. Indirect sunlight can be less harmful, but long periods in indirect sunlight still have an effect on your skin.

In other words, you may be exposing your skin to harmful UV radiation more often than on summer vacation. Maintain your healthy skin every day with sunscreen to prevent long-term damage.

Choosing the Right SPF

Let's explore the long-standing question about sunscreen: does SPF matter? The short answer is yes, but it's more nuanced than that. 

Sun protection factor (SPF) is the amount of time it would take to redden your skin using sunscreen compared to the amount of time without it. When used as directed, it'll take 30 times longer for your skin to burn in the sun if you're wearing SPF 30 sunscreen.

That said, everyone's body is different. People who are predisposed to skin cancer and other diseases that affect the skin may need to be careful and limit sun exposure no matter what sunscreen they use.

Sunscreen can only protect your skin so much, no matter the SPF. Higher SPF is better, but don't bake in the sun for hours just because you're wearing sunscreen. 

Sunscreen for Your Body

Protect your body with a good quality sunscreen. If you know you're going to be outside, cover any exposed areas with sunscreen. 

In the summer, you'll probably be wearing fewer clothes and revealing more skin. Just slather on some sunscreen before you walk out the door.

While there isn't one best sunscreen, look for a sunscreen that has high SPF, at least 30, and offers broad-spectrum coverage. 

Most importantly, follow your sunscreen's instructions. If you only apply sunscreen on your shoulders in the morning, they won't stay protected eight hours into a beach day. Stay smart and reapply when your sunscreen tells you to.

Sunscreen for Your Face

Your face is rarely covered, so you need sunscreen for some protection against sunburn and UV radiation. The skin on your face is also more thin and delicate than other areas of your body.

Aging is natural, but the sun will accelerate signs of aging around your face. 

Unfortunately, a common problem with facial sunscreen is oil, which can cause acne and other skin issues. It can be frustrating to choose between acne and sunburns.

If you want oil-free sun protection, try the Platinum Protection Facial Sunscreen.

This broad-spectrum, SPF 43 sunscreen is formulated to protect skin from UVA and UVB rays. Both of these rays cause short and long-term damage to the skin, but this facial sunscreen can protect you from the negative effects of both UV rays.

In addition to sun protection, our facial sunscreen is:

  • Lightweight
  • Fast absorbing
  • Non-irritating
  • Non-comedogenic

The pièce de résistance? You can wear the Platinum Protection Facial Sunscreen under makeup.

Grab a quality facial sunscreen like the Platinum Protection Facial Sunscreen, and your skin will stay healthy as you live life to the fullest.

Stay in the Shade

Of course, the best method of sun protection is to avoid the sun, but we don't mean stay locked away in your home. If you're planning an event outside, incorporate areas to stay cool in the shade.

When you go to the beach, you can bring or rent an umbrella. You and your family or friends will be thankful for the shade anyway since the sun can feel draining quickly.

If you're planning a barbecue, put your chairs under shady areas like trees. You and your guests will feel cool while still taking advantage of the nice weather.

Summer weddings are always better with open tent areas. Everyone is outside in the fresh air without sweltering in the sun.

These are little, practical steps you can take to avoid excessive sun and still have fun. Think of creative ways to enjoy sunny weather and stay healthy at the same time.

Skin Care Products for Sun Protection and Damage

Does your skin need more lift than a lightweight sunscreen?

Unless you've been avoiding the sun since your 20s, your face has probably experienced some sun damage. It's natural for skin to thin, wrinkle, and sag, but you can rejuvenate your skin at any age.

The beauty industry has moved beyond basic coverage to more innovative solutions for natural beauty and revitalization. These are just a couple of the amazing beauty products that can reduce and reverse skin damage.

The Anti-Aging System

The Anti-Aging System is a comprehensive daily skin care regimen that exfoliates, moisturizes, and traps harmful free radicals on the skin's surface. These products contain three patented peptides to minimize wrinkles and tighten the skin around the neck.

This system utilizes pharmaceutical-grade ingredients for effective anti-aging. For the best results, you'll want to use each of these five products in the morning and evening.

1. Cleansing Wash

First, use the cleansing wash to get rid of irritating dirt and pore-clogging oil from your skin. This gentle wash leaves skin smooth and refreshed without drying it out. 

2. Fruit Acid Exfoliant

Use this exfoliant to wipe away excess skin cells and reveal smooth, healthy skin. The lactic acid toner provides a smooth and even surface.

3. Gentle Action Application Pads

Apply these pads as an aide to the exfoliant. The pads help even out your rough areas and offer a more effective result.

4. OPC Reparative Serum

After you've cleansed and exfoliated your skin, you can begin to repair sun damage with the OPC Reparative Serum. Apply this powerful antioxidant serum to repair aging skin and prevent future sun damage.

5. Eternox Peptide Creme

End your skincare regimen with this refreshing, lightweight creme. The creme is formulated with the goal of reducing wrinkles, lax skin, and skin lines. Our patented Soluble Keratin Peptides will help decrease aging and increase skin firmness.

Click here to order our Anti-Aging System and feel the beauty in aging.

The Skin Renewal System

The Skin Renewal System is a four-product daily regimen that promotes healthy, beautiful skin.

While the Anti-Aging System prioritizes minimizing and reducing the negative effects of aging, the Skin Renewal System gives you healthy skin in the moment. Take care of your skin daily so that your skin is healthy enough to handle everyday wear and tear.

Like the Anti-Aging System, the Skin Renewal System includes the following:

  • Cleansing wash
  • Fruit acid exfoliant
  • OPC reparative serum
  • Gentle action application pads

Both systems share these four steps because they provide essential cleansing, exfoliation, and damage control. The difference between systems is in the final step.

For the final step, you can choose one of three moisturizers, depending on your skin type and skincare goal.

1. Peptide Hydrator

This peptide-infused moisturizer is best for normal, combination, or oil-prone skin. Peptides bind and lock in moisture, so they work well for a wide range of people.

While it is effective on dry skin, there are more effective options available.

2. Enriched Facial Moisturizer

This lanolin-based moisturizer is the best option for dry or mature skin. If you struggle to keep your skin moisturized, you can use this moisturizer to reach deep and add the moisture your skin needs.

3. Gentle Facial Moisturizer

For sensitive, allergy-prone skin, use our gentle facial moisturizer. This light moisturizer is formulated to be gentle while hydrating.

Though this moisturizer is gentle on any skin type, remember to always check ingredients for possible allergens.

Ready to renew your skin? Buy the Skin Renewal System today to see your glow.

When to See a Doctor

These preventative and proactive measures for skin care can help you maintain a healthy lifestyle, but they can't eliminate your risks for cancer and other skin-related issues. Diet, genetics, and a variety of other factors can influence how likely you are to develop issues in the future.

Talk to your primary care physician or dermatologist if you have any medical questions.

Protect Your Skin and Feel Beautiful Doing It

Our skincare products combined with proper clothing, sunscreen, and shade can help you maintain healthy and beautiful skin at any age. Sun protection through a proper lifestyle and skin care is the best way to prevent future wrinkles, sun spots, and even skin cancer.

Looking for more skincare products? See our Reversion Clear Skin System to clear acne and prevent future breakouts.