5 Sun Protection Measures to Add to Your Summer Routine ASAP

While it’s time to break out the shorts and flip-flops once summer officially arrives (we’re talking grilling on the bbq, laying poolside at night official), it also means it’s time to grab your sunscreen and get serious about sun protection in your skin care routine. 

Spending time in the sun increases your chance of sun damage, which leads to premature skin aging and risks like skin cancer. This is why it’s essential to take sun-protection measures and make sure you’re applying sunscreen everywhere — especially in those hard-to-reach areas. But there are also other things that you should be doing beyond layering sunscreen after your moisturizer to ensure that your skin is protected. 

While you should do these year-round, summer is likely the time of year when your skin will be especially exposed, so you should be thinking about it more. You can still enjoy the warm weather — you just have to be smart about it so keep reading to see our must-have sun protection measures to incorporate into your daily routine. 

Sun Protection Measures to Take This (and Every) Summer

The best way to enjoy summer’s warm weather and peak relaxation is to do it safely — we promise you’ll thank yourself in the future! Below, find our sun protection tips that will help to keep you sun safe all summer (and year) long. Some of them may seem obvious, but it never hurts to put it on the record. Eventually, these will become so second nature you won’t remember a time when you didn’t adhere to them.

1. Limit Your Time in the Sun

According to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the sun’s rays are most intense between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m — even if it doesn’t feel like it from one day to the next. While you should limit your time in the sun whenever you can, you should be especially careful during these peak hours. So if you’re heading to the beach or pool, park yourself under an umbrella. 

2. Use Your Stylish Wardrobe to Cover Up

The FDA advises covering exposed skin when you’re outdoors. This means wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, UV-blocking sunglasses and broad-brimmed hats. It may feel weird to cover up in the summer at first but with all the haute summer fashions that offer protective layers it gets easier each year — thank gauze pants and straw sun hats to keep you sun safe and stylish at the same time. There are also chic parasols that you can take with you if you plan on walking around a bunch.

3. Wear Broad-Spectrum Sunscreen

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD), recommends using a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or greater daily. Broad-spectrum sunscreen helps protect your skin against the sun’s two types of rays — UVA (the ones that can cause visible signs of aging) and UVB (the ones that can cause a sunburn of your skin’s surface). If you forget sunscreen, try a moisturizer formulated with broad-spectrum sunscreen, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Skin Care Age Perfect Collagen Expert Day Moisturizer with SPF 30. 

Making sure your face is adequately protected is essential so do yourself a favor and use a foundation with SPF to increase your sun protection. Reach for something light to wear with your daily SPF, like the L’Oréal Paris Age Perfect Makeup Radiant Serum Foundation with SPF 50. If you prefer lightweight face makeup during the hot weather, opt for the L’Oréal Paris Skin Paradise Water Infused Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 19.

The Skin Cancer Foundation states that you should apply an ounce of sunscreen (two tablespoons) to your entire body 30 minutes before going outside. That’s about a shot glass worth of sunscreen so don’t skimp out — more is more. Apply sunscreen liberally to all uncovered areas, paying particular attention to your nose, ears, necks, hands, feet, and lips — sensitive areas that many people tend to overlook. 

While you’re at it, go ahead and throw a lip balm formulated with SPF in your tote. If you’re going to be engaging in outdoor activities, reach for a product that is formulated with broad-spectrum coverage that is also designed to be water-resistant. 

Editor’s tip: Don’t forget to apply sunscreen to your scalp! It’s easy to forget about this area but a painful sunburn on your part or scalp will make sure you never forget again.

4. Reapply SPF at Least Every Two Hours

Sunscreen isn’t a one-and-done product so if you’re spending an extended amount of time in the sun, you need to keep it on hand so that you can reapply throughout the day. Also keep in mind that if you’re swimming or sweating, you should reapply immediately after you emerge from the pool or wipe off your sweat, according to the FDA. 

Luckily, there are several types of sunscreen formulas that make it easy to reapply — including sunscreen sprays that you can mist all over your skin while you’re still on the go.

5. Opt for Self-Tanner Over Laying in the Sun

We get it — we all look forward to tanning as a natural byproduct of summertime. But we also know by now that choosing to lay out in the sun all day in an effort to get a gorgeous glow is just not smart in the long run. Get a glow without the UV damage and risks to your health and choose self-tanner — yes, even in the summer!

Tanning your face in the sun is especially risky when you think of UV damage and dark spots so opt for self-tanner that’s made for your face like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Facial Water Mist, Vitamin E. To achieve a sun-kissed glow, saturate a cotton pad and swipe all over your face and neck. In a few hours, you’ll sport a radiant, faux-bronze glow that looks natural and free of unwanted orange tones. 

To match your tan complexion, reach for a self-tanner option for the body like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse. This lightweight, watery mousse feels invisible on the skin and gradually develops for a natural, sun-kissed glow free of UV damage. No one will be able to tell you’ve been opting out of the sun for your gorgeous, bronzed glow!

What To Do If You Have a Sunburn

Even the most diligent person can end up sunburned and it can be a huge learning experience. If you’re outside and realize you have a sunburn, head indoors as soon as possible to avoid exposing your skin to any more sun. After that, keep things cool — the AAD says that one of the simplest ways to relieve pain from your sunburn is by taking frequent cool baths or showers. Reaching for a moisturizer formulated with aloe vera is another good option.

The bottom line — taking sun protection measures including wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen, limiting your time in the sun and covering up is always important, rain or shine and any time of year. 

Next: Your Guide to the Best L'Oréal Paris Self-Tanners

Edited by: Reece Andavolgyi, Photo credit: Chaunte Vaughn