How to Protect Your Skin from Sun Damage
Sun damage can have serious consequences on our skin, leading to wrinkles and age spots. Taking the necessary precautions to protect your skin from sun damage is an important part of any healthy beauty routine.
In this article, I will discuss ways to help protect your skin from sun damage while enjoying time outside in the sunshine. Let’s dive in.
How to protect your skin from the sun damage
To help protect your skin from sun damage, dermatologists recommend the following tips:
1. Use Sunscreen
The most important thing you can do to protect your skin from sun damage is to apply sunscreen, preferably with a minimum of SPF 30 that has both UVA and UVB protection.
Make sure you apply the sunscreen at least 15 minutes before going outside and reapply every two hours or after swimming or sweating.
2. Limit Sun Exposure
When possible, limit your time outdoors between 10 am and 4 pm when UV rays are strongest. It’s important to remember that even on cloudy days, up to 80% of the sun’s harmful rays can reach your skin.
If you do venture out during peak hours, cover up with wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts and pants, sunglasses, and other protective gear such as umbrellas and beach tents.
3. Dress Appropriately
Whenever you’re heading outside for an extended period of time, it’s best to opt for dark clothes made from tightly woven fabrics designed specifically to protect against UV radiation (i.e., UPF clothing). This type of clothing is lightweight and comfortable while also offering superior protection from the sun’s harmful rays.
4. Stay Hydrated
Staying hydrated can helps protect your skin from the sun’s damaging effects by helping flush out toxins that cause premature aging or sunburns. Be sure to drink plenty of water before going outside and throughout the day while you are outdoors.
5. Wear Lip Balm
Your lips are particularly vulnerable to sun damage due to their delicate nature, so ensure they are protected too. Look for lip balms containing SPF 15 or higher. The best ones have zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.
They provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB protection and won’t irritate your lips like other lip balms containing potentially toxic chemicals like oxybenzone or octinoxate.
6. Invest in Quality Skincare Products
Topical skincare products such as serums and moisturizers with SPF can help protect your skin from harmful rays whilst nourishing it at the same time. Something traditional sunscreens often don’t do!
Look for labels with antioxidant powerhouses such as green tea extracts, vitamins E & C (ascorbyl palmitate), ferulic acid, and niacinamide. These all work together to provide a robust defense against photoaging from UV radiation exposure throughout the day.
7. Consume Foods High in Antioxidants
Consuming antioxidant food on a regular basis can help repair existing damage caused by too much sun exposure (as well as pollution). These antioxidants include:
- Carotenoids (beta carotene) are found in carrots, spinach, and sweet potatoes.
- Flavonoids are found in dark chocolate.
- Resveratrol from red grapes.
- Vitamins C from citrus fruits.
- Omega fatty acids from cold-water fish like salmon.
- Lycopene from tomatoes
- Selenium from Brazil nuts
- Anthocyanins from blueberries
- And plus, green tea is packed full of powerful antioxidants known as catechins!
Finally, seeing a dermatologist annually for regular check-ups is also recommended; they can spot any suspicious changes which may indicate early signs of damage caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun over time.
Also Read: Why You Shouldn’t Try Perineum Sunning
