As the weather is getting warmer and warmer (definitely not here, yet) and the UV light is starting to become a source of discomfort for lots of us, I thought it is about time to talk about how to protect your skin during summer. We see lots of ads warning us to protect our skin during summer with sunscreen and so on, but is it the right and only method to protect our skin? Definitely NOT!
Is sunscreen the right and the only method to protect ourselves from the UV light? Definitely NOT!
Before you start your research about protecting your skin, first you have to know some info about your skin and about the environment.
Protect your skin according to your skin type
You may or may not have known that skin tones are classified by the Fitzpatrick scale. The Fitzpatrick scales six skin tones: from the fairest to the darkest. If your skin is fair and you get sunburns easily, but you almost never tan, then your skin is type I. This means you have to be very careful when you go out in the sun.
Track the UV index during the day
The UV index in an international measurement system for the UV radiation. The higher the index is, the riskier is for us to stay in the sunlight. The standard weather app on your iPhone gives you the UV index, but there are lots of other apps that can give you this information.
Before you go out, check the UV index on your app and protect your skin as recommended.
Usually, the UV index is higher during summer, from 09:00 to 18:00, depending on the area where you’re living.
It’s very important to know your skin type and when the UV index is higher in your area. These things will help you protect your skin and avoid the sun.
How to protect your skin during summer
I know that this will sound stupid, but… sunscreen is your last option. The safest way to protect your skin during summer is to avoid the sunlight during 09:00 to 18:00, when the UV index is the most dangerous. I know that this sounds a bit extreme, but if you don’t have something urgent to do – that requires you to go in the sunlight – then don’t do it. UV radiations are more dangerous than you imagine.
The second step is to wear long sleeve clothing to protect your skin from the sun. This sounds also like a very bad piece of advice, but materials like silk or flax can be very comfy and protective at the same time. Also, wear white clothes or any other fair colour you like; it won’t attract the sun as much as a dark colour.
If you really have to go outside, then here’s how to protect your skin during summer:
- apply SPF 30+ on each part of your body that will be exposed to the sun (face, neck, arms, hands, legs, etc.);
- apply the sunscreen at least 30 mins before you go out;
- re-apply the sunscreen every two hours, because it won’t protect your skin after two hours;
- wear sunglasses & a hat.
Related: Body Parts You Always Forget To Protect During Summer
These pieces of advice were given to me by my dermatologist, but don’t take my word for granted and ask a dermatologist how to protect your skin during summer according to your skin type, health issues, geographic area and so on. The doctor will recommend you the best products according to your needs. The best sunscreen products that you can get are from dermato-cosmetics brands such as Vichy, Bioderma, La Roche – Posay and so on.
I hope you found these tips useful and that you and your skin will be safe during the summer time. Share this pieces of advice with your friends to let them know how to protect their skin during summer.
Stay safe in the sun! 🙂
26 comments
This is really good, really detailed information. I’m very fair (always burn, never tan) so I try to be very careful. Thank you for the recommendations of brands as well – I’ve been buying the cheap drugstore stuff and I know I need something better.
My skin is fair as well, so I understand you. I’m very happy you found the article helpful. Hope you’ll find the best sunscreen for your skin, Becky.
This was so informative! Love that we’re talking skincare and taking care of our skin now that spring is coming to an end next month. It’s crazy to this summer will be here soon.
So many great tips! I’m between a 1 and a 2 so sunscreen and sun safety are so so important to me. I take it very seriously.
Seems so intuitive, but I didn’t realize that different skin types require different care in the sun…that’s so good to know!
I have fair skin, so I’ve always been really careful in the sun. I actually don’t like myself with a tan either, so since I was a young teen I’ve slathered myself in sunblock, stayed in the shade and took extra precautions I haven’t had a burn in well over a decade lol.
I think it’s really important for people to educate themselves, because I know too many people now who have had to had skin spots removed from excessive tanning. So thanks for sharing! 😀
That’s what I was trying to do: spread awareness about this subject. Thank you for your kind words.
SUCH great tips! It’s seriously so important to take care of your skin in the summer – I learn that more and more each year!
YES! I need this. I am so pale!
I got burnt last weekend and ended up with sun poisoning so this is extremely helpful. Thank you!
OMG, hope you’re doing better! Here’s spring is still struggling to come, so the sun is not burning yet.
Great tips! It’s definitely hard for me to stay out of the sun all day but I’ll definitely try to follow these tips!
Awesome tips! I’m fair-skinned so I try to stay away from the sun as much as possible to avoid burning 🙂 That scale is so interesting!
I am very fair and lived in Florida, Texas, and California. After my mom had a skin cancer spot, she insisted that we wear sunscreen all the time. So far I’ve been lucky, but I know my risk factor is pretty high because of all the exposure I had as a kid. I never heard that the UV rays before a certain time weren’t harmful at all. That is pretty interesting.
I think that depends on the area you live in. For central and eastern Europe, for example, until 9/9:30 in the morning is safe and healthy to get sun exposure and not block it with sunscreen. But of course, it depends on a lot of other factors: pollution, climate, frequency of exposure, etc. Better ask your doctor just to be 100% sure.
Listening to the UV index is so important! I’m very fair and burn usually within 5 minutes, so I have to be ultra careful when I’m out in the sun
Such a good post! Super important to protect your skin all the time.
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wow this was so helpful! And eye opening! thank you for sharing this!
Anytime! So glad you find it useful.
I hadn’t seen that Fitzpatrick scale before! I’m somewhere between a 1 and a 2 (lucky me!) so this is just the post I needed to read today!
I guess it’s now very common because usually dermatologist relate to it to identify your skin type. Glad you find it useful!
Great post! I’m one of those who always burns and never tans, so I load up on sunscreen before I go out. I also avoid going out and spending prolonged periods in the sun when I don’t have to. It’s just not worth it!
I feel you. I always burn before I tan. My solution is to sunbath from 7 am to around 9:30 am when the sun starts burning. I don’t use sunscreen during those hours, because the UV rays are not harmful.
These are super great tips – never thought about tracking the UV before! Super smart! I’m huge into sunscreen during the summer.
Thank you for this! We are going to Florida this summer and we have 1-5 skin types in our family, my younger daughter being the five and my older daughter being a 1! I’m stressing s much already about the sun and this was super informative on ways to protect them beyond just using sunscreen!
Glad you found it useful. Quite a diverse family you have, Lauren, that’s awesome!