There are so many reasons to get excited about this summer. Apart from being able to leave the hustle and bustle of our daily lives and unwind for just a little bit, we also get to spend our days making beautiful memories with our family and friends underneath the summer sun. But while summer is definitely the time to get out there and make the most of each day, it’s also the perfect opportunity to take your sun protection more seriously.
As warm and happy as the sun can make us, it can also cause some serious skin damage because of its harmful ultraviolet rays. Prolonged exposure to the sun without protection can lead to a wide range of skin issues like sunburns, premature aging, hyperpigmentation, skin irritation, DNA damage, and even skin cancer.
To enjoy your summer as much as possible without compromising your overall health in any way, it’s a good idea to embrace the sun responsibly by picking up a few habits and practices.
Understand the Sun’s Rays
Learning more about what makes the sunlight so harmful to our skin can help you understand the importance of practicing sun protection diligently. We all know that the sun’s ultraviolet rays are responsible for all skin damage, but these rays are actually divided up into two major types—UVA and UVB.
Each of these rays damages the skin in different ways. UVA has much longer wavelengths that allow it to penetrate into the skin more deeply, leading to all the signs we associate with aging like wrinkles, fine lines, loss of elasticity and volume, dullness, and more. On the other hand, UVB’s shorter wavelength makes it responsible for things like sunburn and skin irritation. It’s important to know that both types can increase your risk of skin cancer.
Choose the Right Sunscreen
The rise of skincare in social media platforms has helped cement the importance of sunscreen in an effective morning skincare routine and in everyday life. When looking for the right sunscreen to try out, there are a few things that you should look out for. Firstly, you should make sure that the sunscreen has a minimum of SPF 30, as well as broad spectrum coverage to ensure adequate protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Other things to consider are water resistance, especially when you’re going to be engaging in water activities or just sweating a lot. You should also look for a sunscreen that is properly formulated to suit your skin type and skin concerns, and this is where you can choose between oil-free or water-based sunscreen products. At the end of the day, the most effective sunscreen will be the one that you’ll use, so make sure to get one that you genuinely enjoy.
With that being said, your sunscreen application shouldn’t just end with your morning skincare routine. While many sunscreens are formulated to be photostable throughout the day, other factors like sweat and oil production, friction from skin contact, and more can compromise the protective layer of sunscreen on your skin, which means that reapplication throughout the day is just as crucial, with professionals recommending this every two hours.
Other Sun Protection Measures
While sunscreen is a great first line of defense against sun damage, it definitely doesn’t have to be your only layer of protection. There are actually other things that you can do to shield yourself from as much sun as possible. You can choose to invest in some sun-protective clothing that’s been designed to safeguard your skin against UV rays. You can also choose to bring umbrellas, sunglasses, and big hats with you when you’re spending time outdoors.
Other practices like seeking shade as much as possible and avoiding going outside during peak hours will also help minimize the amount of sun damage you ultimately get.
Stay Hydrated
It might seem completely unrelated to sun protection, but supplying your skin with the moisture that it needs will help it become more resilient against sun damage. Ensuring that you drink enough water throughout the day will help your skin function at its best and prevent dehydration, which can exacerbate sun damage.
There are many ways that you can have the best time this summer without putting your skin at risk of sun damage, and Temu is here to make sure that you’ve got everything you need. With over 29 categories and 250 subcategories of high quality and affordable items to choose from, you’ll definitely be able to find all the sun protection essentials you’ll need for this summer.
