With the summer sun bearing down on you, it’s necessary to take extra precautions and protect yourself against the sun’s harmful effects, which means that you have to prioritize your sunscreen. But what do you really know about sunscreen? We give you the rundown here to help you keep in mind the most important know-how about your best buddy when it comes to protecting yourself from the sun.
Knowing what’s in your sunscreen
Ever headed down to the drugstore or supermarket and seen sunscreen products with amazing promises when it comes to sun protection? Think again. Some of these products may contain unrealistic assurances that could only lead to more harmful effects for you. It’s best to check what’s in your sunscreen and do a bit more research to recheck the facts.
Don’t rely on captivating marketing when choosing your sunscreen. You do not want to end up with the wrong formula that can only bring you more bad than good. Avoid risky products by not going for sunscreen that has not been completely backed by scientific data.
Knowing your UVBs and UVAs
Two types of harmful rays are produced by the sun: long wave ultraviolet A or UVA and shortwave ultraviolet B or UVB. What you should keep in mind is, UVA is the type of ray that causes skin aging, while UVB is the ray that causes those painful sunburns. Either way, getting too much exposure from both can result in long-lasting damage to the skin.
A high number on an ingredient on your sunscreen does not necessarily mean it offers the most protection. A lot of sunscreen products claim to have a huge amount of UVB protection, promising that you’ll have all the protection you need against painful, itchy and peeling sunburn. This is a definite must, but what a lot of products won’t let you know is the amount of UVA protection they have, which may tend to be low. This is an important concern you should have when it comes to sunscreen, as UVA rays can cause skin cancers and wrinkles.
Don’t rely on sunscreen alone
Sunscreen is never enough if you want to really protect your skin from the sun, especially when you’re at the beach or pool, where you’ll be exposed for a much longer period. Even when you’re done dipping in the waters and are just exploring or lounging by the shore or poolside, your skin is still very much vulnerable.
Fortunately, there are a variety of fashionable accessories that can help you shield your skin further. These include cover-ups – such as a tunic, kimono or a sarong – and other items such as a wide, floppy hat to cover your face and ears.
These are just some of the sun protection tips you should keep in mind for your trip. When it all goes down to it, you’re the one who knows your body best, so be sure to watch out for the red flags that tell you you’ve had enough of the sun.
Get ready for a great summer trip with Swimsuits Direct. Don’t forget to pack your essentials, especially your sunscreen and your fab swimsuit, plus a chic cover-up for extra sun protection, just like this Becca Tulum Cover Up.
