Summer in full swing it often comes with lots of outdoor activities. You’ll go to the beach, have picnics, host barbecues, play sports, and maybe go camping, fishing, or hiking. While fresh air and a good dose of Vitamin D is just what a body needs after being cooped up during the cold season, all that sun can wreak havoc on your Skin. Not only are you at risk for sunburns (and consequently, skin cancer), but too much time in the sun can lead to premature wrinkles, permanent discolorations in the skin, loss of moisture, and a decrease in elasticity.

If you want to avoid this harm to your skin, start by making sure it is always protected from the sun’s damaging rays. A good beginning is to follow the very simple, basic tips we have provided you with below.

Apply Sunscreen

Sunscreen can help protect your skin from the sun’s harmful rays, which are what causes all the nasty side effects described earlier. To ensure adequate protection, use a high-enough SPF for your skin type. Professions recommend the average person to use SPF 40. Those with darker skin can use less, while those with pale or sensitive skin may need to increase the SPF. Reapply after time spent in the water, or every few hours outside.

Make Use of Protective Clothing

Protective clothing adds another barrier between you and the sun. These include items like: sunglasses, wide-brimmed hats, long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and close-toed shoes. Anything that covers up a little extra skin from the sun can be helpful in deterring sunburns, and provides full coverage protection when paired with sunscreen.

Hydrate Inside & Out

Keeping your skin Healthy means keeping your whole body hydrated. The first step is to drink eight cups (approximately four water bottles) of water every single day. Increase consumption if you sweat a lot, are pregnant, sick, temperatures go above 90 degrees, or at a high elevation. Also make use of a good facial moisturizer, and a good body lotion. This will help to add moisture back into your skin that has been lost during your day.

Shorten Showers, & Pat Dry

Another wonderful way to protect your skin is to shorten showers, which can be drying, and pat dry versus rub dry, which can irritate the skin. Skin which is dry or irritated will be more prone to sunburn, peeling, and discoloration than healthy skin. These two steps have the bonus of helping to reduce acne breakouts also.

Keep Up a Generally Healthy Lifestyle

Making healthy choices when it comes to our life is one of the founding principles of our overall health, and this includes protecting our skin. When you eat right, your skin will receive the nutrients it needs to look and be healthy. When skin is healthy, it is less prone to damage – and preventative measures are always easier than corrective.