Today, there is more and more evidence of how damaging the sun’s rays can be on our skin’s health and appearance. With all of us spending more time outdoors during the COVID-19 crisis, it pays to be proactive about our sun protection methods.
I recently realized this after hosting a low-key socially distant picnic in my front yard. I skipped the sunblock and decided to just move around out of direct sunlight. Four hours later, I walked into the house to see my skin turning bright red. Apparently, it’s not just at the beach where you can get burned. Who would have thought?
After peeling the last of the damaged skin, I’m making it a point to be more careful in the sun, and looking for the easiest sun protection strategies. My logic is that the easier the method, the more likely we’ll keep doing it. Here’s a few of the latest options to keep your skin protected and gorgeous.
Over-sized Visor
Visors are seriously trending this summer and there are plenty of reasons why. Not only are they a
Mineral Spray
Sun Bum’s Mineral SPF 30 Sunscreen Spray is vegan and reef-friendly, and is Octinoxate and Oxybenzone free, which means that it stays on top of your skin, rather than getting absorbed into it. It’s a way to get the convenience of a spray with the safety of a zinc-based sunscreen that’s waterproof for up to 80 minutes.
UV-Protection Treated Clothing
A downside of sunscreen is that it takes a while to apply. You have to make sure you don’t miss any spots and it’s hard to cover your whole back without a buddy. That’s what makes SPF-treated clothing so convenient. Just throw it on and you’re ready for the sun. Just don’t forget to apply some SPF to your hands, as they show signs of aging very quickly. This TSLA Rash Guard got great reviews for its value.
UV Blocking Masks
Since we’ll all be wearing face masks for the foreseeable future, we might as well make them as useful as possible. There’s a wide variety of UV-blocking masks out there. The Coolibar UPF 50+ Blackburn UV Mask blocks out 98% of UV radiation. It also features a breathable fabric that helps to cool your face.
Scalp Protection
I’ve continually gotten scalp burn and it’s very annoying. In the past, I thought it’d be a good solution to spray some sunblock on the top of my head. Bad idea. It just made my hair a mess.
I didn’t even know scalp powder existed! Poof Part Powder SPF 45 is reef-safe with broad spectrum UV protection, and it’s a mineral-based powder, so it’s easy to apply and good for your hair.
SPF Hair Mist
I’ve always heard that the sun can damage hair and color, especially color-treated hair. But up until now, I thought it was just a summer hazard we had to live with. I’d protect my skin sitting for hours at the beach, but let my hair bake in the rays. However, there are easy options for protecting your hair! COOLA Organic Scalp and Hair Sunscreen Mist offers a lightweight spray of plant-based antioxidants and sunscreen which helps to protect color, and prevent damage and dullness.
Swimmer’s Hair Sun Protection
If you’re lucky enough to be getting some pool time in this summer, the PHYTO Plage Brigitte Bardot Protective Sun Oil is perfect for protecting hair from all the damaging elements of summer swimming. First, it’s a moisturizer. Second, it creates a super shine while providing water-resistant UV protection. And finally, it also shields your hair from the harmful effects of salt water and chlorine.
Sun Protection and E-Protection
I had never heard about high energy visible (HEV) light before. Apparently, we have more than just the sun to protect against when it comes to fine lines and skin discoloration. Electronic screens (such as our smartphones, tablets and laptops) emit HEV light, which, like UV rays, can release free radicals that damage skin. With the extent of time our faces are exposed to our devices, it might be a good idea to invest in a moisturizer like Alana Mitchell’s Blue Light Environmental Protection nourishing skin cream, which acts both as a sunblock and as an “electronics-block.”
