Pack Your Bags!
As we transition from Spring into summer, from school into the sun, many of us are excited to spend time by the pool, at the lake or beach, or on a hike. But as we unpack our backpacks and trade binders and papers for summer supplies, it is important to be mindful of the products we select.
Specifically… sunscreen.
I too love colorful packaging and fruity smells, but when selecting sunscreen, those characteristics cannot be the factors that help you make your choice.
Sunscreen is a health product, and choosing the right one can be beneficial for your skin. On the contrary… choosing the wrong one can be detrimental.
So… how can we navigate sunscreen selection and ensure we are making the right choices?
Tips for Choosing the Right Sunscreen
First, look for the term “Broad-Spectrum protection”. This indicates that the sunscreen protects against both UVA and UVB waves. UVB waves are shorter and cause the skin to burn, while UVA waves permeate the skin barrier and cause long term effects. Most sunscreen only protects against UVB, but protection from both is more beneficial to not only your health but also the youthful appearance of your skin.
Next, make sure the sunscreen you wear is at least SPF 30. I love tanning as much as the next girl, and I assure you SPF 30 won’t prevent a tan! Sunscreen less than SPF 30 struggles to block UVB waves and won’t give your skin the protection it needs.
If you’re worried about tanning, layer it with a lower SPF tanning oil to ensure both sun protection and golden brown results!
Finally, there are a few harsh chemicals you should try to avoid. When reading the label of your selected sunscreen, look out for oxybenzone, homosalate, and octinoxate.
If chemistry isn’t your strong suit, don’t fret… There is a simple explanation!
These three chemicals are absorbed easily through the skin and have been found to disrupt hormones and cause irritation to the skin burrier. Furthermore, if you’re swimming in the ocean, the chemicals can rub off and do harm to coral reefs and other marine life!
Choose Your Skin
When choosing sunscreen, choose your skin! You deserve to be enjoying the waves all summer long, and your skin deserves to be enjoying the heat too.
Grab your bag, throw in your sunscreen, and enjoy time spent (safely) in the sun!
