We all know we should be wearing sunscreen on the daily and reapplying SPF every two hours when we’re hanging at the pool. But do most people actually do that?!
Take a peek into other Women’s Health reader’s sun safety habits by answering the poll questions below. (Remember, honesty is the best policy! 💁) From there, learn what you can do to better protect your skin from sun damage, wrinkles, and cancer.
“Just because it’s cloudy does not mean you are free from the damaging effects of the sun,” cautions Debra Jaliman, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
That said, you should apply SPF on your body and face every 👏🏾 single 👏🏾 day. Already doing that? Give yourself a pat on the back. If not, don’t sweat it, just make an effort to improve moving forward.
No matter what boat you’re in, know this: Sunscreen isn’t the only thing you should use to stay sun safe on the daily. Make SPF lip balms and sunglasses your BFFs.
If you normally reach for SPF 30 or higher, high five! This is the American Academy of Dermatology recommendation. (We like Australian Gold’s SPF 30 Continuous Spray Sunscreen because it goes on fast and clear, and smells like vacay in a bottle.)
While SPF 15 blocks about 93 percent of harmful UVB rays, SPF 30 blocks 97 percent, and SPF 50 blocks 98 percent, the Skin Cancer Foundation reports.
Although the difference between SPF 30 and SPF 50 isn’t huge, if you’re light-sensitive or have a history of skin cancer in your fam it couldn’t hurt to reach for a more protective formula. One of our go-tos is Australian Gold’s SPF 50 Sunscreen Lotion with Bronzers. It provides a wash-away glow that’s 🔥🔥🔥.
If you’re a facial sunscreen gal, snaps for you! According to Dr. Jaliman, these special formulas won’t irritate your eyes and skin the way a body sunscreen might. That said, it’s worth it to buy separate formulas for your face and your body if you aren’t already.
If you fall into the moisturizing camp, it might be hard to imagine not slathering up, and vice versa. But hey, everyone does what works for them, right?
For what it’s worth, Dr. Jaliman recommends using moisturizing sunscreens and drinking at least eight glasses of water a day if you’re spending the day in the sun. You may also want to consider an after-sun lotion (we like this one) if your skin feels particularly parched.
“One of the biggest sunscreen mistakes I see is that people don’t reapply. Many think once you apply sunscreen, you are good for the day,” Dr. Jaliman says. In other words, if you clicked “Eh. Not always,”there’s some room for improvement.
In addition to regularly reapplying your SPF, consider taking extra steps to protect your skin. Simple things like spending some time in the shade and wearing a wide-brimmed hat can work in tandem with your sunblock to ward off painful burns, sun damage, and skin cancer.
Everything You Need To Stay Sun Safe
This quick-drying formula sprays on fast and goes on clear so you can easily add SPF to your daily routine.
Get a natural looking instant glow (that washes away at the end of the day, btw) with this protective formula.
This lightweight lotion absorbs quickly and is hypoallergenic, which is ideal for sensitive skin.
This coconut-flavored balm keeps lips hydrated with linoleic acid and protected with SPF.
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