A little sun is always good, right?
However, no matter what time of the year it is, it’s important to protect your skin and your health against the UV rays effects, especially if you will be exposed to the sun for a long time.
Whether you are aiming for a weekend trip, or for a summer vacation, at Nature’s Discount we offer you 7 tips to protect your health when going to the beach.
1. Sunbathe at appropriate times
If you’re looking for a natural tan, the best hours for sunbathing are before 10:00 a.m. and after 4:00 p.m[J1] . During noon the sun is at its highest point, so be careful because the impact of UV rays on your skin will be more direct.
Take this into consideration if you are planning a quiet day with the family. Now you know that the closer you get to noon increases the chances of getting sunburned and developing redness on your skin.
2. Keep an eye on the time of sun exposure
Sunlight helps our body produce Vitamin D. About 10-15 minutes a day will be enough for this process. There are even calculators like http://dminder.ontometrics.com/ that tell you when the time is right for you to do so.
But when it comes to a day of camping on the beach, 15 minutes is an understatement of the amount of time we usually spend under the sun….
There are many factors that come into play in terms of resistance to UV rays. Weather conditions, skin type, age, and possible medical history are just a few causes that could put you at risk for sun spots, sunburns, and even skin cancer.
Chances are you want to protect your skin from the beginning, so you may want to apply sunscreen about 15 minutes before leaving home.
3. Use sunscreen
It is the most obvious recommendation, right? But as you can see, it’s only as effective as you make it be. You need to combine it with other habits to get better protection.
Sun protection factor (spf), which measures the protection of the sunscreen against UVB rays -the type that causes sunburn and contributes to skin cancer- is something to considerate. An SPF 15 will filter out approximately 93% of UVB rays, an SPF 30, 97%, and an SPF 50, 98%. No protector will protect you 100%
Your ideal sunscreen should be broad-spectrum, to protect you from both UVB and UVA rays. In addition, it should be waterproof to ensure greater protection when swimming or playing on the beach. If you are going to be in the sun between 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. the use of sunscreen is of special importance (source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3460660/)
Products such as Sunscreen for Body SPF 30, Sunscreen for Face and Body SPF 20, Tinted Sunscreen SPF 30 by STREAM2SEA meet these requirements, as well as containing a blend of antioxidant green tea, tulsi, wakame, and olive leaf. A plus of products like these is that they contain safe and biodegradable ingredients that do not pollute the water.
4. Apply sunscreen the right way
You should make sure to follow the instructions for sunscreen use and application by each manufacturer. No matter how similar they may be, there could be small changes among brands.
Also, remember that if you are planning to have a good time on the beach, and even more if you swim or sweat in large quantities, you should reapply sunscreen every two hours, more or less.
It is very important that every time you apply sunscreen you cover all the necessary areas. There are areas like ears, eyelids, and lips that we tend to forget and are sensitive to complications (source: https://www.healthline.com/health-news/skin-cancer-danger-remember-to-cover-ears-lips-and-eyes-from-the-sun).
Depending on the time you expose yourself to the sun, you will need to apply sunscreen several times a day. On a beach day, we suggest doing so every 2 hours.
5. Protect yourself also after the sun
Sunscreen should do all the work, right? Not at all!
As you have seen, protecting your skin for beach days has a before, a during and an after, and they are all equally important.
After exposing yourself to the sun, and more if you do it for a long period, it is necessary to moisturize and give your skin some extra help and space to recover after a day of adventure.
For this, there are lotions such as the Nourishing After Sun Body Lotion of STREAM2SEA that will take care of your skin after a beach day. We can assure you it will thank you for doing so.
In addition to having natural ingredients, this lotion absorbs quickly and leaves no feeling of residue. You will feel silky and moist skin, almost like baby skin.
Did you spend a little too much time under the sun? You can try gels like Sun and Sting Relief Gel that will refresh and help your skin to heal after a sunburn caused by prolonged exposure to the sun. This particular gel is also effective against insects and some marine creatures’ bites.
6. Wear the right outfit
Let’s see…
Going to the beach for many is the perfect opportunity to make a fashion statement, but we must do it in a clever way.
Focus on finding clothing that is comfortable and airy to protect you from the water. Some fabrics are better than others to prevent the action of UV rays, these fabrics also tend to prevent clothing from absorbing too much heat.
Also, don’t forget to include sunglasses and hats as part of your outfit. There are even some UV lenses that will make you look good and be protected at the same time.
Of course, combine the use of appropriate clothing with moments of staying away from the sun. Take advantage of the shade of the palms, your umbrella and nearby places. Give your skin a break in more than one way.
7. Eat foods that will protect your skin
Within this category, it is impossible not to think about fruits. They are rich in vitamins, some are antioxidants, and they are also loaded with water to keep you hydrated.
Surely you have heard about the beta-carotene in carrots that helps you against sun damage. Well, here we have a little secret …
Spirulina, a greenish-blue algae, is a superfood in the form of a supplement that contains a much higher amount of beta-carotene than carrots. (source: https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-spirulina)
Other foods that you can take include nuts and seeds for their great antioxidant power, they also contribute to the synthesis of proteins. Collagen, an ally for your skin health, is one of the most abundant proteins in the body.
Finally, green tea can protect your skin from damage caused by UV rays and aging. It even contributes to improving the humidity, roughness, thickness and the elasticity of the skin (Source: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21525260).
With these seven tips, you will surely have a few days of great fun, good memories, and a return home with a new tan and healthy skin. At Nature’s Discount, we join you on the path to a healthier life.
