Sun Safety

I don’t know about you, but I spent a lot of years without sunscreen. You know what I like to say, “Now that I know better, I do better!” Now, I wear sunscreen on my face EVERYDAY. I am trying to keep it looking young and healthy for as long as possible. And, there’s that awful thing called skin cancer I would like to prevent.

Let me start by saying, I am not a clean and organic girl. I use what I have found that WORKS.

Did you know the most common type of cancer in the United States is skin cancer? The most common cause of skin cancer is ultraviolet (UV) rays from either sunlight OR tanning beds. Hence the importance of SUN SAFETY!

When I talk sun protection, I mean more than sunscreen. I am going to walk you through each tip in this post. 

To learn the most about skin cancer, risks and sun safety, visit the CDC here. 

Sun Safety Tips

• Sunscreen: Wear it DAILY. Sunny days, cloudy days, winter days – I mean, EVERYDAY. You should wear at least SPF [sun protection factor] 15, but the higher the number the better the protection. For children, at least SPF 50 and for adults, at least SPF 30. Which ones do I like and which ones does my family wear?
  • For the kids: Babyganics Lotion and Spray. My oldest was having breakouts from sunscreen last summer and this is what I have found that doesn’t cause skin irritation but still works! [Be careful with all natural sunscreen, there are several out there that don’t actually provide necessary protection].
  • For adults: I like Banana Boat or Coppertone sport for the body. I use Cerave and La Roche Posay for the face.
• SPF Clothing: A regular t-shirt holds only 15 or less rating of SPF. SPF clothing is best. Wear it to swim, walk outside, mow the grass, work in the garden, play with the kids, all the OUTDOOR activities. The shirts I recommend below all hold an SPF of 50.
  • For the kids: I love these long sleeves for my son. These long sleeve button ups work for girls and boys. We are actually fans of the button ups for all ages in this family! These hoodies are very cute and practical for kids, too.
  • For adults: My husband wears these long sleeves. I wear the button up as a swim cover up and love it [I sized up one size for a more oversized fit].
• Hats: The best style hat has a brim on it to protect the face and the ears. If you are wearing a ball cap, make sure you are putting sunscreen on your ears!
  • For the kids: I LOVE these hats for kids, especially younger ones.
  • For adults: My husband wears this hat for mowing, the pool and the beach. I wear this hat [it’s the one I am wearing in the cover photo] and LOVE it! It keeps it shape if it gets wet, has SPF, and is very comfy.

• Sunglasses: Sunglasses protect against UV rays and decrease the risk for cataracts. Most sunglasses for sale in the US provide protection against UVA and UVB rays, which is what you want! Put sunglasses on your kids, too.
  • For the kids: I found these sunglasses on Amazon last year and they are so cute. Only 10 bucks! They are also very durable. We managed to not lose them or break them!
  • For adults: We are Ray-Ban fans and have been for years. I wear the wayfayers and my husband wears aviator-type.
• Timing: if you are going to be outside, try go out in the early part of the day or in the evening. Find the shade and take breaks. Use an umbrella at the pool and beach to shade against the sun.
• Skin Check: Get a skin check once a year from a healthcare professional [dermatologist]. Check your own skin in between and always error on the side of caution and have your provider look at new moles or moles that are changing.

Any questions? Leave them in the comments. 

*This post is for informational purposes only and does not replace medical advice. Contact your healthcare provider for medical advice. 

**This post contains affiliate links. I make a commission if you use my links to shop, but it is no extra cost to you!

Stay safe, friends!

XOXO,

Angie