Life
beat the heat
10 sun smart ways to stay protected
1. triple sun protection
If you plan to spend a lot of time out in the sun,
like at the beach or tennis courts, make sure you
lather on a triple layer of sun protection.
• Cleanse your skin and apply an antioxidant
based product to protect against free radical
damage.
• Apply a chemical sunscreen that prevents
the sun rays from causing intrinsic damage.
Consider using a double duty product like a
moisturizer plus sunscreen
• Top it off with a water and sweat resistant sun
block, preferably one containing zinc oxide that
will reflect most rays away from the skin.
2. what to use
Use a sunscreen formula that shields against the
UVB as well as the UVA rays of the sun. Some of
the ingredients to consider are:
• UVA Blockers - Mexoryl, Helioplex 360, active
photobarrier complex, Avobenzone
• UVB Blockers - Homosalate, Octosalate, Octylmethoxycinnamate
• UVA & UVB - Octocrylene, Zinc Oxide, Titanium
Dioxide.
3. re-apply often
In order to ensure all-round sunscreen protection,
you need to re-apply your sunscreen every
couple of hours, especially if you are spending a
lot of time outdoors. In fact, a general guideline is
using a shot glass full of sunscreen over your body.
4. face
If you do not apply enough sunscreen, it is not
going to provide adequate protection. Ideally, use
half teaspoon of sunscreen on your face.
5. powder formulas
If sunscreens feel rather oily on your skin try
using powder formulations like iS Clinical SPF
20 Powder Sunscreen, a powder sunscreen available
in translucent base and sun medium. It is a
special nanotechnology formulation containing
25% titanium dioxide and 20% zinc oxide and
provides sun protection against a vast spectrum
of sunlight.
6. wear protective clothing
While venturing out, try to wear long sleeves.
Also, an umbrella is not just for rainy days! Carry a
hat or an umbrella to shield you from the damaging
rays of the sun.
7. why eat fresh?
Summer brings with it a variety of fruits and
vegetables. So lay your hands on some fresh
seasonal fruits and vegetables like pomegranate
and blueberries. This will not just keep your
skin hydrated but also supply essential vitamins
and antioxidants. Also tomatoes have lots of
lycopene which is an antioxidant that helps fight
free radicals.
8. what to avoid
If your skin is highly susceptible to sunburn,
avoid using skin care products that contain
glycolic or salicylic acid when you go out in the
sun. These ingredients increase skin sensitivity
to the sun and may cause a stinging sensation
when you sweat.
9. keep yourself hydrated
Drink a lot of water and be careful if you drink
alcohol or citrus beverages outside. Citrus fruits
tend to make your skin more sun sensitive, while
alcohol can dehydrate the skin. So, water is best!
10. avoid peak hours
The sun’s rays are the strongest during 12 am to
4 pm. Make sure you try to avoid this time of day
in the direct sun! Try to schedule your outdoor
activities in the early morning or evening.
Article by Naomi Andrews
WomanToWomanMagazine.com 25
/WomanToWomanMagazine.com
