// Sun Care is Self Care
It’s come to my attention that sun care isn’t taken nearly as seriously as it should be. I’m also hearing about dangerous home made sunscreens in an attempt to avoid chemicals in the ever popular “clean beauty” space.
Growing up on a beach and in the hot ass south, there was not shortage of sunshine or time spent in the sun. Sun burns are real. Skin cancer is real. And it’s not just pasty white folks that are at risk. People of all skin tones are at risk for skin cancer. The worst part is in darker skin tones, skin cancer is usually not diagnosed until later stages, making it even more deadly and develops on unexposed parts of the body, such as soles of feet, palms, lower leg, or even under a nail. We all need to think a little more about how we care for our skin in the sun. Not to mention, 90% of skin aging is caused by the sun.
Thinking I tanned easily with this hispanic mix of skin was not helping me protect myself. Here are my SPF basics and rules I always follow now.
Hot Takes:
+ SPF (which means Sun Protection Factor ) of even 15 will block 93% of harmful rays, but I always read to get at least a 30 SPF, and apply often. See How to Apply below.
+ Wear a hat. I’m always in a wide brim hat, and if nothing else, I will buy a baseball cap with a larger bill to protect my face.
+ Wear UV shades. Eyes are delicate and need to be protected, too.
+ Cover up, finding some shade or an umbrella also can help.
+ Take extra care during the hottest parts of the day (10am to 2pm generally)
+ Find sunscreens that work and carry them with you!
I have sunscreen in most all my bags, for my neck, face, and hands (tops of feet and ankles /calves also need it depending on what you’re wearing that day) so I can reapply as needed.
Resources:
Personal favorites:
+ Vive Sana Serum Creama SPF 20 and SPF 30
Or check out the rest of CAP Beauty’s Sun Care
+ The Detox Market has a whole skincare section and a high standard for products.
+ LaserAway SPF - I pick up these little bottles during my appointments there, but they care a great deal about sunscreen as well, and list their favorites here.
+ Top hat from Tommy Bahama or Dorfman Pacific Company, but I’ll buy anything the resort or beach shop has available for a good price. Look for “lifeguard style” hats (the brims are large and they are made for sun and water exposure, ie. they last) or even companies like ASOS have sun hats now. Like this one.
How to Apply:
+ Put SPF on dry skin before you get into the sun (15-20 mins)
+ A body needs a full short glass size of sunscreen. Don’t scrimp here; too little and you’re not getting the sun protection listed.
+ Reapply every 2 hours or after sweating / getting out water.