As you trek across the beach, you feel the white sand hug your toes and tickle your soles. You’ll soon recline on your lounge chair with a romance novel in one hand and a daiquiri in the other hand. The best part? You’ll spend only an hour or two in the sun, so you won’t have to worry about sunburn, right? Wrong.
Research shows sunburn may develop in under 15 minutes when the sun’s ultraviolet radiation is intense on a cloudless day. Even when the sky is overcast, light clouds may boost your ultraviolet exposure thanks to a phenomenon known as scattering.
This means you’re not safe from sun damage even when you spend short stints in the sun. Too much sun exposure increases your risk of developing cancer, wrinkles, and early aging, but the right gear can save your skin — and your life. Let’s explore the top sun protection gear to bring with you on a cloudless day.
Do you plan to spend a few hours in the sun at the beach, a park, or a festival? Don’t forget to bring your sunglasses with you. It’s one of the most essential sun protection gear since you obviously can’t apply sunscreen to your eyes.
Too much direct sun exposure may cause painful burns around your eyes, leaving your skin feeling grainy and looking red. It could even cause severe eye problems, like cataracts. This condition makes your eye lens cloudy, leaving you with blurry vision. In extreme cases, you could go blind if you don’t wear sunglasses.
Several environmental surfaces might make matters worse due to reflecting radiation. These surfaces range from newly fallen snow to sand and even the ocean’s waves.
The great news? Sunglasses block direct and indirect ultraviolet radiation, saving your eyes. Choose only shades offering at least 99% ultraviolet protection. Remember that not all dark shades or glare-reducing sunglasses provide the full solar protection your eyes need, so double-check various sunglasses’ labels before buying one. Consider wearing sunglasses that wrap around your face to give the skin surrounding your eyes extra protection.
The perfect hat will do more than make a statement: This sun protection gear will shield your skin against ultraviolet radiation. Not all caps are created equal, though. Steer clear of visors since they won’t cover your whole head. Choose a hat whose brim is at least three inches long to protect the top of your head, ears, face (especially your nose), and neck from solar rays. The brim should ideally be tilted down toward your face.
The hat for sun protection is a fedora since it provides extensive coverage, protecting even your shoulders from ultraviolet rays. Consider investing in a sun hat, too. This wide-brim hat is ultra-convenient since it’s so flexible and will bounce back into shape after being folded. Pack it in your hiking bag or beach tote for your next adventure!
Stick with dark-colored hats since they’re more effective at absorbing ultraviolet radiation. Another feature to look for in a hat for a sunny day is a material with a tight weave, like canvas. The material is thick enough to keep solar rays at bay.
What if you use sunscreen: Do you need to wear a hat? Yes. The skin won’t absorb a chemical sunscreen immediately, and it wears off over time, requiring reapplication. Hats offer instant and reliable protection: Perspiration won’t stop them from working (more on sunscreen later).
No list of sun protection gear would be complete without the proper clothing. Pair long skirts and slacks with long-sleeved tops for ultimate ultraviolet ray protection if you’ll work outside in the sun for hours.
Are you prepping for a beach or pool trip? Cover up with a classy sarong. You can wrap it around your body and tie it to create a skirt or dress. Even a t-shirt can help protect your shoulders, back, chest, and stomach from the sun when you’re not taking a dip.
Keep in mind that dark clothing is more effective than light-colored clothes, and wet clothes won’t protect you as well as dry ones. Fabrics with tight weaves, like denim, provide the greatest shield against the sun. The material won’t allow much radiation to contact your skin.
Does denim make you feel too warm in the summer? A few other fabric options may suit you better. Wool is an excellent natural, breathable, and long-lasting ultraviolet ray blocker. Polyester is another excellent choice since this synthetic material dries quickly and is lightweight.
Choose hemp clothing for a natural and eco-conscious option that will save the planet and your skin. Hemp clothes may be a little more costly, so it’s not the best choice for everyone.
Top off every sunny day outfit with high-quality sunscreen to enjoy a safe day outdoors. Your sunscreen should have a sun protection factor of 30 or more to filter out ultraviolet rays effectively.
Choose a natural option since some sunscreens contain dangerous chemicals, including endocrine and hormone disrupters, like oxybenzone and homosalate. Natural options feature ingredients like titanium dioxide, which blocks ultraviolet rays with no toxic chemicals.
Apply your sunblock half an hour before heading outdoors, and reapply it every couple of hours. Do this more frequently if you sweat a lot or go swimming. A bottle of sunscreen can remain effective for three years if it’s not exposed to extreme heat, so keep your sun protection gear collection stocked with it.
Spending time in the sun can benefit your body and soul: It can help your body generate vitamin D, which is vital for immunity. It can also boost your brain’s production of serotonin, a mood-lifting hormone.
Too much sun can take a toll on your skin, so you need high-quality sun protection gear. Add sunscreen, protective clothing, sunglasses, and hats to your sunny-day arsenal to keep your skin looking and feeling its best for years to come.
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