Summer Sunscreen Checklist – Things to Remember
As we approach Don’t Fry Day (the Friday before Memorial Day, and the official kick-off of summer), it is good to make sure you are well-prepared for the hot days ahead. So here are some things you need to remember.
- Apply all sunscreens generously. That means more than you think you need. After all, there’s no thing as too much sunscreen.
- Reapply all sunscreens at least every 2 hours, regardless of the SPF value. If your skin is fair, you are at a high altitude or in a reflective environment (water and light sand!), it may need to be even more frequently.
- If you are swimming or sweating, follow the specific swimming/sweating directions on your sunscreen. If it is water resistant 80 minutes (like our Brush On Block Mineral Sunscreen Powders), reapply every 80 minutes. If it is water resistant 40 minutes, reapply every 40 minutes. If it does not say how long it is water resistant, it is most likely not, and you should select one that is. Reapply immediately if you dry or wipe your skin off.
- Your lips can get sunburned. Use an SPF for your lips. (Like Brush On Block Protective Lip Oil!)
- Your eyes can be damaged by the sun. Wear sunglasses.
- Between the hours of 10 am and 2 pm, follow other sun protection measures as listed in the Drug Facts on your sunscreen package. These measures include using a broad spectrum sunscreen, limiting time in the sun and wearing long-sleeved shirts, pants, hats and sunglasses. Seeking shade is also important.
- Sunscreen the tops of your feet. Sunburned feet make shoe wearing uncomfortable!
- Sunscreen any bald spots or the part of your hair. This area is very tender when burned!
- If you are driving in the sun (especially with a sun-roof open or a convertible top down), be sure to sunscreen your hands and arms. You’ll thank us in a few years.
- Wearing a ponytail? Don’t forget the back of your neck and tops of your ears.
- Wearing a low-backed shirt? Enlist a friend to help you sunscreen there.
- SPF 100 is NOT twice the protection of SPF 50. It is 1% more protection. And it does not protect you longer than 2 hours. It just does not.
