Stripping Down the Secrets of Sunscreen
It’s time for some fun in the sun! Even if you aren’t planning on spending every weekend between Memorial Day and Labor Day at the beach, sun safety is key to keeping your sun looking young and healthy. And let’s be honest, we all crave a bit of that sun-kissed glow (although the right moisturizer can help your skin glow just the same, wink-wink). But there’s a difference between being glowing and resembling a lobster. Ahead, find out what you really need to know about protecting yourself from the sun.
Slather it on . . . or not? - Photo via la revue érotique
Why avoid the sun?
Scientists are always discovering new things (the miracles of exosomes being one we’re quite excited about), but so far we know that the sun has three different types of ultraviolet rays. One type, known as UVC, gets filtered in the Earth’s atmosphere, so no worrying about that one. Then there are the other two, UVA and UVB, which cause sunburn, premature aging, and can contribute to more life-threatening issues. That’s one of the reasons sun reflectors and baby oil fell out of fashion a few decades ago.
The truth about SPF
It seems like every year, the sunscreen selection gets more and more diverse . . . and the SPF numbers on the bottles have even crossed into the triple digits! That means it’s safe to slather it on and spend the whole day laying out, right? Wrong. In fact, SPF 100 only offers about 2% more protection than SPF 30! So, go ahead and select a reasonable SPF number and be sure to diligently reapply throughout the day, especially if you’re splashing around in the water.
How to stay safe, and chic, in the sun
Unless we’re spending time in direct sunlight, we generally skip sunscreen in favor of staying well moisturized, wearing sexy hats, and keeping ourselves in the shade as much as possible. When the surf beckons, however, we opt for sunscreens that smell delectable, aren’t loaded with chemicals, and don’t leave us feeling greasy afterwards. Broad-spectrum protection (remember the two different types of sun rays?) is also key.
Worst-case scenario
Even the best-laid plans can go awry and nothing ruins a fun day out than the growing feeling of a sunburn. When redness strikes, take a cool shower, apply some soothing body cream (keep an eye out for eXO Body later this summer), and avoid boozy beverages, as they’ll further dehydrate skin. Another pro tip: Slather on inflammation-fighting eXO Face, which helps to lock in precious moisture, alleviate redness, and give you that coveted glow.