Fair skin summer survival guides

Summer is on its way and it’s time for beach days, shorts, and sun. For everyone with pale skin, summer can be a struggle. Sun burns come fast and when they peel, there’s not even a tan to compensate for the pain. This summer, don’t turn into a lobster–protect your skin and your summer fun.

Tip # 1: Sunscreen

No sunscreen provides 100% protection, but it´s better than nothing. According to the New York Times, the FDA proposed stopping SPF levels at 50+, they also recommend using lotion instead of spray-on sunscreens to get the full SPF value. This summer choose higher quality SPF at lower levels if you want the most protection from UV rays.

Don’t forget your face! Many cosmetic companies make moisturizers with SPF in it. Some good products to try are Olay complete all-day moisturizer with sunscreen broad spectrum SPF 15, Dove deep moisture facial lotion SPF 15, and Pond’s luminous moisture day lotion with SPF 15. If you don’t want to switch moisturizer, baby sunscreens come in small bottles and are delicate enough for your skin.

Tip #2: Protect your part

Everyone has gotten burned on the tricky area on top of your head. If you burn easily try to avoid this by either pulling your hair up to cover your part, or investing in some hats that you can wear on a regular basis to protect your head and face.

Tip #3: Cold Water

If you’ve been spending the day in the sun, take a break and head inside, hop in the shower and keep the water cold. Just like running a burned finger under cold water, a refreshing shower stops sun damage before it develops into a burn. Plus, it takes down your body temperature and protects you from dehydration and heat stroke.

Tip #4: Cover up

When out at the beach don’t forget a cover-up. Whenever you’re not in the water keep a t-shirt, shorts or dress with you to give your skin a break from the direct sun. You can also bring an umbrella to sit under to escape into some shade.

Tip #5: Drink water

Keeping hydrated protects you from heat stroke and dehydration. Water strengthens your skin and makes it stronger against sun damage. Being hydrated also allows your body to sweat and bring your body temperature down in the heat.

Tip #6: Avoid Tanning

Even if you want to be tan in the summer, avoid tanning beds, tanning lotion and laying out in the sun. Things like this will burn you for sure, which is why you should allow your skin some breaks from direct sun. Go inside or sit in the shade. If you really want to be tan, fake it till you make it, fake tan is available in lotion, spray, or professional tans.  

Tip #7: Moisturize

In the winter, you moisturize to keep your skin from getting cracked and dry. In the summer, you should moisturize to keep your skin strong and healthy. Stronger skin protects itself better from UV rays. Moisturizing tanned skin keeps summer tans from fading, moisturizing pale skin reduces your chance of getting burned.

Now go out there and enjoy the summer, you porcelain beauties!