When the snow melts and the sun starts to shine, it’s tempting to start spending as much time as possible outdoors. There’s nothing wrong with fresh air and sunshine, but you need to do is safely. It’s easy to forget that sometimes the best things in life come with a little bit of risk.
Nothing feels better than the warm glow of sunlight on your skin, but excessive sun exposure can be bad for your skin. Read on to learn some simple tips for protecting your skin this summer and to learn how to achieve a flawless tan without damaging your skin.
Tips for Protecting Your Skin from the Sun
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The sun gives off ultraviolet (UV) rays, which though not visible to the human eye, can be damaging to your skin. A small amount of UV light is good for you – it stimulates your body to produce vitamin D which the body needs to absorb calcium for strong bones. Too much UV exposure, however, can cause skin damage and may increase your risk for developing skin cancer.
Here are some general tips for protecting your skin this summer:
- Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure so it has adequate time to absorb. Reapply sunscreen every 2 hours or after swimming or sweating.
- Look for broad-spectrum sunscreen that blocks both UVA and UVB rays and use SPF 30 or higher – for maximum protection, try Yon-Ka Paris SPF 50.
- Try to stay out of the sun between 10am and 4pm when the sun’s rays are the strongest – you should also be careful in areas close to the equator.
- Take breaks during long periods of sun exposure – find areas of shade, go inside, or protect yourself with an umbrella.
- Wear clothing and wide-brimmed hats to protect areas of exposed skin from UV rays – sunglasses that block UV rays will help protect your eyes.
- Ask your doctor if any of your medications might make you more sensitive to UV rays – this may include antibiotics and certain birth control pills.
Protecting your skin is essential, but just because you want to avoid skin damage doesn’t mean you can’t tan safely. Read on to learn simple tips to achieve a flawless tan, with and without the risk of UV exposure.
How to Achieve a Safe and Flawless Tan
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Everyone wants a perfect tan, but it’s difficult to achieve without running the risk of harming your skin. Tanning beds are a fast-track to skin damage and should be totally avoided, but there are safe ways to a flawless tan.
The first step to a flawless tan is healthy skin, so make sure to include exfoliation in your weekly skincare routine. Exfoliation removes dead skin and debris from the surface of your skin, so it helps elongate your tan. Apply broad-spectrum sunscreen SPF 30 or higher about 30 minutes before going outside and protect your face with a wide-brimmed hat.
If you’re trying to develop a natural tan, go for low and slow. Avoid peak sunshine hours (10am to 4pm) when UV strength is at its highest and limit your daily exposure to 30 to 60 minutes. It takes time to develop a tan, and you don’t want to risk overexposure. Never skip the sunscreen and give your tan a day or two to develop before you head out again. Apply Yon-Ka Paris Prolongateur De Bronzage to repair and nourish your skin while prolonging your natural tan.
Exposure to UV rays comes with risks, so you may want to avoid it entirely by going for a sunless tan. Try Yon-Ka Paris Lait Auto Brozant, a nourishing self-tanning body milk that gives you a natural, uniform tan in just 3 to 4 hours. Suitable for all skin types, this formula lasts 3 to 4 days.
The Basics of After-Sun Care
After you’ve spent the day soaking up the sun, getting your skin’s fill of natural vitamin D, there are a few things you need to do when you head inside. The effects of sun exposure may not be immediately evident (except for sunburn, of course), but that doesn’t mean you can skip this essential skincare step.
After-sun care is about more than just soothing sunburned skin – it’s also about restoring hydration and providing long-term protection. Whether you notice any developing redness or feel the telltale burn or not, it’s still important to take steps to repair and rehydrate your skin after sun exposure.
Here are some tips for soothing, rehydrating, and protecting your skin:
- Take a cool shower to wash off excess sunscreen and tanning products – it will also help take the edge of developing inflammation from any sunburn you may have developed.
- Apply a repairing after sun cream like Yon-Ka Lait Apres-Soleil to cool and rehydrate the skin – this formula features natural extracts like allantoin, cornflower, and Roman chamomile.
- Drink a glass of water to restore hydration and give your body a boost of moisture with hydrating moisturizer – look for ingredients like hyaluronic acid in particular (which can be found in Yon-Ka’s Hydra No. 1 collection).
- Consider a slightly thicker moisturizer than you might normally use – sun and saltwater can be particularly drying, and you want to get a jump on irritation and moisture loss.
- Add a few pumps of Yon-Ka Emulsion Pure to your favorite moisturizer to soothe and regenerate sunburned skin.
Skincare is not a one-and-done task – it’s an ongoing commitment. Before you head out into the sun, make sure your skin is protected with broad-spectrum sunscreen and rehydrate after with Yon-Ka Lait Apres Soleil or Emulsion Pure to soothe and comfort the skin.
If you’re not sure which summer skin products are right for your skin, consult the Skincare Advisor or use the Yon-Ka Paris Spa Locator to find a local spa partner – many offer virtual consultations to help pair you with the best products for your needs.
