Let's Talk SPF: How To Properly Protect Your Skin This Summer | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Let's Talk SPF: How To Properly Protect Your Skin This Summer

You don't want to get burned.

14
Let's Talk SPF: How To Properly Protect Your Skin This Summer
Alvin Balemesa

Sunscreen: Everyone tells us that we should be wearing it, or wearing more of it, or reapplying more often. Everyone, from our mothers to Vogue to the CDC, warn against the long-term consequences of sunbathing, or even stepping foot outside, without SPF. I am not so sorry to say that I am one of those people, but there are plenty of good reasons to put on (and then reapply throughout the day) sunscreen.

A lot of very scary things can happen when you don’t wear sunscreen: hyper-pigmentation, telangiectasia (the very scary name for broken blood vessels), wrinkles, sunburns with blisters, and potential scarring. This is just the tip of the iceberg, however. Not taking care of your skin could ruin your health: skin cancer, or melanoma, is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States, and in most cases is preventable.

Fun, right? If you're already not great about putting sunscreen on every day, an excuse is that there are just too many rules. How in the world are we supposed to remember the ‘right’ way to put on sunscreen?

Every few years, we learn that we are all ‘putting on sunscreen wrong’; really, we should just keep in mind the 'two hour rule.' Have you been in the sun for two hours? Reapply. If you're not sure if you should put more sunscreen, you should probably just put more on. That does not mean if you're stuck inside for work all day you HAVE to reapply; if you are inside all day, you probably only need to put on sunscreen once. If you are on the go and don’t have time to reapply, consider Supergoop sunscreen mist -- reapply over makeup on the go while maintaining sun coverage. Easy as pie!

Now, I know what you're thinking: but my acne-prone and/or sensitive skin just cannot handle sunscreen! Lucky for you, all-natural brands like 'Kiss My Face' and 'Alba Botanica' have sensitive, non-toxic formulas for you to try out for yourself! Have more high-fashion tastes? Try Glossier’s new 'Invisible Shield SPF 35,' which claims not only be great under makeup and super effective against UV rays, but also to have a clear water gel formula that absorbs into the skin without residue or a white cast.

But how much SPF is the right amount? Shouldn’t we be wearing SPF 100, or nothing at all? The CDC says you should be wearing at least SPF 15, while most dermatologists suggest SPF 30. If you are worried about how much protection you are getting from your sunscreen, consider how much you're using. If you think you are using half a teaspoon, you are set. If not, consider bumping up your coverage like Dermalogica 'Pure Light SPF 50.'

When in doubt, find an SPF product, whether that be a BB cream, SPF moisturizer, or sunscreen, that you love, and commit to wearing it every day. Once it’s a habit, you will forget that it was ever a chore. Trust me, future you will thank you for this little bit of self-care!

Go forth and frolic in the summer sun (safely, of course)!

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Adulting

11 Things I Learned My Freshman Year of College

Not everything you learn in college can be found in a textbook.

20
Breanna Vogel
Breanna Vogel

One of the scariest things we will ever face in our life is going to college. Many of us move away to a new town, join new organizations, and make new friends. We are expected to study, have a social life, relationships, maybe work, and be healthy. It seems pretty easy to do, and in high school all we wanted to do was graduate and move on to this next chapter of our lives. If you are in high school, here are some things that you can learn from before you get to college. If you have already been through your freshman year of college, hopefully you can relate to the things I have learned in college.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

12 Long-Term Relationship Milestones

You've got a keeper if you've made it to any of these milestones.

426
couple on the beach
Pexels

You've been together for so long. It's great. And as the time spent in your relationship grows, you hit certain milestones where you know it's real. These can be make-or-break moments, or just little things where you finally realize that you're both doing it. Everybody hits these milestones, no matter how long it takes; they're inevitable.

You know you've made it when you hit these long-term relationship milestones.

Keep Reading...Show less
10 Of The Best Shows To Binge Watch Over Winter Break

As the semester is coming to an end, most of us are going to have more free time on our hands. This calls for binge watching a new show on Netflix and really using this break to relax from the stress of school. Here are some of the best shows on Netflix that you should be watching.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

11 Gifs That Explain Your Lazy Weekend

Get ready for 2.5 days of doing absolutely nothing

1072
netflix
Kayla Master

Admit it: everyone loves to have a lazy weekend every once in a while. Not too much work to do, comfy clothes, Netflix binge sessions: just a few of the perfect components of a relaxing weekend. While you may get to a point where you regret doing absolutely nothing with your weekend, you just got to pull through and finish out this weekend to prove that you can go 2.5 days without accomplishing a single thing.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

10 Truths About Being In A Sorority

(For Girls Who Are Interested In Greek Life)

3165
Sorority
Rebekah Lee

I remember my freshman year oh so well. I remember feeling terrified the night before orientation. The one thing that I dreaded the most was not the new people, the new environment, or even the academic pressure. I was dreading having to talk to sorority girls about Recruitment. I remember cutting off and avoiding any Rho Gamma/Panhellenic Officer that came my way during First Week. I looked at them like they had asked me to cut my arm off whenever they asked me if I wanted to rush. To be honest, I did not even know what rush was, but I knew that I did NOT want to be a part of it. To me, it was dumb. It was a waste of money. It was a waste of my time.

And guess what? I did not rush my freshman year. I spent the first half of my freshman year isolating myself from everyone on campus. I spent all of my time in the library, and then (since I was a commuter) went back home once my work was finished.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments