We all enjoy time in the sun for a variety of good reasons, despite the fact that we typically do it to fake tan.
First off, sunlight increases our levels of serotonin, which has been shown to be nature’s version of Valium and that it helps to relieve anxiety. Additionally, it produces vitamin D, which benefits the bones, teeth, skin, hair, and nails. That explains why you always return from your two weeks in Spain in serious need of a hair and nail treatment because of all the extra growth.
Although there are many advantages to sun exposure, they cannot outweigh the risks of skin cancer [1] and premature aging.
Even though we all enjoy that sun-kissed glow, it’s important to keep in mind that a tan is actually a sign of skin damage and that your body naturally produces more melanin as a means of protecting you from further sun exposure.
Therefore, neither a beauty editor nor a dermatologist will ever advise getting a tan. However, since we are aware that the allure of a tan line is strong, we have provided some advice on how to make your sun exposure as safe as possible.
Use the Appropriate Sunscreen
Don’t rely solely on SPF; instead, seek for the term “broad spectrum” on the label, which indicates that the product will shield you from both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays.
Additionally, turn the bottle around to view the UVA star rating. These represent the SPF rating and range from 1 star (the lowest level of protection) to 5 stars (the highest level of protection).
Naturally, we don’t want any products with 1 star to end up in your shopping cart.
Choose SPF30 over SPF50 because it blocks 97% more UVB rays than the latter does (98%). The latter may give you a false sense of security and may be so chalky that you may not reapply it as often as you should, which is every two hours.