As the summer begins to heat up, it is important that you keep your skin protected from the powerful rays while enjoying the beautiful sunshine. Luckily for you, we are here with some tips to beat the heat.

            Although it may sound crazy in the summer sun, one of the simplest ways to protect yourself is to wear more clothes! In the heat of the summer, it is common to wear minimal clothing while enjoying the pool and beach, or playing your favorite lawn game. However, throwing on a t-shirt or pants is a simple, yet extremely effective, way to protect your body from harmful UV rays while still being able to do all of your favorite activities. Another extremely effective way to shield yourself from harmful UV rays is to hang out in the shade. While it may limit where you can go and what you can do,  it is an easy way to protect yourself from UV rays. You may be thinking there’s no way to conquer all the tasks on your summer bucket list with these restrictions, but we’ve got you covered with even more tips.

If you’re not into additional layers or wearing long sleeves, it is important that you wear sunblock! The specific brand and level of protection (aka SPF level) should be chosen based on personal preference and finding the best fit for your skin and body. However, it is absolutely vital that you wear some level of sunblock to protect yourself from the harmful UV rays. It is also important to note that there are different types of sunblock for almost every occasion and using the correct sunblock for each occasion will help maximize protection. For example, if you are spending a lot of time in the pool, in the ocean, or running around having water balloon fights, it is important that you use waterproof sunblock. If you are spending your days at soccer camp or track camp, it is important that you wear sweat resistant sunblock.

            If you need something more than just sunblock, don’t sweat it. Wearing a hat is a stylish and effective way to block the rays and protect yourself. Wearing a hat, whether it is a baseball cap or a fedora, will block a certain amount of sun depending on the hat and the angle of the sun and is an effective way of blocking some additional UV rays. Another way to block some rays is to wear sunglasses. Sunglasses serve a specific niche when it comes to protecting yourself, as they shield your eyes specifically. Sunglasses will protect your eyes from potentially damaging rays and are another stylish (yet effective!) way to stay protected.

            No matter what activities you are participating in this summer, from a water balloon fight or relaxing at the beach, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself from harmful UV rays and enjoy your fun in the sun without worry!