Guest Author - Jamie Robertson

For many, summer is just around the corner. The warm air and sunshine mean that we are spending more time outside. Outside activities can help us to maintain a healthy weight and live healthier, active lives. However, spending more time outside can mean that you are exposed to a lot of sun. There are a few simple ways that you can help protect yourself and enjoy your time outdoors this summer.

Sunscreen
You’ve heard it a million times: you should wear sunscreen every day. Many people have started using a face lotion with sunscreen in it, but the rest of your body is probably going without. Here are a few tips for picking a sunscreen to protect your entire body.
~ Choose a sunscreen that offers protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
~ Choose a sunscreen with at least SPF 15.
~Reapply your sunscreen every two hours and after you swim or sweat. This applies even if your sunscreen says it is water resistant.
~Look for a sunscreen with the American Academy of Dermatology seal of approval.

Protection from the Sun
Sunscreen is not the only way to protect yourself from the sun. Use the following tips to help protect yourself.
~Wear a wide-brimmed hat to help shield your face from the sun.
~Avoid being outside from 11:00AM-1:00PM, the time when the sun is most intense.
~Wear protective clothing and sunglasses when possible.

Sunburn Treatment
Even if you are careful, sunburns can happen. If you get a sunburn, there are a few things you can do to relieve the pain and prevent damage.
~Take an over-the-counter pain reliever like Advil, Tylenol, or Aleve to help relieve the pain.
~Use an ointment such as aloe vera to help cool the burn area.
~Keep the area that was burned moisturized. This can help prevent peeling. If a large area of your body was burned, an oatmeal bath can be very useful and soothing. Smaller areas can be moisturized using lotion.
~Don’t peel off skin, as tempting as it may be. Your skin may peel naturally, but peeling it yourself can cause undo pain and leave you with raw skin.

A wonderful, organic aloe vera. Perfect for soothing sunburns.


A great face sunscreen that won't clog your pores!