11 Unique Strategies for Protecting Your Skin in the Summer

With the arrival of summer comes the desire to bask in the warm sunshine and enjoy outdoor activities. While those yellow rays provide essential vitamin D and a mood-boosting glow, it’s crucial to ensure you are protecting your skin in the summer from its harmful UV radiation.

Whether you’re planning a beach holiday or simply spending time outdoors, understanding the best strategies for safeguarding your skin is essential. In this post, we will explore 11 top strategies for sun safety and I will share practical tips to help you enjoy the summer while keeping your skin healthy and protected. 

Granted there are hundreds of places on the web that you could visit to get advice on protecting your skin from the sun, but this is MY collection.…. and considering I’m mildly obsessed with it, you know it’s going to be comprehensive!!

From sunscreen essentials to protective clothing and beyond, let’s dive into the world of sun safety and ensure that your summer adventures leave you with radiant skin and cherished memories.

One last thing before I get started, as the NHS is in my blood, it would be wrong of me to not include a link to the NHS information page on sun safety, which you can find here

If you don’t have time to read this post right now, why not save it for later?

1: Always Wear Sunscreen: Protecting Your Skin in the Summer Most Important Step

Sunscreen is a vital component of a healthy skincare routine and provides essential protection for the skin. Its primary function is to shield the skin from the harmful effects of UV radiation.

By wearing sunscreen with a broad-spectrum formulation, which protects against both UVA and UVB rays, we can significantly reduce their risk of all harmful consequences. 

Sunscreen acts as a barrier, absorbing and reflecting UV radiation before it can penetrate the skin. It helps maintain the skin’s health, prevents sunburn, reduces the risk of skin cancer, and supports the preservation of a youthful and radiant complexion.

Incorporating sunscreen into daily skincare habits is a simple yet effective way for protecting your skin in the summer, but there is more to it than just slapping it on. Here are a few important considerations, and I’ll be willing to bet not many of us are doing all of these:

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• Apply 30 minutes before going into the sun:

Annoying, but necessary! This waiting period allows the sunscreen to properly adhere to the skin and create a protective barrier. When sunscreen is applied, it needs time to absorb and form a film on the skin’s surface, ensuring it can effectively shield against harmful UV rays. 

Incidentally, while it’s in the process of doing that, don’t touch your face (or other areas you’ve applied it) until it has settled. Any other mums out there thinking this is a particular losing battle when it comes to our kids?!

• Apply the correct amount of sunscreen

This one is always shocking: apparently, we should be applying around a handful of sunscreen to our bodies!! That’s about the equivalent of one shot glass. But what about our faces? 

I think this is a bit tricky to boil it down to an amount, but if you find that helpful, the advice is roughly ¼-⅓  of a teaspoon.

It would be wise to test that out with a spoon measurement, so you get an idea of what that looks like when you don’t have that spoon with you…….I think you’ll be surprised how much that amount is! If sunscreen is applied too thinly, the amount of protection it gives is reduced.

Another rule of thumb with sunscreen is to think what the amount should be, and then add a good amount more! It’s always much more than what we’re used to with our other skincare products.

Incidentally, I’m going to put this out there and say I’m not a big fan of spray sunscreens. Regardless of using facial sunscreen sprays or just a normal sunscreen spray, we should be very careful spraying them near our eyes and mouth (instructions are to keep them both closed – who knew!!), but there’s no way around the fact that our eyes and mouth live on our faces.

Inhaling the spray is also a big no-no – again, very difficult when spraying near our air intake pipes. Yes, we could spray sunscreen onto our hands first, but if we’re doing that, why not just get a lotion? Don’t forget, a lotion helps us to ensure we are using the correct amount……. 

Lastly, don’t forget to shake that bottle up first!

• Sunscreen should be no less than 30 SPF

I’m sure most reading this will know the basics of what SPF is, but as a refresher, the SPF number tells you how long the sun’s radiation would take to burn you with the product on rather than the time taken without it on.

So an SPF of 15 provides 15 times more protection than without, and an SPF of 50 provides 50 times more protection. The advice is to choose a product that is no less than 30 SPF.

Whatever option you are offered when buying a product, always opt for the higher SPF. I mean, why wouldn’t you?!

A US website, Consumer Reports, found in their tests that many sunscreens do not work as well as they advertise – don’t always assume you are always getting the full SPF you are buying. You can read that report here.

I’ve got to be honest, I’m not exactly sure why manufacturers produce sunscreens lower than 30 SPF. My guess is there are some who believe they will get a tan if they have a lower SPF product and the manufacturers want to give the public choices of products.

Firstly, there is no such thing as a healthy tan, and secondly, you still can get a tan with sunscreen should you really desire one (but I’m going to guess if you’re reading this, you’re not fussed about tanning!)

• Apply every day of the year

We’re talking about exposed areas like your face here, I’m not about to advise you to slap it all over your body every day throughout winter! The advice is, however, to apply it to all exposed areas throughout the year – so that’s not just your face (I’m failing with this one!).

I know strictly this is not about sun care during the summer months, but during the cold winter months, our face is the one part of our body that is not bundled under a warm piece of clothing and therefore is exposed to the sun’s rays.

Yes, it is exposed to the rays even on a cloudy day. Most ageing damage to our face occurs due to everyday exposure, rather than those days on a beach (or football tournament sidelines in my case!).

Another scary fact is we can still get UVA rays that are responsible for ageing onto our skin through glass, so I’m afraid my point in saying that, is we should be using sunscreen on our face, even on rainy days when we don’t leave the house (assuming you’re not spending the day in a windowless room). Yes, it sucks!!

Make it part of your morning skincare routine… Every…Single…Day!

• Apply in the am after moisturising and before makeup

Talking about that morning skincare routine, sunscreen should be applied after moisturising and your other products, but before your makeup.

These other products need to get THROUGH your skin, but the sunscreen needs to be ON your skin – that’s why it needs to be applied last. It’s like that last protective coat against UV rays.

The advice for makeup to be applied on top of your sunscreen is due to the concern people would not apply their sunscreen if the advice was to apply sunscreen on top of their makeup. I get that, and the good news is makeup does not affect the effectiveness of the sunscreen when placed on top.

• Don’t rely on sunscreen in makeup only

When it comes to your makeup, don’t even think about just using makeup with SPF in it. You shouldn’t even rely on a moisturiser with SPF in it.

These are just not enough. Obviously every little helps, but it won’t be “broad spectrum”, which means formulated to protect you against UVA and UVB (SPF just protects against the UVB)

It needs to be a dedicated sunscreen all the way!

• Reapply sunscreen regularly throughout the day

I’m fully aware that I said you should put sunscreen on UNDER your makeup with your morning skincare routine, however, I’m afraid there will be a point where you will have to put more sunscreen on OVER your makeup. 

If you’re going to be continually exposed to the sun throughout the day, you should reapply your product every 2 hours. The sun can dry sunscreen off your skin, plus the sunscreen breaks down as it blocks the rays…..as it does its job, in other words!

If it’s particularly hot and you’re sweating, or if you’re swimming, you will need to apply sunscreen more frequently. Oh, and bear in mind there is no such thing as waterproof sunscreen – marketing at its best!

If you think it is likely you’ll forget to reapply, after all, time flies when we’re having fun in the sun, set a timer on your phone as a reminder. This is certainly something I need to start doing.

• Check the expiration date of your sunscreen

I’m sure most of us know by now, that all cosmetics have an expiration date…..but promptly ignore it!! This really isn’t something we should do with our sunscreen, however, as this is a product that ultimately affects our health.

Have a check of that little symbol on the sunscreen bottle, which is a pot with a lid on its side – the number next to the side of it is the length of time you have with it once it has been opened. 

Generally, if it doesn’t have an expiration date on it, it should be effective for 3 years unopened, and 1 year once opened.

For my own facial sunscreen, that’s never a problem – using it daily means I get through it every few months, but for the family body sunscreen that’s a bitter pill to swallow.

There is always that half a bottle left at the end of the summer season that I want to use when the good weather starts the following year……it seems such a waste to chuck it.

• Look after your sunscreen

I genuinely have no idea if this would extend the expiration life of your sunscreen, and I would suspect not, but if you look after that bottle you will certainly aid its effectiveness. 

Its shelf life, annoyingly, is shorter if it has been exposed to high temperatures……imagine that happening in Summer?! Ugh!

So to keep it in tip-top condition, it should not be exposed to direct sun. Obviously, the best thing to do is keep it in the shade in your bag (not always easy to remember when you’re running around with kids – totally understand!), but would you believe that advice I’ve also read is to keep it in a cooler if out in the heat for long periods of time!?

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2. Avoid Getting Your Skin in the Sun

Ok so we’ve jumped through loads of hoops for the sunscreen, and nursed those bottles better than we do our own children (yes I’m cynical – but come on! It’s 2023!!), so let’s move on to other ideas for protecting your skin in the summer, and kick it off with just a simple idea of just keeping our skin out of the sun.

I know, a radical idea, but a simple one…..just don’t be outside! 

There are so many different hour windows banded around that we should avoid the sun within. The one I’ve always had in my head is 11 am-3 pm, but I’ve also seen 10 am-2 pm, 11 am-4 pm and even 10 am-5 pm. These are the hours when the sun’s rays are the most intense.

Some of those hours do seem a bit restrictive, but I think you’ll need to use your common sense. It all depends on what country you’re in, what time of year it is and how much sun you’ve already had on your skin.

For example, I’ll avoid being out in direct sunlight between 4-5 pm if it’s the depth of summer and I’ve already spent time in it till 11 am that day. 

This is a great little rule to follow: if your shadow is shorter than you, the sun’s rays are too strong and you should consider getting out of it. 

Bottom line: protecting your skin in the summer is a lot easier if you’re generally not in the sun!

3. Keen an Eye on the UV Index

Bear with me on this one, as I’ve really come to appreciate this little tip.

The UV index is a metric that measures the strength of the ultraviolet radiation from the sun. It is measured from 1-10 with low days being 1-2, moderate 3-5, high 6-7, very high 8-10 and extreme 11+

Checking the most well known weather apps like Met Office, AccuWeather and iPhone’s own weather app, they all tell you what the UV index is for that day, and also include it in the forecast.

You might have also noticed the weather section on most main news stations also gives the UV index (albeit mostly during the summer months).

I’ve got into the habit of checking this and bearing it in mind when I plan things like activities outside with the kids, the time I take the dog out, gardening etc.

Generally, on days with low or moderate UV index, I can safely spend more time in the sun without having to worry, but I’m a lot more careful on days when it’s high and above.

Granted this is a fairly pointless activity when we’re in the depths of summer, or when we Brits with kids are taking our annual Summer holibib in August in a country where it’s hotter than the surface of the sun (the UV index will be extreme – every day. No need to waste your phone’s battery on those days checking the app!).

I do, however, find it quite useful in the Spring or Autumn months – it’s surprising how it can creep up on days when it feels a bit chilly or is overcast. 

Here’s a great article about the UV index and UV rays in general.

4. Find Shade

So what if something has come up in our day where we cannot get out of the sun inside? Try having a good hunt around for natural sources of shade in the environment you are in:

• Seek out trees with dense foliage and position yourself under them. The handy thing with summer is the trees come with leaves!
  
  
• Look for buildings, structures, or covered areas such as gazebos, awnings, or outdoor shelters. Those parasols are a lifesaver.
  
  
• If on your holibob or a day out visit parks or gardens. Public parks and gardens often have designated shaded areas or picnic spots with shelters or pergolas.
  
  
• Again when on a day out, plan to explore indoor locations during the heat of the day if you can. If you’re in a city or town, consider seeking refuge in indoor environments, such as shopping malls, museums, libraries, or cafes.
  
  These places typically have air conditioning and can provide a respite from the heat as well as the sun.
  
  
• When out walking, choose the shady side of the street to walk along, or if on a country walk, find a path through the woods.

Remember in the shade you are keeping the rays from hitting your sunscreen and breaking it down. Protecting our skin in the summer is much easier when you use a maximum amount of shade.

5. Create Your Own Shade

We all have had times when there is just no way around the fact you will be out in the blaring sun. Mums who stand regularly on sports field sidelines will get me on this!

So we have to get creative and create our own shade. Unfortunately protecting our skin in the summer does mean a little bit of a monetary outlay but these products should last you many years. Here are a few ideas, some mobile and easy to deal with, others more static:

• Hats! Yes, hats are considered a form of shade if it has a wide brim. Granted it’s just a shade for our face and neck but every little helps! Bonus points if you manage to look stylish while warding off those UV rays!
  
  

• You could embrace your inner Victorian spirit and try a parasol. Umbrellas can be used to keep the rain off us and the sun’s rays.
  
  Yes, we might feel like a bit of twit, but they can do a fantastic job if you get a purpose made Sun Protection Umbrella, and are completely mobile so you can be too. 
  
  
• Get yourself a parasol that has a UPF50+ (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) and some you can find come with a reflective silver anti-UV coated canopy. You really won’t look like a cast-off from Downton Abbey…..more like golf chic!
  
  
• Use pop-up canopies or tents. Portable pop-up canopies or tents with built-in sun protection can offer a large shaded area. They are easy to set up and can provide shelter from the sun during outdoor activities such as picnics, beach outings, festivals or camping trips.
  
  
• Carry a beach or camping umbrella. In addition to personal umbrellas, larger beach or camping umbrellas with sturdy bases can provide ample shade for groups or families.
  
  These umbrellas are designed to withstand outdoor conditions and often come with adjustable angles to block the sun as it moves throughout the day.
  
  
• Set up shade sails or awnings. Shade sails or awnings can be temporarily installed in outdoor areas using poles, ropes, or hooks. These fabric structures can be adjusted to cover specific spaces and provide shade over patios, decks, or backyard areas where shade is limited.
  
  
• Consider portable sun shelters: Portable sun shelters, often made of lightweight and UV-resistant materials, are designed specifically to create shade in open areas. These shelters usually have open sides for ventilation while offering protection from the sun’s rays.
  
  
• Use outdoor curtains or blinds: If you have a covered patio or pergola, consider adding outdoor curtains or blinds. These can be drawn to block the direct sunlight, providing shade and a cooler environment.
  
  
  
  
  

6. Consider the Windows Around You

The two types of rays we get from the sun are UVA and UVB. A handy way to remember which does what to our skin is to think A = ageing and B = Burning.

It used to be thought that to reduce the risk of cancer we should avoid UVB, however, experts now know that both UVA and UVB are a danger with the potential risk to cause skin cancer.

The good news is that glass does block UVB rays, but the bad news is that it doesn’t block UVA. This is a consideration when inside, and why we’re advised to wear our facial sunscreen even on days we don’t go outside, but it’s also something to bear in mind when in a car.

Car windshields are treated to protect drivers from UVA, but the other windows are not. The backs of our hands must take a real hammering as they are exposed even during winter when driving!

We can, however, get UV protective window films applied to both our car and home windows. This is something you may want to think about…..

Lastly on this subject, if you’re in the aviation industry (pilot, crew member etc) or are a frequent flyer, make sure you drown yourself in sunscreen regularly.

The cases of skin cancer in this demographic are much higher than the average due to the very high levels of UV being at high altitudes, and plane windows are not treated to protect those on board.

To be honest, we shouldn’t just be protecting our skin in the summer, but all year round.

7. Get Your Clothing To Help

Let me introduce UPF (Ultraviolet Protection Factor) to you: This is a metric that indicates how much UV radiation a fabric allows to reach your skin, both UVA and UVB. An item of clothing with a UPF rating of 50 will block 98% of the sun’s rays, allowing only 2% to reach our skin. 

If you’re anything like me, you have been merrily applying sunscreen to your, or the kids, skin that is not covered in clothing.….the exposed parts of our bodies. If so, it turns out we have been doing that wrong! Yup, the average T-shirt has a UPF rating of less than 15 – eek!

Don’t get me wrong, clothing is still a great sun barrier, after all, it’s easily mobile while it’s attached to us and doesn’t wear off like sunscreen does, but it would appear that we still need to apply sunscreen under our clothing during the summer months – the lightweight clothing season. 

This has only been a revelation to me recently, so this summer I’m intending to keep body sunscreen in my bedroom and apply it every morning before getting dressed, however, there is another way around bothering to do this and that’s to use UV-repellent detergent.

It’s true…..it’s a thing! Here’s a quick rundown of the basics with this:

• Add it to a wash load of dirty laundry with your normal detergent
• Depending on the brand, the invisible shield it creates can take your clothing from a UPF of under 15 up to 30, which can block more than 96% of the sun’s rays.
• The more times you wash with it the higher the UPF can go, with claims of it being 50+.
• After each wash your clothes will be several washes UV protected, however, most companies do recommend for the highest protection you use it with every wash.
• The highest protection is found with natural materials such as cotton and linen.
• Clothing should not get discoloured or damaged in any way by these products

Of course, there are other ways we can get our clothing to work in our favour when protecting our skin in the summer:

• As dark colours absorb more UV rays than light colours, it’s better to wear darker coloured clothing like black, blue or red (yes I know – the perfect colours for Summer!)
  
  
• Loose fitting clothing reduces sun exposure as it’s not snug against our skin
  
  
• Obviously, longer sleeves, trousers, skirts etc cover more of your skin – granted not pleasant in the heat, but if it’s loose fitting and floaty you might cope!
  
  
• Clothing where the fabric is more tightly woven offers more sun protection than loose woven fabrics
  
  
• Wet clothing offers much less protection than dry clothing…..no, I don’t know what that means either but it’s something I read!
  
  Maybe it’s related to wearing a wet T-shirt in a pool, but that still doesn’t make sense as the alternative to a wet T-shirt in a pool is no T-shirt! I give up…..
  
  
• There is plenty of clothing on the market that comes with a UPF rating. Sports and outdoor retailers have a wide range of these products for both adults and children.
  
  
• Lastly, I think sunglasses come under the clothing category! These are a staple for us all and are vital for not just protecting the eyes themselves from UV rays and the risk of cataracts, but also the delicate skin surrounding them. 
  
  
• If the worst should happen and we find ourselves living in a world where Yoko Ono style tiny sunglasses are in fashion, I don’t care how out of date I look…..I’m sticking with my oversized sunnies!!
  
  They just cover more of our face, which is particularly handy for me as my face is not that large in the first place.
  
  
  

8. Protecting Your Skin in the Summer by Planning Ahead

When it comes to protecting our skin in the summer, we need to get ourselves organised. All these ideas here mean nothing if we forget them all.

If we know we are out for the day with some lovely summer weather forecast, get sun ready the night before – collect up your hat, sunscreen, and parasol and work out what you’re all going to wear in advance. 

What you don’t want to do is race around at the last minute trying to find all these things, or even worse, leave without them as you’ve forgotten them or given up hunting for them. 

If you’re anything like me and you’ve planned what time you need to get up, get up an extra 15 minutes earlier to give you time to apply all that sunscreen – it may just be me that needs to take that advice on board!!

Another thing you can do is have a summer box in the car, or a summer bag packed and ready to go for when impromptu events crop up. Keep things like hats, sunscreen and parasols at the ready so you’re not left in the baking sun worrying. 

9. Be Mindful If Using Retinol

Protecting your skin in the summer can be a bit more tricky with certain facial products. If you’re one of the many, myself included, that uses a retinol product you need to be a bit more cautious. I’m sure you are already aware of this fact, but sometimes we need reminders.

Having said that, it was originally thought that retinol causes photosensitivity putting us at increased risk of sunburn, but updated evidence shows that is actually not the case.

The thinking now is that what we thought was UV damage from sun exposure, is in fact Retinoid Dermatitis – the medical name for the irritative side effects of retinol.

What we now know is it doesn’t affect the minimal dose of UV required to begin to damage the skin, and in fact, it can actually reduce some of the causes of damage that occur with UV exposure.

There are still changes you could make to your routine during the heat of summer and when away including:

• Reducing the dosage, particularly if you use retinol on a daily basis. 
  
  
• Reducing the strength, so if you have any weaker strength retinol kicking around, you could use that instead.
  
  A cost effective way to deal with this is not to finish up all your lower strength retinol when you increase to the next strength. Hold onto that and bring it back out for your trip to the sun
  
  
• Cutting back on other skincare. Your skin may have adjusted well enough to be at the stage where you can use other active skincare ingredients like Vitamin C or AHA/BHAs at the same time as the retinol. Perhaps stop using these other ingredients to give your skin a little rest.
  
  
• Temporarily stopping. Yes, this may well be the only option you feel you have, particularly if you are away and know there will be a lot of time in the sun. This will only be temporary and you can get back into it as soon as you’re home.

If you want to know more about the combination of retinol and the sun you can read my post on that here

Related post:
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HOW TO APPLY RETINOL FOR BEGINNERS – THE ULTIMATE GUIDE
MEDIK8 CRYSTAL RETINAL 3 REVIEW IN FOCUS: CRYSTAL CLEAR RESULTS

10. Protecting Your Skin in the Summer with Daily Supplements

Antioxidant supplements have gained attention for their potential role in sun protection. They work by neutralising harmful free radicals that are generated in the body as a result of exposure to the sun’s UV rays. 

These supplements contain compounds such as vitamins C and E, beta-carotene, and selenium, which are known for their antioxidant properties.

When exposed to the sun’s UV rays, our skin produces harmful free radicals that can damage cells and accelerate ageing. Antioxidants work by neutralising these free radicals, preventing them from causing oxidative stress and reducing the risk of sunburn and long-term sun damage.

They help protect the skin’s collagen and elastin, promoting a youthful appearance and reducing the risk of wrinkles and age spots.

It should be noted that the evidence regarding their specific benefits remains limited and somewhat mixed.

While laboratory studies and some animal studies have shown that antioxidants can help neutralise free radicals and reduce oxidative stress caused by UV radiation, translating these findings to human clinical trials has mixed results.

And for goodness sake, do NOT rely on these supplements alone. Protecting our skin in the summer really is not as easy as just popping a pill!

A Vitamin C skincare product works a treat against UV rays too. Have a look at my post on this Drunk Elephant Vitamin C product which goes through this in more detail.

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11. Combine All These Tips Together: Protecting your Skin in the Summer Ultimate Tip

All of these methods of sun protection can help on their own, but cannot protect you perfectly. The safest protection is a combination of them all.

Consider the shade option of a tree: yes it is a good option, but some UV rays can still get to your skin as they can pass through the leaves and branches. Other forms of shade are not perfect either as UV rays can reflect off surrounding surfaces like water, sand, concrete or glass.

Combine any shade with sunscreen applied correctly, and perhaps also UPF clothing and you’re in a much safer position.

So, protecting our skin in the summer should be a top priority in our daily skincare routine. Sunscreen is a crucial tool in safeguarding our skin, but it’s important to understand how to use it effectively.

Remember though, that sunscreen is just one part of a comprehensive sun protection strategy that should also include wearing protective clothing, sunglasses, and seeking shade whenever possible. 

By following these tips and incorporating sun protection into your daily routine, you can help safeguard your skin and maintain its health and radiance for years to come – protecting your skin from the sun is a long-term investment in your overall well-being.

For further info on being safe in the sun here is a link to the NHS page on this subject

I’d love to know if there are any tips I’ve missed (genuinely…..I really would!), or if any of these ideas are new to you that you will use in your life – let me know in the comments below. Also, please sign up for my email newsletter for weekly updates.

So, embrace the sunscreen, seek shade, and enjoy the sun responsibly while keeping your skin protected!