7 Wellness Bloggers’ Tips to Protect Skin From Sun Damage Everyday Health MenuNewslettersSearch Smart Skin 7 Wellness Bloggers Best Tips for Shielding Skin From Damaging UV Rays Here’s how to choose the right products, revive skin post-sun, and why accessories matter. By Jessica MigalaMedically Reviewed by Ross Radusky, MDReviewed: May 13, 2019Medically Reviewed Jenn Haskins Lestraundra Alfred and Chelsea Williams have the tricks you need to prevent early skin aging Photos Courtesy of BloggersProper skin protection is the best thing you can do for the health of your skin today — and slow down the effects of aging tomorrow. “We know that sunscreen is valuable from a skin cancer and sun damage perspective, as well as something that helps prevent fine lines and wrinkles,” says Marisa K. Garshick, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Cornell – New York Presbyterian Medical Center. Slathering skin with sunblock can help reduce the risk of melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, by 35 percent among adults under age 40, according to a study published in September 2018 in JAMA Dermatology. The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends choosing a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher and reapplying every two hours. San Antonio, Texas–based dermatologist Vivian Bucay, MD, advises her patients to buy a mineral-based sunscreen. Look for ingredients like zinc oxide or a blend of zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. “Mineral sunscreens are very well tolerated, even if you have sensitive skin, and supply a broad range of coverage across the UV spectrum,” she says. Even better if yours also has antioxidants like vitamin C and vitamin E to help neutralize harmful free radicals, Dr. Bucay says. UV rays, pollutants, and other environmental elements can produce free radicals, which damage skin and contribute to aging, according to an article published in February 2018 in Dermatology Research and Practice. RELATED: 10 Things Your Skin Is Trying to Tell You — and How to Respond While you’ve likely heard the siren call to wear sunscreen (every day!), there are some additional tips and tricks you can use to enhance your UV-blocking abilities or rescue sun-ravaged skin. For that, we turned to beauty and wellness bloggers, who get asked all the time about how they have such great complexions. (Truly, it’s the sunscreen, but we nudged them to tell us a little bit more about what they’re doing.) Here, their tips for what to apply, how, and when — plus, dermatologists weigh in on their smart advice.607 Apply Enough Sunscreen to Shield All Exposed Skin Lori Sapio PhotographySunscreen is a must, of course. “It’s less about the brand — unless you have sensitivities or are prone to breakouts — and more about the application,” says Nicole Pearl, a beauty expert and founder of TheBeautyGirl.com (@nicolepearl1). To adequately cover the face and neck, she makes sure to apply a tablespoon of product every few hours. (Dr. Garshick says that anywhere from a nickel- to quarter-sized dollop is a good visual.) That’s crucial. People typically use less sunscreen than they need to, which gives them just 40 percent of the product’s protection, according to a July 2018 study in the journal Acta Dermato-Venereology. (That said, any application will help reduce skin cancer risk, the authors said.) RELATED: What Are the Symptoms of Skin Cancer?608 Always Sport SPF Outdoors — Even if It s a Cloudy Day Carly TumenIt’s almost too easy to remember to apply sunscreen on hot days when you’re heading to the beach. Harder, though, is to keep skin health front of mind when the weather is bad. “I don’t care if it’s cold, cloudy, and raining, I still wear SPF. Just because you can’t see it, doesn't mean the sun isn't out,” says Calyn Brooke, a fitness and wellness influencer (@calynbrooke). (She’s right: As much as 80 percent of UV rays can still reach your skin when it’s cloudy, according to the AAD.) Her current favorite SPF? EltaMD Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, a mineral-based, oil-free formula that packs sodium hyaluronate to moisturize and keep skin supple.609 Turn to a Tinted Sunscreen to Strengthen Your Defenses Monique VolzThere’s a way to turn up the protection on sunscreen, and that’s by adding a tint. “Right now I'm loving Babo Botanicals Daily Sheer Tinted Sunscreen because the formula is incredible and nongreasy. It's perfect for sensitive skin and great to wear under makeup. It leaves my skin glowing,” says Monique Volz, founder of Ambitious Kitchen, a food and wellness website (@ambitiouskitchen). This is an incredibly smart practice, says New York City dermatologist Sheryl Clark, MD, who is also a clinical assistant professor at Cornell University Medical College. “There’s good data that there are other wavelengths of light that damage skin, including radiant energy waves and blue light, the visible light emitted from computer screens and cell phones,” she says. “These are longer wavelengths that penetrate deeper, and the concern is that they do damage to connective tissues within skin,” she says. They also may play a role in the development of melasma. Tinted sunscreens contain an ingredient called iron oxide that blocks this radiant energy. Note that this isn’t necessary but can be a bonus benefit. Dr. Clark’s favorite is Revision Skincare Intellishade SPF 45, a mineral formula that matches all skin tones. RELATED: The Skin-Care Glossary Every Woman Needs to Have 610 Find a Sunscreen You Can Blend Easily Into Your Skin Sarah Wolfe PhotographyMany SPFs have a way of … looking like you just put on sunscreen. Especially for women of color. “Sun protection used to be a frustrating experience,” says Lestraundra Alfred, founder and host of the Balanced Black Girl Podcast (@balancedles). She found her SPF soul mate in Black Girl Sunscreen, an SPF 30 formulation that Alfred wears even in the winter. “The nontoxic brand is designed for darker skin tones and doesn’t leave a white film on the skin,” she says.611 Get a Good Hat and Stay Cool in the Shade Jenn HaskinsAlong with wearing a good sunscreen, the AAD also recommends wearing a hat and sunglasses when outdoors. The former is something Jenn Haskins, blogger at Hello Rigby (@hellorigby), is all about. “I love wearing hats when I know I’m going to be in the sun for an extended period of time. Not only does it keep the sun out of my face, I also don’t have to worry about reapplying SPF right at the two-hour mark,” she says. One go-to: a “big, floppy sun hat for beach days,” Haskins says. Hats are a healthy habit, says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, a Miami-based dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta Skincare, as they offer an additional layer that guards against UV rays, especially if you accidentally skip areas or apply a too-thin layer. A wide brim is best. When you’re buying in the store, she recommends holding the hat up to the indoor light. “If you can see through it, it’s not offering enough protection,” she says. P.S. The hat trick is one that other bloggers love, too. Wellness and beauty blogger April Christina (@imaprilchristina) wears a tan hat. “The lighter the color of my hat, the less I sweat and can withstand the warmer climate,” she says. Likewise, Nicole Pearl favors styles from Tenth Street Hats, which offers many well-priced options for around $50, she says. RELATED: 7 Skin-Care Tips to Help Turn Back the Clock612 To Rehydrate Your Skin Moisturize Moisturize Moisturize Arlene Eastwood; Cindy LuquinTime spent in the sun saps skin of its moisture. To combat a potentially parched dermis, apply cacao butter to it, suggests Chelsea Williams, MPH, wellness blogger at ThatsChelsea.com (@thatschelsea). “It’s packed with omega-6 and -9 fatty acids and antioxidants, and it’s safe enough for use in DIY beauty and food recipes, which makes me feel really good about applying it to my skin,” she says. Williams likes Navitas Organic Cacao Butter. Another option is a virgin coconut oil, says Dr. Ciraldo. Make sure that you apply this moisturizer after sun exposure, as the added hydration will lessen the risk of peeling. If you don’t like the texture of either — some find them greasy — a basic moisturizer like Lubriderm is a great choice, she says. But a quick warning: These products can exacerbate acne, so you’ll want to work with your dermatologist to properly moisturize if this describes you. RELATED: 5 Ways Coconut Oil Can Save Your Skin and Hair613 Enjoy the Sunshine — but Smartly and in Moderation Jennifer PhillipsIt’s no surprise that sunshine just feels good. Vitamin D, which our skin produces from exposure to sunlight, is essential for well-being, including bone health and immunity, according to the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. “Sunburns are never good for the skin, but a small daily dose of the sun, plus applying skin-replenishing ingredients, is a good practice,” says Jennifer Phillips, a natural-beauty blogger (@jenniraincloud). A past study found that exposing just 35 percent of your skin to the sun for 13 minutes a few times a week was sufficient. That said, dermatologists are wary of suggesting you try to soak up too much sun via unexposed skin. (The AAD advises getting D from food and supplements.) If you’re concerned that you may be deficient in D, ask your doctor to check your levels (done with an easy blood test); they may recommend taking a supplement, with the specific amount depending on your results, says Garshick. Following sun exposure, Phillips applies facial oils containing carrot and rosehip seed oil. These likely supply skin-protecting antioxidants, says Ciraldo, though — just a friendly reminder — they’re not a substitution for sun protection. Most Recent in Smart Skin How to Do a Skin-Care Patch Test — and Why It Matters How to Tweak Your Skin-Care Routine for Fall Depending on Your Skin Type What Is Collagen Water and Is It Good for You FDA Approves Daxxify 8 Things to Know About the New Botox AlternativeNEWSLETTERS Sign up for our Healthy Skin Newsletter SubscribeBy subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 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