Even though the majority of people enjoy spending time in the sun, the truth is that a large number of them don’t take proper care of their skin in order to protect it from the sun on a daily basis. If you’re one of those people, too, look no further because we’re here to help you out! Here are five essential steps you should take, so check them out!

Keep your skin as hydrated as possible

You’ve probably heard it a million times, but let us say it once again – keeping your skin as hydrated as possible is an absolute must, so don’t wait any longer and find the best moisturizer for your skin type. If your skin is normally very dry, you should opt for thicker creams that will lock the moisture in and keep it nourished all day long. On the other hand, if you have oily skin, you should certainly go for lightweight serums and gels that will instantly absorb into the skin, without making it greasy and sticky. Serums with hyaluronic acid are a good way to go as this ingredient prevents moisture loss and boosts your skin’s natural moisture content.

When in doubt, re-apply sunscreen

We can’t emphasize enough the importance of sunscreen during hot summer months, but you know what? Applying sunscreen simply isn’t enough, and that’s because it gradually wears off – especially when you’re spending a lot of time in the water, at the beach, or by the pool. Well, this is exactly why you need to reapply your sunscreen a few times a day – every two hours if you aren’t swimming, or immediately after you go out of the pool or the sea. As for the amount of sunscreen you’ll need, a teaspoon will be more than enough for the face, whereas a shot glass is fine for the body. Just stick to this rule and you’ll do a great job!

Treat skin issues caused by sun exposure

In case you weren’t aware of it, the sun can harm your skin in more ways than you can imagine, and sunburn is the first and the most obvious of them. Did you know that the sun can also speed up the process of aging by damaging the elastic fibers that keep the skin firm and allowing wrinkles to develop? Besides that, spending too much time in the sun can result in brown spots which are also known as melasma. These can be treated in numerous ways, and you should know that you can remove brown spots easily if you start using products that contain fruit acid, lactic acid, and kojic acid. These will do wonders for your brown spots caused by the extensive sun exposure!

Eat your SPF

Yes, we know that it sounds a bit silly, but trust us when we say that there are particular foods that can prevent sunburn. First of all, we must mention foods rich in vitamins C and E, so make sure to incorporate these into your everyday diet. For example, one serving of strawberries has more vitamin C than a medium orange, whereas avocados are rich in vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that protects your skin from free radical damage. On the other hand, sweet potatoes feature a specific kind of vitamin A called beta-carotene which will shield your skin against the sun. Just eat them this summer and you’ll see what we were talking about!

Soothe over-exposed skin properly

You haven’t really listened to our tips and you managed to get your skin burnt by the sun? Unfortunately, the damage is done and there’s nothing you can do to fix it, but the good news is that you don’t have to suffer in pain. There are so many amazing, super soothing balms and creams that can reduce redness and inflammation while speeding up the process of recovery at the same time. All you need to do is to apply those cooling balms generously onto your sunburnt skin as soon as you notice the first signs of a pink glow. This is the best way to soothe your over-exposed skin without any pain!

Protecting your skin from the sun has never been easier – as long as you’re sticking to our tips, of course. So, if that’s your ultimate goal this summer, all you have to do is to follow our guidelines and you’ll make it happen, without a shadow of a doubt!