5 Tips for a Sun Protection Strategy That Sticks
Adding sun protection into your daily routine is similar to forming any other habit: It takes some strategizing. Habits can be difficult to create and sustain over time, but once you do, they simply become a part of your routine.
By understanding the principles of habit formation, you can set up your daily sun protection routine in a way that's easy to maintain.
Sun protection habits are better maintained when they are:
- Easy
- Obvious
- Attractive
- Satisfying
Read on to learn a head-to-toe sun protection routine that is set up to work with you and your life here in the Live in Our Skinz blog.
Sun Protection Routine
Here are 5 tips for a sun protection strategy that will stick.
1. Use Sunscreen as Self-Care
We’ve come a long way with sunscreen technology. The days of thick, oily sunscreen are mostly behind us. It's possible to make sunscreen application a satisfying part of your morning routine.
Reach for a sunscreen that works for your skin type, and make it part of your daily self-care. There are so many different types of sunscreen that it's easy to find one you will want to wear that best suits your lifestyle. You have the option of sunscreen spray, sunscreen creme, and even sunscreen sticks!
If you wear makeup, try opting for an oil-free or clear sunscreen.
If you have dry skin, search for a sunblock that has moisturizing benefits along with SPF.
2. Keep Your Hair Protected From the Sun
UV rays also cause damage to hair. Discoloration, brittleness, split ends, and frizziness are all possibilities with prolonged sun exposure.
Hair protection might not be a natural part of your daily routine, but you can make it easy by “stacking” hair protection into one of your already-established daily hair care steps.
Do you brush your hair every morning? Immediately before or afterward, use a hair protectant mist, or apply sunscreen powder to your scalp.
3. Put Out UV Protective Clothing To Prepare for the Day
Place UV protective clothing out on your dresser or a chair in your room to remind yourself to wear something with a UPF rating to protect yourself from the sun.
Preparing UV protective clothing the day before, it’ll be a no-brainer when getting dressed and heading out for the day.
If you plan on using sun-protective shirts or pants, lay them out ahead of time in the area you normally get dressed.
Using a sun hat and sunglasses will help shield your hair, scalp, face, and eyes from sun damage as well. You can also keep them in your car so they’ll be visible and easy to grab when you arrive at your destination.
4. Stage Your Sunscreen Reapplication Strategy
Reapplying sunscreen is just as important as putting it on earlier in the day. You should reapply your sunscreen about every 2 hours.
Stage your sunscreen reapplication strategy to make it easy. If you’ll be driving around the time that you’ll need to reapply, have your sunscreen in an easy-to-reach area of the car.
If hiking, store your sunscreen in an easy-to-reach pocket in your backpack.
There are also lightweight powder sunscreens that are designed to be re-applied over cosmetics, so you never have to sacrifice your makeup look to be sun safe.
5. Don’t Forget Your Inner Skincare
Did you know that having a diet full of anti-oxidant-rich foods can protect you from sun damage and photoaging from the inside out?
It’s not a replacement for outer sun protection, but it can be used to supplement your sun protection routine.
Incorporating fruits and vegetables in an attractive way makes inner skincare a habit you’ll be more likely to maintain. Taking time to cook nourishing meals, eat a colorful salad, or grab a nutritious smoothie bowl make having a balanced diet more appealing to keep up.
Consider what small habit is the next most important step to take in protecting yourself from sun damage.
UV Skinz offers a variety of UPF 50+ swimwear, clothing, and beach accessories to help you with your sun protection routine. Shop online today!
