1
DON’T BARE IT ALL. To protect
your skin, skip the skimpy bikini and
choose lightweight coverups that help
fi lter sun’s damaging rays. UPF (ultraviolet
protection factor)-rated clothing is ideal,
especially if you’re engaged in summer
sports or spending time in the water. Or
choose simple clothing in bright colors.
In general, the darker or more vivid the
color, the greater the protection, but even
light-colored fabrics can minimize burns.
And wear a hat; a big, wide-brimmed one
protects face, neck, and eyes.2
SHIELD YOUR EYES. Too much
exposure to UV light can damage
the eye and increase the risk of cataracts,
growths on the eyes, and even ocular
melanoma, a type of eye cancer. Sun damage
can happen at any time of year, not just
summer. To protect your eyes, wear
wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses, even
when you’re napping (the thin layer of
skin on the eyelids won’t protect your eyes
from the sun). The American Optometric
Association recommends shades that
screen out 75–90 percent of visible light
and off er 99–100 percent protection against
UVA and UVB rays. The frames should fi t
close to eyes and contour to the shape of
your face to prevent exposure to UV rays
from all sides. Wraparound styles are best.3
KNOW YOUR SUNSCREEN.
The best kind of sunscreen is
water-resistant with broad-spectrum
protection against both UVA rays
(the ones that age skin) and UVB rays
(the ones that burn). An SPF of 30 is
best; ultra-high SPF products only fi lter
out about 1 percent more UV light.
There are essentially two kinds of
sunscreen: chemical and physical/mineral.
Chemical sunscreens use ingredients
such as oxybenzone and avobenzone
to absorb UV rays. The problem: some
of these chemicals are potential endocrine
disruptors, and a recent study in JAMA
found that four of them—avobenzone,
oxybenzone, ecamsule, and octocrylene—
enter the bloodstream at levels high
enough to trigger a government safety
investigation after just one day of use.An FDA update in February noted that
chemical sunscreen ingredients needed
more research before they could be
generally regarded as safe.
On the other hand, physical sunscreens
contain zinc oxide or titanium dioxide,
minerals that sit on the surface of the
skin and act like a shield to defl ect the
sun’s rays, rather than being absorbed
by the body. The FDA’s new sunscreen
regulations say only zinc oxide and
titanium dioxide are generally recognized
as safe and eff ective. Choose a natural
formula that’s free of parabens, petro-
chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and
other potentially harmful chemicals.4
SEEK THE SHADE. A beach
umbrella, covered pavilion, or even
a big, shady tree can protect skin from
sun damage and aging—especially if
you’re lounging by the pool with a
paperback. If you’re more inclined
toward volleyball, hiking, or other summer
activities, take frequent shade breaks,
especially between the hours of 10 a.m.
and 2 p.m., when sun’s rays are the most
intense. But also know that UV rays are
refl ected off pool water, sea foam, sand,
and even concrete—so you can still burn
in the shade. And don’t be fooled by an
overcast day: up to 80 percent of UV
rays still pass through clouds.5
EAT FOR SUN PROTECTION.
Certain foods minimize sun damage
and protect against UV rays. The best:
❱Green tea is rich in polyphenols that
inhibit skin cancer; topical green tea
also has a protective eff ect.
❱Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli,
kale, cabbage, and arugula mitigate
oxidative damage to the skin from
sun exposure.
❱Peppers, strawberries, broccoli, and citrus
fruits are high in vitamin C to help protect
against skin damage from the sun.
❱Tomatoes, papaya, watermelon, pink
grapefruit, and persimmons contain
lycopene, which protects against the
development of UV-induced cancer and
may also reduce the risk of sunburn.
❱Olives contain oleuropein, a compoundthat helps protect against sun-induced
skin damage and cancer.
❱Red cabbage, blueberries, and red
onions are rich in anthocyanidin
antioxidants that inhibit skin damage
and cancer from UV exposure.
❱Carrots, mangos, sweet potatoes, and dark
leafy greens are high in beta carotene
to protect skin cells from UV damage.6
CHOOSE COSMETICS
WITH SUNSCREENS.
Sunscreens aren’t just for poolside or
beach vacations. Look for cosmetics
laced with sunscreen for all-day, every-day
protection. To protect your face from dark
spots, wrinkling, and other signs of aging,
apply a layer of SPF-fortifi ed lotion and
pat an SPF eye cream around eyes; focus
on the outer corners where crow’s feet
begin, and don’t forget the area just
under brows—especially susceptible
to burning and damage. Then choose
a sunscreen-fortifi ed foundation or use
a tinted SPF moisturizer or brush-on
powdered bronzer. And keep delicate lip
skin from burning with an SPF balm.7
TREAT BURNS PROMPTLY.
If, in spite of your best eff orts, you
still end up burned, act fast. Get out
of the sun the second you notice skin
getting pink or red, and hop into a cool
shower or bath to minimize redness. Then
slather on moisturizer to trap water in
skin and ease dryness. Look for products
with aloe vera. Studies show that it
delays progressive damage, accelerates
healing, and reduces infl ammation.
Keep aloe vera gel in the fridge for
instant cooling relief. Lavender oil and
calendula have also been shown to reduce
infl ammation and promote healing.8
SUPPLEMENT FOR SUN
PROTECTION. Certain nutrients
can protect your skin from damage.
❱OMEGA- FATTY ACIDS inhibit COX-2
(a chemical that promotes skin cancer
progression), reduce DNA damage that
can lead to skin cancer, and protect
against signs of aging, wrinkle formation,
and thinning of skin from UV exposure.(^32) • JULY
BN0719_F_SunCare_JS.indd 32 5/30/19 2:14 PM