Our skin faces a number of environmental irritants every day yet nothing is harder on it than routine sun exposure.

The harsh ultraviolet rays of the sun can rob the skin of helpful antioxidants and leave it looking and feeling dry, cracked and leathery. Fortunately, there are a wide variety of sun protection products available to help combat this type of damage.

The sun isn’t entirely our enemy

It is actually a very good natural source of Vitamin D and a minimal amount of exposure to the sun on a regular basis can be good for us. But it is far too easy to cross the line from healthy exposure to serious damage.

Too much of a good thing can be bad, and excess exposure to the UV rays of the sun can lead to permanent skin discoloration and skin cancer.

In order to avoid skin damage, it is important to take simple precautions

Wearing protective clothing, particularly a wide brimmed hat, can be quite helpful in blocking the sun. So too can avoiding direct exposure to the sun for extended periods. And then there are the numerous products, from body lotions to sunscreen, which contain built in protection against the sun.

We’ve all seen those numbers on bottles of sunscreen or lotions indicating the SPF factor, but what exactly do they mean?

SPF stands for sun protection factor. Simply put, it is an indicator of exactly how much protection a given product offers from the suns ultra violet rays.  The higher the SPF factor, the less UV rays will be able to penetrate and reach your skin.

The level of SPF you require will depend on your skin type

In general, SPF factors will range from about 15 to 50+. The level of SPF you require will depend on your skin type.  Generally speaking, the fairer the skin, the more UV protection that is necessary.  Therefore, people with red or blonde hair and fair skin will likely need at least a 30 SPF while those with darker skin can sometimes get by with as little as 15.

Children and those with sensitive skin require higher SPF levels

Children and people with very sensitive skin will also require higher SPF levels as their skin tends to be more delicate and prone to damage. Those who tend to tan easily may not need as much protection.  Figuring out exactly what level of SPF you require is extremely important as this can make all the difference in ensuring you get the proper protection.

Sunscreen needs to be properly applied to be effective

One thing that holds true across the board, no matter what level SPF your sunscreen provides, is that it can only do its job if it is properly applied. This means reapplying sunscreen after swimming or sweating heavily and making sure you apply it evenly on all exposed areas of skin.

This doesn’t mean that applying extra sunscreen will increase the SPF. The stated SPF will remain the same no matter how much sunscreen you apply.

Protect your health – don’t ignore those little numbers

Protecting your skin from sun exposure can be one of the most important steps you can take in maintaining your health

The more careful you are now, the better your chances of keeping your skin looking soft, smooth and firm for years to come. So don’t ignore those little numbers…make sure you’re using sunscreen with the right SPF for your skin type and your skin will thank you for it!