10 Summer Tips for Sensitive Skin | Cosmetics & Makeup

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10 Summer Tips for Sensitive Skin

Let's face it: summertime is sun-time. And you need all the help you can get to protect your family's sensitive skin from the sun's damaging UV (ultraviolet) rays. Try these tips:

"Rate" your clothes for SPF. We're all familiar with the SPF (Sun Protection Factor) ratings for sunscreen products. But different fabrics have different SPF ratings as well: darker colors and tighter weave increase clothing SPF.
Test your summer clothing: hold a garment up to a bright light or sunlit window to see how much light passes through it. The more light passing through, the less sun protection the garment offers.
Follow the "Shadow Rule" when deciding whether it's safe to be out in the sun: if it's shorter than you are, the sun's rays are strong and your sunburn/skin damage risk is high.
Use sunscreen under your swimsuit, since most fabrics allow some of the sun's damaging UV rays to get through and stretched or wet clothing may lose up to 50% of its sun protection.
Read your sunscreen label carefully. Look for:
- Fragrance-free and PABA-free
- Non-comedogenic (doesn't clog pores)
- Hypoallergenic
- Zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, which are less likely to irritate skin compared to chemical-based sunscreen products
Dry your skin well after swimming - the sun's rays penetrate further into skin that's wet!
Wear a wide-brimmed hat to protect not only your face, but also your ears and the back of your neck. Note: a baseball cap only protects your face.
If you have acne, it's very important to stay out of the sun, use sunscreen, and avoid using sunlamps or tanning booths. Many people think that tanning helps clear acne, but it doesn't. Also, some acne medications can make your skin more sensitive to UV rays from the sun or tanning lamps.
If you have eczema, wash chlorine from your pool off right away (within 5 minutes) using soap that doesn't irritate the skin, and apply moisturizer. If bathing immediately isn't possible, apply the moisturizer alone.
Replace old sunscreen. If it's passed the expiration date or has been left it in a hot car or boat for an extended period, it's probably lost a lot of its effectiveness. Consider replacing it.