Whether your idea of activity skews more sprinting between stores to shop up a sweat, organised team sports, spending time in the water, making good time on the trail, or really anything that boosts your vitamin D levels, being sun safe while being active should be a non-negotiable.
From versatile sunscreens that do so much more than just protect your skin from the sun’s rays to being very mindful about the timing of your next run, here are four sun safety tips that the active girlies swear by.
Wear sunscreen everyday, always
There are few hard and fast rules in life, but wearing sunscreen everyday is one of them. Trust us—all major health authorities swear by this and it’s a habit that will help keep your skin protected from the sun and mitigate skin cancer risk.
Make sure you opt for a sunscreen that protects your skin against both UVA and UVB rays—the two types of UV radiation emitted by the sun. UVA tends to cause and accelerate signs of ageing, including hyperpigmentation and decreased elasticity. Meanwhile, UVB rays are the culprit behind sunburns—which may increase your risk of skin cancer.
Sunscreens offering protection against both UVA and UVB rays will be labelled broad spectrum. For a dermatologically approved everyday sunscreen that doesn’t feel greasy or sticky and provides the all-important broad-spectrum protection, reach for NIVEA Sun SPF 50 UV Face Shine Control or for the body NIVEA Sun Protect & Moisture SPF50+ for sunscreen with 4H water resistance.
Remember to reapply
You’ve built sunscreen into your morning routine and you’d never leave the house without first having applied sunscreen. That time frame is shortened even more if you’re swimming, doing any kind of water sports or any kind of activity where you’ll be working up a sweat.
Give your skin the best chance against the sun’s harmful rays by choosing a sunscreen like NIVEA Sun Protect & Moisture SPF50+ Sunscreen from the get go that’s water resistant and offers broad spectrum protection. It’s a dermatologically-tested, moisturising sunscreen with very high broad spectrum UVA & UVB sun protection, 4 hours of water resistance and added vitamin E.
Be very considerate about timing
Keep in mind the UV index of the time and day when you’re planning your activity. If you’re able to, shift your activity to an earlier or later time in the day when the UV index tends to be lower.
While the exact intensity of UV radiation depends on many factors such as time of year, time of day, height above sea level and proximity to water to name but a few, a good general rule of thumb to remember is that the UV index is generally higher during the middle of the day when the sun is at its highest.
We know it’s not always going to be possible to time your activity to avoid high UV index times; if you do find yourself out in the sun, look for pockets of shade where possible alongside other sun safe practices.
You can keep track of the UV index by visiting BOM (the Bureau of Meteorology), which will issue alerts when the UV index is forecast to reach 3 or higher, and by regularly checking your weather app.
Dress the part
Sun safety is like a mille feuille/crepe cake/onion—there are layers to it. And making a few thoughtful choices when dressing for whatever the day has in store will go a long way in protecting you from the sun. Even if your activity calls for a certain dress code, wear protective clothing for as long as possible. Light jackets and cover ups are ideal for offering an additional layer of sun protection.
Include a hat and a pair of sunnies as part of your pre-departure keys-and-phone-checklist, opting for wide brims where possible.
Incorporate these tips into your everyday routine so that they become second nature and live your best, most active life without compromise—all while maximising sun safety.
Always read the label and follow the directions for use. Sunscreens are only one part of sun protection. Avoid prolonged high-risk sun exposure. Reapply frequently.
