Ah, our skin. Our largest, most gorgeous organ. It’s a part of our body that we should be caring for constantly and not abusing for the sake of a tan or otherwise. Because you know what can ruin a trip slowly but surely like the calm before a storm? A sunburn! You know the feeling — blistering skin, redness, nausea, and headaches. Not to mention how sensitive-to-touch your skin becomes. You’ll want to curl up, cursing the sun for the pain its caused you instead of doing what you came to do — enjoy your trip!
Plus, did you know that more people in the U.S. are diagnosed with skin cancer each year than all other cancers combined? That’s a scary thought. It’s a known fact that too much sun effects our skin’s health.
And of course while traveling, you’re likely walking through cities, walking, hiking, wandering around for hours on end outside. That’s a lot of UV rays shining down on you, whether it’s sunny or not.
First, why should you protect your skin while traveling?
- It keeps you looking young. You know that skin… the dry, spotted, leathery skin. It’s safe to say those sun chasers didn’t apply their sunscreen very often. That’s because 90% of all visible signs of aging are caused by sun exposure
- It decreases your risk of developing skin cancer, the U.S.’s most common cancer.
- As our environment worsens, so does the ozone layer. The ozone layer acts like the sunscreen of the earth, absorbing as much UVB rays as it can before it hits our planet. Unfortunately, the ozone layer is depleting, meaning the need for sunscreen is all the more crucial.
- Sunscreen will keep your skin tone even, preventing sun spots and discolorations.
- It helps to prevent sun burns!
Give your skin a break, show it some love, and help prevent early signs of ageing while you travel.
Here are the essentials to protect your skin while traveling or hiking this summer.
Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links.
Pack a hat.
Nothing like a hat to protect your face, neck, and ears from the sun’s intense rays. Plus, they give your outfit a stylish touch! Pack a compact hat or one that you can stuff with underwear and socks to maximize space in your suitcase or backpack.
Choose broad-brimmed hats, bucket hats with wide brims and legionnaire-style hats for effective protection. Here are some of fantastic options! Click for details.
Use sunscreen.
An obvious recommendation, but it goes without saying, it’s important to ensure that you’re protected from harmful UVA and UVB rays.
It’s recommended that everyone uses at least SPF 30 as it blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. Higher SPFs such as SPF 50 block slightly more rays, but no sunscreen has the capability of blocking 100% of UVB rays.
It’s important to also select a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects the skin from both UVA and UVB rays. An even better selection would be a sunscreen that is safe to wear in the ocean (chemicals in many sunscreens kill marine life) and safer for your skin in general. Sun Bum is a great option with friendly ingredients or for an award-winning, all natural sunscreen try Waxhead.
Support small business with this incredible waste-free and solid sunscreen on Etsy.
“One rule of thumb is a teaspoon per body part or area: 1 teaspoon for your face, head, and neck; 1 for each arm; 1 for each leg; 1 for your chest and abdomen, and 1 for your back and the back of your neck.”
–Consumer Reports
Cover up.
Covering up the skin with UV-blocking clothing is a wonderful way to protect your precious organ from the sun. Not all clothing protects the skin equally. Clothes made from polyester, lycra, nylon, and acrylic offer more protection than clothes made from cotton, for example.
Choose tightly woven linen clothing as they’re lightweight, airy, and sun-smart. Linens have always been a staple in my summer travel wardrobe.
Wear sunglasses.
Just as your skin is susceptible to sun damage, so are your eyes. Use UV-protecting sunglasses of at least SPF 15. Sunglasses will also protect the tender and thin skin around your eyes, which will help prevent signs of ageing and wrinkles. That’s a bonus.
If you wear contacts, a lot of brands now offer lenses with UV-protection, so look into that if that’s an option with your brand of contacts!
Seek shade.
Don’t spend hours in direct sunlight, especially during prime sunlight hours. Instead, seek out shady spots when eating outside or taking a break from exploring. If you’re at the beach, use a sun umbrella. Water, sand, and snow reflect the sun’s rays causing them to bounce back and hit your skin twice, doubling the damage. So, protect your skin by keeping in the shade as much as possible.
Safe travels! Check out more travel tips here!
