Summer is great!  You can go to the beach, go swimming, eat popsicles, and go out at night in shorts and a t-shirt or halter and still be warm!  But you’ve got to be careful about sun exposure.

The sun is very strong in the summer time and, even if you don’t burn at all this summer, you have to make sure to protect your skin while in the sun and after being in the sun, especially if you’ve been in chlorine.

It’s not news to anyone that wearing sunblock protects your skin from harmful rays.  If you have sensitive skin, or just have the preference, there are chemical-free sunblocks, as well as ones with more natural and/or organic ingredients.  I suggest going to Whole Foods, if there is one in your area, or just searching online (Try Jason Cosmetics) if you prefer a more natural or chemical-free sunblock.

Before being in the sun, make sure and put on sublock.  After being in the sun, especially if you’ve been swimming in a chlorinated pool (chlorine dries the skin), moisturize your skin.  Prolonged exposure to the sun, even with sunblock, can dry out the skin.  When the skin dries out it loses elasticity.  Always apply lotion, oil (such as Jojoba, Shea, Avocado, Coconut…), butter (shea butter, cocoa butter), or aloa vera to your skin, especially areas like the shoulders, which tend to get a lot of sun.  I personally use cocoa butter (Queen Helene Cocoa Butter Stick).

Have fun in the sun, but don’t neglect your skin!