One of our absolute favorite family pastimes is spending the day at the beach, and honestly, good summer skin care is a big part of what makes those days so great. We look for any chance we can get to pack up the family, a lunch and some snacks, and claim a stretch of sand for ourselves. Fortunately, sandy stretches of beach are not too hard to come by here in Florida. This Memorial Day was no exception. With both kids off of school and my wife and I ready for a little down time, we packed up some light lunch fare, beach towels, umbrellas, a couple of sand buckets, a book and off to the beach we went.
Living in sunny, humid Florida, one thing we are never without is our sunscreen, especially on one of our beach days. For us sun and sand worshipers it is as important as water, unless you like premature wrinkles, increased risks of skin cancer and learning to walk without bending any joints at all. (I have gotten burned THAT badly and it is something I never want to do again!) We are of the more is more camp when it comes to sunscreen: more SPF, more cream, more often.
Also on the blog: The Best Way to Enjoy the Beach in Southwest Florida — our favorite local spots and what to bring for a perfect family beach day.
How to apply sunscreen the right way
Most people have no idea how much sunscreen they actually need. According to the experts, you need just one ounce of sunscreen to cover one person (you may need a little more or a little less depending on the body being covered). An ounce is about a shot glass full. SPF 30 is the minimum recommended SPF and it should be reapplied at least every two hours, even more frequently if you are swimming or sweating a lot.
For active families like ours, a sport or water-resistant formula is ideal because it is designed to keep working even when you are moving, sweating and splashing around. And for the face, a stick or no-drip formula is a total game changer: portable, easy to apply on the go, and no drips, stickiness or messy hands and clothes. No excuses!
Build a skin care routine for summer that you actually stick to
Wearing sunscreen is the cornerstone of any summer skin care routine, but taking care of your skin every single day is also key. The area of the eyes is especially sensitive. You can check this guide to find tips for a great eye skincare routine as well as eye cream recommendations. Because those fine lines around the eyes are often the first place sun damage shows up, and trust me, you do not want to ignore that area until it is too late.
Related reading: Tips for Raising a Happy and Healthy Child — because healthy habits start early, and sun safety is no exception.
Sun protection for your face, lips and eyes
People forget about their lips all the time! Between increased sun exposure and dry weather, lips can get chapped, raw and painful, not to mention actually burned. Use a lip balm with SPF every single time you head outside. It takes two seconds and saves a lot of grief.
Getting a hat and sunglasses is another easy win. Add another layer of sun protection for the sensitive skin of your face and some shades to keep your eyes from getting sunburned. Yes, that is absolutely a thing. The areas around the eyes are especially prone to premature aging from the sun, so pay special attention to protecting those areas, unless early wrinkles are your thing.
Staying hydrated keeps your skin and your body happy
We all want to spend time outside but overexposure to the sun’s rays, heat and dehydration are dangerous and certainly not fun. Drink enough water so that you never feel thirsty when you are outside. Once you feel parched, you are already dehydrated! That is something my kids have to be reminded of constantly, especially when they are running around in the sand and the last thing on their minds is stopping for a water break.
You might also like: Easy Ways to Strengthen Your Immune System — small everyday habits, including hydration and sun protection, that make a big difference for the whole family.
Sunburn treatment at home: what actually works
Last but not least, learn to treat any sunburn properly. There are a lot of wacky treatments for sunburn out there (I think slathering yourself in butter is the most bizarre one I have heard yet!) but only a couple of things are actually proven to work:
- A cool bath to bring skin temperature down right away.
- An over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen to calm the pain and inflammation.
- Hydrocortisone cream to bring down the swelling.
- Aloe vera gel to help skin repair itself and stay hydrated as it heals.
Those are your go-to moves. Butter is not.
Set a good example and make it a family habit
Mostly, just set a good example for the kids and use sunscreen whenever you will be outside this summer. Children always mirror what we do, and it will be a lot easier to convince them that sun protection is important if they see us using it to protect ourselves first.
We have made sunscreen part of the beach routine the same way we pack the towels and the snacks. Everybody gets their coat of sunscreen before we even set foot on the sand, and we reapply together. It takes all of two minutes and means we can stay out longer, happier and without anyone ending the day red as a lobster.
Planning a Florida beach day? Things to Do at Sanibel Island’s Lighthouse Beach is one of our all-time favorite spots for a family day on Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Have a great summer!
Frequently asked questions about summer skin care
What SPF should I use in summer?
SPF 30 is the minimum recommended for everyday sun exposure. If you are spending extended time outdoors, swimming or are very fair-skinned, go for SPF 50 or higher. Always look for broad-spectrum protection that covers both UVA and UVB rays.
How often should I reapply sunscreen?
At least every two hours. If you are swimming or sweating heavily, reapply right after toweling off, even if it has been less than two hours. No exceptions!
How much sunscreen do I actually need?
About one ounce for an adult body, which is roughly a full shot glass. Most people apply far less than that and end up with much less protection than the SPF number on the bottle promises.
What is the best home remedy for sunburn?
A cool bath, an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen, hydrocortisone cream for the swelling, and aloe vera gel to help skin heal and stay hydrated. Skip the butter, the oil and anything else that traps heat in the skin.
Do lips need sunscreen too?
Yes! Lips are very vulnerable to UV damage and are almost always forgotten. Use a lip balm with at least SPF 15 and reapply it just as often as your regular sunscreen.
Can your eyes actually get sunburned?
They absolutely can. UV exposure can cause a painful condition called photokeratitis, and the skin around the eyes ages faster with sun exposure than almost anywhere else on the face. Wearing UV-blocking sunglasses every time you go outside is one of the easiest things you can do for long-term skin and eye health.
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Great tips! A nosotros también nos encanta la playa. Aunque casi siempre vamos temprano en la mañana o en el atardecer, nunca olvidamos la protección solar. Precisamente esta es la marca que utilizo porque son excelentes.
¡Muy buenas tus recomendaciones para protegernos del sol!
Es super importante cuidar la piel de toda la familia, gracias por los consejos!
Great tips! We spend so much time outside during the summer, that sometimes we don’t realize that we need to put our skin first and protect it. Thank you for sharing!
Muy importante, muchas gracias por la recomendación!
Que belleza ese mar! Estos tips vienen como anillo al dedo ahora que ya se vino el verano practicamente. Muchas gracias
Que hermosas las fotos! En casa, ya tenemos los protectores de Neutrogena en el bolso de playa, son muy prácticos!