Even at a young age skin health and care is more important than many people think. Since skin cancer runs in my family I have always been aware of the dangers and threats the sun can pose to you and your skin. There are short-term effects; maybe you’ll get a nice tan or a burn…that will hopefully eventually turn into a tan. But the long-term effects are never worth it. Wrinkles, skin marks, cancer, and other issues are just a few in the long list of negative issues the sun can cause. The sun does not only damage your skin but hair, eyesight, and causes health issues across the board. I love spending time in the sun and staying active but there are a few things we can all do to protect ourselves and stay educated about these risks.

Use Sunscreen

I know this may seem like stating the obvious but many of my friends and family members still do not use sunscreen. Even if you are not prone to burning and like getting tan sunscreen will only protect you, you would much rather be safe than sorry when it comes to sun damage. I know people who have a naturally darker complexion tend to believe they do not need sunscreen either. The threats that the sun poses affect everyone, just in different ways. Everyone can benefit from wearing sunscreen regularly even when there's overcast or it's snowing! Wearing moisturizers with an SPF, wearing face sunscreen as well as a regular sunscreen, makeup with an SPF, Chap Stick with an SPF, polarized sunglasses and double-checking that all of your products are sun protective goes a long way. These seemingly small measures add up quite quickly if you spend a lot of time being exposed to the sun.

Avoid the 10 a.m.-2 p.m. sun

The sun cause damage all throughout the day but 10-2 can be some of the most direct and dangerous hours to be out in the sun. If you have a sports game you have to play in, are going swimming, or anything in the sun make sure your sunscreen is applied before you go out into the sun. Many people apply sunscreen once they are already in direct sunlight. Sunscreen needs a little time to absorb so it does not rub off, get affected by water or sweat. Since the sun is high in the sky during these hours a hat or extra forms of protection are always helpful.

Moisturize, moisturize, moisturize

Young people especially need to remember to use lotion and moisturize their faces often! Dry skin is unhappy skin, which is also more susceptible to damage and more vulnerable.

Don’t smoke

Smoking can cause innumerable health issues that affect your skin, lungs, teeth, and of course general health. Smoking causes people to age faster and wrinkle prematurely. According to the Mayo Clinic, “Smoking narrows the tiny blood vessels in the outermost layers of skin, which decreases blood flow. This depletes the skin of oxygen and nutrients that are important to skin health. Smoking also damages collagen and elastin — the fibers that give your skin strength and elasticity. In addition, the repetitive facial expressions you make when smoking — such as pursing your lips when inhaling and squinting your eyes to keep out smoke — can contribute to wrinkles.” People’s beauty and health is often measured by the appearance of their skin, we have to take great care of our entire body in order for our skin to flourish and glow day after day.

Maintain a Healthy Diet

Many people know that their diet is the root of most of their health issues. If you are low on energy, or gaining weight, diet is the first place most of us would look. When we are concerned with our skin diet may not be the first place we would think to look but it plays a bigger role than most people assume. Having a balanced diet will help you feel and look your best! Acne and other skin issues can be linked to diet issues. Once your diet is healthy and balanced the rest of the pieces in your health puzzle usually fall into place, especially when it comes to our skin.

Along with diet we need to stay hydrated as well!

Drinking plenty of water is great for all around healthiness. Hydrating and making sure we are staying healthy keeps our skin young and fresh. With moisturizing we need elasticity and absorption to make all of that moisturizing worthwhile.

Don’t stress

Stress has the potential to deteriorate the human body faster than almost anything. Mental health and physical health often go hand in hand. Stress, rage, anxiety, all leaves little time for us to distress and relax during the day. School, work, traffic, arguments, all contributes to high stress. We must remember to relax, go to a yoga class, meditate, take a nap and do everything possible to leave room for me time. Plenty of sleep and relaxation when possible will do wonders for your skin health.

Sweat it out

Exercise will leave you with a more natural glow than you will ever get lying out in the sun for hours. Going running, doing yoga, taking a spin class, are all ways you can get moving and get the sweat flowing. Most people would assume sweat is bad for your skin but there are plenty of toxins in your body that need to get out to leave room for all the good stuff. Sweating is one of the most effective ways to detox, so get up and get moving!