May is Skin Cancer Awareness Month. I think that this cancer awareness month is appropriately placed on the calendar, because May marks the beginning of nicer weather, sunnier days, and more time spent outdoors with less clothing on. As beautiful and warm as the sun is, it unfortunately can burn us, damage and alter the appearance of our skin, and cause skin cancer when we embrace its inviting rays.
Here are 5 tips on how to protect your skin:
1) Use a broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF of 15 or higher every day. There are luckily a lot of eco-friendly sunscreens now on the market today that smell delicious and rub in easily. Alba’s Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen facial mineral broad spectrum SPF 20 is a hypoallergenic, paraben free, and fragrance free formula that will not clog your pores. I am also a big fan of Alba’s Natural Very Emollient Sunscreen Pure Lavender Broad Spectrum SPF 45. It smells great, rubs in fast, and doesn’t make you feel greasy.
2) Apply sunscreen a half hour before going outside. The Skin Cancer Foundation reccommends applying 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) over your entire body.
3) Avoid tanning in both the great outdoors and tanning booths. If you still feel the desire to look bronzed and beautiful, try getting a spray tan! There are plenty of places that now offer a safe and organic formula.
4) Wear a hat and UV-blocking sunglasses to stay sheltered from the sun (and look super cool in the process).
5) Make sure to examine your skin and note any changes that occur over a period of time. Please read the Skin Cancer Foundation’s If you Spot it You Can Stop it article for more information and useful tips.
To learn more about Skin Cancer and preventative care, go to the Skin Cancer Foundation’s website.
