Girrrrrrll, it’s HOT out! June was great, then July came and all of the sudden we are setting record breaking temperatures and melting over here in Florida. Along with the heat, comes the sun radiating all its skin damaging rays. As much as we all love a good bronzed goddess moment, we do not love a “red as a lobster” moment. So, my love, this is your sign to WEAR SUNSCREEN. 

Sunscreen with an SPF of 30, SHOULD be worn every single day( yes, in the winter too!), even if you aren’t going outside. Did you know if you work indoors or drive a vehicle for work and are anywhere within several feet of the window, the sun’s rays can still reach you. UVB rays, the primary sunburn ray, are largely blocked by glass; but more than 50 percent of UVA rays, the main cause of premature skin aging, can penetrate glass. WHOA!

All too often I hear many excuses as to why people do not wear sunscreen. “I don’t like the way it feels on my skin.” “It causes a white cast to my skin.” “It smells weird” Well, babes, of course I have your back and am sharing some amazing sunscreens, that aren’t the old school Coppertone brand you’ve used in the past. Keep reading to get the tea, and protect your skin!

1. Black Girl Sunscreen: For all skin types; protects against UVA/UVB rays; fights against sun damage, hyperpigmentation and fine lines, and leaves no white cast on your skin
2. Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen: This is an oil-free formula and contains antioxidant-rich essentials, which help this product to glide onto skin easily. It helps provide broad spectrum UVA/UVB & infrared protection while filtering blue light. Bonus: It doubles as a makeup-gripping primer!
3. Supergoop Resetting Refreshing Mist:  This is a weightless, colorless ultrafine face mist with SPF used to set makeup, refresh your look and reapply your UV protection throughout the day. So you have 0 excuses to touch up your sunscreen, sis!
4. Milk Tinted Sunscreen: For my guys and gals who want a little tint with their SPF! This is one of my personal faves. This product has an SPF 30 and contains hydrating skincare ingredients that visibly evens out your skin tone for weightless coverage and a dewy glow.
5. Summer Fridays ShadeDrops Mineral Milk Sunscreen: Whether you have oily or dry skin, this sunscreen is it! This lightweight mineral sunscreen glides over skin like a serum, delivering SPF and skin care benefits. It protects against both UVA and UVB rays, and is reef friendly! 

The bottom line is, make sure you are protecting your skin on a regular basis, not just in those summer months! Wearing SPF daily can help prevent aging; skin discolorations; skin cancer and more! If you want to read a few more helpful sunscreen tips keep reading for what the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) suggests for daily sunscreen usage.

• Generously apply a broad-spectrum water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of at least 30 to all exposed skin. Broad spectrum means the sunscreen protects you from both UVA and UVB rays. Re-apply about every 2 hours and after swimming or sweating.
• Wear protective clothing such as a long-sleeved shirt, pants, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses, whenever possible. Look for clothing with a UV protection factor (UPF) or made of a tightly woven fabric.

• Seek shade when appropriate. Remember that the sun’s rays are strongest between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If your shadow is shorter than you are, seek shade.
• Use extra caution near water, snow, and sand. They reflect the damaging rays of the sun. This can increase your chances of sunburn.
• Do not use tanning beds. Ultraviolet light from the sun and tanning beds can cause skin cancer and wrinkling. If you want to look tan, try using a self-tanning product. But also use sunscreen with it.
• Protect your lips with lip balm with at least SPF 15.

Photography Credit(s): Garry and StacyPhotography