Spending time outdoors is good for you and your family’s health. It provides an opportunity to be active and reduce stress. To enjoy the outdoors safely, you must be aware of some of the potential dangers.
Exposure to UV light, from sunlight or sunlamps, is the leading cause of skin cancer. The UV rays from sunlight tend to be the strongest from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the U.S., so avoiding peak times can be useful but impractical.[1] Instead, you can take steps to protect yourself and your family from sun damage. In addition to utilizing shade and clothing, sunscreen is essential for avoiding sunburn and the risks that accompany it.
Time outdoors also means exposure to common allergens like pollen and mold. The symptoms of exposure can be a runny nose, stuffy nose, and itchy eyes, skin and mouth. Those symptoms can be minimized and even potentially avoided with the right allergy treatment.
Learn more in this article about what to look for in sunscreen, what to do for after-sun care and how to avoid uncomfortable allergy symptoms.
What products can you use to protect yourself from the sun?
To safely enjoy the outdoors, start with some basic sun care. Sunscreen is the best protection against harmful UV rays on any exposed skin. The CDC recommends broad spectrum sunscreen with at least an SPF 15 that filters out UVA and UVB light. It is also important to reapply sunscreen after swimming, sweating or being outdoors for two hours.[2]
You may prefer to find sunscreen without oxybenzone or octinoxate, as those ingredients are harmful to marine life and can cause allergic reactions in some people.[3]
Try some of these quality and affordable sunscreen options:
- TopCare Sport Continuous Spray in SPF 30, SPF 50 or SPF 70 – Sweat- and water-resistant. Oxybenzone and paraben free.
- TopCare Mineral Sunscreen Continuous Spray SPF 30 – Protects with zinc oxide. Water resistant and reef conscious.
- TopCare Ultimate Sheer Sun Lotion SPF 70 – Oil-free, nongreasy formula. Paraben free and water resistant.
- TopCare Mineral Sunscreen Lotion SPF 30 – Protects with zinc oxide. Reef conscious and free from oxybenzone, octinoxate and parabens.
Taking a multivitamin/mineral daily may help you maintain a strong immune system and prevent illness.
Kids Sunscreen
Sunburns in childhood increase the risk of skin cancer later in life, especially malignant melanoma. That’s why it is so important to put sunscreen on all members of your family anytime you are outside. The American Academy of Dermatology recommends not putting sunscreen on babies younger than six months old. To protect infants, you can use shade and clothing.[4]
For kids older than six months, sunscreen for sensitive skin is gentler. Here are some quality and affordable kids’ sunscreen options:
- TopCare Active Kids Continuous Spray SPF 50 – Water-resistant and oxybenzone free.
- TopCare Baby Protection Sun Lotion SPF 50 – Hypoallergic, water-resistant and oxybenzone free.
Lip Balm with SPF
Lips are often overlooked when it comes to sun protection. The skin on your lips is thinner and more vulnerable to the sun than the rest of your skin. Using a lip balm with SPF regularly will help protect the delicate skin on your lips.[5]
This TopCare Lip Balm with Skin Protectant and Sunscreen SPF 30 is a great option to protect lips from the sun.
After-Sun Skin Care
Even with all your best efforts, sometimes you or your kids still get sunburned. Even if you do not burn, sun and other elements from being outside can dry out skin. If that happens, here’s how to treat a sunburn or dry skin.
After-sun skin care can moisturize skin and provide sunburn relief. Some great after sun care products to try:
Allergy Relief
Spending time outdoors can be less enjoyable with uncomfortable allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, or sneezing. If you are affected by allergy symptoms, you might consider preventing them before you head outside with a long-lasting treatment option, available from TopCare.
Here are some quality and affordable allergy relief medicines available:
- TopCare 24-Hour Allergy Relief Non-Drowsy Nasal Spray
- TopCare All Day Allergy Relief 24-Hour Tablet
- TopCare No Drip Nasal Spray 12-Hour Relief
- TopCare Non-Drowsy 24-Hour Allergy Relief Tablets for Indoor and Outdoor Allergies
Embracing the outdoors enriches our lives, yet it’s crucial to prioritize safety and protection from the elements. Shielding ourselves and our families from harmful UV rays, practicing after-sun care and preventing allergy symptoms will help you and your family enjoy fun in the sun in a safer way. Trust TopCare to support your outdoor activities. Find TopCare at a retailer near you.
Share this article!