Having a tan makes us look slimmer, healthier, and makes us feel good about ourselves. But is a natural sun tan worth the risk of skin cancer? We all know the dangers of the sun, yet each summer many of us take the risk and sunbathe without adequate protection.

The Sun’s UVA rays are responsible for prematurely ageing the skin and causing wrinkles, while the UVB rays are responsible for burning the skin and causing irreversible damage and melanomas.

In order to enjoy the sun safely and keep your skin from unnecessary harm follow our summer skincare tips…

• Wear sunscreen – Sunscreen is available as lotion, cream, ointment, gel, spray, or wax stick – whatever form it comes in, make sure you slather it on any exposed bits of skins, and even the skin that can’t be seen. The best sunscreens are water resistant so that water or sweat cannot easily wash them off; and have an SPF of 15 or higher. If you have fair skin prone to burning then you should be wearing SPF 30 of higher. Regularly re-apply sunscreen throughout the day, especially after swimming.
• Cover up – Sunscreen can only go so far in protecting your skin from the damaging effects of the sun so it’s important to cover up too. Wear a lightweight sunhat to protect your ears, scalp, and neck from burning, and wear loose clothing made from natural fibres to keep your arms, legs, and torso covered. Lighter colours reflect UV rays, while darker materials absorb them and keep them away from your body but can leave you feeling warm.
• Wear sunglasses – Don’t forget to protect your eyes and the delicate skin that surrounds them. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can redden the whites of the eyes just like sunburn on the skin, causing cataracts or macular degeneration. Opt for sunglasses with UV protection of at least 400, with gray and brown coloured lenses.
• Tan without the sun – If you insist on having tanned skin then it’s far safer to get it out of a bottle or in a booth. Self tanning lotion and spray tanning have come a long way and streaks are a thing of the past now!
• Moisturise – When the weather heats up it can be easy to let your skin get a bit too dehydrated so it’s important to keep it moisturised. Choose a face cream and body moisturiser suitable for your skin type and use them every day to keep your skin hydrated from the outside.
• Drink water – Our bodies are made up from 70% water, and all of our vital organs and bodily process rely on proper hydration. Your skin is one of the biggest organs and is one of the first  to show the effects of dehydration as your internal organs take up any available water to keep on functioning. Drink plenty of water to make sure your body has an adequate amount for carrying out all of its necessary functions.